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.