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Periprosthetic breast abscess caused by Streptococcus pyogenes after scarlet fever

Paolo Persichetti1, Marika Langella, Giovanni Francesco Marangi

  • 1Campus Bio-Medico di Roma University, Rome, Italy. p.persichetti@unicampus.it

Annals of Plastic Surgery
|February 19, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of breast implant infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus, GAS) following scarlet fever is reported. This is the first documented instance of GAS periprosthetic infection after breast reconstruction.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Breast cancer treatment often involves mastectomy and subsequent reconstruction.
  • Tissue expanders are commonly used in immediate breast reconstruction.
  • Infections are a known complication of breast implantation procedures.

Observation:

  • A 32-year-old woman developed a periprosthetic infection two months after immediate breast reconstruction.
  • The infection was caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus, GAS).
  • The patient had recently recovered from scarlet fever.

Findings:

  • This case represents the first reported instance of a periprosthetic infection linked to Streptococcus pyogenes following scarlet fever.
  • Group A streptococcus can cause various suppurative and metastatic infections.
  • The study details the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this specific GAS infection.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for Streptococcus pyogenes to cause delayed infections in patients with breast implants.
  • Emphasizes the importance of considering GAS infections in patients with fever and localized symptoms post-breast reconstruction.
  • Underscores the need for vigilance in diagnosing and managing rare infectious complications in reconstructive surgery.

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