Macrophage activation syndrome induced by Staphylococcus Epidermidis in a pediatric patient with cystic fibrosis and familial Mediterranean fever.

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) is the most frequently isolated member of the coagulase-negative staphylococci, which colonizes the skin and mucous membranes of the human body. Despite being a component of the normal flora, S. epidermidis can act as an opportunistic pathogen and is frequently implicated in both bacterial and nosocomial infections. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare but potentially fatal disease that occurs as a result of increased activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes and macrophages in response to infections and immune mediated diseases. It is very rare in patients with cystic fibrosis. Here we report a case of an 8-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis and familial Mediterranean fever who developed MAS after contracting a S. epidermidis infection.