How MRSA infection can permanently harm immune function

Harvard: Infections of the skin or other soft tissues by the hard-to-treat MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria appear to permanently compromise the lymphatic system, which is crucial to immune system function. In a report published online in Science Translational Medicine, Harvard Medical School investigators based at Massachusetts General Hospital describe findings that MRSA infection impairs the ability of lymphatic vessels to pump lymphatic fluid to lymph nodes in mouse models, which may contribute to the frequent recurrences of MRSA infection experienced by patients. 
“We found that MRSA produces toxins that kill the muscle cells critical to the pumping of lymph,” said senior study author Timothy Padera, HMS associate professor of radiation oncology at Mass General.

Fighting MRSA with new membrane-busting compound

ACS: Public health officials are increasingly concerned over methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The bacteria have developed resistance to a number of treatments, even antibiotics of last resort in some cases. Now researchers report in ACS’ journal Bioconjugate Chemistry that a new class of compounds can treat MRSA skin infections in mice with no signs of acute toxicity, and no signs that the bacteria would develop resistance to them after many applications.

Simple changes to antibiotic treatment of MRSA may help beat the bacteria

Liverpool: Microbiologists have identified how MRSA may be more effectively treated by modern-day antibiotics, if old-fashioned penicillin is also used. The team from the University of Liverpool and the National University of Ireland Galway have shown that, although penicillin does not kill the bacteria, it does weaken their virulence, making it easier for our immune system and other antibiotics to eradicate the infection. The research findings, funded by the Health Research Board and the Medical Research Council, are published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Cigarette Smoke Makes Superbugs More Aggressive

UCSD: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an antibiotic-resistant superbug, can cause life-threatening skin, bloodstream and surgical site infections or pneumonia. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine now report that cigarette smoke may make matters worse. The study, published March 30 by Infection and Immunity, shows that MRSA bacteria exposed to cigarette smoke become even more resistant to killing by the immune system.

A medieval remedy for modern bacteria

Nottingham: A one thousand year old Anglo-Saxon remedy (with garlic among other ingredients) for eye infections which originates from a manuscript in the British Library has been found to kill the modern-day superbug MRSA in an unusual research collaboration at The University of Nottingham. Dr Christina Lee, an Anglo-Saxon expert from the School of English has enlisted the help of microbiologists from University’s Centre for Biomolecular Sciences to recreate a 10th century potion for eye infections from Bald’s Leechbook an Old English leatherbound volume in the British Library, to see if it really works as an antibacterial remedy. The Leechbook is widely thought of as one of the earliest known medical textbooks and contains Anglo-Saxon medical advice and recipes for medicines, salves and treatments. 

Interventions to clear meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis

Cochrane: Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is the name given to a particular bacteria which is resistant to some types of antibiotics. This is particularly worrying for people with cystic fibrosis, which is an inherited condition that causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs.

MRSA Infections of the Skin

Author: Dr Bryan Cho University of California SF 2008-07-28

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Infections of the Skin
NTRODUCTION

Bacteria are microorganisms that are found almost everywhere. Most bacteria are harmless but some can cause infection. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that has emerged as a major cause of skin infections among otherwise healthy adults and children in the community. This bacterium is dangerous because it causes infections that cannot be treated with commonly used antibiotics that in the past would destroy the bacteria and cure the infection. Moreover, left untreated these infections can have serious complications. This article will discuss the risk factors for MRSA infections, what MRSA skin infections look like, and how they can be treated and avoided.