title: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in otolaryngology.
abstract: Soon after the introduction of methicillin, strains of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin were reported. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a common hospital pathogen, often resistant to multiple antibiotics, while causing significant morbidity and mortality. Community-acquired MRSA infections have been infrequently documented. Most reports have been associated with intravenous drug abuse. This report reviews 15 patients with community-acquired MRSA infections of the head and neck. None admitted to intravenous drug use. Additionally, no patient was known to be a healthcare worker. The MRSA strains showed antibiotic susceptibility and resistance profiles different from typical hospital-acquired MRSA isolates. All but one infection resolved with adequate surgical or appropriate antibiotic therapy. Clinicians should become aware of the possibility of community-acquired MRSA in the patient who has had continued infection despite antibiotic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Perlman
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Kimmelman
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000382:microbiology; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification