Staphylococcus aureus infections in children in an Iranian referral pediatric Hospital

INTRODUCTION Staphylococcus aureus is associated with various infections ranging from skin and soft tissues such as surgical site infections and abscesses to lower respiratory tracts and bloodstream. The aim of this study was to evaluate underlying condition of patients with S. aureus infections in an Iranian referral pediatric Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS Information was extracted retrospectively from the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with S. aureus infections. Data obtained about the study subjects included basic demographics, reason for admission, culture site, length of hospital stay, and methicillin susceptibility. RESULTS The underlyning condition of of patients with S. aureus infection during November 2011 and March 2013 were included in the study. The most frequent diagnosis in patients with S. aureus infection was jaundice (12%), abscess (10%), cellulitis (10%), wound infection (8%), septic arthritis (7%) and sezeire (5%). Wound was the most common infection sites among all subjects 34/98 (35%) following by blood (20/98, 20%) as well as skin and soft tissue (19/98, 19%). The proportion of MRSA infections among all S. aureus isolates was 79% (77/98) during the study period. In addition, 58/74 (78%) met the definition of Hospital-Associated Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA) infections and the rest; 20/24 patients (83%), were classified as Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (CA- MRSA). CONCLUSION In our study, the high frequency of MRSA was found not only in HA S. aureus but also in CA S. aureus isolates; therefore, the strategic goals to optimize antimicrobial use including