Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: report of 18 cases and literature review.

No large case series of gastrointestinal histoplasmosis (GIH) in patients with AIDS has been published. We report 18 cases and review 34 published cases in the medical literature. We did a retrospective chart review from patients seen in our medical practices between 1989 and 2004. Most of our patients were men who had sex with men and who were not receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. Median CD4 count was 34/muL. The most common presenting symptoms were diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss. The most commonly involved site was the colon or cecum. Biopsies revealed visible Histoplasma capsulatum organisms in 89%. Cultures from any site were positive in 76.9%. Four patients died from GIH. Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis occurs in severely immunocompromised patients with AIDS not receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. Typical manifestations include diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood or gastrointestinal tissue culture. Improvements in antiretroviral and antifungal therapies appear to have reduced the incidence of GIH and may improve the prognosis of this disease.

Otolaryngologic community-acquired MRSA infections in a suburban private practice.

A retrospective review was conducted of all cases of head and neck community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections seen in the senior author's suburban private practice during a 12-month period. An office and hospital chart review was performed for all patients identified with culture-positive CA-MRSA infections. Several parameters were evaluated, including site of infection, prior therapy, imaging, comorbid disease, culture and sensitivities, surgical and medical management, and long-term results. Of the 10 patients identified, 3 had infections of nasal soft tissues, 3 had infections of the lips, 2 had infections of the paranasal sinus, 1 had an infection of the chin, and 1 had a diffuse, hemifacial infection. All patients were managed successfully with a combination of surgical drainage, wound care, and antibiotics. CA-MRSA is a burgeoning problem in otolaryngology. Appropriate management-including early recognition, appropriate empirical therapy, prompt and thorough surgical drainage with culture and sensitivities, correct antibiotic choice, and meticulous postoperative care-appears to offer excellent results.