Community-associated infections in children--update on community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus for the practitioner.

Nationally, the incidence of infections in children due to resistant Staphylococcus aureus originating from the community (CA-MRSA) is increasing at alarming rates. The predominant clinical syndrome caused by CA-MRSA in children is skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), and many of these children suffer from recurrence of these SSTIs. Most studies published in the medical literature have evaluated infection and colonization due to resistant staphylococcal bacteria among people with previously identified risk factors, eg, indwelling catheters, chronic illnesses. Established risk factors for MRSA infection include recent hospitalization or surgery, stay at long-term care facility, history of prolonged antibiotic use, and history of injection drug use. However, little is known about the risk factors associated with CA-MRSA in children. This paper will summarize the current epidemiology surrounding CA-MRSA, the associated clinical syndromes and most common presentations, and the latest strategies to not only treat but to prevent the recurrence of the infections caused by this resistant bacterium, which originated from the community.