Bacteremic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus deep neck abscess in a newborn—Case report and review of literature

We describe an unusual localization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (MRSA) in a very young newborn. A 3-week-old male infant was admitted with fever, irritability, sialorrhea and stiffed left neck. The ENT examination revealed a deep neck mass and an ultrasound examination showed diffuse swelling of the left latero-pharyngeal area. A CT examination confirmed a deep neck abscess with difficult-to-define borders. Blood and nasopharyngeal cultures returned positive for MRSA. Treatment was started with intravenous teicoplanin and continued for 14 days with a marked decrease in abscess's dimensions and improvement in patient's general condition. MRSA should be suspected in the etiology and treatment of neck abscesses in newborns, infants and young children.