Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Pneumonia: A Diagnostic Challenge

Abstract

Even though methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered a source of nosocomial pneumonia, a few cases have likewise depicted instances of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among healthy individuals that were caused by MRSA. Mostly CA-MRSA causes skin and soft tissue infection but can be responsible for severe invasive infection with higher morbidity. Invasive CA-MRSA requires aggressive management to prevent complications. CA-MRSA strains are now recognized as distinct clonal entities that differ from traditional hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) strains. The increasing prevalence of MRSA in the community is an important public health problem, which needs increased vigilance in the diagnosis and management of suspected and confirmed staphylococcal infections. We present an intense case of CAP brought about by MRSA with impending respiratory failure in a 19-year-old male, who presented with acute febrile illness with swelling over lips with no co-morbid and insignificant past medical history. Through this case, we intend to increase awareness among physicians about the growing role of CA-MRSA in the population; they should be meticulous in treating patients with CA-MRSA, and be aware of the complications of this disease and the appropriate empiric and target antibiotics regimen for such infections, whenever it is suspected, to enhance better clinical outcomes.