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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

Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus infections in term and near-term previously healthy neonates

Regine M Fortunov1, Kristina G Hulten, Wendy A Hammerman

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

Pediatrics
|September 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an increasing threat to neonates. USA300 is the predominant CA-MRSA clone causing infections in previously healthy infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal infectious diseases
  • Molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens
  • Antimicrobial resistance surveillance

Background:

  • Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus infections are rising in pediatric populations.
  • Neonatal S. aureus infections present unique clinical challenges due to the vulnerability of newborns.

Observation:

  • A retrospective review identified 89 S. aureus infections in neonates (< or = 30 days old) between 2001 and 2005.
  • Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections significantly increased during the study period.
  • The predominant clone identified was USA300, a strain known to carry Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes.

Findings:

  • 61 of 89 S. aureus infections were MRSA, with a notable increase from 2002 to 2004.
  • Skin and soft tissue infections were most common (77/89), with MRSA isolates more frequently requiring drainage.
  • Invasive manifestations included shock, musculoskeletal and urinary tract infections, bacteremia, and empyema; one death occurred.
  • Concurrent maternal S. aureus infection was associated with 13/61 MRSA cases.

Implications:

  • Community-acquired MRSA represents a significant and growing proportion of S. aureus infections in healthy neonates.
  • Male infants aged 7-12 days are most commonly affected, suggesting a potential window of susceptibility.
  • The prevalence of the USA300 clone highlights the need for targeted surveillance and treatment strategies for neonatal MRSA infections.
Abstract

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