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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
Brain abscesses complicating Staphylococcus aureus sepsis in a premature infant
G Vartzelis1, M Theodoridou, G L Daikos
1First Dept. of Pediatrics, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens University, Thivon and Levadias Streets, GR-115 27 Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Brain abscess is a rare complication of staphylococcal bacteremia in infants. Here we present a case of a premature infant who developed multiple brain abscesses 12 weeks following an episode of inadequately treated Staphylococcus aureus sepsis. The abscess developed in the absence of trauma, prior surgery, cyanotic heart disease, or immune defect. The initial staphylococcal isolate exhibited identical pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern with that of the isolate cultured from abscess aspirate. The infant was successfully treated by surgical drainage and administration of antibiotics for 12 weeks, initially teicoplanin and meropenem followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, without neurological or developmental sequelae. Staphylococcal bacteremia in neonates should be vigorously treated to prevent life-threatening complications.
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