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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Expanding spectrum of illness due to community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a case report
Russell Kempker1, Lorenzo Difrancesco, Alejandro Martin-Gorgojo
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, 550 Peachtree Street, MOT 7th Floor Atlanta, GA 30308, USA. rkempke@emory.edu
Introduction:
Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a rarely identified form of chronic pyelonephritis usually caused by gram-negative organisms. Herein, we report the first case caused by infection due to community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain.
Case Presentation:
An HIV-infected female with a history of intravenous drug use presented with a three month history of abdominal pain, distension, and fever. Computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed a large multicystic right kidney mass. During surgical exploration an intrarenal abscess was identified. Cultures revealed the presence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Histopathological examination demonstrated xanthogranulomatous disease. The patient was successfully treated with nephrectomy and a prolonged antibiotic combination regimen with vancomycin and linezolid.
Conclusion:
Our case illustrates the escalating spectrum of illness caused by infection due to community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
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