Community methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection at the Fundacion Hospital de la Misericordia betwwen 2011 and 2013

Abstract

Introduction: methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (MRSA) correlates with a high virulence and causes skin and soft tissue infections and necrotizing pneumonia in healthy adults and children. The first community acquired MRSA reports appeared in the 90’s. The prevalence of the infection among the pediatric population is variable, depending on the geographical location and the health institution, reaching values of up to 48%. Objective: to determine the risk factors associated with invasive community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in pediatric patients hospitalized at the Hospital de la Misericordia from 2011 through 2013. Methodology: case study and controls. The medical records of patients with community methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection and control patients with community methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus infection at the Hospital de la Misericordia between 2011 and 2013 were revised. The frequency of presentation of risk factors in each study group was determined and the OR was estimated. Results: 129 participants (73 males and 56 females), between 1-day-old and 17 year-old with at least one positive culture for community Staphylococcus aureus in sterile places. Age made no significant difference between the control group and the cases. Leukocytosis between 15.000 and 18.000 (OR= 3.1 (95% CI 1.1-8.9), p=0.02), neutrophils greater than 10000 cells/mm3 (OR= 3.4 (95% C.I. 1.58-7.46), p=0.002) and antibiotic use in the last three months (OR= 4.2 (IC95% 2.0-8.88) p=0.00), were the only statistically significant variables as risk factors for MRSA -CO. Conclusions: there are some risk factors for MRSA – CO infection among the pediatric population, including leukocytosis, neutrophilia and previous antibiotic use.