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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

Staphylococcus intermedius is not only a zoonotic pathogen, but may also cause skin abscesses in humans after

Theodoros Kelesidis1, Sotirios Tsiodras

  • 1Department of Medicine, Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, 736 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02135, USA. tkelesid@gmail.com

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
|October 12, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Staphylococcus intermedius, a rare bacterium, can cause skin abscesses in humans through direct inoculation, even in healthy individuals. This highlights its potential as a pathogen beyond animal exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Staphylococcus intermedius is an uncommon human pathogen, with limited documented cases.
  • Most reported infections are linked to animal (primarily dog) contact.
  • However, S. intermedius can infect humans irrespective of animal exposure.

Observation:

  • A case of skin abscesses caused by S. intermedius in an immunocompetent patient is presented.
  • The patient used intravenous cocaine, coating syringes with saliva, leading to direct pathogen inoculation.
  • This represents the first documented instance of S. intermedius causing skin abscesses via this route.

Findings:

  • S. intermedius can cause skin and soft tissue infections in humans.
  • Direct inoculation of the pathogen into tissues is a viable transmission route.
  • This bacterium is a potential human pathogen, not solely associated with animal reservoirs.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider S. intermedius as a cause of Staphylococcus infections, particularly skin abscesses.
  • Awareness of S. intermedius as a human pathogen is crucial, even when Staphylococcus aureus is more common.
  • This finding expands the understanding of S. intermedius pathogenesis in humans.

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