MRSA bacterial strain mutates quickly as it spreads

Antibiotic-resistant microbe's detailed family tree reveals roots of the global infection

An antibiotic-resistant strain of staph bacteria began its globetrotting adventures in Europe and can mutate quickly as it spreads, a new study suggests. Scientists acting as molecular historians used a new technology to decode the bacteria’s genome and follow its movements, an approach that could one day help health care workers pinpoint the origins of outbreaks and prevent further infections.