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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Septic pulmonary emboli and bacteremia associated with deep tissue infections caused by community-acquired

Michael Y Lin1, Katayoun Rezai, David N Schwartz

  • 1Rush University Medical Center, Section of Infectious Diseases, 600 S. Paulina St., Suite 143, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Michael_Lin@rush.edu

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|February 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in adults can cause septic pulmonary emboli without endocarditis. This finding, seen in children, suggests a similar pathway may occur in adults with deep tissue infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a significant pathogen.
  • Septic pulmonary emboli typically arise from right-sided endocarditis or thrombophlebitis.

Observation:

  • Four adult patients presented with septic pulmonary emboli and CA-MRSA bacteremia.
  • These patients had deep tissue infections including pyomyositis, osteomyelitis, and prostatic abscess.
  • None of the patients showed evidence of right-sided endocarditis or thrombophlebitis.

Findings:

  • The study identifies a potential association between CA-MRSA bacteremia originating from deep tissue infections and the development of septic pulmonary emboli in adults.
  • This presentation mimics patterns previously observed in pediatric populations.

Implications:

  • This suggests that deep tissue infections, not just endocarditis, can be a source of septic pulmonary emboli in adults with CA-MRSA bacteremia.
  • Clinicians should consider this association in the differential diagnosis of adults presenting with unexplained septic pulmonary emboli and CA-MRSA bacteremia.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and prevalence of this association in adult populations.

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