To the Editor: The report by Risson and colleagues of a fatal case of necrotising pneumonia caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA)1 appropriately highlights the emerging issue of CA-MRSA infections in Australia,2 and the possibility that severe S. aureus sepsis may follow recurrent furunculosis. We wish to draw attention to the association between severe staphylococcal pneumonia and a preceding influenza-like illness.
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- 1. Risson DC, O’Connor ED, Guard RW, et al. A fatal case of necrotising pneumonia due to community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Med J Aust 2007; 186: 479-480. <MJA full text>
- 2. Nimmo GR, Coombs GW, Pearson JC, et al. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Australian community: an evolving epidemic. Med J Aust 2006; 184: 384-388. <MJA full text>
- 3. Hageman JC, Uyeki TM, Francis JS, et al. Severe community-acquired pneumonia due to Staphylococcus aureus, 2003-04 influenza season. Emerg Infect Dis 2006; 12: 894-899.
- 4. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Severe methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus community-acquired pneumonia associated with influenza — Louisiana and Georgia, December 2006–January 2007. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2007; 56: 325-329.
- 5. National Health and Medical Research Council. The Australian immunisation handbook. 8th ed. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2003.
Steven Tong is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Training Scholarship (No. 436033).