Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Skin Infection Research Articles

Changes in Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department

This study aimed to compare the differences in the type and location of skin infections, organisms cultured, and antibiotic resistance patterns presenting to the same pediatric emergency department from 2003 to 2008 with specific focus on community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections. We performed a retrospective chart review of children younger than 18 years who presented to the pediatric emergency department with a skin or soft tissue infection from January 1 to December 31, 2008, and compared these data to a similar data set collected at the same institution from January 1 to December 31, 2003. From 2003 to 2008, the proportion of abscesses among all skin or soft tissue infections increased from 14% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.4%-21.2%) to 65% (95% CI, 58.4%-70.6%). Cultures positive for MRSA increased from 21% (95% CI, 14.3%-29.0%) in 2003 to 42% (95% CI, 35.2%-47.8%) in 2008 (z score = -3.98, P < 0.001). Similar to 2003, all MRSA culture-positive abscesses were sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin in 2008. The most common anatomic location for MRSA abscesses in 2003 and 2008 was the buttocks, with a wider variation of anatomic sites in 2008 to include head/neck, trunk, and extremities. The prevalence of CA-MRSA skin infections, specifically abscesses, has significantly increased at our institution from 2003 to 2008. The antibiotic resistance patterns have not significantly changed. The most common anatomic location for CA-MRSA abscesses continues to be the buttocks, but more children are presenting with multiple abscesses in a wider variety of anatomic locations.

Trimethoprim‐Sulfamethoxazole‐Induced Hepatotoxicity in a Pediatric Patient

Due to the escalating rates of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is being used increasingly in the pediatric population for skin and soft tissue infections. Although this combination agent has been associated with a hypersensitivity syndrome involving cutaneous skin eruptions, pediatric cases of TMP-SMX-induced hepatotoxicity are rare. We describe a relatively healthy, 9-year-old boy who developed a CA-MRSA skin and soft tissue infection and was treated with TMP-SMX. After 14 days of therapy, he was taken to the emergency department with a 3-day history of fever, headache, and neck pain. He was diagnosed with a viral syndrome, acetaminophen was prescribed, and he was sent home. Three days later, the patient returned to the emergency department with fever, vomiting, decreased energy and appetitie, and suprapubic abdominal pain, and he was hospitalized. Laboratory test results revealed elevated liver function test values. After other potential causes of liver toxicity were excluded, TMP-SMX was determined to be the cause of his acute liver toxicity. The drug was discontinued, his symptoms resolved, and his liver function tests returned to normal. Use of the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated a probable relationship (score of 5) between the patient's development of hepatotoxicity and the TMP-SMX therapy. This rare adverse reaction to TMP-SMX has been reported in adults; however, to our knowledge, it has been reported in only five other children. Due to the increasing use of TMP-SMX in children, clinicians should be aware of this potentially life-threatening, immunemediated hypersensitivity reaction. Fortunately, however, the hepatotoxicity appears to resolve after discontinuation of the TMP-SMX therapy in most reported cases. This case report illustrates the importance of early detection of drug-induced hepatotoxicity and timely drug discontinuation to prevent the need for liver transplantation.

Community-Acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Women’s Collegiate Basketball Team

Community-acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections are becoming increasingly frequent, and cutaneous disease with this organism is often seen in otherwise healthy organized sports participants. A case of CA-MRSA skin and soft tissue infection in a female collegiate basketball player is presented, and screening and management of her team is discussed. Interestingly, multiple MRSA strains were discovered on testing of the team, raising concern that the prevalence of colonization in this population may be high.

Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment options for skin and soft tissue infection caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

This article reviews the evolving epidemiology of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) and the appropriate outpatient management of CA-MRSA skin and soft tissue infection. Further, the paper will provide the basis upon which an individualized patient educational plan may be developed. To complete this review, a search of English language publications was conducted through Medline and CINAHL databases (1966-2006). The epidemiology of CA-MRSA is becoming increasingly complex. Research that addresses the impact of this organism in high-risk populations and within families is urgently needed. Nurse practitioners must remain informed of the epidemiology of common and emerging drug-resistant organisms in their patient populations.

The skin in the gym: a comprehensive review of the cutaneous manifestations of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in athletes

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMRSA) infection is currently a problem of epidemic proportion. Athletes represent a specific group of individuals who are at increased risk to develop CAMRSA skin infections. In this article, the previously published reports of cutaneous CAMRSA infections in athletes are categorized by sport and summarized. General treatment guidelines for the management of cutaneous CAMRSA infection and its associated lesions in athletes are discussed. Also, recommendations for the prevention of CAMRSA skin infection in sports participants are reviewed.

A Prospective Investigation of Outcomes after Hospital Discharge for Endemic, Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant and -Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection

Although community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection has become increasingly common, prospective data on outcomes of patients with skin infection remain poorly defined. We prospectively observed a cohort of 201 patients discharged after hospitalization for CA-MRSA infection or community-acquired methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (CA-MSSA) infection. Patients were interviewed 30 and 120 days after they received a diagnosis. Our primary outcome was clinical response, defined as no relapse, new S. aureus infection, or need for antibiotics at day 30. Among 117 patients with skin infection, the nonresponse rate at day 30 was similar among patients with CA-MRSA infection and those with CA-MSSA infection (23 [33%] of 70 vs. 13 [28%] of 47 patients; P=.55). Lack of incision and drainage was associated with nonresponse at day 30 (P=.005), but other clinical factors, including receipt of antibiotics inactive against the infecting strain, were not. Patients with CA-MSSA infection were more likely to be rehospitalized (P=.003) and to believe subjectively that they had not been cured (P=.002) at day 30. At day 30, there was a trend for close contacts of CA-MRSA-infected patients to develop a similar infection (13% vs. 4%; odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-15.8; P=.2). Although it is believed patients with CA-MRSA skin infection may have more serious outcomes than those with CA-MSSA skin infection, we found similar outcomes in these 2 groups after hospital discharge. Clinical nonresponse at day 30 was associated with a lack of receipt of incision and drainage. Our data also suggest that close contacts of persons with CA-MRSA skin infection may have a higher likelihood of acquiring an infection.

Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Skin Infections

Dermatologists and other healthcare providers need to be aware of the epidemiology, clinical features, management, and prevention of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMRSA) infection. Currently, infection caused by CAMRSA is considered to represent a worldwide epidemic and infectious skin lesions are a frequent occurrence. Athletes, certain ethnic populations, children, homeless persons, homosexual men, household members of infected people, HIV-infected patients, intravenous drug abusers, military personnel, newborns, pregnant and postpartum women, tattoo recipients, and urban dwellers of lower socioeconomic status in crowded living conditions are individuals at increased risk of developing CAMRSA infection. Although the observed incidence of cutaneous CAMRSA lesions in patients with atopic dermatitis or other conditions that are characterized by a non-intact skin barrier is less than that reported in other groups of people at risk for this skin infection, close surveillance for the emergence of CAMRSA skin infection in children and adults with atopic dermatitis and other patients whose skin barrier is disrupted is justified since colonization by S. aureus in these individuals represents a potential reservoir for CAMRSA. It is also important to note that infection-associated risk factors are absent in many individuals who develop cutaneous CAMRSA infection. CAMRSA skin lesions are pleomorphic. The most common presentations of CAMRSA infection are abscess, cellulitis, or both. These infectious lesions are not uncommonly misinterpreted by the patient as spider bites or insect bites. Other manifestations of cutaneous CAMRSA infection are impetigo, folliculitis, and paronychia. Incision and drainage of abscesses, systemic antibacterial therapy, and adjunctive topical antibacterial treatment are the essential components of management of CAMRSA skin infections. At the initial visit, a bacterial culture of the infectious lesion is recommended to confirm identification of the pathogen and to determine antimicrobial susceptibility. Subsequently, based upon the reported antibacterial sensitivity, alteration (if necessary) of the patient's empiric systemic antimicrobial treatment can be initiated. Direct skin-to-skin transmission of the causative bacteria, damage to the skin's surface, sharing of personal items, and a humid environment are potential mechanisms for the acquisition and transmission of CAMRSA skin infection. The spread of cutaneous CAMRSA infection can potentially be prevented by incorporating personal, environmental, and healthcare measures that strive to eliminate the causes of acquisition and transmission of the bacteria.

Community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections: a review of epidemiology, clinical features, management, and prevention

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMRSA) infection is a global problem of epidemic proportions. Many of the patients who develop CAMRSA skin lesions do not have infection-associated risk factors. Abscess, abscess with accompanying cellulitis, and cellulitis are the most common presentations of cutaneous CAMRSA infection; occasionally, these CARMSA-related lesions are misinterpreted as spider or insect bites. Other manifestations of cutaneous CAMRSA infection include impetigo, folliculitis, and acute paronychia. The management of CAMRSA skin infection includes incision and drainage, systemic antimicrobial therapy, and adjuvant topical antibacterial treatment. In addition, at the initial visit, bacterial culture of the lesion should be considered. Direct skin-to-skin contact, damage to the skin surface, sharing of personal items, and a humid environment are potential mechanisms for the acquisition and transmission of cutaneous CAMRSA infection. Measures that strive to eliminate these causes are useful for preventing the spread of CAMRSA skin infection.

Use of a single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping system to demonstrate the unique epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in remote aboriginal communities.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has emerged as a major public health problem in Australia, as in many other parts of the world. High rates of CA-MRSA skin and soft tissue infection have been reported from Aboriginal communities. We used a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping typing system based on the multilocus sequence type (MLST) database to investigate the epidemiology of CA-MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) over a 12-month period in three remote Aboriginal communities of Northern Australia. This was supplemented by real-time PCR for Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. S. aureus was recovered from pyoderma lesions on 221 occasions and throat swabs on 44 occasions. The median monthly recovery rate of S. aureus from skin sores was 58% (interquartile range, 62 to 78%), and there was no seasonal variation. Twenty-three percent of isolates were CA-MRSA; the proportion was similar across the communities and did not vary over the study period. Erythromycin resistance was found in 47% of CA-MRSA and 21% of MSSA. SNP-based typing identified 14 different clonal complexes (cc); however, cc75 was predominant, accounting for 71% of CA-MRSA isolates. These were confirmed as ST75-like by using an additional SNP and MLST of selected isolates. All but one of the cc75 isolates had SSCmec type IV (one had type V), and all were PVL negative. Monthly tracking of SNP-based cc types showed a highly dynamic process. ST75-MRSA-IV appears to be unique to the region and probably evolved de novo in remote Aboriginal communities.

Community-Acquired MRSA Skin Infections: Coming to an ER Near You

Many studies have described dramatic localized outbreaks of cutaneous infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the U.S.

Community-Acquired MRSA Skin Infections: Not Uncommon

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections traditionally have been associated with exposure to healthcare settings, but now the