Atypical cutaneous manifestations of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in two immunocompetent pediatric patients: Case reports and review of the literature

Pediatr Dermatol. 2025 Jan-Feb;42(1):112-117. doi: 10.1111/pde.15703. Epub 2024 Jul 10.

Abstract

Although many clinical variants of Staphylococcus aureus infection are well-recognized, atypical presentations may mimic other conditions. We describe two cases of atypical S. aureus infections in pediatric patients: a S. aureus infection presenting with a vesicopustular rash mimicking varicella zoster virus and a case of multifocal panniculitis. Both of these cases were specifically caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Additional cases of atypical S. aureus infections and presenting features from the current literature are also discussed.

Keywords: atypical; immunocompetent; infection; methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); pediatric.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* / isolation & purification
  • Panniculitis* / diagnosis
  • Panniculitis* / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / diagnosis
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections* / diagnosis
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections* / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections* / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections* / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents