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What does the abbreviation VRSA stand for?

  1. Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

  2. Varicella-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

  3. Viral-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

  4. Vancomycin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus

The correct answer is: Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The abbreviation VRSA stands for Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This term refers to a strain of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that has developed resistance to vancomycin, an antibiotic commonly used to treat infections caused by this bacterium. VRSA is significant in clinical settings due to the challenges it poses in treatment options for infections, as infections with this strain can be harder to control and require alternative therapies. Understanding the term is critical in microbiology and infectious disease management, as VRSA indicates not only the resistance to a key antibiotic but also highlights the ongoing issues related to antibiotic resistance in healthcare environments. The other choices involve variations of Staphylococcus aureus but do not accurately define VRSA, emphasizing the importance of accurate terminology in medical discussions.