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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

Staphylococcus aureus sinus infections in children

Crystal R Whitby1, Sheldon L Kaplan, Edward O Mason

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|November 16, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus sinusitis in children is often caused by methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). The USA300 clone was the predominant MRSA strain, but neither MRSA nor USA300 were linked to increased complications.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of pediatric sinusitis.
  • The USA300 clone is prevalent in the United States and associated with various infections.
  • Understanding S. aureus epidemiology in pediatric sinusitis is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical characteristics of pediatric sinusitis caused by S. aureus.
  • To molecularly characterize S. aureus isolates from pediatric sinus infections.
  • To investigate the prevalence of specific S. aureus clones, including MRSA USA300.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of pediatric patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) with S. aureus positive cultures.
  • Isolates were characterized using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).
  • Clinical data and outcomes were analyzed using statistical methods.

Main Results:

  • S. aureus was identified in 56 pediatric sinusitis cases; 21% were MRSA.
  • The USA300 clone was the predominant MRSA strain (58% of MRSA isolates).
  • USA300 isolates were associated with younger age and snoring; MRSA isolates showed a trend towards higher recurrence.

Conclusions:

  • MSSA was more common than MRSA in pediatric sinusitis cases undergoing ESS.
  • Most S. aureus sinusitis infections involved co-pathogens, primarily Haemophilus influenzae.
  • While USA300 was the dominant MRSA clone, it did not correlate with increased sinusitis complications.

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