Drug-Resistant Staph Found Prevalent Among Gay Men

In San Francisco the bacteria was found to be 13 times more likely in gay patients than other people in the city.

The researchers said the bacteria appears to be spread through sexual contact. It invades the body through the skin and produces small red spots which untreated can enlargen and fill with puss.

Untreated the sores can lead to necrotizing fasciitis or flesh easting disease. Pneumonia and heart disease can also develop.

The new strain, the report said, appears to have "spread rapidly" in major city gay communities and "has the potential for rapid, nationwide dissemination" among gay men.

Although untreatable with commonly prescribed antibiotics used for other forms of staph disease there are some drugs which have been shown to be effective.

People with weakened immune systems, particularly those with HIV/AIDS, are particularly susceptible to the new strain.

One of the nations largest health care groups expressed alarm at the study.