Community-acquired infection caused by small-colony variant of Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus and other Gram negative bacteria produce small colony variants (SCV) which usually emerge after exposure to antimicrobials. They cause repeated infections, treatment failures and often pass unnoticed during cultures due to unusual appearance and incomplete incubation. This infectious disease grand round highlights a similar clinical case with atypical history and appearance of a SCV of S. aureus and why prolonged incubation is necessary for aspirates from patients with recurrent infections like abscesses.