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Role of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in head and neck infections

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2009

I Brook
I Brook*
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Itzhak Brook, 4431 Albemarle St NW, Washington DC 20016, USA. E-mail: ib6@georgetown.edu
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Abstract

The prevalence of infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is increasing. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is also being recognised as an important pathogen in head and neck infections. This review summarises studies published over the past two decades which illustrate the growing prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and the current therapeutic approaches to head and neck infections caused by this bacterium. These infections include sinusitis, otitis, periorbital cellulitis, cervical lymphadenitis, tonsillitis, thyroiditis, retropharyngeal abscess, and abscesses and wounds of the neck. Treatment of head and neck infections associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus includes drainage and debridement, as well as administration of local and systemic antimicrobials that provide coverage against these organisms and against potential aerobic and anaerobic pathogens that may be present if the infection is polymicrobial.

Keywords

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus AureusOtolaryngology

Information

Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 12 , December 2009 , pp. 1301 - 1307
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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