INTRODUCTION
eMedicine is delighted to offer this free continuing medical education (CME) and continuing pharmacy education (CPE) activity based on presentations at the editorial summit titled Bugging the Bugs: Novel Approaches in the Strategic Management of Challenging MRSA Infections, which was held on January 14, 2007, in St. Louis, Missouri. Persons who attended this summit are NOT eligible to receive AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ or CPE contact hours for completing this enduring material.

ABOUT THE ACTIVITY
Antibiotic resistance across multiple organisms represents an alarmingly increasing trend; in particular, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Additionally, antimicrobial resistance has been shown to be independently associated with higher health care costs and mortality. The growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the limitations of current therapies create a clear need for emerging therapies that are efficacious and provide a cost-effective management approach to infections. This activity will endeavor to enlighten infectious disease specialists, including physicians, microbiologists, and clinical pharmacists about these issues, providing a clear overview of the novel approaches used to manage MRSA infections.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation and Emeritus Educational Sciences. The Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Purdue University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This is a continuing education activity of Purdue, an equal access/equal opportunity university. To receive the 1 contact hour of continuing education credit, pharmacists should complete the activity requirements and evaluation at the conclusion of the activity. Approval is valid from the initial release date of June 25, 2007. The expiration date is June 25, 2008. Program # 018-999-07-093-H01.

DESIGNATION OF CREDIT
The Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please note that the course is accredited for physicians (MD, DO, or equivalent) and pharmacists. All other participants receive a certificate of completion.

Microbiology of Antibiotic Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus Peter C. Appelbaum, MD, PhD Professor, Division of Clinical Pathology Penn State College of Medicine Medical Director, Clinical Microbiology Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Hershey, Pennsylvania Epidemiology of Staphylococcal Resistance Andrew F. Shorr, MD, MPH, FCCP Associate Professor of Medicine Chief, Pulmonary Clinic Washington Hospital Center Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Washington, DC Principles of Antibiotic Therapy in Severe Infections: Optimizing the Therapeutic Approach by Use of Laboratory and Clinical Data Stanley C. Deresinski, MD, FACP Clinical Professor of Medicine Stanford University Medical Center Associate Chief, Infectious Diseases Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Redwood City, California Novel Antibiotic Agents for the Treatment of Resistant Staphylococcal Infections Scott T. Micek, PharmD, BCPS Clinical Pharmacist, Critical Care Barnes-Jewish Hospital St. Louis, Missouri Limitations of Vancomycin in the Management of Resistant Staphylococcal Infections Marin H. Kollef, MD, FACP, FCCP (Activity Chair) Professor of Medicine Director, MICU Director, Respiratory Care Services Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital St. Louis, Missouri