Healthcare-Associated MRSA
There are an estimated 1.7 million healthcare-associated infections each year, and Healthcare-Associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) accounts for around 8% of those cases. This type of staph infection occurs most frequently among people in hospitals and healthcare facilities who have weakened immune systems. HA-MRSA cases can cost over $100,000 and take over a week to treat.
Community-Associated MRSA
Community-Associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections are not acquired by people through hospitalization or medical procedures. Typically these infections manifest themselves as pimples or boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people. They mostly attack the skin and soft tissue, but deep-seated infections have also been described.
What is PVL Clone?
A major difference between HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA is a toxin called Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL clone). PVL positive CA-MRSA clones have spread throughout the world. According to the CDC, of the MRSA cases isolated in the United States, “virtually all CA-MRSA infections are caused by a PVL-positive clone of pulsed-field type USA300.”
CA-MRSA (PVL-positive clone) is rarely found in HA-MRSA strains. It is a toxin that attacks your infection-fighting white blood cells called leukocytes. This is why it is becoming critical to treat the infection early. As the infection is allowed to grow, this toxin becomes more of a problem to your immune system.
Solving a Widespread Problem
Around 25% to 30% of humans have the staph bacterium on their skin or in their nose. And 1% of humans carry MRSA. With so much at risk with CA-MRSA, personal hygiene, facility maintenance and keeping gear free of bacteria is becoming more important. When it comes to athletic and tactical gear, ozone machines like Sports-O-Zone are a highly effective, mess-free way to sanitize your equipment. No other system or chemistry can efficiently and economically provide the same bacteria control that the Sports-O-Zone system can provide for your gear.
