• Yu Zhan, Ruizhi Tang, Yingmiao Zhang, Xun Li, Yue Fan, Jing Wang, Hui Wang, and Zhongxin Lu.
• Department of Medical Laboratory, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Nov 17; 102 (46): e35866e35866.

RationaleStaphylococcus argenteus (S argenteus) is a novel and emerging species that is part of the Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) complex. Fatal cases of bloodstream infection caused by S argenteus are rarely reported and should be considered in medical practice.Patient ConcernsA 44-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with reduced appetite, high fever and unconsciousness. Laboratory tests indicated infection, muscle damage, and alkalosis in the patient. Brain computed tomography (CT) demonstrated small hematoma in left frontal lobe with peripheral cerebral edema. Chest CT demonstrating chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and bullae in the right lung. Blood culture was collected on the first day of hospitalization for microbial culture and pathological examination.DiagnosisThe isolate from blood culture was identified as S argenteus by MALDI-TOF MS after the patient death.InterventionsThe patient was subjected to empirical antibiotic treatment with piperacillin/tazobactam.OutcomesAfter 48 hours of hospitalization, the patient died after ineffective rescue.LessonsThe patient had long-term heavy drinking and smoking as well as chronic malnutrition, which may account for his immune deficiency. The immunocompromised people are more vulnerable to infection by S argenteus and then develop bacteremia. The use of piperacillin/tazobactam may have contributed to the patient death.Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

14 keywords...

hide…