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Staphylococcus lugdunensis: an emerging cause of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections
S P Elliott1, R Yogev, S T Shulman
1Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ 85724-5073, USA. selliott@peds.arizona.edu
Abstract:
Staphylococcus lugdunensis, a coagulase-negative staphylococcus first described in 1988, has gained recognition as an organism with considerable pathogenic capability in adults. In contrast to the indolent presentation characteristic of other coagulase-negative staphylococci, S. lugdunensis infections resemble the aggressive behavior of Staphylococcus aureus. Although the organism has been isolated from a wide variety of infections in adults, it is a very rare cause of pediatric infections. We describe the first two pediatric patients who developed ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections caused by S. lugdunensis. These cases suggest that coagulase-negative staphylococci should be identified to the species level and that, if S. lugdunensis is identified, greater morbidity compared to that associated with other coagulase-negative staphylococcal shunt infections should be anticipated. A longer course of therapy is recommended for S. lugdunensis infections.
Insights
Staphylococcus lugdunensis can cause severe infections in children, unlike other coagulase-negative staphylococci. Early identification and longer treatment are crucial for pediatric shunt infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Staphylococcus lugdunensis, a coagulase-negative staphylococcus, exhibits significant pathogenicity in adults, often mimicking Staphylococcus aureus infections.
- While common in adult infections, S. lugdunensis is rarely implicated in pediatric cases.
Observation:
- This report details the first two pediatric cases of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections caused by S. lugdunensis.
- These infections presented with aggressive characteristics, distinct from typical coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections.
Findings:
- The study highlights the aggressive nature of S. lugdunensis VP shunt infections in pediatric patients.
- These infections may lead to greater morbidity compared to those caused by other coagulase-negative staphylococci.
Implications:
- Accurate species-level identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci is critical in pediatric infections.
- Anticipation of increased morbidity and recommendation for extended therapeutic courses are advised for S. lugdunensis infections in children.