Staphylococcal pyomyositis in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus.

PURPOSE: We describe the manifestations of spontaneous staphylococcal pyomyositis in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present the courses of five previously unreported patients infected by HIV who presented to our medical centers with spontaneous staphylococcal pyomyositis. Additionally, we review all previously reported cases of this entity in HIV-infected patients and discuss its possible pathogenesis and importance in the context of HIV infection. RESULTS: All patients presented with gradually developing fever and localized pain and swelling without accompanying leukocytosis. Often only scant evidence of local inflammation was found. None of our patients used intravenous drugs, had a history of trauma, had HIV- or zidovudine-related myositis, or had other conditions known to be associated with serious staphylococcal infections. Two patients studied had normal serum levels of all IgG subclasses. Elevated serum IgE, eosinophilic inflammatory infiltrates, or marked peripheral eosinophilia was observed in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Staphylococcal pyomyositis in HIV-infected patients presents in an indolent fashion, which may delay appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Since staphylococcal pyomyositis is infrequently reported in the United States, the development of 14 such cases (five in this series and nine previously reported) among the first 140,000 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in this country implies that this patient population is predisposed to this infectious complication. The pathogenesis of this entity is uncertain, but it is notable that HIV-infected patients are commonly colonized by Staphylococcus aureus and that neutrophils from HIV-infected patients frequently manifest phagocytic, chemotactic, and oxidative defects, diminished expression of Fc tau RIII (CD16) and CR1, and impaired bactericidal activity against S. aureus.     

Bacterial pyomyositis in the United States

The incidence of reported bacterial pyomyositis is increasing in the United States, especially among immunocompromised persons. This review summarizes all reported cases of pyomyositis among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons worldwide and HIV-negative persons in the United States since 1981. During the era of combination antiretroviral therapy, bacterial pyomyositis among HIV-infected persons typically occurred in those with end-stage acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Among non-HIV-infected patients, about half have a serious underlying medical problem, most commonly diabetes mellitus, malignancy, or a rheumatologic condition. These patients are more likely to have a gram-negative infection, a normal white blood cell count, multifocal involvement, or higher mortality than those without an underlying medical condition. The characteristics of cases in temperate areas are similar to tropical cases, except that the former occurs more often in immunocompromised persons; this may change with the HIV epidemic in tropical regions.     

Pyomyositis in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus: an unusual form of disseminated bacterial infection

PURPOSE AND PATIENTS: Pyomyositis, a common disease in the tropics, is rare in the continental United States, with approximately 83 cases described in the literature in the past two decades. The occurrence of pyomyositis complicating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been reported in 10 patients since 1986. We report six cases of this entity in patients with advanced HIV disease seen in our institution over a 20-month period. A common denominator in all of our patients was muscle injury, induced by either exercise or trauma. Unlike most previous reports of HIV-associated pyomyositis, the clinical picture in our cases was complicated by the development of abscesses in multiple muscle groups, requiring prolonged antimicrobial therapy and repeated drainage procedures for successful management. Interestingly, one patient developed concomitant rhabdomyolysis--an otherwise rare event in classical pyomyositis. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant infecting organism in this as well as all other series. Of note, we also observed and report the first case, to our knowledge, of gram-negative pyomyositis in an HIV-infected individual. The pathogenic implications of this catalase-producing gram-negative isolate are discussed in the context of neutrophil abnormalities in HIV disease. CONCLUSION: Like tropical pyomyositis, its HIV-associated counterpart appears to be multifactorial in origin. Its recent recognition suggests that, in addition to underlying abnormalities of host defense, factors relating to the prolonged survival of patients with late-stage disease, including myopathy, might play an important contributory role.     

Disseminated pyomyositis mimicking idiopathic inflammatory myopathy

Although pyomyositis is uncommon in North America, it may be difficult to distinguish clinically from inflammatory myositis. We describe 2 cases of infectious myositis that were initially diagnosed as inflammatory myositis. As illustrated by these cases, infectious myositis is often a challenging diagnosis and requires a high degree of suspicion.     

Tropical pyomyositis in a temperate climate in an immunocompetent adult.

Tropical pyomyositis, though common in Africa, South America, and the South Pacific, is relatively rare in North America. Reported is the case of a patient who developed chest wall muscle abscesses after sustaining minor chest wall muscle trauma and presented to the emergency department appearing acutely ill. He was treated surgically with irrigation and debridement of the abscesses as well as with antibiotics and recovered fully over a seven-month course. This case illustrates important aspects of tropical pyomyositis with a discussion of the natural history of this disease as well as diagnostic modalities and treatment options for this virulent infectious process that is usually caused by penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.     

SALMONELLA PYOMYOSITIS IN PATIENTS WITH THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

Pyomyositis is a common disease in the tropics, mostly due toStaphylococcus aureus. We report two patients infected withthe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who presented with feverand unilateral limb swelling and in whom pyomyositis was diagnosedin quadriceps and gluteus major, respectively. Salmonella enteritidiswas isolated in both, with recurrent episodes of muscle involvementand secondary osteomyelitis in one case. Non-typhi Salmonellapyomyositis may occur in HIV + patients with a relapsing andaggressive clinical course in some cases. KEY WORDS: Human immunodeficiency virus infection, Pyomyositis, Salmonellosis     

Transmission fitness of drug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus and the prevalence of resistance in the antiretroviral-treated population

Although the prevalence of drug-resistant strains in primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in North America has recently increased, their transmission fitness remains unknown. The present study estimated the frequency of transmission of drug-resistant HIV from patients receiving antiretroviral therapy using retrospective surveys of clinic data. It revealed that resistant virus was transmitted only approximately 20% as frequently as expected from these patients. Individuals with primary resistance may become a significant source of resistant strains.     

Osteomyelitis complicating pyomyositis in HIV disease

Pyomyositis has previously been described in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and as a discrete entity in HIV seronegative patients from tropical climates (tropical pyomyositis). Pyomyositis and osteomyelitis are usually considered a late complication of advanced HIV disease. We describe a patient with well-controlled HIV and both types of musculoskeletal infection. The case highlights an unusual presentation, the utility of MRI in soft tissue infection and an excellent outcome from prolonged antimicrobial therapy following surgical debridement.     

Citrobacter freundii: a newly reported cause of pyomyositis

Pyomyositis has been uncommonly reported in temperature climates, but is being recognized with increasing frequency. The most common etiologic agent is Staphylococcus aureus, although other pathogens have been rarely implicated. The authors describe the first case of pyomyositis caused by Citrobacter freundii. Because of the rarity of this disease in North America, it is often initially misdiagnosed. Neuromuscular sonography, a non-invasive imaging technique, identified the muscle abscess in this patient.     

Musculoskeletal manifestations in patients positive for human immunodeficiency virus: correlation with CD4 count

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the CD4+ lymphocyte count and musculoskeletal manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHODS: All patients from 1991 to 1998 who were positive for HIV with osteoarticular manifestations were reviewed retrospectively. HIV positivity was confirmed by ELISA and Western blot. CD4 count was performed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: We studied 74 patients with osteoarticular manifestations. The study group comprised 61 men (82.4%) and 13 women (17.5%) with a mean age of 34.2 years (range 17-62). Fifty-two patients were iv drug users (70.3%). Septic arthritis was present in 20 cases (23.0%), soft tissue infections in 9 cases (12.2%), spondyloarthropathies in 6 cases (8.1%), lymphomas in 9 cases (12.2%), osteomyelitis in 6 (8.1%), and 24 miscellaneous cases (32.4%). The mean CD4 count was as follows: septic arthritis 164.7 cells/mm3, soft tissue involvement 127.1 cells/mm3, spondyloarthropathies 245.8 cells/mm3, lymphoma 132.8 cells/mm3, and osteomyelitis 233.6 cells/mm3. CONCLUSION: Osteoarticular manifestations in the setting of HIV infection tend to be predominantly infectious. S. aureus is the microorganism most frequently involved. Ostearticular infections always appeared when the CD4 count was < 200 and pyomyositis and lymphoma appeared when CD4 was < 150. CD4 counts may be useful predictors to determine the type of musculoskeletal manifestation.     

High HIV seroprevalence among patients with pyomyositis in Northern Uganda

With the aim of correlating pyomyositis with HIV infection, we have carried out a case-control comparison of HIV seroprevalence among patients affected by pyomyositis and an age and sex-matched control group of healthy subjects. Over a one-year period, 35 patients with pyomyositis, 20 male and 15 female, mean age 28.31 years, were admitted to Dr Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital of Kalongo (Kitgum District, Northern Uganda). Among these patients, II were HIV-antibody-positive, with a seroprevalence of 31.42%. In the age and sex-matched control group of 35 healthy subjects, selected in the same period from volunteers admitted to the surgical ward for orthopaedic trauma, two were HIV-antibody-positive, with a seroprevalence of 5.71%. The matched analysis produced a Mantel-Haenszel matched odds ratio of 5.50 and a maximum likelihood estimate of OR (MLE) of 5.50 (exact 95% confidence limits for MLE=1.20P<0.0001). The authors conclude that pyomyositis is a bacterial infection very significantly associated with HIV infection, to be considered a strong sign of stage III–IV of HIV disease.     

Update on HIV and Hepatitis Virus Coinfection: The South American Perspective

Liver disease related to hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) infections among HIV infected patient population are currently a major cause of morbidity and mortality. They are extremely frequent, intravenous drug use being the most commonly documented route of transmission despite this practice is not a major concern in South America. Sexual transmission route is more prevalent in HBV coinfected patients. In South America, the most frequent HCV genotype identified in HIV patients is genotype 1a; genotypes A and F being the most prevalent among the HBV population. Even though effective therapy based on tenofovir regimens for HBV/HIV coinfected patients have been available for some years now, treatment recommendations still vary from country to country. Although novel, oral, more efficient drugs are being developed for HCV/HIV treatment, these options are very expensive and not yet available worldwide. This is especially so in regions such as South America. This review will discuss epidemiology, diagnosis and management of HBV and HCV coinfection in HIV infected patients with special focus in South America.     

SEPTIC BONE, JOINT AND MUSCLE LESIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION

Ten episodes of musculoskeletal sepsis have been seen in ninepatients with HIV infection. Seven patients had AIDS, circulatingCD4-positive lymphocyte counts being less than 0.1 x 10⁹/l insix. Septic arthritis recurred in seven patients, osteomyelitisin three and pyomyositis and bursitis each occurred in one patient.Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from four patients, atypicalmicro-organisms being found in three. Presentation of musculoskeletalinfection in this patient group may be atypical but rapid diagnosisis important as early antimicrobial therapy is often successful. KEY WORDS: HIV infection, Musculoskeletal sepsis, Septic arthritis, Osteomyelitis     

High HIV seroprevalence and increased HIV-associated mortality among hospitalized patients with deep bacterial infections in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

OBJECTIVES: To correlate deep bacterial infections with HIV infection and evaluate the influence of HIV on clinical picture and outcome in patients with meningitis, pneumonia or pyomyositis. DESIGN: Case-control comparison of HIV seroprevalence between patients and an age- and sex-matched control group in a prospective cross-sectional study of hospitalized patients. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and sixty-five patients admitted to hospital with either purulent meningitis, pneumonia or pyomyositis and 165 age- and sex-matched controls from orthopaedic/trauma wards. SETTING: University Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in HIV seroprevalence and mortality. RESULTS: Of 78 patients with purulent meningitis, 19 (24%) were HIV-seropositive, compared with 13 (17%) in the control group (P = 0.345). Of 36 patients with meningitis seen before a meningococcal epidemic affected Dar es Salaam, there was a statistically significant association with HIV infection (P = 0.013). Ten out of 19 (53%) HIV-seropositives died, compared with nine out of 59 (15%) seronegatives (P = 0.028). Of patients with pneumococcal meningitis, five out of six (83%) seropositives died, compared with two out of 12 (17%) seronegatives (P = 0.013). Fifteen out of 45 (33%) patients with pneumonia were HIV-seropositive, compared with four (9%) in the control group (P = 0.001). There was no difference in mortality between seropositive and seronegative patients with pneumonia. HIV seroprevalence was 62% among 42 patients with pyomyositis and 12% among 42 controls (P less than 0.0001). Eighteen out of 25 (72%) seropositive patients with pyomyositis fulfilled the World Health Organization (WHO) clinical case definition for AIDS. Response to recommended antibiotic treatment was satisfactory among patients with pneumonia and pyomyositis. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a strong association between pyomyositis, pneumonia and HIV infection. They also indicate an increased mortality associated with HIV infection in patients with pyogenic meningitis, especially pneumococcal meningitis. Pyomyositis should be considered an indicator of stage III HIV disease in the proposed WHO clinical staging system.     

American histoplasmosis in developing countries with a special focus on patients with HIV: diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Histoplasmosis due to Histoplasma capsulatum var capsulatum is a frequent systemic fungal infection in the Americas. Diagnostic and therapeutic options differ between North and South America. Disseminated histoplasmosis is an AIDS-defining infection. Prognostic factors of potentially severe presentations must be evaluated in order to facilitate the initial therapeutic choice. RECENT FINDINGS: Patients with HIV with disseminated infections presenting with severe pulmonary and renal impairment have a poor prognosis. Cutaneous presentations are more frequent in HIV patients in South America than in North America. A murine model has shown that South American isolates have a greater virulence that North American isolates. These differences are due in part to diagnostic delays in resource-poor countries. SUMMARY: Direct examination of May-Grünwald-Giemsa-stained smears or tissues in suspected histoplasmosis is a simple means of confirming the diagnosis in resource-poor settings. Studies of prognostic factors should further refine indication criteria to guide first-line treatment choice between amphotericin B and itraconazole. The association of tuberculosis and histoplasmosis is frequent in HIV patients and presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that may be difficult to resolve in resource-poor settings. It is important that affordable generic drugs for treating histoplasmosis be made widely available in resource-poor countries.     

Intestinal Perforation Due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in HIV-Infected Individuals: Report of Two Cases

Intestinal perforation is an extremely uncommon complication of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. We describe two cases of multiple intestinal perforations secondary to MTB in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presenting at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center over a 2-month period. For each case, this was the first presentation of AIDS. One of the two patients had concurrent pulmonary involvement. One patient died, and the other responded to therapy and was discharged in stable condition. The most striking finding in both cases was the extremely large number of acid-fast bacteria seen transmurally on the pathological specimens. This might be related to impaired T-cell function. The resurgence of MTB infection in North America, in the presence of the AIDS epidemic, may result in an increasing frequency of unusual presentations, such as intestinal perforation. Intestinal perforation due to MTB should be considered in HIV-infected patients presenting with an acute abdomen.     

Pyomyositis: Tropical disease in a temperate climate

Two cases of pyomyositis or bacterial abscess of striated muscle in adults are presented. One patient was initially diagnosed as having acute thrombophlebitis of the lower extremity. Computerized tomography was helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis. The other patient presented with a closed compartment syndrome following blunt trauma. Both patients responded to open drainage and antibiotic therapy, although the diagnosis was delayed for over three weeks in one patient. Although common in the tropics, pyomyositis is unusual in the temperate zone. Unfamiliarity with this entity remains the major obstacle to appropriate management.     

Pyomyositis associated with hematological malignancy: case report and review of the literature.

Pyomyositis occurs most commonly in patients with various immunosuppressive diseases. However, the association of pyomyositis with an underlying hematological malignancy has not been reviewed. We present herein a relevant case and also review the available literature regarding the association of non-tropical pyomyositis and hematological malignancies. The case patient, a 46-year old female, had non-tropical pyomyositis of the iliopsoas and obturator muscles due to Staphylococcus aureus and underlying Hodgkin's disease. Forty-four patients with pyomyositis and an associated hematological malignant disease have been reported in the literature. The most common types of hematological oncology diseases found were acute lymphocytic leukemia (present in 11/44 patients (25%)) and multiple myeloma (7/44 patients (15.9%)). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common cause of pyomyositis (26 out of 44 patients (59.1%)). The muscles of the thigh were most commonly affected (18/44 patients (40.9%)). Medical therapy with antibiotics and surgical drainage were employed in 25/44 (56.8%) of the patients. Thirty out of 44 (68.2%) of the patients had a successful outcome. Death occurred in 5/44 (11.4%) patients. In cases of pyomyositis, the physician should consider an underlying hematological malignancy.     

Tropical and temperate pyomyositis

Pyomyositis is a primary infection of skeletal muscle not arising from contiguous infection, presumably hematogenous in origin, and often, but not invariably, associated with abscess formation. Classically, pyomyositis is an infection of the tropics, occurring in previously active and healthy young men. Pyomyositis in temperate countries is often regarded as an infection that occurs in hosts who are immunocompromised or otherwise debilitated. However,this distinction may be somewhat artificial, as tropical pyomyositis may be partly related to underlying infection with HIV or parasites, and temperate pyomyositis has been reported in healthy and athletic persons. This article discusses the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of pyomyositis in the tropical and temperate settings.