Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium found on the skin and in the nose of up to 25 percent of healthy people and animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. S. aureus causes a wide variety of infections, most of which are localized to the skin and are nonfatal in nature. The bacterium produces superficial skin lesions, but can also cause serious internal infections, including hospital-acquired pneumonia, meningitis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, and bacteremia. Some strains of S. aureus are resistant to antibiotics, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), making treatment challenging. Staphylococcus aureus Infections, Second Edition describes the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of S. aureus infections, the newest related research, and future prospects for controlling the bacteria.

Chapters and topics include:

• Bacteria
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Staphylococcus aureus, the Immune System,and Bacterial Virulence Factors
• Fighting Staphylococcus aureus Infections
• Staphylococcus aureus and Mechanisms of Resistance
• Methicillin- and Vancoymcin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
• Staphylococcus aureus and Prevention of Antibiotic Resistance
• The Future of Staphylococcus aureus Treatment.