title: Where to from here? The treatment of impetigo in children as resistance to fusidic acid emerges.
abstract: Admissions for skin and soft-tissue infections have been increasing steadily in children and in the general population. Concerns have been raised recently about the increasing widespread use of topical fusidic acid and concurrent increase of fusidic acid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Fusidic acid resistance and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are both more prevalent in youngest age group (<5 year-olds) and particularly in the North island. In New Zealand, fusidic acid is recommended for treatment of minor impetigo and is the only fully-funded topical antibiotic. The evidence base for alternative treatment strategies for mild impetigo is limited. Most children with impetigo in the current Counties Manukau skin and sore throat schools programme received care with wound management with only a few requiring escalation. An upcoming randomised controlled trial comparing topical hydrogen peroxide cream, topical fusidic acid and wound management only (clean and cover) will help provide evidence about the effectiveness of alternative treatments in the New Zealand setting.
authors.affiliation: Paediatrician, Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, KidzFirst Children's Hospital, Auckland.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.affiliation: Professor of Population Child and Youth Health, Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, Starship Children's Health, Auckland.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lennon
authors.affiliation: Paediatrician, Senior Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, Starship Children's Health, Auckland.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Best
authors.affiliation: Community Paediatrician, Starship Children's Health, Auckland.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leversha
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005672:Fusidic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007169:Impetigo / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D009520:New Zealand; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005672:Fusidic Acid