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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Levofloxacin | Case report

Disseminated Staphylococcus aureus infection after scarification wet cupping therapy: a case report and literature review

Authors: You-yang Wang, Hong-wei Fan, Xiao-ming Huang, Yang Jiao

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Cupping therapy is a complementary and alternative medical therapy used especially in pain management. It is generally considered a safe procedure, but complications, including life-threatening infection, may still occur. Understanding these complications is essential to safe and evidence-based use of cupping in practice.

Case presentation

Here we report a rare case of disseminated Staphylococcus aureus infection after cupping therapy. After wet cupping, a 33-year-old immunocompetent woman developed fever, myalgia, and a productive cough accompanied by acute liver and kidney injury, iliopsoas abscess, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The patient was treated successfully with cefmetazole plus levofloxacin after microbiological and antimicrobial sensitivity testing.

Conclusions

Though rarely reported, clinicians, practitioners of cupping therapy, and patients should be aware of the risk of infection after cupping therapy. High hygiene standards are recommended for cupping therapy, even in immunocompetent individuals.
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Metadata
Title
Disseminated Staphylococcus aureus infection after scarification wet cupping therapy: a case report and literature review
Authors
You-yang Wang
Hong-wei Fan
Xiao-ming Huang
Yang Jiao
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-03932-x

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