Show your support of CIRI with the 'CIRI Supporter' logo, available for display on your Web site upon joining CIRI.
Join today and help CIRI advance the cause of cleaner, more productive, and healthier indoor environments through scientific research!
Microbes in the Environment
"[The] ability to inactivate microbes in the environment on a continuous basis is important because bacteria, including MRSA, can survive in a variety of conditions for long periods of time and can spread via dust particles, clothing, furniture, or hospital equipment that have been in contact with infected patients..."
Dr. Charles P. Gerba PhD
Professor of Environmental Microbiology
University of Arizona
10045.jpg (1 MB)
This 2005 colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted numerous clumps of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, commonly referred to by the acronym, MRSA; Magnified 4780. Recently recognized outbreaks, or clusters of MRSA in community settings have been associated with strains that have some unique microbiologic and genetic properties, compared with the traditional hospital-based MRSA strains, which suggests some biologic properties, e.g., virulence factors like toxins, may allow the community strains to spread more easily, or cause more skin disease. A common strain named USA300-0114 has caused many such of outbreaks in the United States. See PHIL 7820 for a black and white version of this image.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, e.g., bloodstream, pneumonia, bone infections, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, and dialysis centers. Those who acquire a MRSA infection usually have a weakened immune system, however, the manifestation of MRSA infections that are acquired by otherwise healthy individuals, who have not been recently hospitalized, or had a medical procedure such as dialysis, or surgery, first began to emerged in the mid- to late-1990's. These infections in the community are usually manifested as minor skin infections such as pimples and boils. Transmission of MRSA has been reported most frequently in certain populations, e.g., children, sports participants, or jail inmates.
Source: CDC
Popular Topics: Swine Flu | H1N1 | MRSA | Staph | Norovirus | Flu | E. Coli | C. Difficile | Salmonella | Green Cleaning | Cleaning for Health | Nosocomial Infections | Disinfection | Bacteria | Viruses | Indoor Air Quality | Asthma | Allergies | Allergen | Mold
This site donated by:
