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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Multi-site infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a six-year old girl: a case report
Pei Xiao1, Jing Liu1, Xue Yang1
1Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an emerging pathogen that leads to severe outcomes, especially in pediatric patients with multiple sites infection.
Case Presentation:
We report a case of multiple sites and life-threatening infection caused by CA-MRSA in a 6-year-old girl who manifested sepsis, myelitis, purulent arthritis, purulent meningitis, hydropericardium, pneumonia, and empyema. The girl exhibited good response to the combination therapy of linezolid and rifampicin after treatment failure of vancomycin with maximum dose due to its serum concentration unable to reach therapeutic goal. We performed pleural effusion and hydropericardium effusion drainage and treated left lower limb infection using interdisciplinary approaches.
Conclusion:
This case highlights the need to be aware of CA-MRSA infection, which requires accurate diagnosis, identification of infected sites, appropriate antibiotic treatment, and surgical debridement.
Insights
Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) can cause severe pediatric infections. Effective treatment involved linezolid and rifampicin after vancomycin failure, alongside surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Critical Care
Background:
- Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an emerging pathogen causing severe infections, particularly in children.
- Pediatric patients with multiple infection sites are at high risk for adverse outcomes.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old girl presented with life-threatening, multi-site CA-MRSA infection including sepsis, myelitis, purulent arthritis, meningitis, hydropericardium, pneumonia, and empyema.
- Initial treatment with maximum-dose vancomycin failed to achieve therapeutic serum concentrations.
- The patient responded well to a combination therapy of linezolid and rifampicin.
Findings:
- Successful management of severe CA-MRSA infection required a combination of antibiotics and surgical interventions.
- Pleural effusion and hydropericardium effusion drainage were performed.
- Interdisciplinary approaches were utilized for treating left lower limb infection.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing CA-MRSA as a significant pediatric pathogen.
- Accurate diagnosis, identification of all infected sites, and appropriate antibiotic selection are crucial.
- Prompt surgical debridement may be necessary for optimal outcomes in severe CA-MRSA infections.
