Staphylococcus lugdunensis Infection of the Bilateral Axillaries

Abstract

Background. We present a case of a 29-year-old woman admitted to the hospital with hidradenitis suppurativa and found to have Staphylococcus lugdunensis bacteremia. Due to concern for the pathogenicity of this organism and recurrence of her axillary infection, a transthoracic echocardiogram was performed. The results did not demonstrate endocarditis. She was successfully treated with a course of oral doxycycline and topical agents. In contrast to other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), S lugdunensis has been shown to have a virulence pattern rivaling that of Staphylococcus aureus.It is important to educate clinicians on prompt management and treatment when patients are found to be bacteremic with this organism, as it can cause deep-seated and suppurative infections.