The incidence of MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, has increased in the last twenty years. The rise of MRSA strains is significant, and MRSA infections are often developed within the hospital system rather than outside of them. In terms of how MRSA strains developed, evaluate each statement below. Choose the statements that accurately describe how MRSA strains occurred. You may select ALL that apply. A) Individuals that are admitted to the hospital are likely already carrying MRSA infections.
B) Hospitals treat patients with MRSA with drugs that cause the Staphylococcus aureus to mutate more rapidly.
C) Hospital systems provide a mechanism for extreme selection pressure with sterile technique and heavy use of antibiotics.
D) Staphylococcus aureus can transmit genetic components containing the methicillin resistance to offspring and other members of the population.
E) Staphylococcus aureus that was already genetically predisposed to be resistant to methicillin existed in small proportions of the original population.