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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

The low rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Turkish children

Ahmet Soysal1, Hulya Sahin, Aysegul Yagci

  • 1Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Marmara University School of Medicine, Haydarpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases
|June 21, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus colonization is common in children, but methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is rare. Predisposing factors for S. aureus colonization were similar to non-colonized children, except for allergic rhinitis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium found on skin and in the nose.
  • Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a type of S. aureus resistant to certain antibiotics.
  • Understanding colonization patterns in children is crucial for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus colonization in children attending a pediatric outpatient clinic.
  • To identify the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) colonization in this pediatric population.
  • To investigate potential predisposing factors for S. aureus colonization in children.

Main Methods:

  • Swab samples were collected from the nares, axilla, and perineum of 1,000 children aged 0-16 years over a 6-month period.
  • Samples were analyzed for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA.
  • Statistical analysis was performed to compare colonized and non-colonized children regarding potential predisposing factors.

Main Results:

  • Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 17.3% (173/1,000) of the children.
  • Only one child, a neonate with a NICU stay, was found to be colonized with MRSA.
  • Allergic rhinitis was identified as a potential predisposing factor for S. aureus colonization, while other factors were comparable between colonized and non-colonized groups.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcus aureus colonization is prevalent in pediatric outpatients.
  • MRSA colonization is uncommon in this pediatric population.
  • Allergic rhinitis may be a predisposing factor for S. aureus colonization in children.

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