Multi-systemic methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) community-acquired infection.
BACKGROUND
An alarming increase of the incidence of community-acquired infections due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been noted in several countries during the recent years.


METHODS
We present the case of a 64-year-old male who complained of fever, shortness of breath, productive cough, and mild low back pain. The patient was diagnosed to have severe community-acquired pneumonia caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Due to the severity of his respiratory symptoms and the history of back injury, the mild low back pain did not receive the appropriate attention. It became clear later that the back pain was caused by an extra-pulmonary focus of the MRSA infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Staphylococcus aureus has been reported to be the cause of considerably different proportions of patients with community-acquired pneumonia in studies from various parts of the world. Our case emphasizes the occasionally multi-systemic manifestations of community-acquired MRSA infections and the difficulties in their control.
Michalopoulos
Argyris
A
Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBS), Athens, Greece.
Falagas
Matthew E
ME
D000081:Acetamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D000069349:Linezolid; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011023:Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000081:Acetamides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D002981:Clindamycin; D000069349:Linezolid