Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): burden of disease and control challenges in Europe

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of healthcare-and community-associated infections worldwide. Within the healthcare setting alone, MRSA infections are estimated to affect more than 150,000 patients annually in the European Union (EU), resulting in attributable extra in-hospital costs of EUR 380 million for EU healthcare systems. Pan-European surveillance data on bloodstream infections show marked variability among EU Member States in the proportion of S. aureus that are methicillin-resistant, ranging from less than 1% to more than 50%. In the past five years, the MRSA bacteraemia rates have decreased significantly in 10 EU countries with higher endemic rates of MRSA infections. In addition to healthcare-associated infections, new MRSA strains have recently emerged as communityand livestock-associated human pathogens in most EU Member States. The prevention and control of MRSA have therefore been identified as public health priorities in the EU. In this review, we describe the current burden of MRSA infections in healthcare and community settings across Europe and outline the main threats caused by recent changes in the epidemiology of MRSA. Thereby, we aim at identifying unmet needs of surveillance, prevention and control of MRSA in Europe.

Differing epidemiology of two major healthcare-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clones

“…Today, MRSA is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitals and the community. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Circulating MRSA clones vary between hospital and community settings. A small number of MRSA clones have dominated globally in hospital settings, and progressive waves of different clones have occurred over time.…”

Hybrid modelling case studies

“…Health-careassociated infections are the most common complication to affect patients in hospitals; most cases are preventable (WHO, 2011). Many infections are caused by endemic and often drug-resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Gould, 2005;Grundmann et al, 2006;Köck et al, 2010). MRSA acquired during hospital stay is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and places a large burden on health care resources.…”

Antibacterial activity of selected Dendrobium species against clinically isolated multiple drug resistant bacteria

“…Multiple drug resistant (MDR) pathogens has been increasing, causing nosocomial and communityacquired deadly infections mainly due to the extensive utilization of antibiotics (Köck et al, 2010;Mongalo et al, 2013). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Acinetobacter baumannii have inherent resistant to most available antibiotics (Chambers, 1997;Kim et al, 2005;Patzer and Dzierzanowska, 2007).…”