CA-MRSA: emerging remotely

Abstract

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) was first described in remote Indigenous populations in Australia over 20 years ago. The burden of staphylococcal disease, including S. aureus bacteraemia, disproportionately affects Indigenous populations and is likely related to socio-economic disadvantage. Factors such as domestic crowding, poor hygiene and high rates of scabies, skin sores and antibiotic use contribute to the transmission and emergence of CA-MRSA. Studies focusing on two clones, sequence type (ST) 93 and clonal complex (CC) 75, provide supportive evidence for the emergence of methicillin-resistance in Indigenous communities.