Surgical Site Infections with MRSA in young Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose a global health concern. While various pathogenic microorganisms can cause SSIs, a predominant causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus, particularly its methicillin-resistant strain (MRSA). MRSA, known for its resistance to multiple antibiotics, significantly complicates treatment options, leading to increased morbidity. In some cases, particularly among patients with pre-existing comorbidities, MRSA infections can prove fatal. Moreover, eradicating MRSA from hospital settings presents a formidable challenge.
 This study aims to report on two young, otherwise healthy patients who developed MRSA infections in their surgical wounds during hospitalization.
 Case Descriptions: A 22-year-old female patient developed an MRSA infection following an appendectomy and a 12-year-old male patient exhibited similar complications post-orchiopexy. In both cases, MRSA presence was confirmed through microbiological cultures a few days post-surgery. Repeated cultures indicated successful MRSA eradication after isolation and initiation of targeted antibiotic therapy based on antibiograms. Once their general health stabilized, the patients were discharged and continued outpatient antibiotic treatment for a prescribed duration.
 Conclusion: These cases emphasize that MRSA infections, typically associated with elderly patients or those with underlying health conditions, can also occur in younger, healthier individuals. Eradicating these infections remains a significant challenge for healthcare facilities encountering MRSA.
 Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant, young patients, Surgical site infections.