ABSTRACT
The complex relationship between Homo sapiens and Staphylococcus aureus has undoubtedly existed for millennia. Dalbavancin, telavancin, and ceftobiprole are currently under clinical investigation for the management of S. aureus infections. The name of the organism, S. aureus, serves to describe well the microscopic and macroscopic characteristics of the organism. S. aureus is a major pathogen in bloodstream and endovascular, skin and soft tissue, respiratory, and bone and joint infections. S. aureus represents a common etiologic agent of skin and skin structure infection, ranging in severity from mild to life-threatening disease and in community as well as nosocomial settings. Basic management principles surrounding all soft tissue infection, regardless of the microbiology, is prompt surgical debridement of devitalized tissues, drainage of abscess fluid, and removal of associated prosthetic devices in cases of severe infection. S. aureus is the most common pathogen in osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and prosthetic joint infections.
