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Red grain botryomycosis due to Staphylococcus aureus--a novel case report

V Katkar1, F Mohammad, S Raut

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Nagpur 440 003, India. vyankateshkatkar@yahoomail.com

Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology
|September 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a rare instance of red grain botryomycosis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium typically associated with yellowish-white grains. The patient

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Bacteriology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Botryomycosis is a chronic bacterial infection.
  • Typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus or other bacteria.
  • Characterized by yellowish-white grains in purulent discharge.

Observation:

  • A 35-year-old male presented with an eight-month history of inflammatory foot swelling, redness, and sinuses.
  • Purulent discharge contained bright red, round to oval grains (0.5-1 mm).
  • Gram-positive cocci were identified in granules and tissue.

Findings:

  • Culture confirmed pure, heavy growth of Staphylococcus aureus.
  • This is the first reported case of red grain botryomycosis caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
  • The patient responded well to cefazolin treatment.

Implications:

  • Challenges the established understanding of botryomycosis grain coloration.
  • Highlights the potential for Staphylococcus aureus to produce red grains.
  • Suggests a need for broader diagnostic considerations in botryomycosis cases.

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