Staphylococcus lugdunensis: novel organism causing cochlear implant infection

Abstract

A majority of cochlear implant infections are caused by <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> or <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em>. Reported here is a pediatric patient with a cochlear implant infection caused by methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus lugdunensis</em>, a coagulase-negative <em>Staphylococcus</em> that has only recently been determined to be clinically relevant (1988). Unlike other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, it is more aggressive, carrying a greater potential for tissue destruction. In pediatrics, the organism is uncommon, poorly described, and generally pan-susceptible. Described herein is the presentation and management of this unusual organism in a pediatric setting.