1. Rhodococcus equi infection in HIV-infected individuals: case reports and review of the literature
- Author
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Topino, Simone, Galati, Vincenzo, Grilli, Elisabetta, and Petrosillo, Nicola
- Subjects
Gram-positive bacterial infections -- Risk factors ,Gram-positive bacterial infections -- Research ,HIV patients -- Health aspects ,Health - Abstract
Rhodococcus equi is a gram-positive, coryneform bacterium that causes zoonotic infection mainly in horses and foals. It sometimes affects humans presenting as cavitary pneumonia. Immunocompromised patients, including HIV-infected patients, are more susceptible to R. equi infection. We present 10 cases of R. equi infection in HIV-positive patients admitted to our institute from 1991 to June 2008. Moreover, we have reviewed 272 cases of R. equi infection in HIV-infected persons, published from 1986 through 2008. With respect to the literature data, the R. equi strains isolated in our case series showed lower sensitivity to ceftriaxone, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and cotrimoxazole. Prompt diagnosis, early initiation of antiretroviral treatment and combined antimicrobial treatment seem to be effective to eradicate the infection and to improve the outcome. DOI: 10.1089/apc.2009.0248
- Published
- 2010