Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Empyema Post-COVID Infection Causing Severe Septic Shock and Multiorgan Failure

Abstract

Secondary bacterial infections post-COVID infection posed a major challenge to the healthcare settings during the COVID pandemic. We present the case of an 81-year-old patient who was initially admitted for COVID pneumonia in a tertiary care hospital and was managed with a course of dexamethasone and had a good outcome. However, post-discharge, the patient developed symptoms of productive cough, hemoptysis and shortness of breath. Evaluation of the patient revealed that the patient had developed a secondary bacterial infection with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), resulting in MRSA pneumonia and empyema. The patient was started on appropriate antibiotics and underwent thoracocentesis followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and decortication. MRSA infection resulted in severe septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiorgan failure. Successful intensive care unit (ICU) management of the life-threatening complications resulted in the remarkable recovery of the patient.