Abstract
A 48-year-old male with no concurrent underlying illness had a severe upper respiratory infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The clinical course suggested that it was a community-acquired MRSA infection. He also developed purpura of the legs and erythema of the hands. These skin eruptions were diagnosed as vasculitis allergica cutis accompanying by MRSA infection.
From December 1992 to May 1993, 27 outpatients with acute suppurative pharyngitis and tonsillitis were tested for MRSA. It accounted for 6.7% of all bacterial strains isolated and for 13.3% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Community-acquired MRSA infection deserves greater attention, since morbidity tends to be greater in MRSA patients.
