Related Experiment Videos
Staphylococcus intermedius: clinical presentation of a new human dog bite pathogen
D A Talan1, E J Goldstein, D Staatz
1UCLA School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sylmar, California 91342.
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Staphylococcus intermedius, commonly found in dogs, can cause human infections, often misidentified as Staphylococcus aureus. This study identified three such cases, highlighting the need for accurate bacterial identification in dog bite wound infections.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Human Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Staphylococcus intermedius is a Gram-positive coccus typically associated with canine flora and infections.
- It is phenotypically similar to Staphylococcus aureus, posing challenges in routine differentiation.
- Historically, S. intermedius has not been documented as a cause of human infections.
Observation:
- This study investigated dog bite wound infections initially identified as S. aureus.
- Fourteen isolates were re-examined, revealing three cases (22%) of S. intermedius.
- The identified S. intermedius isolates exhibited distinct microbiological characteristics, including acetoin production absence and beta-galactosidase activity.
Findings:
- Three non-immunocompromised patients developed cellulitis following dog bites on the upper extremity within 24 hours.
- All S. intermedius isolates were susceptible to various antibiotics, with one showing penicillin resistance.
- Patients were successfully treated with penicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate, achieving clinical cures.
Implications:
- These findings represent the first reported human infections caused by Staphylococcus intermedius.
- Accurate differentiation of S. intermedius from S. aureus is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment of dog bite wound infections.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the clinical significance and pathogenic potential of S. intermedius in humans.