Andrew D. K. Nguyen1,2, Deborah Moran3, Carole-Lynn Eland4, Kathryn Wilks1,4

1Department of Medicine, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya; Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
2Department of Emergency, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Australia
3Department of Microbiology, Sunshine Coast University Hospital Pathology Laboratory, Pathology Queensland, Birtinya, Australia
4Department of Medicine, Sunshine Coast University Hospital; Department of Microbiology, Sunshine Coast University Hospital Pathology Laboratory, Pathology Queensland, Birtinya, Australia

Keywords: Bacteremia, disseminated, immunocompetent, septic shock, Staphylococcus schleiferi, zoonosis

Abstract

Staphylococcus schleiferi bacteremia is an underappreciated cause of septic shock in the critical care department. Although nominally a coagulase variable Staphylococcus and associated with otitis externa infections in canine species, it has been associated with the metastatic infection including osteomyelitis, endocarditis, nephritis, and meningitis in humans. This report records a possible zoonotic case of S. schleiferi subspecies coagulans bacteremia following canine otitis externa associated with septic shock and endovascular infection precipitating intensive care admission for vasopressor support in an immunocompetent male.

How to cite this article: K. Nguyen AD, Moran D, Eland CL, Wilks K. Staphylococcus schleiferi subspecies coagulans septic shock in an immunocompetent male following canine otitis externa. Turk J Emerg Med 2023;23:184-7.

Author Contributions

• Conceptualization: ADKN, DM, KW
• Data curation: ADK, CE, KW
• Methodology: ADKN
• Project administration: ADKN, KW
• Formal analysis: ADKN, KW
• Visualization: CE, KW
• Writing – original draft: ADKN, DM
• Writing – review and editing: ADKN, DM, KW, CE
• Supervision: KW.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Informed Consent
Written and signed informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this case report including accompanying images.

Financial Disclosure

None declared.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge all healthcare workers and microbiology staff at Pathology Queensland who were involved in the care of this patient.