Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Review

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) have emerged worldwide. These CA-MRSA are different from classical hospital-acquired MRSA. They share common characteristics: they affect mainly young subjects, without past medical history. The majority of strains produce the Panton-Valentine leukocidin. They are mainly responsible for suppurative skin infections and rarely for invasive infections such as necrotizing pneumonia. The situation in the US is alarming with a main circulating clone the USA300 clone, whereas in Europe, the diffusion of CA-MRSA strains remains limited. It is important to take advantage of the experience acquired from the US to limit the potential spread of such CA-MRSA strains.