[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the community].

- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections have been confined to healthcare centres for decades. - However, MRSA infections are increasingly seen in young healthy individuals with no exposure to healthcare centres. - These community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) strains differ from healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) strains in various ways. - For example, CA-MRSA is strongly associated with the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV and the toxin Panton-Valentine leukocidin. - CA-MRSA spreads relatively easily but often remains susceptible to non-β-lactam antibiotics. - Given the epidemic potential of CA-MRSA strains, there is a high probability that the number of CA-MRSA infections will increase in the Netherlands. In order to prevent and control CA-MRSA outbreaks in the community successfully, the restrictive Dutch antibiotic policy must be followed with strict infection prevention measures.