CA-MRSA as a Cause of Otitis Media

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) can cause cutaneous abscesses, bacteremia, pneumonia, and influenza-associated bacterial infections. In a retrospective study, investigators compared bacteria isolated from ear aspirates of children (age range, 5 months to 12 years) who had acute otitis media (AOM) with tympanic membrane perforation at a single clinic in Washington DC during 1993–1998 and 2001–2006.

The study included 61 cultured aspirates from 50 consecutive children who presented in the first period and 64 cultured aspirates from 50 consecutive children who presented in the second period. Of 61 positive isolates in the first period, none were CA-MRSA, compared with 5 of 63 positive isolates (8%) in …