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Is enteric Staphylococcus a causative agent of skeletal muscle abscesses in children?
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Insights
Staphylococcus aureus in children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Microbiology
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Pyogenic muscle abscesses in children under 10 are a concern.
- Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common pathogen.
- Malnutrition and gastrointestinal infections are prevalent in affected children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between S. aureus, diet, and pyogenic muscle abscesses in children.
- To explore the role of diet and hygiene in S. aureus colonization.
- To understand the link between gut bacteria and abscess development.
Main Methods:
- Stool cultures were performed on 46 children with pyogenic muscle abscesses.
- Stool cultures were also performed on 60 healthy age-matched controls.
- Dietary factors, including protease inhibitors and food hygiene, were assessed.
Main Results:
- S. aureus was identified in stool cultures of children with muscle abscesses.
- S. aureus was significantly increased in stool cultures during weaning in control children.
- Poor food hygiene and protease-inhibitor-containing diets were noted in affected children.
Conclusions:
- Bowel bacterial overgrowth, particularly S. aureus, may contribute to pyogenic muscle abscesses in children.
- Weaning practices and dietary factors may influence S. aureus colonization.
- Improved nutrition and food hygiene could be important in preventing these infections.
Abstract:
In a study of 46 children under the age of 10 years treated for pyogenic muscle abscesses, stool culture revealed Staphylococcus aureus in association with malnutrition, gastrointestinal infections and weaning. Naturally occurring protease-inhibitors were associated with the diets of these children along with poor standards of food hygiene. A study on 60 healthy age-matched controls showed a significant increase in the stool culture yields of S. aureus during weaning onto a traditional solid diet. It is probable that the bacterial overgrowth in the bowel in these states is associated with the development of muscle abscesses caused by this organism.