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[Pyomyositis: report of seventeen cases]
Iago Villamil-Cajoto1, Francisco Maceiras-Pan, María José Villacián-Vicedo
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15706 A Coruna, España. iago.villamil.cajoto@sergas.es
Background:
Pyomyositis is a bacterial infection of skeletal muscle. Although more commonly seen in the tropics, it is increasingly recognized in temperate regions. The age distribution for patients with so called "tropical" or "temperate" pyomyositis differs. Most cases of tropical pyomyositis are seen in otherwise healthy patients and mainly in children, while the majority of cases of temperate pyomyositis occur in inmunocompromised adults.
Aim:
To report a series of patients with pyomyositis.
Material And Methods:
Retrospective review of clinical records of patients admitted to our hospital with pyomyositis during the period 1996-2001.
Results:
Seventeen patients were identified, aged from 5 to 86 years old, nine (53%) males. Staphylococcus aureus (13 cases, 76%) was the most common infecting organism. Eleven patients (65%) had a history of previous trauma. All patients were immunocompetent. Six patients underwent surgical drainage. Six patients (35%) presented complications and of those, one died.
Conclusions:
All patients of this series were immunocompetent. Pyomyositis is a serious and life threatening disease but curable. An early treatment is the key to a better prognosis.
Insights
Pyomyositis, a bacterial skeletal muscle infection, can occur in immunocompetent individuals and requires early treatment for a better prognosis. This serious disease, though life-threatening, is curable with prompt medical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Infectious diseases
- Musculoskeletal infections
- Bacteriology
Context:
- Pyomyositis, a bacterial infection of skeletal muscle, is increasingly recognized in temperate regions.
- Distinct age distributions exist for tropical and temperate pyomyositis.
- Tropical pyomyositis predominantly affects healthy children, while temperate pyomyositis typically occurs in immunocompromised adults.
Purpose:
- To report a series of patients diagnosed with pyomyositis.
- To analyze clinical features, causative organisms, and outcomes in pyomyositis cases.
- To highlight the characteristics of pyomyositis in a specific patient cohort.
Summary:
- A retrospective review identified 17 pyomyositis patients (aged 5-86 years).
- Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (76%).
- All patients were immunocompetent, with 65% having a history of trauma. Complications occurred in 35%, including one fatality.
Impact:
- Pyomyositis is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition.
- This study emphasizes that pyomyositis can affect immunocompetent individuals.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving patient prognosis and outcomes.
