Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Staphylococcus aureus Prostate Abscess, Ten-Year Experience at a Tertiary

Bryan Walker1, Eric Heidel1, Mahmoud Shorman1

  • 1University of Tennessee, Graduate School of Medicine.

Abstract

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) prostate abscess (PA) is rare but increasingly reported, especially with injection drug use (IDU). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is often involved, necessitating consideration of the prostate in high-risk patients with bacteremia.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Urology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Prostatic abscess (PA) is typically caused by Enterobacteriaceae, but Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) PA is emerging.
  • Increased reports of S. aureus PA correlate with rising rates of bacteremia linked to injection drug use (IDU).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of S. aureus prostatic abscesses.
  • To identify risk factors and treatment patterns for S. aureus PA.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of adult patients diagnosed with S. aureus PA between 2008 and 2018.
  • Analysis of patient demographics, risk factors, causative pathogens, treatment, and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-one patients (average age 46) were included, with 67% presenting genitourinary symptoms.
  • Key risk factors included concurrent skin/soft tissue infections (52%), genitourinary issues (48%), IDU (38%), and diabetes (38%).
  • Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was identified in 57%, and 81% had concurrent bacteremia. Drainage and antibiotics (3-8 weeks) were common; 81% of follow-up patients achieved clinical resolution.

Conclusions:

  • S. aureus PA remains a rare but significant complication of S. aureus infections, with MRSA being the predominant pathogen.
  • Physicians should consider the prostate as a potential infection site in high-risk patients presenting with persistent bacteremia.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate management, including drainage and antibiotics, are crucial for favorable outcomes.

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