Fatal bacteraemic pneumonia due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Singapore Med J. 2006 Jun;47(6):546-8.

Abstract

The recent worldwide surge in the incidence of fatal pneumonia caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has generated renewed interest in this well-known organism. We describe two cases of fulminant bacteraemic pneumonia due to CA-MRSA at the National University Hospital in Singapore and provide further epidemiological descriptors of this potentially-deadly disease. The first patient was an 83-year-old woman while the second was a 71-year-old man, none of whom had risk factors for hospital-acquired MRSA colonisation. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of severe community-acquired pneumonia caused by this organism. Adequate empirical antimicrobial coverage for this important pathogen should be considered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methicillin Resistance*
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / etiology*
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / microbiology
  • Singapore
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*