Infectious muscle disease.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Musculoskeletal System Infections
• Medical Microbiology

Background:

• Infectious muscle diseases present with varied etiologies, including viral myositides (Influenza, Coxsackie, HIV).
• Bacterial myositis, once considered tropical, is now prevalent globally due to migration and AIDS.
• Tuberculosis, particularly osteoarticular forms, is endemic in regions like Central-Eastern Europe.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diverse etiologies of infectious muscle diseases.
• To highlight diagnostic approaches, including imaging techniques.
• To outline current management strategies for musculoskeletal infections.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical and laboratory evidence for viral myositides.
• Discussion of bacterial infections (e.g., psoas abscess, streptococcal infections, Koch bacillus).
• Inclusion of parasitic etiologies (e.g., Trichinella, Toxoplasma) and rare conditions (e.g., gas gangrene).

Main Results:

• Viral myositides are confirmed by clinical and lab findings.
• Bacterial myositis is a growing concern in developed nations.
• Parasitic infections and rare anaerobic myonecrosis also contribute to musculoskeletal infections.
• Imaging methods like ultrasonography and CT are crucial for diagnosis, with MRI for axial skeleton involvement.

Conclusions:

• Infectious muscle diseases require a comprehensive diagnostic approach.
• Management hinges on prompt antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention when necessary.
• Immune status significantly influences susceptibility and presentation of these infections.