MRSA Notes

In an article published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, infectious disease experts warn of MRSA strains that are emerging and spreading with alarming rapidity across Canada. These are the same strains that have been working in the U.S. on our children and our athletes.

The resistant bacteria is an “old foe with [...]

At their annual Skin Academy, the American Academy of Dermatology’s, Dr. Sandra M. Johnson spoke about the importance of teaching your small children proper skin care habits that will last them a lifetime. Along with much discussion of bug bites, warts, inflamation and other skin conditions that are frequently found in children, Dr. Johnson [...]

Panton-Valentine Leukocidin is the toxic waste left behind by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in some cases. This is often the cytotoxin that leads to TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) as well as necrotizing fasiitis. PVL is most often found in CA-MRSA, but has been found in MSSA (Methicillin Susceptable Staph aureus) on occasion.
This journal article [...]

At least 45 students in Sumner, Rutherford and Franklin, TN counties have been diagnosed with Staphylococcal infections in the past couple of weeks - the Rutherford county students had MRSA, the antibiotic resistant bacteria.
All schools began a daily program of disinfection (with bleach) of the athletic facilities, bathrooms and cafeterias, and do not [...]

This is from Deanna, Moira’s mother - Moira is recovering well (thank goodness) from an MRSA infection:
My 2 year old daughter, Moira, spent the last few weeks in the Children’s Hospital in isolation due to an infection caused by MRSA - MRSA stands for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus…and is an antibiotic resistant strain of Staph. [...]

This from WBTV.com in Charlotte:

The MRSA staff infection has been reported among some student-athletes in Lincoln County.
Altogether, there have been five cases with the most recent cases reported this past Thursday.
One case happened before school started and the remaining cases have happened at West Lincoln High School.
All of the people with MRSA are athletes [...]

I *just* received this in my email - how timely, and ultimately, how frightening:
To whom it may concern,
A Public School in Lincolnton North Carolina has just been closed with 30 cases of MRSA.
This information was received from a relative whose children attend this school.
I found your address while surfing the wed to learn about this [...]

As if the last two stories weren’t enough, 3 athletes at a Baldwin County, Alabama high school have been diagnosed with staph infections, one of the students with antibiotic resistant MRSA. Anybody paying attention to this? Just a few weeks into the school year…
Three recent cases of staph infection at a Baldwin County [...]

Just barely more than a week after classes have officially gotten under way at Stang High School in Massachusetts, 2 confirmed cases of MRSA and one unconfirmed case have appeared among their male student athletes.
Mrs. Dougall [the principal] said letters were sent home Tuesday to the parents of the school’s male and female [...]

Through the very heartbreaking story of Jacob Marshall, Fresno’s local ABC news station is warning the community about the dangers of MRSA:
Jacob Marshall’s mother Millie says it took just a few hours for the aggressive bacteria to settle in and take over her son’s body.
“Just overnight, it happened so fast that the bacteria started attacking [...]