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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Adult varicella zoster infection complicated with streptococcal retrosternal abscess
Felix Boon Bin Yap1, Sze Ting Kiung
1Department of Dermatology, Sarawak General Hospital, Jalan Hospital, 93586 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Abstract:
A 43-year-old lady with type 2 diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma presented with varicella zoster infection, dyspnea, and neck fullness. An urgent computed tomography scan revealed a mediastinal abscess with superior vena cava thrombus. Blood, mediastinal pus, and swab from a vesiculopustule on the neck cultured group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus. She recovered with a combination of broad spectrum antimicrobials, antivirals, and surgical drainage. This case illustrates the rare occurrence of mediastinal abscess and acute superior vena cava obstruction caused by group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus complicating adult varicella zoster.
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