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Article: Material surfaces and MRSA: it appears that our hospitals are facing serious threats from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, especially meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this article, some of the new materials-related solutions to these threats are discussed.(material matters column)(Column)
- Article from:
- Medical Device Technology
- Article date:
- September 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Octo Media Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Evolution of the problem
MRSA, meticillin (formerly known as methicillin) resistant Staphylococcus aureus to most people, and "superbug" to others, is a subject of considerable scientific and public concern. Although first recognised in the early 1960s, MRSA was an uncommon cause of infection for several decades, but it rapidly increased in significance in the 1980s, some strains then becoming of an epidemic nature in the 1990s. Today, the prevalence of MRSA infections is of major concern worldwide, especially within some particular clinical settings such as intensive-care units (ICUs) where patients are especially susceptible and where transmission of bacteria is ...