Related Experiment Videos
Enterocolitis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus--report of two cases
D Yoshida1, H Fukunari, I Hojo
1Second Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.
The Bulletin of Tokyo Medical and Dental University
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Two patients developed severe diarrhea after gastrectomy due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Prompt vancomycin treatment successfully resolved these serious postoperative complications.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Gastrectomy, a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the stomach, is performed for various gastric conditions, including cancer.
- Postoperative complications can arise, necessitating careful patient monitoring and management.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant cause of nosocomial infections, particularly in healthcare settings.
Observation:
- Two distinct cases of postoperative enterocolitis following gastrectomy are presented.
- Patients experienced severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting, post-surgery.
- One case involved diffuse peritonitis requiring reoperation, while the other rapidly progressed to profound shock.
Findings:
- Stool cultures confirmed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as the causative agent in both patients.
- The isolated MRSA strains exhibited identical characteristics, including minimal inhibitory concentration, coagulase type, and enterotoxin type.
- These findings strongly suggest a nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infection route.
Implications:
- This highlights the risk of MRSA enterocolitis in patients undergoing gastrectomy.
- Early recognition and appropriate antibiotic therapy, such as vancomycin, are crucial for successful treatment.
- Implementing stringent infection control measures in surgical settings is vital to prevent MRSA transmission.