What Is a Superbug Staff Infection?

Staphlococcus aureus (staph) is a bacteria commonly found on skin and in the nose. Normal healthy immune systems are not bothered by ordinary staph germs, which sometimes infect cuts and lacerations. Infantile impetigo is a skin staph infection that spreads among children. Most staph infections can be prevented or treated with simple hygiene practices.

A staph "superbug" occurs when bacteria become resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphlococcus aureas (MRSA) is a superbug staph infection that does not respond to treatment with methicillin, penicillin, amoxicillin or similar commonly prescribed antibiotics.

History

• As early as 1959, doctors and researchers were aware of Staphlococcus' ability to evolve and become resistant to antibiotic medication. Methicillin was developed specifically to treat penicillin-resistant infections. By 1961, reports of a methicillin-resistant Staphlococcus aureus were appearing in Europe. Similar infections soon surfaced in Australia, Japan, and the United States. Today, MRSA commands worldwide concern. Superbugs are becoming increasingly resistant even to treatment with vancomycin, a powerful antibiotic that doctors typically reserve as a last resort.

Types

• MRSA can be either hospital-acquired (HA-MRSA) or community acquired (CA-MRSA). HA-MRSA refers to staph organisms that take hold in the populations of patients with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing dialysis or elderly persons in crowded nursing homes. These superbugs can cause havoc by infecting surgical wounds or contributing to pneumonia or other illnesses. Infection-control practices among health care workers are the best preventive measures for HA-MRSA.

  CA-MRSA is more common in overcrowded prisons, shelters and schools, sometimes spreading through athletic teams, among otherwise healthy individuals. These infections most often take the form of minor skin irritations and boils. Drainage of these wounds by a health care professional may be the extent of treatment.

Features

• HA-MRSA is spread by poor infection-control procedures in hospitals and nursing homes. According to a spring 2009 report from FierceHealthcare News, one new practice has shown promise: when used hospital gowns were wadded up and effectively "sealed" inside a disposable glove, MRSA rates dropped by half. CA-MRSA is spread by close physical contact. Practices such as frequent hand washing, daily showers with antibacterial soap and not sharing towels, soap or razors will reduce the rates of transmission. Isolating those who have active infections and covering wounds until they heal are other proven strategies that prevent the spread of CA-MRSA.

Considerations

• Overuse and improper use of antibiotics is typically blamed for the evolution of MRSA. While it is true that using antibiotics when there are effective alternatives, or not finishing prescribed courses of treatment, contributes to the problem, even appropriate use of antibiotics does not kill every targeted germ. Those that survive quickly develop resistance. Antibiotics also invade food and groundwater supplies when they are used for livestock or through improper disposal of expired medications.

Identification

• Superbug staph infections may begin as small red bumps that are mistaken for pimples, insect bites or boils. Deep abscesses then develop that are painful and require medical attention. Usually infection is confined to the skin. In rare cases, infection can spread to blood, bone, lungs, heart valves or joints. Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent further spread of infection in the body and to others.