If you have heard the term MSSA in your MRSA research and didn’t know what it meant, I ran into a little article today that explains it very simply.
MSSA stands for Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and refers to all of the antibiotic-sensitive strains of Staph aureus, a common bacteria that can cause a wide variety of infections both in hospital and community environments. In other words, MSSA is the common type of Staph aureus that causes most Staph aureus infections and can be treated with penicillin-type antibiotics. [Source]
A Staph infection is either one or the other - resistant to or sensitive to (I also hear it frequently referred to as ’susceptable’ to) antibiotics. I hope you all, like Cheryl who commented on this post, have only experience with MSSA. That is scary enough on its own.
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4 responses so far ↓
Nichole Blankinship // Nov 12, 2007 at 6:39 pm
This is statement is a bit misleading as there are several variants of MSSA that are also resistant to antibiotics. The difference between MSSA and MRSA and the antibiotic resistance is that MRSA is resistant to all methicillins. For example, I have had MSSA and the strain I had was resistant to penicillin and to erythromycin, yet was susceptible to methicillin hence titled MSSA not MRSA.
cindy mars // May 15, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Hello, writing to find out if there are any new strains of mrsa out there? My son, who is 19, has our cf doctors stumped. He has mrsa and the only way we can treat it is thru linezolid. BUT, we know we can’t continue this forever. If you have any information on any new strains out there would SO much appreciate any information. My e-mail is: marsfamilyof5@yahoo.com
carl meyers // Aug 4, 2010 at 3:18 pm
I developed MSSA during spine surgery, an
infection that didn’t manifest itself for 7 months.
When it was discovewred, the Infectious Disease
Doctors didn’t exactly know what anti biotic to
use for tretament. We started IV’s using these:
RoseEffen ( 6 wks), then Vancoymycin (6wks)
then Oxycillin (2 wks). It was contained then
eliminated, although I continue on Doxycycline
(100mg daily). During the process I lost 60lbs
and were it not for encouragment from loved
ones and friends I might not be here. I’ve put
back 40 of the lost 60lbs during this year that
I’ve been home. I hope this info helps many.
Christy Campbell // Aug 17, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I have had mrsa for 12 years. I have had numerous infections of the skin that have come up at various time all over my body, even my face and neck. The only antibiotic that I believe can help get this awful condition under control is vancomycin. Almost all regular MDs will try you on bactrun first. That’s a waist of time and just another antibiotic you don’t need. Bypass a regular doc and go straight to an infectious disease doctor. About two years ago I began using a nettle pot to clean my nose about three times a week and faithfully taking a probiotic. I have had a break for almost two years until now. Now I tested positive for mssa. This is a different strain that can be treated with cillan meeds. I am actually happy. Mssa gives you more treatment options than mrsa. I have to be honest and say this disease has been in my lungs 3 times. If it kills me that will be how, but I have some hope since the strain has changed and mss a is more treatable. If anyone out there would like to talk to me feel free to email. Hope this info helps.
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