Treatment and recurrence management of staphylococcal infections: community-acquired MRSA

The increasing prevalence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has resulted in a change in the paradigm for the treatment of skin and soft-tissue infections. The CA-MRSA strains are more likely to carry the genes for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin and have increased susceptibility to non-beta-lactam antibiotics. As a result, a wide range of therapies is available for treatment of CA-MRSA infections. Relapses occur frequently and the optimal approach to eliminate colonization is not clear. This article reviews the therapeutic options for patients with presumed and definite MRSA infections, as well as for the prevention of relapses.