MRSA of unknown aetiology causing prostate abscess in a patient with incidental prostate adenocarcinoma

Community-acquired methicillin resistant Stahphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection is a relatively under-recognised cause of bacterial prostatitis. This report presents a case of bacterial prostatitis due to CA-MRSA in a patient with an additional incidental finding of prostate adenocarcinoma. Our patient presented with urinary symptoms and worsening suprapubic pain. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed an abscess in the prostate, which was drained. A decision was made to treat him with antibiotics delivered via a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line for six weeks. Unfortunately, due to lack of insurance, he was unable to complete treatment. An incidental prostatic mass was biopsied and identified as adenocarcinoma with unusual cytology. Though studies have not confirmed a correlation between chronic inflammation and prostate adenocarcinoma, the relationship between persistent inflammatory states and neoplasia is known in other cancers. The unusual presentation of this patient may suggest that CA-MRSA prostatitis may have contributed to the development of a prostatic adenoma.