January 9, 2008

Mercy Infectious Disease Specialist Publishes MRSA Book

Bertha Ayi, MD, FACP, an infectious disease specialist in practice with the Mercy Infectious Disease Clinic at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, has authored the newly published book, MRSA—Killer Bug: What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself, an overview of the increasingly alarming spread of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in the U.S.

As Dr. Ayi notes in her new book, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last October released a study outlining the full extent of MRSA infection in the U.S. population. That study noted that deaths attributed to MRSA infections had surpassed those due to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Soon after the CDC report, MRSA made national headlines when several U.S. schools were closed down for a time after students died or became acutely ill from MRSA infection.

“These events are really the tip of the iceberg of an ever-growing silent epidemic of a super bug MRSA in the U.S. and around the world,” Ayi said. “MRSA is affecting young, healthy people, and it’s killing some of them.”

Initial feedback about the new book from physicians, healthcare professionals, and even those not employed in the healthcare industry has been very positive. They quickly praise Dr. Ayi for writing a book that is concise and easily understood. Anecdotal case information and stories of some of the patients she has treated for MRSA infection give her overview of the topic a real, human dimension.

“My purpose in writing the book was to meet the need of people who just wanted information about this growing health concern that now affects so many people,” Ayi explained. “I also want to raise awareness among members of a population that might underestimate the impact of MRSA.”

“I want those people to know that MRSA might not kill them, but it might hurt someone close to them. MRSA will have a far-reaching impact on our society, as well.”

According to Dr. Ayi, MRSA is much more dangerous today because Staph aureus bacteria began to change its behavior in the early 1990s. Scientists quickly learned that new strains of the bacteria allow it to produce a skin poison (toxin) known as Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), which lets the infections caused by these bacteria to become more severe and to spread faster.

“Community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) is very different, and my book attempts to make people understand that important fact,” she said.

Dr. Ayi’s book describes the transmission of MRSA, its symptoms, and treatment options. The last section of the book discusses what you can and should do to protect yourself against MRSA infection.

“I have outlined a number of important tips for any of us to better protect ourselves,” she noted. “I encourage us to be one another’s stewards. We’re now armed with better information to help us understand MRSA. We can now do more to limit the spread of community acquired MRSA.”

Dr. Ayi also said she hopes her book will help patients and families who have been directly affected by MRSA.

Dr. Bertha Ayi is board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. She has extensive clinical experience in the management of MRSA infections. She is also an adjunct assistant professor of medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Ayi has published in leading medical journals as well as medical textbooks.

The new paperback book, MRSA—Killer Bug, is available at Barnes & Noble bookstores, and at www.BarnesandNoble.com. The book is also available online at www.BerthaAyi.com.