Disease Description:

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans. It may also be referred to as multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA). MRSA is by definition any strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that is resistant to a large group of antibiotics called the beta-lactams, which include the penicillins and the cephalosporins.

MRSA has adapted to survive treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics, including methicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, and oxacillin. MRSA is especially troublesome in hospital-associated (nosocomial) infections. In hospitals, patients with open wounds, invasive devices, and weakened immune systems are at greater risk for infection than the general public. Hospital staff who do not follow proper sanitary procedures may transfer bacteria from patient to patient. Visitors to patients with MRSA infections or MRSA colonization are advised to follow hospital isolation protocol by using gloves, gowns, and masks when indicated. Visitors, including health care providers, who do not follow such protocols are capable of spreading the bacteria to areas such as cafeterias, bathrooms, elevators, or various other surfaces.

Current Treatment:

Currently MRSA is treated with a variety of antibiotic treatments. However, as more and more anitibiotic resistant strains emerge, medical professional struggle to find treatments to circumvent the resistance.

Evidence for Cannabinoids:

Cannabinoids have long been known to have antibacterial properties, and in one study at the Università del Piemonte Orientale, all 5 major cannabinoids (cannabinol, cannabichromene, cannabigerol, Delta (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabinol) showed "potent activity against a variety of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) strains of current clinical relevance."

Proposed Mechanism for Cannabinoid Therapeutics

While the evidence shows a highly potent antibiotic effect, scientists are unable to explain the mechanism of activity. - Rahman M. et al., Antibacterial Cannabinoids from Cannabis Sativa: A Structure - Activity Study. J. Nat. Prod. 2008, 71, 1427–1430