Splenic abscess caused by MRSA developing in an infarcted area: case report and literature review

J Infect Chemother. 2011 Dec;17(6):851-4. doi: 10.1007/s10156-011-0247-9. Epub 2011 May 2.

Abstract

We report a case of a 41-year-old man with a splenic abscess caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). He had been treated with antimicrobials and corticosteroids for interstitial pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and hemolytic anemia. He developed catheter-related (MRSA) bacteremia during his stay in the ICU and was treated with teicoplanin for 2 weeks. After 4 weeks of outpatient follow-up, he was readmitted to the hospital with fever and pain in the left upper quadrant. A thoracoabdominal CT scan showed subcapsular collection in areas of splenic infarction that had been detected on his first admission. CT-guided percutaneous aspiration resulted in the isolation of MRSA. The patient was treated successfully with teicoplanin for 6 weeks. Our aim in presenting this quite rare case is to highlight the tendency of infarcts that develop as a result of hemolytic attacks during systemic infections to be a focus of infection for nosocomial bacteremia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnosis
  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / microbiology*
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia
  • Catheter-Related Infections
  • Cross Infection
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Splenic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Splenic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Splenic Diseases / microbiology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Teicoplanin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Teicoplanin