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case_images: Changes in the inflammatory factors, blood platelet count, maximum daily body temperature during hospitalization.
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case_images: There was no intense pain or crepitus in the affected soft-tissue area, and the blisters resolved with simple suction and disinfection, but the patient subsequently exhibited recurrent high fever, with sustained elevation of C-reactive protein levels (Figure 1).
case_images: Examination and treatment of right ankle. Panel (A) Ultrasound-guided catheter drainage for purulent arthritis of the right ankle on day 13. Panel (B) Right ankle MR images on the 13th day. Panel (C) Cytology of the right ankle joint fluid.
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case_images: Thereafter, fluctuation was palpated in the patient's right ankle, prompting an MRI on the 13th day, which revealed joint effusion (Figure 2B). Ultrasound-guided drainage was performed (Figure 2A), yielding purulent fluid with ++++ white blood cells/high power field (HPF) and 3-5 neutrophils/HPF. Cytology indicated abundant acute inflammatory cells (Figure 2C).
case_images: Absolute quantification of staphylococcus aureus concentration in patient plasma using dPCR. Panel (A) Patient blood dPCR microarray on day 19 of hospitalization. Panel (B) Patient blood dPCR microarray on 29th day. Panel (C) Patient blood dPCR microarray on 48th day.
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case_images: On the 19th day, blood dPCR was performed, showing a S. aureus with a copy number of 1767.5 copies/mL (Figure 3A), confirming S. aureus as the causative pathogen. Dynamic dPCR re-examination showed a decrease in the S. aureus copy number, and the positive spots with fluorescent signals were identified (Figure 3A-3C).  
case_images: Treatment and MR images of left knee, as well as incision and drainage of multiple skin and soft tissue infections. Panel (A) Ultrasound-guided catheter drainage for purulent arthritis of the left knee on day 27. Panel (B) and C) Left knee MR images on the 27th day and on the 53rd day, respectively. Panel (D)-(F) The process of incision and drainage of right ankle infection until healing. Panel (G)-(I)The process of incision and drainage of right buttock infection until healing.
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case_images: MRI revealed joint effusion (Figure 4B), and ultrasound-guided joint drainage was performed (Figure 4A). Pus aspiration was performed in other areas using a syringe (Figure 4D-4I). However, an MRI of the left knee revealed osteomyelitis of the left femur (Figure 4C), leading to the placement of a second drainage tube under ultrasound guidance and intra-articular lavage with vancomycin.
case_images: The course of the patient's hospitalization.
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case_images: His clinical course is presented in Figure 5.