Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) shows a strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria taken from a vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) culture.
SpecialtyMicrobiology
Diagnostic methodDisk diffusion[1]
TreatmentBeta-lactam antibiotic (in combination)[2]

Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) are strains of Staphylococcus aureus that have acquired resistance to the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin.[3] Bacteria can acquire resistant genes either by random mutation or through the transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another. Resistance genes interfere with the normal antibiotic function and allow bacteria to grow in the presence of the antibiotic.[4] Resistance in VRSA is conferred by the plasmid-mediated vanA gene and operon.[5] Although VRSA infections are uncommon, VRSA is often resistant to other types of antibiotics and a potential threat to public health because treatment options are limited.[6] VRSA is resistant to many of the standard drugs used to treat S. aureus infections. Furthermore, resistance can be transferred from one bacterium to another.[5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference vre was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference beta was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "CDC - VISA / VRSA in Healthcare Settings - HAI". www.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2015-06-11.
  4. ^ Cloeckaert, Axel; Zygmunt, Michel S.; Doublet, Benoît (2017-12-05). "Editorial: Genetics of Acquired Antimicrobial Resistance in Animal and Zoonotic Pathogens". Frontiers in Microbiology. 8: 2428. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.02428. ISSN 1664-302X. PMC 5723418. PMID 29259602.
  5. ^ a b McGuinness, Will A.; Malachowa, Natalia; DeLeo, Frank (23 Jun 2017). "Vancomycin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus". Yale J Biol Med. 90 (2): 269–281. PMC 5482303. PMID 28656013.
  6. ^ Cong, Yanguang; Yang, Sijin; Rao, Xiancai (January 2020). "Vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: A review of case updating and clinical features". Journal of Advanced Research. 21: 169–176. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2019.10.005. ISSN 2090-1232. PMC 7015472. PMID 32071785.