A 24-year-old lactating mother presents with a painful, fluctuant swelling in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast with overlying erythema and fever of 38.6 degrees C. Which organism is the most common causative agent?

• A Escherichia coli
• B Streptococcus pyogenes
• C Staphylococcus aureus ✓
• D Candida albicans

Explanation

Lactational mastitis and breast abscess are caused by Staphylococcus aureus in the great majority of cases, entering through cracks in the nipple. Management includes antibiotic therapy with flucloxacillin or co-amoxiclav, regular emptying of the breast, and aspiration or incision and drainage once an abscess forms. Streptococcus pyogenes causes a rare, rapidly spreading cellulitic form, while Escherichia coli and Candida are not typical pathogens of puerperal breast abscess.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.