Destructive otomastoiditis by MRSA from porcine origin

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Zoonotic Infections

Background:

• Protracted otomastoiditis can lead to severe complications, including dural defects and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant pathogen, with increasing reports of community-acquired strains.
• Zoonotic transmission of pathogens from animals to humans poses a public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of complicated otomastoiditis caused by a specific type of MRSA originating from pigs.
• To highlight the potential for zoonotic transmission of pig-associated MRSA in human infections.
• To emphasize the importance of considering animal-to-human pathogen transmission in clinical diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• A 63-year-old female pig farmer presented with otomastoiditis, tympanic roof destruction, and CSF leakage.
• Surgical intervention included a cortical mastoidectomy and closure of a dural defect.
• Cultures of middle ear effusion were analyzed to identify the causative pathogen and its origin.

Main Results:

• The causative agent was identified as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
• Further analysis confirmed the MRSA strain to be of porcine origin.
• The patient underwent surgical management for the otomastoiditis and dural defect.

Conclusions:

• This case represents the first reported instance of complicated otomastoiditis due to a pig-type MRSA.
• Zoonotic transmission of MRSA from pigs to humans can result in severe clinical manifestations.
• Clinicians should consider animal contact history in cases of unusual or resistant infections.