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Updated: May 25, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in nasal vestibular abscess
Marisa A Earley1, Mark E Friedel, Satish Govindaraj
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
Background:
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a recognized entity that is increasingly responsible for skin and soft tissue infections. However, it is not the usual pathogen isolated in nasal vestibular abscess.
Methods:
We present a series of 13 consecutive patients presenting to a tertiary care center with nasal vestibular abscess over a 2.5-year period.
Results:
All abscesses were cultured and 100% (13/13) grew S. aureus. Of the S. aureus isolates, 92% (12/13) were MRSA. Antibiotic susceptibilities of the MRSA isolates were as follows: 100% were susceptible to rifampin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline, 75% to clindamycin, 58% to fluoroquinolones, and 17% to erythromycin.
Conclusion:
MRSA is an important pathogen in the community. It is therefore critical to appreciate its potential predominance in nasal vestibular abscess. Clinicians should obtain cultures, modify antibiotic therapy as warranted, and initiate empiric therapy to include MRSA coverage for nasal vestibular abscess.
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