MRSA and MSSA infections are at their lowest levels in Scotland since records began in 2005, official figures suggest.

Statistics from Health Protection Scotland shows MRSA (meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) cases decreased from 73 to 48 (34.3%) during the past year, with a 7.7% reduction during April and June alone.

Overall, MRSA cases have fallen by 80.7% when compared to March 2007 when infection rates were at their highest (249).

The number of MSSA (meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus) cases also fell last year from 345 to 335 (2.9%).

However, Clostridium difficile (C.diff) infections increased from 378 to 387 cases (2.4%) during 2011 in patients aged 65 and over and from 160 to 164 cases (2.5%) in patients aged 15 to 64.

The rise is not said to be "statistically significant" as it represents a decrease from 575 case (32.7%) and 204 (19.6%) in the past 12 months respectively.

"We are absolutely determined to tackle healthcare associated infections and have already invested more than £50m over the past three years," said Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

"But we need to maintain the pace of improvement to keep bringing the number of infections down.