[lynn85]

I am writing a research paper on MRSA. I have exhausted all sources. So far, I have not been able to find an answer to this question: Why do some carriers of S. aureus remain unharmed by the bacterium, and what causes some to become infected?

I know it is commonly found in the nose. If a carrier is in the hospital and develops a MRSA wound infection-- how did this happen exactly? What causes the transition from carriage to infection?

I have written my entire research paper and one of my peers reviewed it. This was the one aspect I needed to work on.

I am driving myself insane!

[wildmountainchild]

You have to be susceptible to infection. This is a big area of research right now.....why some people get sick and some people don't when expeosed to the same pathogen.

If you are stressed, acutely or chronically, levels of cortisol will directly effect your immune response. I got sick twice in my first month of nursing school.......I was stressed out and it compromised my immune system.

Google "Stress and wound healing". It will bring up some links that should give you some ideas of where to go.

Also there is natural immunity, some even believe that a very small portion of the population is naturally immune to AIDS.

Keep in mind that immunocommpromised individuals will get ill with infections that all of us carry but generally don't get ill from.

This could be a whole research papaer itself. Good luck.

[lynn85]

So it's sort of unknown as this point as to the exact reason?

So in order to aquire MRSA, your immune system must be compromised. Therefore, your body is unable to fight the bacteria as it normally would, and a wound, or respiratory system, etc whatever MRSA came into contact with is infected.

My other question is-- in my research I've found many people carry s. aurues and are unharmed by it. Is the same true for MRSA (a smaller percentage of carriers of course)?

Ok now my question just seems dumb. I think I am thinking waaaay to into this! I am so sick right now(very stressed this semester..maybe the cortisol levels) and my brain is so foggy. I'm sure when I get better I'll read this and be incredibly embarrassed for posting all this.

Will google that BTW.

I've heard that about AIDS..quite interesting.

Thanks for your help!

[Daytonite]

Try exploring the information on some of these links:

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2166.htm - Staphylococcal Infections. From eMedicine. Includes listing of antibiotics used to treat as well as complications of the infection itself.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html - information for the public about MRSA from the CDC

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/staphylococcalinfections.html - a page of links to more specific information about MRSA conditions on the Medline Plus site

http://www.symptoms101.com/med/archives/2005/05/msra.php - symptoms of MRSA

http://mrsa-survivors.org/index.html - MRSA Survivor's Network. Site includes symptoms and a fact sheet.

[Achoo!]

There is a difference between staph aureus and methicillin resistant staph aureus. The bacteria has changed in some way- by transposition, transportation, conjugation, or transformation.
Hospital aquired is transmitted by invasive procedures, such as IV sites, catheters, mechanical ventilation etc, and yes the elderly and immunocomprimised are most at risk.

Also, there is a community based MRSA you may want to add as well in your paper.

[maryk99]

Also, just thinking, wouldn't there have to be some sort of opening for the bacteria to enter the body i.e. open skin, non-effective mucous membrane, etc.....

Good luck!

[Megsd]

A lot of people get MRSA and other similar infections from IV catheters, ventilators, ET tubes, synthetic heart valves and other foreign bodies because the bacteria adheres very well to certain materials. So while they may not have an open wound, anything sticking out of them and into the environment could potentially become a source of infection.