Role of Staphylococcus caprae in nosocomial infection

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Staphylococcus caprae Infections in Catalonia, Spain

Staphylococcus caprae is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus commonly associated with animals which can also be a zoonotic human pathogen. To date, there is little data available on S. caprae infections. The aim of this study was to characterize the S. caprae infections identified in two hospitals located, respectively, in rural and urban areas of Catalonia, Spain. In this retrospective, observational study, data were compiled from clinical records of all S. caprae infections diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2023. Over the study period, altogether 31 cases of S. caprae infection were identified, with most (23) of these cases occurring in the second half of the period (2017-2023). The mean age of patients was 58.87 ± 20.65 years, and 58.1% were males. Eight patients had had livestock exposure. The most frequent manifestation of infection was skin and soft subcutaneous tissue infections (10; 32.3%), osteomyelitis (6; 19.4%), and joint prosthetic infections (5; 16.1%). All the strains were susceptible to oxacillin, fluoroquinolones, rifampicin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Twenty-two (71%) of the patients required surgical treatment. Only one patient (3.2%) died, because of aortic prosthetic valve infective endocarditis. Skin and soft tissue infections were the most frequently identified manifestations of S. caprae infection. Over 75% of the cases occurred in the last six years, and 25.8% involved significant exposure to livestock. Ongoing surveillance is necessary to better understand the prevalence and transmission dynamics of this emerging zoonotic pathogen.

Staphylococcus caprae Infections in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Report of Two Cases

Staphylococcus caprae (S. caprae) is a coagulase-negative staphylococci. This group of bacteria is typically part of the skin flora but can become pathogenic in susceptible hosts, such as preterm infants with prolonged stays in neonatal intensive care units. Two preterm newborns with late-onset sepsis caused by S. caprae, one of whom also developed meningitis. Antibiotics were initiated, and both infants had favorable outcomes. While S. caprae is a well-documented agent of infection in adults, there are only rare reports of infection in neonates, particularly in preterms. Differentiating between contamination and infection is crucial for the appropriate initiation of antibiotics.

A Rare Case of Extremely Severe Heterotopic Ossification after Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty due to Persistent Mild Periprosthetic Joint Infection

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) can be a mild, persisting infection. Although heterotopic ossification (HO) is common following total hip arthroplasty (THA), the etiology of severe HO remains unclear. Herein, we describe a rare case of extremely severe HO after a PJI associated with a Staphylococcus caprae infection in a 78-year-old male patient. The patient had poorly controlled diabetes mellitus with no diabetic complications. The patient had no previous history of hip surgery, hip injury, or systemic bacterial infection. Immediately after the initial THA, he developed intermittent low-grade fever (37°C), which persisted for 3 months; consequently, he also reported mild hip pain during walking. He experienced a gradual decrease in hip range of motion within 5 years after the surgery, with progressive gait impairment. Two revision surgeries were required for the successful treatment of this difficult case. The patient's hip function improved, and the PJI was controlled following the second revision surgery. Based on the clinical course, CNS-caused PJI may lead to severe HO. This possibility warrants verification from an accumulated number of cases.