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Updated: Jul 24, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Community-acquired S. aureus infection in childhood: a multi-center study
Gülsüm İclal Bayhan1, Ayşe Kaman2, Esra Çakmak Taşkın3
1Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Medicine, Yenimahalle Educational and Training Hospital, Ankara.
Background:
The prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) has been increasing worldwide. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of MRSA in community-acquired S. aureus infections, the risk factors for CA-MRSA infection and the clinical features of CA-MRSA.
Methods:
A multi-center study with prospective and retrospective sections was conducted. Patients ≥ 3 months old and ≤18 years of age who were diagnosed with community-acquired S. aureus infections were included in this study and the patients` information were reviewed from the medical and microbiological database of the hospital. A standard question form about living conditions and exposure risk factors was administered to the parents of patients. The CA-MRSA infections were compared with the methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (CAMSSA) infections in terms of the queried risk factors and clinical variables.
Results:
We identified 334 pediatric patients with S. aureus infection, 58 (17.4%) had an infection with CAMRSA. The refugee rate was higher in the CA-MRSA group. There was no significant difference regarding the exposure risk. The treatment modalities and outcomes were similar.
Conclusions:
The study was not able to show reliable clinical variables or epidemiological risk factors except for being a refugee for CA-MRSA infections. Empirical antibiotic treatment should therefore be determined according to the local CA-MRSA prevalence in patients presenting with a possible staphylococcus infection.
Insights
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections in children are a growing concern. Refugee status was the only identified risk factor, with similar treatment outcomes compared to susceptible strains.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
Background:
- Increasing global prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA).
- Need to understand CA-MRSA prevalence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of MRSA in community-acquired S. aureus infections among children.
- To identify risk factors associated with CA-MRSA infection.
- To describe the clinical features of CA-MRSA in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Multi-center study with prospective and retrospective components.
- Inclusion of pediatric patients (≥3 months to ≤18 years) with community-acquired S. aureus infections.
- Data collection included medical/microbiological records and parental questionnaires on risk factors; CA-MRSA cases compared to methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) cases.
Main Results:
- Identified 334 pediatric S. aureus infections; 58 (17.4%) were CA-MRSA.
- Higher refugee rates observed in the CA-MRSA group.
- No significant differences in exposure risk, treatment modalities, or outcomes between CA-MRSA and MSSA groups.
Conclusions:
- Refugee status emerged as a potential risk factor for CA-MRSA in children.
- Limited reliable clinical or epidemiological risk factors identified beyond refugee status.
- Empirical antibiotic selection for suspected staphylococcal infections should consider local CA-MRSA prevalence.
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