RESUMO
Rhodococcus equi is an unusual cause of infection in humans. Infection in immunocompetent patients is extremely rare-only 19 cases in immunocompetent hosts have been reported. Localized infections represent nearly 50% of reported cases. Pulmonary infections account for only 42% of infections in immunocompetent hosts, compared with 84% of infections in immunocompromised hosts. The mortality rate among immunocompetent patients is approximately 11%, compared with rates of 50%-55% among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and 20%-25% among non-HIV-infected immunocompromised patients. Treatment of infections in immunocompetent hosts depends on the site of infection. Serious infections need to be treated with combinations of parenteral antibiotics, followed by combinations of oral antibiotics. Surgical treatment is necessary for certain types of local infections. We report a pulmonary infection due to R. equi in an immunocompetent patient, and we review all reported cases of R. equi infection in immunocompetent hosts.
Assuntos
Infecções por Actinomycetales/diagnóstico , Imunocompetência , Rhodococcus equi/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Actinomycetales/mortalidade , Infecções por Actinomycetales/terapia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Coenurosis is a zoonotic disease of humans caused by the larval stage of Taenia (Multiceps) species. In North America, the adult tapeworm of Taenia (Multiceps) serialis is found in canids. The cystic larval forms (coenuri) are found in hares, rabbits, squirrels, and, rarely, in humans. We review in clinical detail the fifth case reported from North America, involving a child with extensive central nervous system involvement. We also report a sixth case, involving an adult with an intramuscular coenurus. The latter case was diagnosed by needle aspiration of the cyst. Although praziquantel administration may have been effective in killing the parasite in both patients, we are concerned about the production of marked inflammation as a result of treatment. The four other North American cases are reviewed, and the epidemiology of the infection in animals is discussed.