[Tropical pyomyositis. A report of 188 cases]

Tropical pyomyositis, a bacterial muscular infection, has been reported frequently from tropical and subtropical zones. However, there are only a few reports from Mexico.

We present a prospective study of tropical pyomyositis cases in three secondary- and tertiary-care hospitals in Veracruz, Mexico between August 1985 and December 2000.

Tropical pyomyositis was more common in young adults, male-to-female ratio being 2.2:1. Principal features were muscle pains, fluctuanct muscular mass, and fever. Tropical pyomyositis was associated with recent muscular trauma and/or pyodermitis in 67% of cases. 60% of admissions presented invasive clinical stage of the disease, and fewer of 20% of cases presented multiple muscular involvement. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common etiologic agent. Most frequent complications were pleuropulmonaries. Only one patient, who had septicemia and multiple organ failure, died.

Tropical pyomyositis is rare in healthy individuals and requires high clinical suspicion. Prognosis is generally favorable after surgical drainage and adequate antimicrobial therapy.