The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the community

ABSTRACTInfections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), long endemic in hospitals and nursing homes, are now being reported in the community as well. While we await further epidemiological and microbiological study of this emerging pathogen, current clinical practice requires a reconsideration of the empiric use of beta-lactam agents for the seriously ill patient with a gram-positive infection.