This study was performed to understand the epidemiology of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections in southern New England children. A retrospective review was conducted of the medical records of children 0 to 18 years old with MRSA isolated by the Rhode Island Hospital microbiology laboratory (Providence, RI) between 1997 and 2001. A case was classified as either health care-associated MRSA (HCA-MRSA) or CA-MRSA based on time of culture and other strict criteria. The spectrum of illness of the HCA-MRSA and CA-MRSA cases was compared, as were the antibiotic-susceptibility patterns of their isolates. Risk factors for CA-MRSA acquisition were identified, and molecular subtyping of selected isolates was performed. Between 1997 and 2001, S aureus was isolated from 1063 children. Of these children, 57 had MRSA. During this period, both the absolute number of MRSA cases and the proportion of S aureus cases due to MRSA rose more than threefold due to increases in both CA-MRSA and HCA-MRSA infections. Of the 57 MRSA cases, 23 (40%) were CA-MRSA. CA-MRSA patients were more likely to have skin/soft-tissue infections than HCA-MRSA patients (83% vs 38%). Risk factors for acquisition of MRSA including intrafamilial spread, frequent antibiotic exposure, and child-care attendance were identified in 8 of the 23 (35%) CA-MRSA patients. CA-MRSA isolates were more likely to be susceptible to non-beta-lactam antibiotics than HCA-MRSA isolates. All isolates were vancomycin susceptible. MRSA accounts for an increasing proportion of all pediatric S aureus infections in southern New England. A significant percentage of these cases are due to CA-MRSA. Pediatricians should have heightened suspicion for CA-MRSA in children with presumed S aureus infections, especially if they have skin/soft-tissue infections or risk factors for MRSA acquisition.
This study was performed to understand the epidemiology of community - acquired methicillin - resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( CA - MRSA ) infections in southern New England children . A retrospective review was conducted of the medical records of children 0 to 18 years old with MRSA isolated by the Rhode Island Hospital microbiology laboratory ( Providence , RI ) between 1997 and 2001 . A case was classified as either health care - associated MRSA ( HCA - MRSA ) or CA - MRSA based on time of culture and other strict criteria . The spectrum of illness of the HCA - MRSA and CA - MRSA cases was compared , as were the antibiotic - susceptibility patterns of their isolates . Risk factors for CA - MRSA acquisition were identified , and molecular subtyping of selected isolates was performed . Between 1997 and 2001 , S aureus was isolated from 1063 children . Of these children , 57 had MRSA . During this period , both the absolute number of MRSA cases and the proportion of S aureus cases due to MRSA rose more than threefold due to increases in both CA - MRSA and HCA - MRSA infections . Of the 57 MRSA cases , 23 ( 40 % ) were CA - MRSA . CA - MRSA patients were more likely to have skin / soft - tissue infections than HCA - MRSA patients ( 83 % vs 38 % ) . Risk factors for acquisition of MRSA including intrafamilial spread , frequent antibiotic exposure , and child - care attendance were identified in 8 of the 23 ( 35 % ) CA - MRSA patients . CA - MRSA isolates were more likely to be susceptible to non - beta - lactam antibiotics than HCA - MRSA isolates . All isolates were vancomycin susceptible . MRSA accounts for an increasing proportion of all pediatric S aureus infections in southern New England . A significant percentage of these cases are due to CA - MRSA . Pediatricians should have heightened suspicion for CA - MRSA in children with presumed S aureus infections , especially if they have skin / soft - tissue infections or risk factors for MRSA acquisition .
What is MRSA?
What is MRSA ?
MRSA
methicillin-resistant S. aureus MRSA