What Is V I S A ?

What is VISA?

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," is a bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. Occasionally, staphylococci can get into the body and cause an infection. This infection can be minor (such as pimples, boils, and other skin conditions) or serious and sometimes fatal (such as blood infections or pneumonia).

MRSA are staphylococci that are resistant to methicillin and other commonly used antibiotics and they have a unique gene that produces resistance. Therefore, alternate antibiotics must be used to treat MRSA. Vancomycin has been the most effective and reliable drug in these cases.

VISA are not susceptible to vancomycin. Therefore, vancomycin treatment is not reliable for treating these infections. However, to date, all VISA isolates have been susceptible to other Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved antimicrobial drugs.

VRSA (vancomycin-resistant S. aureus) are resistant to vancomycin. These organisms have not yet been found in nature but might emerge from VISA. Vancomycin would not be effective at all for treating these infections.

How can the spread of VISA be prevented?

Use of infection control practices (such as wearing gloves before and after contact with infectious body tissues and proper handwashing) can reduce the spread of VISA.
Appropriate use of antibiotics (i.e., use only when needed to treat bacterial infections [and avoid overuse]) will reduce the emergence of resistance strains.

What is being done to prevent and control the spread of VISA?

Programs have been established to promote appropriate use of antimicrobials, especially vancomycin, in all healthcare settings, based on CDC’s, "Recommendations for Preventing the Spread of Vancomycin Resistance."

CDC and state and local health agencies have implemented a special project to detect and evaluate strains of MRSA that might be VISA. When such a strain is detected, special infection control precautions are implemented to isolate the patient and prevent spread to others.