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
Recent Updates
- 18 June 2009: Quarterly Reporting Results for MRSA Bacteraemia. June 2009
- 20 February 2009:
Voluntary Reporting Results for Staphylococcus aureus (PDF, 180 KB) 2007 - 7 November 2008: Guidance on the diagnosis and management of PVL-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections (PVL-SA) in England (PDF, 2.3 MB)
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 methicillin, termed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
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