title: Tropical pyomyositis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tropical pyomyositis is characterized by suppuration within skeletal muscles, manifesting as single or multiple abscesses. Though primarily a disease of tropics, it is increasingly being reported from temperate regions in immunosuppressed patients. However, India has only few sporadic case reports.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the causative organisms, clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities, treatment protocols and outcome data in tropical pyomyositis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata over 3 years (July 2010 to June 2013). A total of 12 patients were diagnosed with tropical pyomyositis (confirmed with aspiration and culture of pus from muscle). All the investigation and treatment data were recorded systematically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presenting feature was high fever and myalgia in all 12 patients. Quadriceps femoris was the most commonly involved muscle (50%); followed by iliopsoas (25%). Culture of the aspirate showed Staphylococcus aureus in nine patients (75%), Klebsiella pneumonia in one patient (8.33%) and no growth in two patients (16.67%) even after tubercular and fungal culture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tropical pyomyositis can affect immune-competent individuals. S. aureus is the most commonly cultured organism. Immediate initiation of appropriate antibiotics and surgical debridement are required to avoid complications. The prognosis remains excellent if promptly treated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Bitoti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chattopadhyay
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Mainak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mukhopadhyay
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Atri
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Pijush Kanti
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Nandini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Nirod Baran
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Debnath
keywords: Fever; Muscle pain; Staphylococcus aureus; Tropical pyomyositis