M ethicillin‐resistant S taphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and epidural abscess in a neonate

A 24‐day‐old boy presented with fever, irritability and poor feeding. Blood culture grew methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus . Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed pleocytosis, and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus grew from enrichment broth. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an epidural abscess extending from C 2–3 to T 8–9. Staphylococcal infections of the central nervous system are uncommon in neonates. This case demonstrates the importance of performing a lumbar puncture in isolated staphylococcal bacteraemia. The case also highlights that cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis may indicate a parameningeal focus of infection.