As mentioned, MRSA is a bacteria that causes infections. According to ScienceDirect, this bacteria is found in the nose, throat, mucous membranes, and skin. It is often harmless. However, as we've talked about it can sometimes infect humans. This can often happen in crowded areas with shared equipment such as a gym, or a hospital. If a nurse or other healthcare provider touches a MRSA carrier, but then does not wash hands before touching another patient, the second patient could become infected. This bacteria could enter the patient's body through a hair follicle, some kind of break in the skin (such as a wound), or through the respiratory tract (Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of C. difficile and MRSA in the Light of Current NHS Control Policies: A Policy review, ScienceDirect).
According to this article, the antibiotic Methicillin was first introduced in 1959-60. Within a year, methicillin-resistant isolates were being reported.
In order to explain how a bacteria can become resistant to an antibiotic, I highly recommend the following video:
Essentially, mutations in the bacterial DNA can cause the bacteria to gain the ability to change in a way that allows them to become resistant to the powers of the antibiotic. MRSA specifically is resistant to beta-latctin antibiotics like penicillin and methicillin. This can make it more difficult to treat, although the story does not end there!
Sources:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2049080112700122
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znnp-Ivj2ek
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