The increased risk of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in neck infections in young children.

An increase in the isolation rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylooccus aureus (MRSA) in pediatric deep space neck infections including abscesses has been noted in recent years. A recent study by Duggal et al. [9] analyzed the microbiology of deep neck space in children and identify the possible risk factors. Patients younger than 16 months of age were 10 times more likely to have an S. aureus infection as compared to non S. aureus (P < .0001). MRSA comprised the majority of all S. aureus isolates (58%). The majority of community acquired -MRSA (80%) and methicillin sensitive S. aureus isolates (83%) were identified in lateral abscesses in contrast to the non-S. aureus isolates that were located medially (56%). African American pediatric patients accounted for 70% of all deep neck space infections, and 86% of all MRSA infections. Clindamycin resistance was detected in 8% (4/49) of all community-acquired MRSA isolates. The study illustrates significant differences in age and location of neck space infections as they relate to isolation of S. aureus.