MRSA stands for which methicillin-resistant organism?

MRSA stands for which methicillin-resistant organism?

• A. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus
• B. Methicillin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis
• C. Multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium
• D. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Answer: (D)

MRSA means a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that has become resistant to methicillin. This resistance makes methicillin and many related beta-lactam antibiotics ineffective against these bacteria, which is why MRSA infections require different treatments and stricter infection-control measures. Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of skin, wound, and respiratory infections, and identifying MRSA helps clinicians choose appropriate antibiotics. The other options describe different bacteria or the non-resistant form. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus refers to S. aureus that can be treated with methicillin. The Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium choices are different bacteria altogether, and while Enterococcus species can be resistant to many drugs, their resistance is not described by MRSA.

MRSA means a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that has become resistant to methicillin. This resistance makes methicillin and many related beta-lactam antibiotics ineffective against these bacteria, which is why MRSA infections require different treatments and stricter infection-control measures. Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of skin, wound, and respiratory infections, and identifying MRSA helps clinicians choose appropriate antibiotics.

The other options describe different bacteria or the non-resistant form. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus refers to S. aureus that can be treated with methicillin. The Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium choices are different bacteria altogether, and while Enterococcus species can be resistant to many drugs, their resistance is not described by MRSA.