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Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus

Precautions

See 'Additional Information'

General Information

Coagulase positive, gram-positive cocci in clusters.

Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous organism that colonizes the skin/nares and can cause invasive disease.

MRSA risk factors include:

  • Health care exposure
  • Antimicrobial use
  • Incarceration
  • IDU
  • Shared equipment
  • Others
  • Pyogenic skin and soft tissue infection
  • MSK infection
  • Endocarditis
  • Abscess
  • Pneumonia
  • Infection of prosthetic devices
  • Others

MSSA: Standard precautions.

MRSA: Requires contact precautions. Add droplet precautions if patient has a cough.