Staphylococcus lugdunensis cultured from the amniotic fluid at caesarean section

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2013
Authors
Marchocki, Zbigniew
Collins, J. Kevin
Lehane, Eimear
O'Reilly, Paddy
O'Donoghue, Keelin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a virulent coagulase-negative staphylococcus. It behaves like and can be mistaken in culture for Staphylococcus aureus. While originally thought to be a skin commensal rarely responsible for opportunistic infection, it was rapidly established as a significant human pathogen. It has been mainly associated with native and prosthetic valve endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and skin and soft tissue cellulitis, but has also been reported as a cause of fasciitis as well as peritonitis. Staphylococcus lugdunensis has been reported as a cause of endometritis but has not been previously isolated from amniotic fluid. Here, amniotic fluid samples were collected in the course of a larger study on amniotic fluid bacteriology, with prior ethical approval and informed patient consent. Amniotic fluid was obtained at Caesarean Section by direct needle aspiration from the intact amnion. Analysis with Staphylococcal API test kits led to identification of Staphylococcus lugdunensis in two cases. The clinical significance of the finding in these reported cases is undetermined. Staphylococcus lugdunensis has been shown to be a cause of serious and potentially fatal morbidities, but this is the first report of its culture from amniotic fluid. As caesarean delivery is accepted as the single most important factor associated with post-partum infectious complications in both mother and neonate, the identification of this pathogen is a new concern.
Description
Keywords
Staphylococcus lugdunensis , Amniotic fluid , Cesarean section , Bacterial colonization , Bacterium culture , Bacterium identification , Colony forming unit , Fine needle aspiration biopsy , Fatality
Citation
Marchocki Z, Collins K, Lehane E, Reilly PO, O'Donoghue K (2013) Staphylococcus lugdunensis Cultured from the Amniotic Fluid at Caesarean Section. PLoS ONE 8(2): e56373. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0056373