title: Community-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections in children.
abstract: Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that affects children worldwide. The number of publications discussing community-associated S. aureus infections, particularly in children, adolescents and young adults, has increased in recent years. This is related to the emergence and worldwide spread of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus and the increase in severe life-threatening community-associated S. aureus infections. The increase in severity has been seen with both methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible strains. This suggests that other virulence factors might be associated with the observed trend. Panton-Valentine leukocidin is a distinctive virulence factor associated with a highly aggressive and often fatal form of community-acquired infections. We propose that empiric treatment should be adapted to the type of infection and the resistance profile present in each country or region. In cases of severe infection, a combination of antibiotics, including at least one molecule active against protein synthesis such as clindamycin or linezolid, will be needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. projo.hdoc@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rojo
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barrios
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palacios
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chaves
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007956:Leukocidins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D005098:Exotoxins; D007956:Leukocidins; C078284:Panton-Valentine leukocidin; D008712:Methicillin