Salmonella gas-forming pyomyositis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and review

Jee Young Lee1, Gyu Min Kong2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kosin University, Busan, Korea.

Insights

This study reports the first case of gas-forming pyomyositis caused by Salmonella in an immunocompetent individual. This rare condition, typically seen in immunocompromised patients, highlights the need for broader diagnostic considerations in pyomyositis cases.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Musculoskeletal Infections
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Pyomyositis is primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus, with Gram-negative bacteria posing a rarer but more severe threat.
  • Gas-forming myositis is a rare complication associated with Gram-negative bacteria, predominantly affecting immunocompromised individuals and carrying a poor prognosis.
  • Existing literature lacks documented cases of gas-forming pyomyositis in immunocompetent patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the first documented case of Salmonella-induced gas-forming pyomyositis in an immunocompetent patient.
  • To review existing literature on gas-forming pyomyositis and pyomyositis caused by Gram-negative bacteria in immunocompetent individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Case report detailing a healthy young man with Salmonella-induced gas-forming pyomyositis of the iliacus muscle.
  • Comprehensive literature review of gas-forming pyomyositis and Gram-negative bacterial pyomyositis in immunocompetent patients.

Main Results:

  • The study successfully documents the first instance of gas-forming pyomyositis caused by Salmonella in an immunocompetent host.
  • The patient, a healthy young male, presented with iliacus muscle involvement without predisposing conditions.
  • Literature review identified a significant gap in understanding gas-forming pyomyositis within the immunocompetent population.

Conclusions:

  • Salmonella can cause gas-forming pyomyositis even in immunocompetent individuals, challenging previous assumptions.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering a broader range of pathogens and presentations in pyomyositis, regardless of immune status.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and risk factors for gas-forming pyomyositis in immunocompetent patients.