Late prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus hemolyticus.

We describe a case of late PVE in a 78-year-old man that was caused by Stapylococcus hemolyticus and occurred 5 years after aortic valve replacement. This is the first reported case of PVE due to this organism.

Necrotizing soft-tissue infections.

Necrotizing soft-tissue infections may be rapidly fatal because of toxin-induced circulatory collapse. Because of the often nonspecific clinical presentation, prompt diagnosis may be difficult but is imperative as prompt treatment can be lifesaving. This article discusses necrotizing fasciitis and clostridial myonecrosis, and highlights pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.

Seroprevalence of cysticercosis in an Orthodox Jewish community.

Neurocysticercosis cases were identified in 1991 in an Orthodox Jewish community. Transmission was linked to tapeworm-infected immigrant housekeepers from countries where Taenia solium is endemic. To evaluate the extent of and risks for locally acquired cysticercosis, a seroprevalence survey was conducted in 9% of the households in this community. Cysticercosis antibodies were detected in 23 (1.3%) of 1,789 persons from 612 families. All 23 seropositive persons were asymptomatic, and no intracerebral lesions were found for the 21 seropositive persons who underwent brain imaging. Seropositivity was associated with female sex (relative risk [RR] = 2.45, P = 0.049), hiring a domestic worker for child care duties (RR = 3.79, P = 0.05), and with employees from Central America (RR = 2.70, P = 0.0001). Exposure to T. solium in this community is unexpectedly high. Widespread employment of domestic workers from endemic regions and high employee turnover contributes to exposure risk.

Paromomycin-associated pancreatitis in HIV-related cryptosporidiosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of pancreatitis related to paromomycin administration. CASE SUMMARY: A 39-year-old man with AIDS developed pancreatitis concurrent with successful treatment of intestinal cryptosporidiosis with paromomycin. The hyperamylasemia resolved with discontinuation of the agent and recurred when paromomycin treatment was reinstituted. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pancreatitis believed to be induced by paromomycin. Although pancreatitis in HIV-infected patients has multiple causes, the nature of this case suggests the involvement of paromomycin. The mechanism of action is unclear. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in patients who are treated with paromomycin.

Mucormycosis of a median sternotomy wound.

Mucormycosis is an unusual complication of cardiothoracic surgery. The fungi may infect the sternotomy wound causing a progressive gangrene or seed the implanted prosthetic valve or graft resulting in endocarditis or graft failure. There have been six previous reports of mucormycosis following cardiothoracic surgical procedures. Four cases involved prosthetic devices, the remaining two are examples of sternal wound mucormycosis acquired from the use of contaminated elasticized bandages. The first case of sternal wound mucormycosis not associated with elasticized bandages is reported here. The infection occurred in a diabetic patient who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery and mitral valve replacement. The patient received corticosteroids and broad-spectrum antibiotics at the time of and after operation. The patient developed invasive sternal mucormycosis and died on day 10 after surgery, despite aggressive surgical débridement and amphotericin B therapy. No elasticized bandages were used and the source of the infection was not identified. Previous cases of mucormycosis in cardiothoracic surgery are reviewed and the specific clinical setting in which this fungal disease should be suspected defined.