Man dies of drug-resistant infection

March 14, 2013

The Centre for Health Protection is investigating a fatal case of invasive community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus involving a 35-year-old man.
 
The patient, previously of good health with no recent travel history, was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital with joint pain and fever on March 10. He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and after being diagnosed with necrotising faciitis in his left forearm, and had an amputation performed on March 11. 
 
His condition deteriorated and he died on March 12. His blood sample tested positive for CA-MRSA.
 
MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide.