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Role of surgery in Rhodococcus equi pulmonary infections.
B M Stiles1, R B Isaacs, T M Daniel
1Department of Surgery, PO Box 800679, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0679, USA.
The Journal of Infection
|September 10, 2002
Summary
Surgical resection of infected lung tissue, combined with antibiotics, offers excellent outcomes for Rhodococcus equi infections in immunocompromised patients. This approach addresses uncommon but potentially lethal pulmonary bacterial disease.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Rhodococcus equi is a soil bacterium causing pulmonary infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- Antibiotic therapy is the primary treatment, but surgical intervention is considered in specific cases.
Observation:
- Two immunocompromised patients with pulmonary R. equi infections were treated.
- Treatment involved antibiotics, surgical resection of infected lung tissue, and extended antibiotic courses.
Findings:
- Both patients experienced excellent outcomes following the combined antibiotic and surgical treatment regimen.
- Surgical resection of grossly infected pulmonary tissue proved effective as an adjunct to antimicrobial therapy.
Implications:
- Surgical intervention should be considered as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy for pulmonary R. equi.
- This strategy may improve outcomes for this uncommon and potentially fatal infection.