Korean J Dermatol.  2023 Feb;61(2):124-129.

Clinical Characteristics and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Staphylococcus lugdunensis Isolated from Skin Diseases: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

• Jang YK
• Lee HJ
• Kim DH
• Yoon MS
• Shin JU

Abstract

Background
Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an emerging pathogen in skin and soft tissue infections. However, until recently, the role of S. lugdunensis as a skin pathogen remained underrated.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility of S.lugdunensis isolated from skin diseases.
Methods
This is a retrospective chart review of 48 cases in which S. lugdunensis was isolated from bacterial skin cultures between 2016 and 2021.
Results
Among the 48 patients, the mean age was 41.0 years, 54.2% were male, and 12.5% of the patients had immunosuppressive diseases. Nearly 87.4% of infections occurred below the waist and the dominant sources of isolation were epidermal cyst (31.3%) and hidradenitis suppurativa (29.2%). The rate of resistance of S. lugdunensis against β-lactam antibiotics were as follows: penicillin, 83.3%; oxacillin, 37.5%; and methicillin, 29.2%.
Conclusion
S. lugdunensis is emerging as one of the primary pathogens of skin infections. When S. lugdunensis is isolated, dermatologists should consider that it is not just a component of the skin flora but can also be a pathogen. If S. lugdunensis is identified as the cause of infection, it should be managed with appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Keyword

Antibiotics; Infectious skin diseases; Staphylococcus lugdunensis