Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

A Neonatal Intravenous Transplant Model for Assessment of Early-Life Immune Activities Against Cancer Cells
06:32

A Neonatal Intravenous Transplant Model for Assessment of Early-Life Immune Activities Against Cancer Cells

Published on: June 26, 2026

Myositis complicating viridans streptococcal sepsis in childhood leukemia

John T Sandlund1, Scott C Howard, Nobuko Hijiya

  • 1Department of Hematology-Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|October 7, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Viridans streptococci can cause rare focal infections like myositis in patients with acute leukemia. Early evaluation for muscle pain in children with these infections is crucial for identifying complications such as rhabdomyolysis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Hematogenous focal infections are uncommon complications of bacteremia or sepsis.
  • Viridans-group streptococci are a common cause of bacteremia, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Myositis, an inflammation of the muscles, can be a severe manifestation of infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report two cases of myositis in patients with acute leukemia during viridans-group streptococcal bacteremia.
  • To highlight the importance of recognizing focal pyogenic complications in children with viridans streptococcal infections.
  • To emphasize the need for evaluating rhabdomyolysis in children with severe muscle pain and streptococcal infections.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of two patients with acute leukemia.
  • Clinical and microbiological evaluation of patients with bacteremia and myositis.
  • Literature review on viridans-group streptococcal infections and myositis.

Main Results:

  • Two patients with acute leukemia developed myositis during alpha-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia.
  • Infectious myositis presented with severe muscle pain.
  • The severity of infectious myositis varied, influenced by the causative organism and host immunity.

Conclusions:

  • Viridans-group streptococcal bacteremia can lead to rare but serious focal infections like myositis, especially in immunocompromised patients.
  • Children with severe muscle pain and viridans streptococcal infections require thorough evaluation for focal pyogenic complications and rhabdomyolysis.
  • Individualized treatment approaches are essential for managing infectious myositis due to its variable severity.

Related Concept Videos

Streptococcal Pharyngitis01:27

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as “strep throat,” is an acute infection of the oropharyngeal tissues caused by the Gram‑positive Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, or talking.Mechanisms of Host Entry and Immune EvasionUpon entering the host, S. pyogenes adheres to the mucosal epithelial cells of the pharynx via surface proteins, notably lipoteichoic acid and the antiphagocytic...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer01:03

Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand  RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer01:03

Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand  RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Disorders of Leukocytes01:27

Disorders of Leukocytes

Leukocyte disorders can lead to either leukopenia, characterized by an abnormally low leukocyte count, or leukocytosis, marked by a very high leukocyte number.
Leukopenia may result from bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. For example, conditions such as multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce adequate leukocytes. Similarly, autoimmune diseases like lupus and viral infections such as HIV can prompt the immune system...
Myocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:22

Myocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Myocarditis is an inflammatory condition of the myocardium requiring meticulous nursing management for optimal patient outcomes. Effective management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's medical history, paying close attention to past infections, autoimmune disorders, travel history, and exposure to toxins or drugs. Recent viral infections and systemic diseases are particularly relevant due to their potential role in triggering myocarditis.Physical Examination and MonitoringThe...