ASPECTS OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MRSA IN EUROPE

The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staplrylococcus aureus (MRSA) varies in different European countries, in different cities in the sam e country or even within a city or a hospital. It is thought that the overall incidence of MRSA is higher than ever before, although the rea sons for this are unclear. MRSA typing can identify epidemic MRSA in m any countries. The spread of a closely related clone in Northern Europ e is a cause for concern, as it is resistant to many agents. In the UK , control measures are threatened by changing patterns of health care and patient demography. Resistance to mupirocin, a valuable agent in t he control of MRSA, has emerged in many hospitals in the UK, thus the agent must be used judiciously.