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Updated: Nov 21, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in a children's hospital. Our ten-year
Gabriela Ensinck1, Gustavo Lazarte2, Adriana Ernst2
1Servicio de Infectología, Hospital de Niños Víctor J. Vilela de Rosario. ensinck@intramed.net.ar.
Introduction:
Community-acquired methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections have increased in recent years. CAMRSA necrotizing pneumonia and empyema are now more common in children.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of CA-MRSA pneumonia and its clinical and epidemiological characteristics compared to Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) pneumonia in the same population.
Material And Methods:
Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study of patients hospitalized due to CA-MRSA pneumonia at Hospital de Niños Víctor J. Vilela (period: January 2008-December 2017).
Results:
Out of 54 Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia cases, 46 (85 %) corresponded to CA-MRSA. The rate of CA-MRSA pneumonia ranged from 4.9/10 000 (2008) to 10/10 000 hospital discharges (2017). Sepsis/septic shock was observed in 41 %; empyema, in 96 %; pneumothorax, in 35 %; 90 % of cases required pleural drainage and 55 %, surgical debridement. Also, 65 % of patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU); half of them required assisted mechanical ventilation. Two patients died. Strain resistance: 17 %, gentamicin; 13 %, erythromycin; and 11 %, clindamycin. Compared to SP pneumonia, CAMRSA pneumonia showed a higher risk for sepsis (95 % confidence interval; relative risk: 7.38; 3.32- 16.38) and admission to the ICU (RR: 4.29; 2.70- 6.83). No patient died due to SP pneumonia.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of CA-MRSA pneumonia doubled in the past decade. Compared to SP pneumonia, CA-MRSA pneumonia was more commonly accompanied by sepsis and septic shock, admission to the ICU, and ventilatory support requirement.
Insights
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) pneumonia has doubled in prevalence, leading to severe complications like sepsis and increased ICU admissions in children. Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) pneumonia presents a lower risk profile.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Bacterial Pneumonia Pathogenesis
- Public Health Epidemiology
Background:
- Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections are increasingly prevalent, particularly in pediatric populations.
- CA-MRSA has emerged as a significant cause of severe pneumonia, necrotizing pneumonia, and empyema in children.
- Understanding the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of CA-MRSA pneumonia is crucial for effective management and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of CA-MRSA pneumonia in hospitalized children.
- To compare the clinical and epidemiological features of CA-MRSA pneumonia with Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) pneumonia.
- To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with CA-MRSA pneumonia in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted.
- Data were collected from patients hospitalized with pneumonia between January 2008 and December 2017.
- Cases were compared between CA-MRSA pneumonia and SP pneumonia.
Main Results:
- CA-MRSA pneumonia prevalence doubled over the study decade, with 85% of Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia cases attributed to CA-MRSA.
- CA-MRSA pneumonia was associated with significantly higher rates of sepsis/septic shock (41%), empyema (96%), pneumothorax (35%), and ICU admission (65%) compared to SP pneumonia.
- Outcomes for CA-MRSA pneumonia included frequent need for pleural drainage (90%), surgical debridement (55%), mechanical ventilation (50% of ICU patients), and a mortality rate of 4.3% (2 deaths).
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of CA-MRSA pneumonia has significantly increased in children over the past decade.
- CA-MRSA pneumonia presents a more severe clinical course than SP pneumonia, characterized by higher risks of sepsis, shock, empyema, and need for intensive care.
- These findings underscore the importance of early detection and management of CA-MRSA pneumonia in pediatric settings.
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