1/19. Streptoccocus pyogenes: a forgotten cause of severe community-acquired pneumonia.We report a case of severe community-acquired pneumonia caused by streptococcus pyogenes (Lancefield Group A streptoccocus) that was complicated by a streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Although this micro-organism is an uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia, previously well individuals may be infected and the clinical course may be fulminant. A household contact was the likely point of infection. Invasive group A streptococcal disease continues to remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the community and therefore will continue to be encountered by intensive care physicians. Treatment of Group A streptococcal infection remains penicillin; however, clindamycin should be added in severe infection.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/19. Necrotizing fasciitis secondary to group A streptococcus. morbidity and mortality still high.OBJECTIVE: To update physicians on Group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis, including current methods of diagnosis and treatment. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: Current literature (1990-1998) was searched via medline using the MeSH headings necrotizing fasciitis, toxic shock syndrome, and Streptococcus. Articles were selected based on clinical relevance and design. Most were case reports, case series, or population-based surveys. There were no randomized controlled trials. MAIN MESSAGE: The hallmark of clinical diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis is pain out of proportion to physical findings. Suspicion of underlying soft tissue infection should prompt urgent surgical examination. Therapy consists of definitive excisional surgical debridement in conjunction with high-dose intravenous penicillin g and clindamicin. risk factors for mortality include advanced age, underlying illness, hypotension, and bacteremia. CONCLUSION: Necrotizing soft tissue infections due to Group A streptococcus might be increasing in frequency and aggression. overall mortality remains high (20% to 34% in larger series). Clinical diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion and should prompt urgent surgical referral.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/19. Necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock-like syndrome caused by group B streptococcus.A recent increase in reports of necrotizing fasciitis resulting from group B streptococcus has alerted physicians to a possible concomitant increase of toxic shock-like syndrome. We report the second case of group B streptococcus causing necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock-like syndrome. A black woman, aged 52 years, with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus had necrotizing fasciitis type II of the left groin. hypotension, elevated bilirubin and liver enzymes, and adult respiratory distress syndrome rapidly developed. Because group B streptococcus was isolated from a normally sterile site, the patient's condition met the criteria for toxic shock-like syndrome. Extensive surgical debridement, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and intravenous antibiotic therapy (including clindamycin) were required for complete recovery. The antitoxin effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and clindamycin should be further investigated for the treatment of such patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/19. Fulminant pneumonia due to aeromonas hydrophila in a man with chronic renal failure and liver cirrhosis.A 40-year-old man on hemodialysis was admitted due to dyspnea and chest pain and was diagnosed with pneumonia and pericarditis. ampicillin was administered, but thereafter severe septic shock developed. The fulminant type of pneumonia progressed rapidly, and he died only 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. The autopsy and sputa culture revealed pneumonia due to aeromonas hydrophila. The source of this infection remained unkown. Interestingly, there were two types of A. hydrophila found during such a short period. The physician should suspect this disease by questioning the patient's history. Early treatment with adequate antibiotics is the only means of saving such a patient's life.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/19. pulmonary embolism presenting as disseminated intravascular coagulation.We report an unusual case of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Occult pulmonary embolism is a recognised cause of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Unexplained shock should prompt the physician to search for a thrombotic cause such as pulmonary thromboembolism.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/19. Atypical fulminant rickettsia rickettsii infection (Brazilian spotted fever) presenting as septic shock and adult respiratory distress syndrome.Brazilian spotted fever, caused by rickettsia rickettsii, has been increasingly reported in brazil especially in the southeastern states. The severe and fulminant forms of the disease are not unusual but most of the reported fatal cases have shown some typical clinical clue, which leads the attending physician to a correct diagnosis. We report a probable case of atypical fulminant Brazilian spotted fever that presented full-blown septic shock associated with adult Respiratory Distress syndrome (ARDS) and delayed uncharacteristic rash with an over four-fold increase in reciprocal IgM, but not IgG titer against rickettsia rickettsii. Brazilian practitioners should be aware of the possibility of Brazilian spotted fever as a cause of fulminant primary sepsis with ARDS; improved laboratory methods are necessary for the rapid diagnosis of such cases.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/19. Invasive group a streptococcus associated with an intrauterine device and oral sex.BACKGROUND: peritonitis due to group A Streptococcus (GAS) and toxic shock syndrome occurred in a previously healthy 45-year-old woman with an intrauterine device. The intrauterine device was believed to be the portal of entry. In addition, her husband was found to be an asymptomatic carrier of GAS in his oropharynx. GOAL: The goal was to increase physicians' awareness of oral sex as a risk factor for transmission of invasive GAS disease. STUDY DESIGN: This is a case report of the development of GAS peritonitis and toxic shock syndrome in a woman after acquisition of the organism through oral sex. RESULTS: The GAS strains isolated from the patient and her husband were identical in their M-type, T-type, and exotoxin gene pattern. CONCLUSION: Because the couple practices oral sex, it was postulated that this was the mode of transmission of the GAS.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/19. Pediatric streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.Two children who presented with fever, rash, and hypotension were found to have group A beta hemolytic streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. These cases are reported to remind physicians who care for acutely ill children that exotoxin-producing streptococci can produce clinical features and multisystem failure similar to staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/19. streptococcus bovis septic shock due to contaminated transfused platelets.Although most physicians and the public are primarily concerned about the risk of transmitting human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) or hepatitis virus during a platelet transfusion, bacterial contamination is actually the most common infectious complication. Unlike red blood cells, platelets are stored at room temperature (20-24 degrees C), which raises the risk of bacterial proliferation. The risk of bacterial sepsis is 2.5-fold higher for each unit of transfused platelets compared to each unit of red blood cells. We report an unusual case of streptococcus bovis septic shock associated with a contaminated platelet transfusion.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/19. Toxic shock syndrome in an adult male secondary to puncture wound.The finding of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare, potentially fatal illness that physicians often associate with young, menstruating females. However, TSS is not exclusively a disease of females. We report the unusual case of an adult male patient who presented to the Emergency Department at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown with toxic shock syndrome secondary from a fish tooth suffered while trout fishing. The diagnostic features of TSS and treatment are also discussed in this article.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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