title: Staphylococcus aureus cellulitis: an unusual presentation.
abstract: Staphylococcus aureus has long been known as one of the most virulent microbes, with capabilities that make it threatening in both nosocomial and community-acquired infections. It remains the most frequent cause of skin-structure and traumatic infections in the community. S. aureus infections in the maxillofacial region are likely to be associated with a known portal of entry, but this is not always the case. Once invasion occurs, the organism may produce virulent enzymes including coagulase, hyaluronidase, proteases, DNA-ase, lipases, hemolysins, and lysozyme as well as exotoxins. Markel et al point out that cellulitis associated with coagulase-positive staphylococci will often resolve without abscess formation. Hence, there is often no site from which to obtain specimens, making this infection a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This report describes an infection in which the etiologic organism was identified as S. aureus. The source of the infection, however, remained unclear.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Geunes
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Huttula
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Chesney
mesh_terms: D002481:Cellulitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections