The article reviews the emergence, epidemiology, virulence, and treatment of community-associated methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (CA-MRSA) infections. CA-MRSA has become a significant health problem in many industrialized countries, often affecting otherwise healthy individuals without predisposing risk factors. Unlike healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA), CA-MRSA strains are more virulent and transmissible, leading to severe and sometimes fatal infections. The article discusses the genetic factors that contribute to the virulence and transmissibility of CA-MRSA, such as the presence of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin and the arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME). It also reviews the diagnostic methods for identifying CA-MRSA and the current treatment options, including oral antibiotics like clindamycin, tetracyclines, and rifampin, as well as intravenous agents like vancomycin and linezolid. The article highlights the limitations of current treatments and the need for new therapeutic approaches, such as antitoxin-based therapies and vaccines. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of understanding the factors that determine susceptibility to severe staphylococcal infections and the role of host genetic factors in the success of CA-MRSA.The article reviews the emergence, epidemiology, virulence, and treatment of community-associated methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (CA-MRSA) infections. CA-MRSA has become a significant health problem in many industrialized countries, often affecting otherwise healthy individuals without predisposing risk factors. Unlike healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA), CA-MRSA strains are more virulent and transmissible, leading to severe and sometimes fatal infections. The article discusses the genetic factors that contribute to the virulence and transmissibility of CA-MRSA, such as the presence of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin and the arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME). It also reviews the diagnostic methods for identifying CA-MRSA and the current treatment options, including oral antibiotics like clindamycin, tetracyclines, and rifampin, as well as intravenous agents like vancomycin and linezolid. The article highlights the limitations of current treatments and the need for new therapeutic approaches, such as antitoxin-based therapies and vaccines. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of understanding the factors that determine susceptibility to severe staphylococcal infections and the role of host genetic factors in the success of CA-MRSA.