New MRSA Strain Is Deadlier, More Focused on Elderly

Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital have found that a particular strain of MRSA is five time more lethal than other strains - and it seems to be targeting older patients.
The strain is also more resistant to vancomycin, the potent drug used to treat MRSA.

The average age of patients with the strain, known as USA600, is 64. The average age of patients with other MRSA strains is 52. According to the study, USA600 has unique characteristics that could possibly be linked to the high mortality rate. The study found that 50 percent of patients who were infected with the strain died within 30 days, compared to 11 percent of patients with other strains of MRSA.

The majority of MRSA infections occur in hospitals and other healthcare settings, but a growing number are being acquired by otherwise healthy people outside of those settings.