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Pulmonology38 papers

Infective mastitis

Last edited: 4/15/2026

Overview

Infective mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue, typically caused by bacterial infection, often occurring in lactating women but can affect non-lactating individuals as well 1. It presents with symptoms such as localized pain, redness, swelling, and fever 1.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Presence of fever, breast tenderness, erythema, and swelling 1.
  • Laboratory Tests: Mammary duct fluid cultures are recommended for definitive diagnosis 1.
  • Imaging: Ultrasound may be used to rule out abscess formation 1.
  • Grading: Severity can be graded based on clinical signs and systemic symptoms (mild, moderate, severe) 1.

    • Management

  • Antibiotics: First-line treatment often includes broad-spectrum antibiotics such as dicloxacillin or flucloxacillin (500 mg QID) for lactating women 1.
  • Pain Management: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for symptomatic relief 1.
  • Supportive Care: Frequent emptying of the breast, warm compresses, and good hygiene practices 1.
  • Abscess Drainage: Surgical drainage if an abscess develops 1.

    • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Management focuses on safe antibiotic choices that do not harm the fetus; consult specific guidelines for lactation-safe antibiotics 1.
  • Pediatrics: Rare but requires prompt evaluation and treatment; consider pediatric-specific antibiotic dosing 1.
  • Elderly: Increased vigilance for complications; consider comorbidities when selecting antibiotics 1.
  • Comorbidities: Tailor antibiotic choice based on patient-specific conditions (e.g., renal impairment) 1.

    • Key Recommendations

  • Culture and sensitivity testing of mammary duct fluid is essential for guiding antibiotic therapy (Evidence: Strong 1).
  • Early initiation of appropriate antibiotics is crucial for effective treatment (Evidence: Strong 1).
  • Surgical intervention should be considered for patients with suspected or confirmed abscess formation (Evidence: Moderate 1).

    • References

    1 . Lockdown life and the joy of pets captured in photos. The Veterinary record 2021. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Lockdown life and the joy of pets captured in photos. The Veterinary record (2021)
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