Staph Infections in Children Rising, According to Corpus Christi, Texas, Hospital

Doctors at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, are reporting a rise in the number of cases of staph infections caused by a superbug.

The antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as CA-MRSA (Community Acquired-Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) causes infections which could result in fatalities.

Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Driscoll Children's Hospital, Dr. Jamie Fergie, says that "community staph", as it is commonly called, is more virulent than previous MSRS infections.

As a result of the infection, some of the children affected by the "community staph" are having to undergo multiple surgeries which include cardiothoracic, orthopedic and drainage procedures to get rid of the infection.

The "community staph" infection's bacterium can enter the blood stream and infect they lungs, muscles, joints and bones. It enters the body through skin wounds. It appears as either an abscess or boil, similar to an insect bite.

Some children, as a result of the infection, have died, while others have developed life-threatening conditions.

Dr. Fergie is considered to be a leading expert regarding CA-MRSA. Based on Dr. Fergie's research over a period of 13 years, there has been a significant increase in the severity of the CA-MRSA well as the number of patients who acquire it.

In 2004, Dr. Kevin Purcell, along with Dr. Fergie, co-authored a study that reported that the number of CA-MRSA patients had increased from five per 10,000 patients in 1999 to 360 per 10,000 in 2004. Six hundred and twenty eight cases were reported in 2006 and so far in 2007, 281 cases have been reported.

Dr. Fergie says that the CA-MRSA can be prevented by good hygiene and proper hand washing.