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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

Beware of the pet dog: a case of Staphylococcus intermedius infection

Russell Kempker1, Deepa Mangalat, Thiphasone Kongphet-Tran

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. rkempke@emory.edu

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|October 15, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus intermedius, a common pet bacteria, can cause human sinus infections. This case highlights potential pet-to-human transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Human Health

Background:

  • Staphylococcus intermedius is a common bacteria in dogs and cats.
  • Human infections are rare, but this case involved a methicillin-resistant strain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare human sinus infection caused by Staphylococcus intermedius.
  • To investigate the source of infection and potential transmission from pets.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a human sinus infection.
  • Bacterial culturing and identification, including initial misidentification.
  • Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for bacterial strain comparison.
  • Nasal endoscopy and surgical debridement.

Main Results:

  • A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus intermedius sinus infection was diagnosed in a patient post-surgery.
  • Identical S. intermedius strains were isolated from the patient and her pet dog.
  • The patient's infection was successfully treated with antibiotics and surgery.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcus intermedius can cause serious human infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Pet-to-human transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a significant concern.
  • Accurate and timely bacterial identification is crucial for effective treatment.

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