1/3. arcanobacterium hemolyticum infection: confused with scarlet fever and diphtheria.arcanobacterium hemolyticum infections are a common cause of pharyngitis and rash in the 10- to 30-year-old age group. Despite its prevalence, many emergency and primary care physicians may not be aware of the pathogenic potential of this organism. We present a case that illustrates the distinctive clinical spectrum of A. hemolyticum infections that may be confused with drug allergy, group A streptococcal scarlet fever, diphtheria, and even toxic shock syndrome. Recognition of this syndrome will reduce misdiagnoses and facilitate appropriate treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Native valve endocarditis due to corynebacterium striatum: case report and review.We report the first known case of native valve endocarditis due to corynebacterium striatum and review 51 previously reported cases of native valve endocarditis due to non-diphtheriae corynebacteria. Of the 52 patients with corynebacterial endocarditis, 11 (21%) had no predisposing conditions and 27 (52%) had structural heart disease; endocarditis in the remaining 14 patients (27%) was associated with noncardiac predisposing factors including injection drug use, chronic hemodialysis, vasculitis, alcoholism, liver transplantation and hemodialysis, a peritoneovenous shunt, and prior aspiration of a noninfected bursa. The mortality rate associated with corynebacterial endocarditis was 31%. The majority of corynebacteria in this series were sensitive to penicillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, and vancomycin. Non-diphtheriae corynebacteria are capable of producing acute valvular damage, even in patients without conditions that are predisposing for endocarditis. The occurrence of bacteremia due to non-diphtheriae corynebacteria in the appropriate clinical setting should alert physicians to the possible diagnosis of endocarditis. Empirical antibiotic therapy with vancomycin, with or without an aminoglycoside, should be initiated pending antibiotic susceptibility testing.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Road rash with a rotten odor.As military physicians, our mission is to support the fighting force and keep our soldiers mission capable. One group of disorders that can quickly cripple a fighting force is disorders of the foot. A complete survey of dematologic conditions of the foot is quite extensive, but only one comes with its own distinctive odor. This foul rash is pitted keratolysis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |