Invasive community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection causing bacteremia and osteomyelitis simultaneously in two Saudi siblings

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Cherian, Mathew P.

Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Ras Tanura Health Center, Saudi Aramco Medical Services Organization, Saudi Arabia

Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Mathew P. Cherian, Saudi Aramco PO Box 1356, Ras Tanura, 31311, Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +966 3678 4822; Fax: +966 3678 4466; E-mail: mathew.cherian@aramco.com

Abstract: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been now recognized as major pathogen in adults and children, causing a variety of infections including osteomyelitis. Deep venous thrombosis in children with S. aureus osteomyelitis occurs rarely. Two siblings of a Saudi family who acquired MRSA bacteremia and osteomyelitis concurrently are described in this report. The second patient had an invasive infection characterized by bacteremia, multifocal osteomyelitis and septic arthritis complicated by deep venous thrombosis of the left popliteal vein, necessitating anticoagulant treatment with heparin. To my best knowledge, such simultaneous occurrence of MRSA bacteremia and osteomyelitis affecting two family members has not been reported. Also, deep venous thrombosis complicating osteomyelitis is rare and has not been reported from this region of the world.

Keywords: MRSA, community-acquired, bacteremia, osteomyelitis, deep venous thrombosis

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 131-135, 2008