**13. Future prospects**

The emergence of *S. aureus* resistant to methicillin in the community as the main agent of serious infections of skin and soft tissue is disturbing since oxacillin would be the drug of choice to treat infections caused by strains resistant to other antibiotics. Several techniques can be used to detect resistance to oxacillin, but PCR is the safest and most effective. In addition to PCR, other techniques allow genetic characterization of CA-MRSA detailing an arsenal of toxins and differentiation of clones involved in outbreaks. These techniques help epidemiologist determine correct measures in controlling the spread of this pathogen.

Studies in Epidemiology associated with molecular studies represent good tools for understand the distribution and inform treatment success. The detection of antimicrobial resistance in strains from patients living in the community reveals that the alternatives available to the medical community for successful treatment are decreasing gradually, thus, presenting an opportunity to research new drugs, and antimicrobial agents considered older and well established such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, which is re-emerging as an option for treating infections caused by CA-MRSA.

The presence of CA-MRSA strains involved in nosocomial infection implies the need for greater control of its spread among hospitalized patients, since the reports of strains of community origin suggest they are also more virulent compared to strains of nosocomial origin, and may lead to serious complications of rapid evolution. Treatment strategies that may delay or prevent the expression of these factors will need to be established, as well as administering the correct treatment quickly and effectively.
