Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa) Nasal Colonization Predicts Mrsa Infection In Inpatient Paediatric Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and skin-associated structures sometimes presenting with purulence, defined by generation of pus. Purulent infections can further be complicated by cutaneous abscess, a walled collection of pus in the subcutaneous space. Research on paediatric cellulitis is limited, and antimicrobial treatment widely varies even among paediatric infectious disease providers with some studies suggesting overuse of broad antibiotic coverage. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in paediatric cellulitis can be challenging to diagnose and treat with appropriate antibiotic coverage. Nasal swabs are a polymerase chain reaction assay screening for the presence of MRSA that typically result within 24 hours, much faster than traditional microbial culture with sensitivities. This study assesses the performance of nasal swabs for predicting MRSA infections in our institution.