A young adult with a fulminant Staphylococcus aureus infection and multiple thrombi

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) can cause skin and soft tissue infection and necrotizing pneumonia. We report a patient who developed ankle cellulitis following minor trauma and developed MRSA bacteremia, necrotizing pneumonia, respiratory failure, shock, and multiple thrombi. This case highlights the fulminant course, the possible need for empiric antibiotic coverage on admission for MRSA, and the high likelihood of thrombotic complications in these patients.