MRSA

American  

[mur-suh, saidasletters] / ˈmɜr sə, saidasletters /

noun

1. methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , a bacterium that is highly resistant to methicillin, penicillin, and certain other antibiotics, and may cause infections of the skin, blood, lungs, etc..

   MRSA infections in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

2. a staph infection caused by these bacteria.

   the threat of MRSA among athletes.

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MRSA British  

abbreviation

1. methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus : a bacterium that enters the skin through open wounds to cause septicaemia and is extremely resistant to most antibiotics. It has been responsible for outbreaks of untreatable infections among patients in hospitals

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Etymology

Origin of MRSA

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Steward said his daughter, while surfing nearby, became sick with an infection from a type of bacteria called MRSA, which is resistant to many antibiotics.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

She was looking after both babies by herself in intensive care when hospital staff from outside the unit told her they had tested positive for a bacterial infection called MRSA.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2024

She said she had privileges stripped and eventually was diagnosed with MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant infection.

From Seattle Times • May 16, 2024

Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, died on April 30 after battling a stretch of illness that began with influenza B and MRSA, a bacterial infection, and eventually pneumonia.

From Salon • May 2, 2024

In the latest paper, Huang announced several discoveries that will help the development of a carbohydrate-based vaccine for infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and its "superbug" relative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024