Carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in children <6 years old: a retrospective follow-up study of the natural course and effectiveness of decolonization treatment

Thomas Helbo*, Jonas Bredtoft Boel, Mette Damkjær Bartels, Magnus Glindvad Ahlström, Barbara Juliane Holzknecht, Helle Brander Eriksen

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

1 Citationer (Scopus)
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Decolonization treatment of MRSA carriers is recommended in Denmark, except in households with MRSA-positive children <2 years old (wait-and-see approach).

OBJECTIVES: To investigate a wait-and-see approach in children 2-5 years old, and the effect of decolonization treatment of MRSA carriage in all children <6 years old.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective follow-up study, we included MRSA carriers <6 years old in the Capital Region of Denmark from 2007 to 2021. Data were collected from laboratory information systems and electronic patient records. We divided children into age groups of <2 years or 2-5 years and decolonization treatment versus no treatment. Treatment was chlorhexidine body washes and nasal mupirocin, sometimes supplemented with systemic antibiotics. Children were followed until becoming MRSA free, or censoring. The probability of becoming MRSA free was investigated with Cox regression (higher HRs indicate faster decolonization).

RESULTS: Of 348 included children, 226 were <2 years old [56/226 (25%) received treatment] and 122 were 2-5 years old [90/122 (74%) received treatment]. Multivariable analyses did not show a larger effect of decolonization treatment versus no treatment in <2-year-olds (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.52-1.65) or 2-5-year-olds (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.26-1.12). Without treatment, 2-5-year-olds tended to clear MRSA faster than <2-year-olds (HR 1.81, 95% CI 0.98-3.37).

CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a larger effect of decolonization treatment versus no treatment in children <6 years old, and 2-5-year-olds tended to become MRSA free faster than <2-year-olds. These results support a wait-and-see approach for all children <6 years old, but further studies are needed.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftThe Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy
Vol/bind79
Udgave nummer4
Sider (fra-til)826-834
ISSN0305-7453
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2024

Bibliografisk note

© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

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