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Head and Neck MRSA Infections on the Rise in Children
Methicillin-resistant strains account for more than a quarter of Staphylococcus aureus head and neck infections in children, reports Archives of Otolaryngology.
The study, based on a review of 21,000 pediatric head and neck infections (e.g., those of the middle ear, sinus cavity, and oropharynx), found "an alarming nationwide increase" in the prevalence of methicillin resistance, growing from 12% of S. aureus isolates in 2001 to 28% in 2006. Nearly half of the MRSA samples were also resistant to clindamycin.
The authors recommend prompt culture of suspected head and neck infections to ensure appropriate antibiotic selection.
LINK(S):
Archives of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)
Reuters story (Free)
Published in Physician's First Watch January 21, 2009
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