A 24-year-old man with cough, rhabdomyolysis, and pneumomediastinum.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) frequently causes severe necrotizing pneumonia in young patients.

CASE: We present the case of a 24-year-old male, who was brought to the emergency department with persistent fevers, confusion, and severe cough. He was found to have necrotizing pneumonia, pneumomediastinum, and rhabdomyolysis with renal failure. Cultures were positive for influenza A and CA-MRSA. After a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay, he made a complete recovery.

CONCLUSION: Community-acquired MRSA pneumonia is a growing health threat that typically presents in young adults after, or in conjunction with, a flu-like illness. It is characterized by a rapidly progressive deteriorating clinical course.