Spread of Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) is through human-to-human contact, although recently some vets have discovered that the infection can be spread through pets, with environmental contamination thought to play a relatively unimportant part. Emphasis on basic hand washing techniques are therefore effective in preventing the transmission of ''S. aureus''. The use of disposable aprons and gloves by staff reduces skin-to-skin contact and therefore further reduces the risk of transmission. Please refer to the article on infection control for further details.
Recently, there have been a myriad of reported cases of ''S. aureus'' in hospitals across America. The pathogen has had facilitated transportation in medical facilities mainly because of insufficient healthcare worker hygiene. ''S. aureus'' is an incredibly hardy bacterium, as was shown in a study where it survived on a piece of polyester for just under three months, polyester being the main material used in hospital privacy curtains.
The bacterium is able to transport itself on the hands of healthcare workers who, for instance, get the bacteria from a seemingly healthy patient carrying a "benign" or commensal strain of the pathogen and then pass it on to the next patient being cared for. Introduction of the bacterium into the bloodstream can lead to various complications including, but not limited to, endocarditis, meningitis, and, if it is widespread, sepsis - toxins infecting the entire body.
Because of these infections in hospitals, as of February 14, 2008, all California medical facilities must now report ''S. aureus'' infections that are checked into the hospitals, in the hope of starting a trend to aid disease trackers and pathologists in their search for a cure.
Alcohol has proven to be an effective topical sanitizer against MRSA. Quaternary ammonium can be used in conjunction with alcohol to increase the duration of the sanitizing action. The prevention of nosocomial infections involve routine and terminal cleaning. Nonflammable alcohol vapor in CO2 NAV-CO2 systems have an advantage as they do not attack metals or plastics used in medical environments, and do not contribute to antibacterial resistance.
An important and previously unrecognized means of community-associated methicillin-resistant ''S. aureus'' colonization and transmission is during sexual contact.
Staff or patients who are found to carry resistant strains of ''S. aureus'' may be required to undergo "eradication therapy" which may include antiseptic washes and shampoos (such as chlorhexidine) and application of topical antibiotic ointments (such as mupirocin or neomycin) to the anterior nares of the nose.
The nonprotein amino acid L-homoarginine is a growth inhibitor of Staphylococcus aureus as well as Candida albicans. It is assumed to be an antimetabolite of arginine.
In March 2007, the BBC reported that a vaporizer spraying some essential oils (including tea tree oil) into the atmosphere reduced airborne bacterial counts by 90% and kept MRSA infections at bay and may hold promise in MRSA infection control.
Further Reading
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"Staphylococcus aureus"
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