Breast abscess in a case of duct atresia caused by CO2-auxotrophic small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus: Case report and review of literature

摘要

Small colony variants (SCV) are persistent, intracellular morphotypes of Staphylococcus aureus causing indolent, subclinical infections. They are usually auxotrophic for Thymidine, menadione or carbon dioxide. Diagnosis is often misleading due to small colony type, delayed coagulase activity and lack of hemolysis. We hereby describe a case of CO2-auxotrophic SCV of S. aureus causing left breast abscess in a young female with duct atresia of breast, detected by increased colony size in CO2 rich environment. SCVs can often be missed and have to be identified and treated properly.Keywords: Auxotrophism, small colony variants, Staphylococcus aureus