A 63-year-old man with severe hip osteoarthritis presented with a severe, inflammatory destructive native hip joint infection and osteomyelitis. The patient had undergone recent left hip steroid injection and arthrocentesis. Diagnosis was confirmed by isolating Staphylococcus capitis from hip aspirate and tissue cultures. Further analysis revealed the S. capitis strain produced pro-inflammatory virulence factors, including toxic shock syndrome toxin-1, staphylococcal enterotoxin C, and hemolysins, contributing to the severe clinical presentation. The case highlights that S. capitis, typically a skin commensal, can cause aggressive deep-seated infections when producing potent secreted virulence factors.
Key note: Staphylococcus capitis can cause severe deep-seated infections, particularly when expressing potent pro-inflammatory virulence factors.