Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: pediatric otitis.

BACKGROUND

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a potentially lethal organism in pediatric patients. MRSA is an uncommon otologic pathogen that requires special diagnostic and therapeutic intervention.

METHODS

Three pediatric patients with community-acquired MRSA otologic infections were identified during 1999.

SETTING

Tertiary care ear institution.

RESULTS

All patients required intravenous antibiotic therapy to achieve resolution of the infections.

CONCLUSIONS

MRSA in children can be community acquired and can cause otitis externa, otitis media with otorrhea, or acute mastoiditis; intravenous therapy that includes vancomycin is necessary for resolution.