MRSA is a common cause of nosocomial infections. It is a bacterial infection that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics such as methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin and oxacillin. MRSA can cause a broad variety of infections. The infection can range from superficial skin eruptions to life-threatening cellulitis, blood and surgical infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Hospital acquired and community-acquired MRSA are the two main types of MRSA infection.

The incidence of MRSA is gradually increasing throughout the world. The increase in cases is mainly due to the development of resistance towards antibiotics. According to Kuehnert MJ et al (2006), the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA colonization were estimated to be 32.4% and 0.8% respectively for 2001-2002 in the US. According to Gorwitz RJ et al (2008), the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA were estimated to be 29.0% and 1.5% respectively for 2003-2004 in the US. Approximately 30% of the UK populations have colonization of staphylococcus aureus and 1-3% has MRSA colonization.

Among all deaths, 86% are caused due to hospital acquired-MRSA and 14% due to community acquired-MRSA. Global Data forecasts that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.3% over the next eight years to reach $ 3.4bn by 2019.