Fatal Peripheral Septic Thrombophlebitis Complicated with Infective Endocarditis due to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A Case Report with Autopsy Findings

ABSTRACT

Persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (PMRSAB) has recently become a serious problem in patient care. However, it is an unusual complication of peripheral thrombophlebitis. An 80-year-old woman with head trauma suffered from suppurative thrombophlebitis on the insertion site of a peripheral venous catheter of her right wrist. She died of septic shock following fatal PMRSAB. Autopsy was requested to evaluate the extent of the infection, and disclosed septic thrombophlebitis with abscess formation in the right wrist and infective endocarditis on the leaflets of mitral valve.