Pneumococcal parotitis and cervical lymph node abscesses in an HIV-infected patient

The case of a 33-year-old patient with rapid onset of bilateral parotid gland and lymph node abscesses is described. The patient was positive for human immunodeficiency virus 1 and presented with a history of interstitial lymphocytic pneumonia and pneumococcal meningitis prior to admission. The patient received cotrimoxazole as primary prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Fine needle aspiration from the abscesses yielded Streptococcus pneumoniae. Penicillin G treatment in combination with surgical drainage of the lesions led to healing with minimal residual lymph node enlargement. No relapse was noted until 12 months after presentation.