A common complication of Staph aureus pneumonia is

• A. Pneumothorax
• B. Arthritis
• C. Pulmonary embolism
• D. Necrotizing pneumonia with cavitation

Answer: (D)

Staph aureus pneumonia often causes tissue destruction in the lungs, so the most distinctive and serious complication is necrotizing pneumonia with cavitation. The bacteria release toxins and enzymes that kill lung tissue, leading to areas of necrosis that break down into cavities. These cavitary lesions can harbor abscesses and are a classic radiographic finding in severe Staph aureus pneumonia, especially after influenza.

Pneumothorax can occur with severe lung disease, but it isn’t the hallmark complication of Staph aureus pneumonia. Septic arthritis is a possible feature of bacteremia from Staph aureus, but it’s not a direct, common complication of the pneumonia itself. Pulmonary embolism isn’t a typical direct consequence of this pneumonia and is more related to vascular events rather than the lung tissue destruction seen with Staph aureus.