Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive facultative aerobic, nonmotile coccus that is an opportunistic pathogen in both humans and animals. A new window was opened for eradication of infections by bacteria with the discovery of antibiotics. Plasmid-borne resistance genes appeared soon afterwards. Currently, the distribution of antibiotic-resistant genes between bacteria via horizontal and vertical transformation and prescription of antibiotics has severely complicated treatment of infection. Antibiotic resistant bacteria have become a worldwide concern. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are now recognized as problematic bacteria. The current review aims to cover some aspects of MRSA and its distribution worldwide. (C) 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.