The increasing prevalence of clindamycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates in children with head and neck abscesses.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively review trends in clindamycin resistance among Staphylococcus aureus head and neck abscesses between January 2000 and June 2008.

METHODS: Between January 2000 and June 2008, inpatient and out-patient S aureus isolates were reviewed for antibiotic susceptibility. In particular, cultures from 153 abscesses in the head and neck region were assessed for clindamycin and methicillin resistance patterns.

RESULTS: Annual clindamycin resistance rates for all S aureus isolates, and specifically for S aureus head and neck abscesses, revealed concerning levels of clindamycin and methicillin resistance. After 2002, the mean clindamycin resistance rate in head and neck abscesses was approximately 27%. The number of new cases of methicillin-resistant S aureus per year increased from four cases in 2000 to 44 cases in 2007.

CONCLUSION: Antibiotic resistance should be considered following failed empirical therapy of head and neck abscesses with clindamycin.