• Question: How are antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA treated?

    Asked by 536anta25 to Marikka, Matt, Rob on 20 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Robert Hampson

      Robert Hampson answered on 20 Nov 2014:


      There are many different strains of MRSA (methicillin resistant Stahylococcus aureus). To be classified as MRSA, the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria only has to be resistant to Methicillin (a specific common antibiotic). If this is the only thing the strain is resistant to then you can treat it with a multitude of other antibiotics. However, most MRSAs are also resistant to many other antibiotics. For example, a strain of MRSA called USA300 which is able to spread in the community (i.e. outside of hospital) is often resistant to Methicillin, Oxacillin, Erythromycin, Levofloxacin, and sometimes also resistant to Clindamycin, Mupirocin,and Tetracycline.

      Most MRSA strains are still susceptible to Vancomycin which is often used for treatment when MRSA is suspected.

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