Staphylococcus aureus community-onset pneumonia in patients admitted to children's hospitals during autumn and winter of 2006-2007.
Staphylococcus aureus is a relatively uncommon cause of community-onset pneumonia (COP) that may complicate influenza infection. We reviewed admissions to children's hospitals to describe more systematically this entity. Records of patients hospitalized at three children's hospitals between 1 October 2006 and 30 April 2007 who had a positive S. aureus culture from a sterile site or respiratory specimen were reviewed and data were abstracted for episodes of primary S. aureus COP. Overall, 30 episodes met criteria for primary S. aureus COP; 12 (41%) involved methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Patients in 11 (37%) episodes were seen by a healthcare provider for their symptoms prior to hospital admission; three received an antimicrobial, none of which had activity against the S. aureus isolated. Mechanical ventilation was required in 21 (70%) episodes; five (17%) patients died. When evaluating patients with severe COP, providers should be aware of the potential for S. aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains.
Kallen
A J
AJ
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA, USA. AKallen@cdc.gov
Reed
C
C
Patton
M
M
Arnold
K E
KE
Finelli
L
L
Hageman
J
J
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D011023:Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents