Bacteremia and ecthyma caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Ecthyma is an ulcerated form of impetigo due to Streptococcus pyogenes, seen primarily in children with poor hygiene. The authors report a homosexual man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who developed severe ecthyma and bacteremia caused by S. pyogenes. Opsonizing antibody to the M protein of S. pyogenes is important in immunity to this organism. Patients with AIDS may have defective humoral immunity as well as defective cellular immunity, and such a defect may have rendered this patient abnormally susceptible to severe infection with S. pyogenes.
Hewitt
W D
WD
Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Medicine, Charleston 29425.
Farrar
W E
WE
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D004473:Ecthyma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial