A community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus liver abscess

Abstract

Liver abscesses caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are rarely reported. We report such a case in a 25-year-old man who presented with an intermittent fever. He had a history of prolonged antibiotic use for acne and skin abscesses. The liver abscess was successfully treated with percutaneous drainage and a prolonged course of linezolid. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus liver abscess in Hong Kong, demonstrating the increasing threat posed by this multidrug-resistant organism. This case also suggests that a different epidemiology and route of infection may apply to community-acquired methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus liver abscesses in contrast to the more common pyogenic liver abscesses.