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RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Staphylococcus haemolyticus palm infection in an apparently healthy adult

Vathsala Mohan A * , Clay Golledge A , Jonathan Grasko B and Yael Grasko B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Microbiology, Saturn Pathology, 31 Cedric Street, Stirling, WA, Australia.

B Department of Biochemistry, Saturn Pathology, 31 Cedric Street, Stirling, WA, Australia.




Dr Vathsala (Ala) Mohan has a PhD in molecular epidemiology from Massey University, New Zealand, and has vast experience in biomedical sectors like recombinant DNA technology, immuno‐diagnostics and reproductive biotechnology. Ala’s expertise includes human gut health and nutrition, human pathogens and food safety. Previous roles include Operations and Technical Manager (Livestock Improvement Corporation, New Zealand), SARS‐CoV2diagnostic medical lab scientist (Auckland Health District Board, New Zealand), and senior medical laboratory scientist and Quality Assurance Manager for National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), WA, Australia. Currently Ala is contributing to CSIRO’s antimicrobial resistance research.



Clay Golledge is the Executive Director at Infections West, Hollywood Medical Centre. Clay has worked as a Senior Consultant in microbiology at the Health Department Western Australia and PathWest Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH).



Jonathan Grasko is a chemical pathologist and managing director of Saturn Pathology. Jonathan has expertise in toxicology and served in different pathology services as a chemical and toxicology expert for more than a decade.



Yael Grasko is a chemical pathologist and has a business management specialisation. Yael is the medical director of Saturn Pathology and has worked as a chemical pathologist at QML Pathology Services and other pathology facilities for more than a decade.

* Correspondence to: lingvathsala@gmail.com

Microbiology Australia https://doi.org/10.1071/MA24027
Submitted: 30 September 2023  Accepted: 10 February 2024  Published: 6 May 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the ASM. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC)

Abstract

A Staphylococcus haemolyticus strain has been isolated from the palm infection of an allied-health professional aged 35, who was otherwise healthy and without any known health issues. Microbial culture, MALDI-TOF species identification and susceptibility tests were included. The isolated strain was resistant to ampicillin and amoxycillin; however, the patient quickly responded after commencement of treatment with sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.

Keywords: amoxycillin resistance, ampicillin, antibiotic susceptibility, coagulase negative, commensal, culture, MALDI‐TOF, palm infection, Staphylococcus haemolyticus.

Biographies

MA24027_B1.gif

Dr Vathsala (Ala) Mohan has a PhD in molecular epidemiology from Massey University, New Zealand, and has vast experience in biomedical sectors like recombinant DNA technology, immuno‐diagnostics and reproductive biotechnology. Ala’s expertise includes human gut health and nutrition, human pathogens and food safety. Previous roles include Operations and Technical Manager (Livestock Improvement Corporation, New Zealand), SARS‐CoV2diagnostic medical lab scientist (Auckland Health District Board, New Zealand), and senior medical laboratory scientist and Quality Assurance Manager for National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), WA, Australia. Currently Ala is contributing to CSIRO’s antimicrobial resistance research.

MA24027_B2.gif

Clay Golledge is the Executive Director at Infections West, Hollywood Medical Centre. Clay has worked as a Senior Consultant in microbiology at the Health Department Western Australia and PathWest Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH).

MA24027_B3.gif

Jonathan Grasko is a chemical pathologist and managing director of Saturn Pathology. Jonathan has expertise in toxicology and served in different pathology services as a chemical and toxicology expert for more than a decade.

MA24027_B4.gif

Yael Grasko is a chemical pathologist and has a business management specialisation. Yael is the medical director of Saturn Pathology and has worked as a chemical pathologist at QML Pathology Services and other pathology facilities for more than a decade.

References

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