The Continuing Emergence of MRSA

Faculty

Craig Martin, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Infectious Diseases
University of Kentucky Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy
University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

Needs Statement

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) first appeared less than one year after the clinical introduction of methicillin. Despite this early appearance, MRSA did not become a significant and common clinical problem until the 1980s. Since that time, national rates of MRSA past 50%. In addition, a new therapeutic dilemma has emerged; that of community-associated MRSA (caMRSA). This emergence has brought new complexity to the diagnosis and treatment of outpatient infections, as beta-lactam therapy is ineffective against all MRSA strains. Now that caMRSA is a commonly-encountered entity in community and hospital practice, treatment paradigms are changing. All practitioners who care for infected patients should understand the complexities associated with these phenomena. This program discusses the evolution of MRSA, the impact of methicillin resistance on Staphylococcal infections, the introduction of caMRSA into the inpatient healthcare setting, and therapeutic options for MRSA therapy.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for healthcare professionals who treat MRSA in a pediatric setting.

Objectives

1.  Discuss the evolutionary history of resistance in MRSA;
2.  Understand the differences between caMRSA and haMRSA;
3.  Discuss MRSA treatment options.

Accreditation

Medicine
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent in the educational activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Martin is on the speaker's bureau for Ortho-McNeil and Cubist.