Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a new player in sports medicine.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has emerged as a major pathogen, with distinct clinical characteristics and target populations. It has a striking ability to infect the young and the healthy. Persons in crowded conditions are at risk, including athletes, military personnel, jail inmates, and children in daycare. Most CA-MRSA infections are composed of simple and complicated skin and soft tissue infections; invasive disease occurs in 6% to 10% of cases. CA-MRSA infections can be treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, or clindamycin. For severe infections, vancomycin, daptomycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, or linezolid can be used. Infection control should be an integral part of any CA-MRSA treatment program.