Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that is a common coloniser of human skin and mucosa. Staphylococcus aureus can cause disease, particularly if there is an opportunity for the bacteria to enter the body.

Image courtesy of K Hiramatsu

Illnesses such as skin and wound infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and bacteraemia (blood stream infection) may then develop if the bacteria enter the body. Staphylococcus aureus can also cause food poisoning . Most strains of this bacterium are sensitive to many antibiotics, and infections can be effectively treated. Some S. aureus bacteria are resistant to the antibiotic meticillin, termed meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

What's new

3 February 2010: Routine reporting results for the mandatory surveillance of MRSA bacteraemia
31 December 2009: Information and guidance for the new Department of Health MRSA Objective 2010-11
3 December 2009: Quarterly Epidemiological Commentary: Trends in MRSA bacteraemia and C. difficile infection from July 2007 to September 2009
20 November 2009: Voluntary surveillance of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2004 to 2008
15 October 2009: Reports and rates of MRSA bacteraemia in elective patients (NHS Choices)
10 July 2009: Commentary on Reporting of C. difficile infections and MRSA bacteraemia from the Independent Sector
7 November 2008: Guidance on the diagnosis and management of PVL-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections (PVL-SA) in England (PDF, 1.6 MB)

Related Information

›› MRSA - Information for patients in hospital
›› Staphylococcus aureus references
›› PVL-associated Staphylococcus aureus
›› Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring & Reference Laboratory (ARMRL)
›› Laboratory of HealthCare Associated Infection (LHCAI)
›› Guidelines for submission of Staphylococcus aureus isolates (including MRSA)
›› Antimicrobial Resistance
›› Bacteraemia
›› Healthcare Associated Infections
›› Impetigo
›› Mortality
›› Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning

External Links

›› NHS Evidence - MRSA
›› NHS Evidence - Staphylococcus aureus