Diagnostic dilemma in coinfection

J Assoc Physicians India. 2001 Oct:49:1023-5.

Abstract

A Fifteen years girl belonging to a low socioeconomic status was admitted with peritonsillar abscess caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), high fever, diarrhoea and septicaemic shock. Initial blood cultures and widal test, stool cultures and routine stool examination were non-contributory to the diagnosis. A bone marrow culture in the second week confirmed the diagnosis of Salmonella typhi infection. Examination of a fresh stool sample showed cysts of Entamoeba histolytica. She was treated with ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, augmentin and ceftriaxone. She had no clinical evidence of immunosuppression prior to this episode and her HIV test was negative. This case report highlights the presence of community acquired MRSA infection causing perititonsillar abscess, and the diagnostic dilemma of fever and diarrhoea due to coinfection with Salmonella typhi and Entamobea histolytica.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ceftriaxone / administration & dosage
  • Ceftriaxone / therapeutic use
  • Cephalosporins / administration & dosage
  • Cephalosporins / therapeutic use
  • Ciprofloxacin / administration & dosage
  • Ciprofloxacin / therapeutic use
  • Entamoebiasis / complications*
  • Entamoebiasis / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Methicillin Resistance
  • Peritonsillar Abscess / complications*
  • Peritonsillar Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Peritonsillar Abscess / drug therapy
  • Peritonsillar Abscess / etiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Time Factors
  • Typhoid Fever / complications*
  • Typhoid Fever / diagnosis*
  • Typhoid Fever / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Cephalosporins
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Ceftriaxone