The global epidemiology of MRSA

MRSA remains a major global health challenge. Although its global prevalence has declined over the last decade, especially in high-income countries, MRSA still has a high burden of invasive infections and mortality. The global epidemiology of MRSA is characterized by significant regional heterogeneity, shaped by infection control policies and healthcare organization. Distinct epidemiological patterns characterize acute-care hospitals, long-term care facilities and community settings, reflecting differences in population vulnerability and healthcare exposure. At the molecular level, MRSA circulation is sustained by the dynamic coexistence of successful clonal lineages and by the evolving distribution of resistance determinants. MRSA acquisition is driven by a combination of patient-related, environmental and healthcare-associated factors, reflecting the complex interaction between host vulnerability and exposure intensity. On this basis, MRSA nasal screening has emerged as both an infection prevention measure and a key antimicrobial stewardship tool across multiple clinical scenarios. In recent years, therapeutic approaches have evolved, and new effective and safe anti-MRSA agents are currently available.