Final answer:
MRSA strains are treated and detected using antibiotics and culture tests. Culture tests diagnose MRSA presence, and antibiotic sensitivity tests find the most effective treatments against the resistant bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two things used to treat/detect MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) strains are antibiotics and culture tests. MRSA is known for being resistant to many standard antibiotics; hence, selecting effective treatment requires antibiotic sensitivity testing. Before the results of such tests are available, doctors often use antibiotics such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, tetracycline (doxycycline or minocycline), or linezolid. Additionally, to detect MRSA, nasal swab tests may be performed, potentially followed by decolonization procedures if MRSA is present.
Diagnosing MRSA involves culture tests to identify the presence of the bacteria, and then sensitivity tests determine the effectiveness of different antibiotics against it. Appropriate antibiotic treatment is crucial because MRSA can cause various severe infections and is a significant concern for public health due to its resistance to many commonly used antibiotics.