The First Case Report of Staphylococcus intermedius Pneumonia in a Patient With Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

Staphylococcus intermedius is a coagulase and gram-positive zoonotic organism, which is common in cats and dogs. It has rarely been identified as a human pathogen. We report a case of S intermedius pneumonia in a woman with cystic fibrosis. She presented with submassive hemoptysis, which evolved into respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome, ultimately requiring mechanical ventilation. Initial empiric therapy with vancomycin was inadequate; linezolid and ceftaroline were substituted. Improvement was observed; she recovered and was discharged with a temporary tracheostomy. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of community-acquired pneumonia due to S intermedius occurring in cystic fibrosis. Clinically, it seemed that vancomycin was inactive.