Question
A microbiology laboratory reports growth of Staphylococcus aureus from the breast shown in the picture below. What is the most likely condition predisposing the patient to the development of a breast condition as shown in the picture below ?
A. Breast feeding.
B. Endocarditis.
C. Inflammatory breast carcinoma.
D. Menopause.
Show Answer
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Correct Answer » A
Explanation
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The breast condition shown in the picture below represents breast abscess.
Acute mastitis, frequently complicated by breast abscess formation, typically develops in the postpartum period, when the nipples are first subjected to the physical stresses of breast feeding.
Bacteria enter the breast via cracks in the nipple, and flourish in the microenvironment of the lactating breast.
Acute mastitis causes redness, pain, and swelling in the affected breast; Staph. aureus is the most common pathogen.
Although endocarditis could send septic emboli to the breast, Staph. aureus endocarditis is more commonly associated with bacteremia and fevers, proliferative glomerulonephritis, valvular dysfunction, and emboli to the brain, kidneys, heart, and gut.
Inflammatory breast carcinoma does not invoke an inflammatory response, and it is not associated with an infection. Inflammatory breast carcinoma is characterized by tumor spread into the dermal lymphatics, producing diffuse induration and skin tenderness with the typical peau d’orange appearance.
Mastitis arising in the perimenopausal period is usually a chronic mastitis, caused by obstruction of ducts due to inspissated secretions. Chronic mastitis is sterile. The breast tissue shows lymphocytes and plasma cells surrounding dilated ducts filled by cellular debris.
