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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

[Community-acquired meningitis due to methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus]

P Pinet1, E Denes, F Garnier

  • 1Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, CHU Dupuytren, avenue Martin-Luther-King, Limoges, France. pauline.pinet@noos.fr

Medecine Et Maladies Infectieuses
|October 20, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Community-acquired meningitis caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) is rare but severe. This infection often spreads to other tissues, requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment for a good outcome.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Microbiology

Context:

  • Meningitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus is uncommon.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is typically associated with neurosurgery, while methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) can cause community-acquired meningitis.
  • Community-acquired MSSA meningitis is underreported despite its severity.

Purpose:

  • To describe the characteristics of community-acquired meningitis due to MSSA.
  • To analyze patient demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and treatment outcomes.

Summary:

  • Five patients with community-acquired MSSA meningitis were studied over 18 months.
  • Patients presented with extraneurological infections (bone, lung) and bacteremia; neurological signs were infrequent at onset.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed characteristic inflammatory markers. All patients recovered with prolonged antibiotic therapy.
  • The presence of TSST-1 in some strains may contribute to disease severity.

Impact:

  • Highlights community-acquired MSSA meningitis as a serious infection.
  • Emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment, including addressing extraneurological foci.
  • Suggests further investigation into the role of TSST-1 in MSSA meningitis pathogenesis.

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