Staphylococcus aureus Sepsis in Children With Cancer

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Abstract
Episodes (70) of S. aureus sepsis occurring over a 9-yr period in pediatric cancer patients are reviewed. Prominent findings at time of diagnosis included fever, granulocytopenia and active malignancy. Probable or suspected sites of primary infection were present in 40 episodes (57%). Serious direct complications of staphylococcal sepsis included only 3 cases of peneumonia and 1 of myositis. Second infections by other organisms developed in 16 episodes (24%), resulting in 9 nonstaphylococcal infectious deaths during therapy. Endocarditis and osteomyelitis never occurred in this group of patients. Median duration of antistaphylococcal therapy was 15 days.