Severe Pneumonia Caused by Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus pseudintermedius</i> in an Oncology Patient: Case Report and Literature Review
Mahdi Asleh, Yael Feinstein, Isaac Lazar, Assaf Rokney, Moti Baum, Orli Sagi, Eugene Leibovitz, Dana Danino
Abstract
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is usually a commensal bacterium of microbiota of dogs and cats that can become pathogenic in these animals. In the past two decades, an increasing number of human infections caused by this pathogen was reported; only two pediatric cases were due to methicillin-susceptible isolates. We describe the first case of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius diagnosed in a 12-year-old immunocompromised girl with refractory anaplastic ependymoma, presented with life-threatening pneumonia and bacteremia. The girl had close contact with her two pet dogs. This case emphasizes that immunocompromised children should be advised on proper handling of household pets to minimize the risk of infection, which could be life threatening.