Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in pediatric patients with cancer.

The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S.aureus (MSSA) in children with cancer has not been well studied. A total of 10 MRSA and 42 MSSA isolates from bacteremic episodes were collected from cancer patients from 2000 through 2007. Seventeen patients (33%) suffered from complications. Thirty-eight (73%) of the bacteremic episodes were catheter-related. Methicillin resistance was associated with increased catheter removal (P = 0.003), but no increase in complications or adverse outcomes was seen.