A 24-year-old man with cough, rhabdomyolysis, and pneumomediastinum

J Intensive Care Med. 2012 Feb;27(1):55-7. doi: 10.1177/0885066610393468. Epub 2011 Jan 21.

Abstract

Background: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) frequently causes severe necrotizing pneumonia in young patients.

Case: We present the case of a 24-year-old male, who was brought to the emergency department with persistent fevers, confusion, and severe cough. He was found to have necrotizing pneumonia, pneumomediastinum, and rhabdomyolysis with renal failure. Cultures were positive for influenza A and CA-MRSA. After a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay, he made a complete recovery.

Conclusion: Community-acquired MRSA pneumonia is a growing health threat that typically presents in young adults after, or in conjunction with, a flu-like illness. It is characterized by a rapidly progressive deteriorating clinical course.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Community-Acquired Infections / diagnosis
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology
  • Cough / complications*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Emergency Medical Services / methods*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / drug effects
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / complications*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Radiography, Thoracic / methods*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Renal Insufficiency / complications*
  • Rhabdomyolysis / complications*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents