Lymphocele Containing Staphylococcus lugdunensis

Abstract

Staphylococcus species are a leading cause of community-acquired bacteremia. Of them, the most serious cause of mortality is from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, with mortality rates as high as 40%. Another Staphylococcus species that has been noted to cause equal levels of infection and mortality is Staphylococcus lugdunensis (S. lugdunensis). It can cause harmless skin infections to life-threatening endocardial complications. We would like to report a rare presentation of S. lugdunensis bacteremia from a lymphocele that developed post surgery. An 80-year-old male presented to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain and fevers. Cultures of lymphocele fluid grew S. lugdunensis. A computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast showed the presence of a large lymphocele. S. lugdunensis is a coagulase-negative staphylococci normally known to be a skin colonizer. Over the years, it has shown to cause a wide variety of infections especially involving prosthetic joints and heart valves. S. lugdunensis has been noted to be highly susceptible to penicillins, such as oxacillin, erythromycin, linezolid and a wide a variety of other antibiotics. S. lugdunensis produces a biofilm that makes treatment challenging even with susceptible antibiotics. However, the data on S. lugdunensis is growing as more case reports are being published in regards to source and susceptibilities.