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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Successful treatment of MRSA otorrhoea: a case report

Alison Hunt1, Peter J Robb

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, and the Department of Otolaryngology, Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Epsom, UK. huntpickering@aol.com

The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|December 20, 2005
PubMed

Insights

A two-year-old girl with MRSA otorrhoea, a difficult-to-treat infection, was successfully treated with fusidic acid drops. This case highlights fusidic acid

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are rising globally.
  • MRSA can be acquired in the community or healthcare settings and is notoriously hard to treat.
  • Otorrhoea, or ear discharge, requires careful management due to potential complications.

Observation:

  • A pediatric case involving a two-year-old girl with a traumatic tympanic membrane perforation after a burn injury.
  • The patient developed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) otorrhoea following outpatient treatment in a burns unit.
  • The MRSA otorrhoea presented a significant clinical challenge due to the pathogen's resistance.

Findings:

  • Successful treatment of MRSA otorrhoea was achieved using a two-week course of topical fusidic acid drops.
  • Complete healing of the tympanic membrane perforation and resolution of the infection were observed at three-week follow-up.
  • Fusidic acid demonstrated safety and efficacy in managing this specific case of MRSA ear infection.

Implications:

  • Topical fusidic acid is a viable and effective therapeutic option for MRSA otorrhoea.
  • Vigilance in diagnosing and treating otorrhoea is crucial as MRSA emerges as a more frequent pathogen.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering resistant organisms in ear infections, particularly in vulnerable populations.

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