A University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston study has identified a new strain of vancomycin-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus that caused a bloodstream infection in a Brazilian patient, with results published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Vancomycin is the most common antibiotic for treatment of MRSA, according to a news release. It is the first time a vancomycin-resistant strain of MRSA has been known to cause a bloodstream infection.
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The strain's vancomycin resistance originated in the community, rather than the hospital, according to the study. This is potentially problematic because community-associated MRSA is associated with easily transmittable skin infections in people of all ages and health statuses, according to a news release.
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