Salmonella Abscess of the Anterior Chest Wall in a Patient With Type 2 Diabetes and Poor Glycemic Control: A Case Report.

Salmonella can cause extra-intestinal focal infections as well as gastrointestinal problems. A few cases of Salmonella skin and soft tissue infection have been documented in immunocompromised patients such as persons with type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control. A case study is presented of a 30-year-old man with a 10-year history of poorly controlled (HbA1C 11.7%) diabetes mellitus who presented with a ruptured nodule resulting in a wound with signs of infection over his anterior chest region of 1-month duration. He had been taking amoxycillin/clavulanate for the week previous to presentation at the authors' facility. Following sharp debridement, the ulcerative wound deteriorated and a chest wall abscess developed. Bacterial culture results were positive for Salmonella group D, resistant to ampicillin and susceptible to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. The patient underwent surgical debridement, resulting in a wound 7 cm x 4 cm, and was provided ceftriaxone 2.0 g intravenously daily along with insulin therapy. After surgical debridement, a local rotational flap was created for wound closure and reconstruction. The patient was discharged 1 week later on oral antibiotic therapy for 1 week. His wound was completely healed without recurrence at his 4-month follow-up. For this patient, addressing glycemic issues, identifying the infectious organism, and providing appropriate therapy, radical debridement, and flap surgery helped heal an advanced soft tissue infection. In immunocompromised patients with skin or soft tissue infections, the presence of Salmonella should be considered.