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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

MRSA and non-MRSA otorrhea in children: a comparative study of clinical course

Nathan S Alexander1, Brian D Kulbersh, C Hope Heath

  • 1Pediatric ENT Associates of Alabama, Children's Hospital of Alabama, 1940 Elmer J. Bissell Road, Birmingham, AL 35243, USA.

Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery
|December 21, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) otorrhea in children does not appear more severe than non-MRSA infections. This study found no increased risk for surgical procedures or long-term complications in MRSA cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Post-tympanostomy tube otorrhea is a common complication in pediatric patients.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant pathogen, and its role in otorrhea warrants investigation.
  • Clinical perception suggests MRSA otorrhea may be more virulent than that caused by other pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the clinical differences and disease courses of post-tympanostomy tube otorrhea caused by MRSA versus non-MRSA bacteria in children.
  • To determine if MRSA otorrhea presents a more virulent clinical picture than otorrhea caused by other bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records from a tertiary children's hospital (January 2003-December 2008).
  • 1079 children with post-tympanostomy tube otorrhea were analyzed, with 170 identified as MRSA positive.
  • An age-matched cohort of 170 children with non-MRSA otorrhea was selected for comparison of clinical data.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of MRSA in post-tympanostomy tube otorrhea was approximately 16%.
  • No significant differences were observed between MRSA and non-MRSA groups regarding insurance type, medical history (cholesteatoma, prematurity), surgical procedures, or subsequent infection risk.
  • A higher proportion of patients in the MRSA group received intravenous antibiotic therapy (11% vs 3.6%, P < .001).

Conclusions:

  • Otorrhea caused by MRSA in children with tympanostomy tubes did not demonstrate increased virulence.
  • The study found no greater risk for surgical interventions or infection-associated sequelae in MRSA otorrhea compared to non-MRSA otorrhea.
  • Clinical management should consider MRSA but without an assumed increase in disease severity or complications.

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