Antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from skin lesions in children. A retrospective analysis from a tertiary care Italian pediatric hospital

Abstract

Antibiotic susceptibility of S. aureus was retrospectively assessed in 1833 strains isolated from skin lesions observed in an Italian tertiary care hospital. Methicillin resistance was more frequent in outpatients than in inpatients (18% vs. 14%, p = 0.04) as well as resistance to cotrimoxazole (8% vs. 4.1%, p < 0.001). Resistance to ampicillin was 99% in both groups, while for clindamycin it was 11% and 14%, respectively. Among topical antibiotics fusidic acid showed the better resistance profile (3%). Antibiotic resistance in pediatric skin infection in outpatients could represent a therapeutic problem in Italy.

Keywords:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• antibiotic resistance
• skin infection
• pediatrics
• topical antibiotics

Compliance with ethical standards

No funding was received for development of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

EC has served as advisor for Angelini and Ferrer. No other potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors

Authors’ contributions

Marilea Lezzi: Data collection and analysis, 1st paper draft, final version approval Roberto Bandettini: Study design, data collection, final version approval. Elisabetta Ugolotti: Data collection, final version approval. Carolina Saffioti: Data and results analysis and comments, final version approval. Alessio Mesini: Data and results analysis and comments, final version approval. Carlotta Pastorino: Data and results analysis and comments, final version approval. Francesca Manunza: Data and results analysis and comments, final version approval. Marta Ferretti: Data and results analysis and comments, final version approval. Giacomo Brisca: Data and results analysis and comments, final version approval. Elio Castagnola: Study design, data and results analysis and comments, paper review, final version approval

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marilea Lezzi

Marilea Lezzi, MD, resident in Pediatrics at University of Genoa.

Roberto Bandettini

Roberto Bandettini, MD, former chief Microbiology Section of the Laboratory of Analysis of IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini and at present Chief of Laboratory Service, ASL4 Regione Liguria.

Elisabetta Ugolotti

Elisabetta Ugolotti, PhD, long-time expert in microbiology, Microbiology Section of the Laboratory of Analysis of IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini.

Carolina Saffioti

Carolina Saffioti, MD, consultant, Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini.

Alessio Mesini

Alessio Mesini, MD, consultant, Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini.

Carlotta Pastorino

Carlotta Pastorino, MD, consultant, Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini.

Francesca Manunza

Francesca Manunza, MD, consultant, Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini.

Marta Ferretti

Marta Ferretti, MD, Emegency Medicine Department. IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini.

Giacomo Brisca

Giacomo Brisca, MD, expert in emergency medicine, Emegency Medicine Department, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini.

Elio Castagnola

Elio Castagnola, MD, PhD, chief of Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini.