The problem, the consequences, and rapid testing solutions
Worldwide, it is estimated that between 2-53 million people carry Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and rates are increasing rapidly. This makes MRSA the most commonly identified, antibiotic-resistant pathogen in Europe, the Americas, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia.1
The Problem
Patients infected with multi-drug resistant organisms such as MRSA are likely to have longer and more expensive hospital stays, and may be more likely to die as a result of the infection.2 MRSA is problematic in healthcare facilities where patients with open wounds, invasive devices and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection than the general public.
The Consequences
The multi-drug resistance capability of MRSA means there are limited treatment options and Vancomycin is often the last line of defense against the infection.
Continued inappropriate use and overuse of Vancomycin makes it inevitable that resistance will emerge, and Vancomycin-resistant MRSA has been reported in some countries.3