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A study published in the January issue of Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery suggests that the prevalence of pediatric head and neck infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has risen alarmingly, underscoring the need for continued efforts to reduce antimicrobial resistance, the New York Times reports. To assess MRSA prevalence, a team led by a researcher from Emory University reviewed data on 21,009 pediatric head and neck MRSA infections that occurred between January 2001 and December 2006. The data was collected from the Surveillance Network, a peer-reviewed national electronic microbiology database that collects strain-specific antimicrobial drug resistance test results from clinical laboratories affiliated with more than 300 U.S. hospitals across the country. According to the researchers, rates of MRSA head and neck infections more than doubled during the study period, from 11.8 percent in 2001 to 28.1 percent in 2006. HealthDay reports that about one-third of the MRSA infections affected the ears, while about 28 percent affected the nasal and sinus areas. The researchers also found that 47 percent of clinical MRSA isolates were resistant to the antimicrobial agent clindamycin, MedPage Today reports. Commenting on the findings, the researchers suggest that "judicious use of antibiotic agents and increased effectiveness in diagnosis and treatment are warranted to reduce further antimicrobial resistance in pediatric head and neck infections." (Rabin, New York Times, 1/20/09 [registration required]; Tanner, Associated Press, 1/20/09; Gever, MedPage Today, 1/19/09; Mozes, HealthDay, 1/19/09; Naseri et al., Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, January 2009 [subscription required])