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Surgical wound infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae after a cat-scratch disease

Vincenzo Savini1, Valerio Cecinati, Daniela Onofrillo

  • 1Spirito Santo Hospital, Pescara (PE), Italy. vincenzo_savini@libero.it

The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds
|December 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) infection occurred in a surgical wound. This finding expands the known range of pneumococcal disease beyond the central nervous system and respiratory tract.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae, commonly known as pneumococcus, is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and pneumonia.
  • Pneumococcal infections typically affect the central nervous system and the respiratory system.

Observation:

  • A 10-year-old male patient developed a surgical wound infection after lymph node removal.
  • The infection was caused by multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Findings:

  • This case represents a previously unreported instance of pneumococcal disease affecting an inguinal wound.
  • The presence of multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae in a skin lesion expands the spectrum of pathogens causing skin ulcers.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for S. pneumoniae to cause diverse infections, including skin and soft tissue infections.
  • Clinicians should consider pneumococcus in the differential diagnosis of unusual wound infections, especially in cases involving multidrug-resistant strains.

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