title: [Staphylococcus aureus infections in the intensive care unit: clinical and epidemiological characteristics].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been an increase in invasive Staphylococcus Aureus infections over the last few years, which have required admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with S. aureus infection who were admitted to PICU were enrolled in a retrospective study (January 2006-June 2010). The patients were classified into 2 groups: community-acquired infection (Group 1) and nosocomial infection (Group 2). We recorded epidemiological data, type of S. aureus (methicillin-susceptible S. aureus [MSSA], methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA]), risk factors, site of infection, presence of hemodynamic instability, respiratory support, and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 51 patients were enrolled, 21 belonging to Group 1 and 30 to Group 2. The median age was lower in Group 1 (1.6 years vs 3.2 years; P=.009). MSSA was isolated in 88% of cases. MRSA was detected in 6/51 (12%) of cases, which were isolated in the later study period (January 2009-June 2010). The risk factors for infection were: immunosuppression, venous catheter, institutionalization, mechanical ventilation, previous surgery, previous trauma and chronic osteomyelitis. A large majority (83%) of the patients with MRSA infection had risk factors. The type of infection was varied, with respiratory tract infection being the most common (75%). Hemodynamic instability was observed in 43% of patients. Most patients (86%) required respiratory support. One patient in Group 1 died of necrotizing pneumonia caused by MSSA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infections by S. aureus in children are severe and have a high morbidity. Respiratory infection was the most common in our series. Isolation of MSSA is common in these infections, although, an increase in the number of infections by MRSA was observed during the latter part of the study.
authors: Servicio de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, España. beacabeza@hotmail.com
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Cabeza
authors: S
authors: S
authors: García Ruíz
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: González-Abad
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Nieto-Moro
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Martínez de Azagra
authors: M I
authors: MI
authors: Iglesias-Bouzas
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Casado-Flores
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*