ABSTRACT
The treatment of acute osteomyelitis is becoming more challenging since the emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We collected data on all patients with acute osteomyelitis caused by this germ over a period of 21 years (January 1995-December 2016) and we analyzed the peculiarities of this disorder. Our case series includes 15 children, with an average age of 9 years. All patients had affected lower limb. Local trauma was reported in 8 cases and skin carriage in 4 cases. Acute onset was reported in 12 cases associated with pseudo-paralysis of the affected limb. One patient had Staphylococcus aureus pulmonary infection with signs of septicopyemia. Blood culture was positive in 8 cases. In one case PCR assay for detection of Panton-Valentine leukocidin was performed with positive result. All these patients underwent surgical debridement and received secondarily adapted empirical antibiotic therapy. Outcome was good in 8 cases and poor in the other cases, with transition to a chronic state in 6 cases and one case of death. Pathological fracture was reported in 3 cases. Osteomyelitis cause by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is associated with a pejorative outcome. Recognizing the clinical and paraclinical signs of these infections is essential for a specific and early therapeutic management.