title: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: pediatric otitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a potentially lethal organism in pediatric patients. MRSA is an uncommon otologic pathogen that requires special diagnostic and therapeutic intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three pediatric patients with community-acquired MRSA otologic infections were identified during 1999.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care ear institution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients required intravenous antibiotic therapy to achieve resolution of the infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRSA in children can be community acquired and can cause otitis externa, otitis media with otorrhea, or acute mastoiditis; intravenous therapy that includes vancomycin is necessary for resolution.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mankarious
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Eavey
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000209:etiology; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D010031:Otitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents