Figure 1.
The tangled web of S. aureus in the US.
Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a growing public health concern, but tracing the origins of the bacterium is complicated. Evidence suggests that antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus can spread in livestock operations and hospitals where antibiotics are regularly used. These antibiotic-resistant organisms can then spread into communities and the environment. More research is needed to determine exactly how these transfers occur. Image by Kalliopi Monoyios.