MSSA
Medical abbreviation · Infectious Disease
| Stands for | Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
MSSA stands for Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, an infectious disease abbreviation.
Staph aureus strains that remain susceptible to anti-staphylococcal beta-lactams. Serious MSSA infections, such as bacteremia, are best treated with nafcillin, oxacillin or cefazolin, which outperform vancomycin.
Example: Blood cultures MSSA 2 of 2; switch vancomycin to cefazolin 2 g q8h, TEE ordered.
Usage notes
MSSA causes more infections overall than MRSA. Continuing vancomycin after MSSA is identified is linked to worse outcomes, so prompt de-escalation is a stewardship priority. Any S. aureus in blood requires repeat cultures, a search for endocarditis and usually infectious disease consultation.
Related abbreviations
More infectious disease abbreviations
- MDR-TB – Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
- MDRO – Multidrug-resistant organism
- MERS – Middle East respiratory syndrome
- MIC – Minimum inhibitory concentration
- MRSA – Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- MSM – Men who have sex with men
- N95 – N95 filtering facepiece respirator
- NHSN – National Healthcare Safety Network
- NSTI – Necrotizing soft tissue infection
- NTM – Nontuberculous mycobacteria
- OI – Opportunistic infection
- OPAT – Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy
See all 92 infectious disease abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.