Periprosthetic breast abscess caused by Streptococcus pyogenes after scarlet fever

Ann Plast Surg. 2008 Jan;60(1):21-3. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0b013e31804636cf.

Abstract

We present a case of a 32-year-old white women, affected by breast cancer and treated with mastectomy, who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with a tissue expander. She presented a periprosthetic infection from Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus, GAS) after scarlet fever. S. pyogenes may be responsible for suppurative complications of the respiratory system and a variety of metastatic foci of infection such as suppurative arthritic, endocarditis, meningitis, or brain abscess. Even though, in the literature, several cases and types of infection associated with breast implantation have been described, to our knowledge this is the first case report of periprosthetic infection after scarlet fever. Signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of GAS infection that occurred 2 months after the surgery are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Implantation
  • Breast Implants / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Ductal / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy
  • Pharyngitis / microbiology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / microbiology
  • Scarlet Fever / complications*
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications*
  • Streptococcus pyogenes*
  • Teicoplanin / therapeutic use
  • Tissue Expansion Devices / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Teicoplanin