Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Other
Academic/Professional Position (Other)
Carlos Ramírez-Pfeiffer
Academic Level (Author 1)
Other
Discipline/Specialty (Author 1)
Immunology and Microbiology
Academic Level (Author 2)
Other
Discipline/Specialty (Author 2)
Family Medicine
Academic Level (Author 3)
Other
Discipline/Specialty (Author 3)
Internal Medicine
Academic Level (Author 4)
Other
Discipline/Specialty (Author 4)
Family Medicine
Discipline/Specialty (Author 5)
Surgery
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Clinical Science
Abstract Type
Case Report
Abstract
Background: The identification of Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans (recently reclassified as S. coagulans) was part of a previous retrospective study on antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older adults conducted at a Tamaulipas state hospital in 2023 (Esparza 2023, unpublished data). S. coagulans is an emerging human pathogen, initially associated with veterinary infections, particularly dermatitis and otitis in dogs. Like other Staphylococcus species, it is known for its biofilm-forming ability, which enhances its persistence and resistance to treatment. Recent studies have linked S. coagulans to severe human infections, including endocarditis, meningitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in patients with chronic conditions and indwelling medical devices. This case highlights the challenges of managing multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. coagulans infections in resource-limited settings.
Case Presentation: An 83-year-old female from a rural area, with a medical history of hypertension, untreated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and recent intestinal surgery, presented with recurrent complicated UTIs. Imaging revealed severe urinary infection with hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux, leading to the placement of a Foley catheter. A rutin urine culture performed with a Siemens Microscan4 automatized system identified >100,000 CFU/mL of MDR S. coagulans susp. coagulans, prompting the postponement of surgery and initiation of targeted antibiotics. One month after, on her last show at the hospital the patient was asymptomatic, though urinalysis showed bacteria and crystals. Follow-up was limited by the patient's rural residency and the hospital's resource constraints.
Conclusions: Based on the phenotypic characteristics, epidemiological data, and multidrug resistance pattern observed, the isolate is consistent with S. coagulans, as per the most recent taxonomic reclassification. This case represents the first documented instance of S. coagulans causing a urinary tract infection associated with a medical device. The biofilm-forming ability of this pathogen complicates its management, highlighting the importance of improving microbiological diagnostics and healthcare infrastructure to manage such infections in vulnerable populations, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Recommended Citation
Ramírez-Pfeiffer, Carlos; Esparza-Galván, Defne Esmeralda; Guzmán Cardenas, Allan; Gutiérrez-Carreño, Jania Jazmin; Segura-Chico, Martín; and López-Alvarenga, Juan Carlos, "First report of a multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus coagulans urinary tract infection associated with a medical device." (2025). Research Symposium. 47.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/47
First report of a multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus coagulans urinary tract infection associated with a medical device.
Background: The identification of Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans (recently reclassified as S. coagulans) was part of a previous retrospective study on antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older adults conducted at a Tamaulipas state hospital in 2023 (Esparza 2023, unpublished data). S. coagulans is an emerging human pathogen, initially associated with veterinary infections, particularly dermatitis and otitis in dogs. Like other Staphylococcus species, it is known for its biofilm-forming ability, which enhances its persistence and resistance to treatment. Recent studies have linked S. coagulans to severe human infections, including endocarditis, meningitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in patients with chronic conditions and indwelling medical devices. This case highlights the challenges of managing multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. coagulans infections in resource-limited settings.
Case Presentation: An 83-year-old female from a rural area, with a medical history of hypertension, untreated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and recent intestinal surgery, presented with recurrent complicated UTIs. Imaging revealed severe urinary infection with hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux, leading to the placement of a Foley catheter. A rutin urine culture performed with a Siemens Microscan4 automatized system identified >100,000 CFU/mL of MDR S. coagulans susp. coagulans, prompting the postponement of surgery and initiation of targeted antibiotics. One month after, on her last show at the hospital the patient was asymptomatic, though urinalysis showed bacteria and crystals. Follow-up was limited by the patient's rural residency and the hospital's resource constraints.
Conclusions: Based on the phenotypic characteristics, epidemiological data, and multidrug resistance pattern observed, the isolate is consistent with S. coagulans, as per the most recent taxonomic reclassification. This case represents the first documented instance of S. coagulans causing a urinary tract infection associated with a medical device. The biofilm-forming ability of this pathogen complicates its management, highlighting the importance of improving microbiological diagnostics and healthcare infrastructure to manage such infections in vulnerable populations, particularly in resource-limited settings.
