Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis in a Neonate

METHICILLIN-resistant strains ofStaphylococcus aureuswere first reported from the United States as early as 1960. However, outbreaks of nosocomial infections caused by these organisms, usually involving adult patients, have only recently been reported.1,2Such an outbreak associated withS aureusresistant to methicillin, the cephalosporins, erythromycin, lincomycin, clindamycin, and kanamycin occurred among neonates housed in the intermediate and intensive care nurseries of our city-county hospital during the summer of 1979. The index patient had persistent bacteremia and multiple bone osteomyelitis that were successfully treated with gentamicin and vancomycin. Report of a Case A 1.0-kg male infant was born to an apparently healthy 20-year-old mother. Gestational age was 22 weeks by history and 30 weeks by physical examination. The pregnancy was uncomplicated. Ventilatory support was required for the first two days of life for transient tachypnea of the newborn and apnea. An umbilical arterial catheter (UAC), placed shortly after