Ommaya-Catheter-Related Staphylococcus epidermidis Cerebritis and Recurrent Bacteremia Documented by Molecular Typing

Abstract

A 26-year-old woman receiving intrathecal chemotherapy for acute leukemia developed Ommaya-catheter-associated cerebritis and bacteremia caused by two clones of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Genomic fingerprinting of 19 staphylococcal isolates from the cerebrospinal fluid, blood, catheter and skull biopsy was necessary to establish the etiologic diagnosis and to guide medical and surgical therapy.

Nosocomial outbreak of methicillin- and linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis associated with catheter-related infections in intensive care unit patients

“…epidermidis has been documented as an emergent pathogen mostly associated with external devices and surgical wounds. S. epidermidis infections are an increasing cause of concern, due to the high distribution of methicillin resistance among isolates of this species, and due to their biofilm formation capacity (Hansen et al, 2007) that increases their persistence on indwelling devices often resulting in the device replacement (Hakim et al, 2000). There has been previously established that there is a correlation between the presence of the ica operon, the biofilm formation, and the presence of the insertion sequence IS256 in clinical S. epidermidis isolates, increasing their capacity to spread in the hospital environment (Li et al, 2009).…”

Transverse myelitis associated with Acinetobacter baumanii intrathecal pump catheter-related infection

“…11 Cases of meningitis and cerebritis have been associated with Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacter aerogenes, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. [12][13][14] Transverse myelitis has been described rarely, and occurred in association with a paravertebral abscess, osteomyelitis, epidural abscess, and phlegmonous duritis in an individual with Staphylococcus epidermidis peridural catheter infection. 15 Acinetobacter is an aerobic nonfermentive gramnegative coccobacillus that is a significant cause of nosocomial infections, especially in neurosurgical patients.…”

Necrotising dermatitis in refractory acute myeloid leukaemia

“…Cutaneous infections, particularly in neutropenic and immunocompromised patients, like leukaemic patients are difficult to manage and can rapidly become fatal if not treated promptly (5–7).…”