In 2015, Professor and Executive Vice Chair Shawn Gilbert, M.D., and members of the department worked together to create an equation that could predict methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) in a setting with methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MRSA) prevalence. Ultimately, this equation was developed to aid physicians in their decision to intervene in MRSA cases as overtreatment may contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Below is the predictive equation for differentiating MRSA vs MSSA in pediatric hematogenous osteomyelitis:

Copy and paste the entire line below into the Wolfram Alpha Calculator: Wofram Alpha

{z = (47.407-0.434 a-0.146 b)-0.253 c, e^z/(1+e^z) = g} where a = 99, b = 19, c = 19

Replace the values at the end of the statement to reflect your values for a, b and c.

a = Degrees Fahrenheit

b = CRP mg/L

c = ANC (neutrophils) in thousands

Example should yield a result of g=0.0414871, Z=-3.14

g = Probability (MSSA)

Result will be expressed as a decimal probability of MSSA

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