Community Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) Skin Infections

Stephen A. Martin, EdM, MD and Paul P. Belliveau, PharmD Reviewed 05/2023

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has unique properties that allow the organism to cause skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in healthy hos...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Review risk factors.
“Spider bite” is commonly confused with MRSA—patients often report a history of spider bite.
Prior CA-MRSA skin infection
Risk factors alone cannot rule in or rule o...

TREATMENT

For purulent infections, surgical drainage for abscesses, wound culture, and narrow-spectrum antimicrobials.
See Alert section regarding use of antibiotics in uncomplicated cases.
Use antibiot...

ONGOING CARE

Patients who present with intravenous drug use should be effectively connected to ongoing substance use disorder care.

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

For outpatients: promptly...

REFERENCES

Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al; for Infectious Diseases Society of America. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissu...

ADDITIONAL READING

Yueh CM, Chi H, Chiu NC, et al. Etiology, clinical features, management, and outcomes of skin and soft tissue infections in hospitalized children: A 10-year review. J Mi...

CODES

ICD10

A49.02 Methicillin resis staph infection, unsp site
A41.02 Sepsis due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
J15.212 Pneumonia due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Z22.32...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Incise and drain abscesses and send purulent material for culture and sensitivity.
Local susceptibility patterns of CA-MRSA should guide empiric antibiotic treatment.
Expect clinical imp...

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