Bacteremic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus deep neck abscess in a newborn--case report and review of literature

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2009 Dec;73(12):1824-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2009.09.008. Epub 2009 Oct 4.

Abstract

We describe an unusual localization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (MRSA) in a very young newborn. A 3-week-old male infant was admitted with fever, irritability, sialorrhea and stiffed left neck. The ENT examination revealed a deep neck mass and an ultrasound examination showed diffuse swelling of the left latero-pharyngeal area. A CT examination confirmed a deep neck abscess with difficult-to-define borders. Blood and nasopharyngeal cultures returned positive for MRSA. Treatment was started with intravenous teicoplanin and continued for 14 days with a marked decrease in abscess's dimensions and improvement in patient's general condition. MRSA should be suspected in the etiology and treatment of neck abscesses in newborns, infants and young children.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / microbiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Neck
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / drug therapy
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Teicoplanin / administration & dosage
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler

Substances

  • Teicoplanin