Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis in Hawaii.

Background: The clinical and laboratory findings and outcomes of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis have not been studied in Hawaii.

Methods: Retrospective inpatient chart reviews of 62 culture-proven osteomyelitis patients between 1996 and 2007 were performed.

Results: Fifteen patients (24%) had MRSA infection, and 47 patients (76%) had MSSA infection. Length of stay, chronic health problems, total duration of fever, and length of treatment were not significantly different between MRSA- and MSSA-infected patients. The peak erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values were higher among MRSA infected patients (P values: .009 and .003, respectively).The systemic complication rate was higher in MRSA-infected patients (P value: .018).

Conclusions: Differing from other pediatric staphylococcal infections in Hawaii, the majority of the patients had MSSA infection. Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian ethnicities were affected disproportionately and had MRSA infection more frequently. MRSA-infected patients had frequent surgical procedures and systemic complications.