Severe staphylococcal cutaneous infections and toxic shock syndrome

Severe staphylococcal cutaneous infections and toxic shock syndrome Book Chapter

Valencia, IC, Kerdel, FA. (2009). Severe staphylococcal cutaneous infections and toxic shock syndrome . 67-78. 10.1007/978-3-540-79339-7_7

Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections have become epidemic in the United States and elsewhere, and represent a threat to the community and to persons without risk factors. MRSA infection should be suspected in certain patient populations, and in patients not responding to standard β-lactam therapy. Cultures of wounds should be obtained, and proper antibiotic guidelines should be followed. Because there are epidemiological and microbiological differences between community-associated and health care-associated MRSA infections, strategies to prevent and treat these infections likely differ as well. © Springer Berlin Heidelberg 2009.