Case Report

Persistent Methicillin-Susceptible Bacteremia Rapidly Cleared with Cefazolin and Ertapenem Combination Therapy in a Patient with COVID-19

Table 1

Summary of hospital course.

DayTmaxWBCSCrCulturesAntimicrobialsImagingComments

ED40.58.05.10Bcx: 2/2 MSSA; TTP 8.3 hoursVancomycin 1750 mg IV × 1X-ray R foot/ankle, X-ray chest per HPI
137.98.14.44Bcx: 2/2 MSSACefepime 2 g IV q24 h, linezolid 600 mg IV q12 h, remdesivir 200 mg IV × 1CT chest PE protocol: no PE, possible septic emboli and L IJ thrombophlebitisOrtho attempted aspiration of R ankle—dry tap. Oxacillin 2 g IV q4 h started following detection of MSSA in ED blood cultures.
237.38.74.19Bcx: 2/2 MSSAOxacillin 2 g IV q4 hPanorex: periapical abscesses at #30. Duplex LEs: No DVTs. TTE: No vegetationsRemdesivir stopped by MICU due to AKI. ID consulted.
337.37.62.53Ankle tissue culture: 5/5 MSSA; tracheal aspirate: MSSAMRI R ankle (Figure 1): diffuse skin thickening and edema of foot and ankle w/o evidence of OM; large complex tibiotalar joint effusion w/synovitis and abscess along the FHL muscleOR with ortho s/p R ankle I&D and arthrotomy; R leg FHL abscess I&D. Dental consulted.
438.55.32.12Bcx: 2/2 MSSAX-ray chest: mild interval improvement in b/l interstitial airspace opacities c/w COVID-19 pneumonia, septic pulmonary emboliWeaned off BiPAP; CPAP at night only. Tooth #30 extracted.
538.85.71.82Bcx: 2/2 MSSA
638.96.21.57Bcx: 2/2 MSSA; COVID-19 RNA nasopharyngeal swab: positiveOxacillin 2 g IV q4 h, ceftriaxone 2 g IV × 1CT CAP w/contrast: cavitating pulmonary septic emboli, fluid collection around L SC joint c/f early septic arthritis, phlegmon within R iliacus muscle. X-ray L knee/ankle: L knee medial osteoarthritis, L foot cellulitis, and acute on chronic achilles tendinopathyCeftriaxone added by ICU team for Gram-negative coverage given fever and tachycardia; X-rays looking for prior hardware; no surgical indication for SC joint per thoracic surgery.
738.74.21.47Bcx: 2/2 MSSAOxacillin 2 g IV q4 h, ceftriaxone 1 g IV q24 hTee: no vegetations noted
MSK IR consulted for iliacus muscle phlegmon.
837.97.11.51Bcx: 1/1 MSSAX-ray L shoulder/R knee: no evidence of OM or septic arthritis. MRI L knee/ankle/foot: severe L knee chondrosis, small L knee joint effusions, L ankle and foot cellulitis, small nonspecific collection extending dorsally from between the base of the L 3rd and 4th metatarsal, likely represents extension of adventitial bursitis. US lower back: loculated fluid collection deep and posterior in pelvis. MRI brain/spine (Figure 2): C3-C4 discitis/OM w/epidural abscess, no intracranial abnormality. CT spine: C3-C4 discitis/OM w/epidural abscessTransferred to floor.
937.7Bcx: 1/1 MSSA; TTP = 13.6 hoursCeftriaxone discontinued. ID recommend to change oxacillin to cefazolin plus ertapenem. Last dose dexamethasone given. Ortho spine consulted.
1037.27.11.39Bcx: 2/2 MSSA; TTP = 22.5 hrs; L foot aspiration: MSSA; cervical spine wound: MSSACefazolin 2 g IV q8 h, ertapenem 1 g IV q24 h
1136.96.01.23Bcx: 2/2 no growthL 3rd/4th metatarsal aspiration; OR for cervical fusion/epidural abscess drainage with ortho spine.
1237.24.11.10Bcx: 2/2 no growth

Bcx, blood culture(s); TTP, time-to-positivity; FHL, flexor hallucis longus; SC, sternoclavicular; OM, osteomyelitis.