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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

Increased isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pediatric head and neck abscesses

Kathryn Ossowski1, Robert H Chun, Dana Suskind

  • 1Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.

Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery
|November 23, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) head and neck infections in children significantly increased between 2000 and 2004. Early cultures are recommended for pediatric head and neck abscesses to guide treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Head and neck abscesses are common in pediatric patients.
  • The prevalence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been increasing globally.
  • Understanding the trends of MRSA in pediatric head and neck infections is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the incidence of community-associated MRSA in pediatric head and neck abscesses over two distinct time periods.
  • To analyze the changes in microbial pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility in pediatric head and neck abscesses.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case review of pediatric patients with head and neck abscesses.
  • Involved two 2.5-year intervals: July 1999–December 2001 and January 2002–June 2004.
  • Analysis of pathogen type and antimicrobial susceptibility from abscess cultures.

Main Results:

  • The number of abscesses evaluated increased from 21 in the first period to 32 in the second.
  • The proportion of abscesses yielding Staphylococcus aureus increased from 40% to 58.6%.
  • A significant rise in MRSA was observed, from 0% in the first period to 64.7% in the second period (P<.01).

Conclusions:

  • There was a statistically significant increase in community-associated MRSA head and neck infections in the pediatric population.
  • Early culture and susceptibility testing are recommended for pediatric head and neck abscesses.
  • Clindamycin is suggested as the initial empirical treatment, with adjustments based on culture results.

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