Dacryocystitis caused by community-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the occurrence of community-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections of the lacrimal system and their treatment.


METHODS
This cases series consisted of data obtained from seven clinical cases of acute or subacute MRSA dacryocystitis, with or without concurrent conjunctivitis, occurring in nonhospitalized individuals presenting between December 2001 and July 2003. Clinical presentations, microbial culture results, treatment modalities, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
Three patients were successfully treated with antibiotics and lacrimal surgery with no recurrence of symptoms after surgery for 6 months or longer. Four patients had temporary relief of symptoms with antibiotic therapy, but surgery was not performed for non-ophthalmologic reasons, and recurrence occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of MRSA dacryocystitis can be challenging. Microbiologic cultures should be performed in all patients with dacryocystitis that is unresponsive to conventional first-line antibiotic treatment and in patients at risk for acquisition of MRSA. Appropriate antibiotic therapy in combination with dacryocystorhinostomy appears to be the optimal treatment.
Kotlus
Brett S
BS
Department of Ophthalmology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center-Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, New York, New York 11042, USA.
Rodgers
I Rand
IR
Udell
Ira J
IJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections; D003234:Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008712:Methicillin