Scientists have identified a new strain of MRSA that occurs both in human and dairy cow populations and could go undetected under standard MRSA testing, according to a University of Cambridge news release.
The new strain's genetic makeup differs greatly from previous strains. This means that the polymerase chain reaction technique and slide agglutination testing, standard molecular tests currently used to identify MRSA, do not detect this new strain.
Subsequent research revealed that the new strain was also present in humans. During the study, the new strain was found in samples from Scotland, England and Denmark. It has since been identified in Ireland and Germany. The new research also raises questions about whether cows could be a reservoir for the new strains of MRSA.
Read the news release about the new strain of MRSA.
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The new strain's genetic makeup differs greatly from previous strains. This means that the polymerase chain reaction technique and slide agglutination testing, standard molecular tests currently used to identify MRSA, do not detect this new strain.
Subsequent research revealed that the new strain was also present in humans. During the study, the new strain was found in samples from Scotland, England and Denmark. It has since been identified in Ireland and Germany. The new research also raises questions about whether cows could be a reservoir for the new strains of MRSA.
Read the news release about the new strain of MRSA.
Related Articles on MRSA:
14 Babies at Alaska's Providence Hospital Infected by MRSA Since March
New Practices at Texas Hospital Lead to 82% Decline of Infection by Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria
Patient Safety Tool: 10 Common Questions and Answers About MRSA
