[Tropical pyomyositis. A report of 188 cases].
OBJECTIVE
Tropical pyomyositis, a bacterial muscular infection, has been reported frequently from tropical and subtropical zones. However, there are only a few reports from Mexico.


METHODS
We present a prospective study of tropical pyomyositis cases in three secondary- and tertiary-care hospitals in Veracruz, Mexico between August 1985 and December 2000.


RESULTS
Tropical pyomyositis was more common in young adults, male-to-female ratio being 2.2:1. Principal features were muscle pains, fluctuanct muscular mass, and fever. Tropical pyomyositis was associated with recent muscular trauma and/or pyodermitis in 67% of cases. 60% of admissions presented invasive clinical stage of the disease, and fewer of 20% of cases presented multiple muscular involvement. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common etiologic agent. Most frequent complications were pleuropulmonaries. Only one patient, who had septicemia and multiple organ failure, died.


CONCLUSIONS
Tropical pyomyositis is rare in healthy individuals and requires high clinical suspicion. Prognosis is generally favorable after surgical drainage and adequate antimicrobial therapy.
Uribe-Flores
Jesús Daniel
JD
Departamento de Medicina Internam, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional Adolfo Ruiz Cortines del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Veracruz, Ver.
Hernández-Jácome
Mercedes
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009220:Myositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014330:Tropical Medicine