Impact of community-associated, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on management of the skin and soft tissue infections in children.

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are common illnesses that have a significant impact on health care management. Community-associated, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections have been documented among healthy individuals without predisposing risk factors. The appearance and spread of CA-MRSA represent a new challenge in pediatric medicine and have important clinical implications for therapy of infections caused by S. aureus. This article provides a review of recent changes in the epidemiology of CA-MRSA, pathogenic potential, and therapeutic considerations in the management of SSTIs in children.