Staph Aureus and MRSA

Where Does it Come From?
Staph Aureus

• Skin or nasal mucus membranes of healthy individuals. Can be spread by person-to-person contact, or by coming into contact with a source of contamination. It is the most common “bug” that people acquire as hospital in-patients.

MRSA

• Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus. It is a form of Staph that has become multi-resistant to antibiotics.
  

Symptoms of Infection
Staph Aureus

• May appear as simple skin infections (pimples, cellulites, boils). More serious infection includes pneumonia or meningitis. Some forms of infection may cause food poisoning, or toxic shock syndrome.

• MRSA: Same as Staph Aureus

Prevalence

• According to the Centers for Disease Control, 25-30% of the population is colonized by staph
• According to the CDC, approximately 1% of the population is colonized by MRSA. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation reports that nearly 6% of children with CF have MRSA
  

Treated With

• Staph: Vancomycin (or equivalent)

• MRSA: May require treatment by a combination of antibiotics.

How to Avoid It

• Staph: Always wash hands before and after a visit to your CF Clinic appointment, or when visiting someone in the hospital. Always maintain 3 feet of distance between yourself and another patient. Keep a hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes available just in case.
• MRSA: Be very strict about following cross-infection protocol. Avoid touching things (like elevator buttons, drinking fountains or even doorknobs) in a patient care area where MRSA may be present. Wear gloves and a mask if necessary.
  

Additional Information and Scientific Studies

1. The Impact of Hygiene and Microbiology on CF Patients (very informative!)

2. Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-Positive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Lung Infection in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

3. MRSA in Cystic Fibrosis
4. MRSA in Patients with CF (2004)
5. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology (2006)
6. Risk Factors of MRSA in Patients with CF (2005)