trimethoprim--sulfamethoxazole-drug-combination and Sarcocystosis

Sarcocystosis is a zoonotic infection that causes intestinal and muscular illnesses in humans. Sarcocystosis was until recently considered rare in humans. To complete their life cycle, Sarcocystis species require both a definitive and an intermediate host. Humans are the definitive host when infected by one of two species: Sarcocystis hominis (from eating undercooked beef) or Sarcocystis suihominis (from eating uncooked pork). Infection with either of these species results in intestinal sarcocystosis, causing a self-limited disease characterized by nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Humans act as the intermediate host when infected by Sarcocystis nesbitti, resulting in the markedly different clinical picture of muscular sarcocystosis. Most documented cases of muscular sarcocystosis were assumed to be acquired in Malaysia, in addition to other regions of Southeast Asia and India. Published cases of muscular sarcocystosis from the Middle East, Central and South America, and Africa are all rare. Although the clinical presentation of muscular sarcocystosis remains to be fully characterized, fever, myalgia, and headache are among the most common symptoms. Here, we report a patient from sub-Saharan Africa with chronic Sarcocystis myopathy and well-controlled HIV-AIDS.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Africa South of the Sahara; Anti-HIV Agents; Antiparasitic Agents; Canada; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscular Diseases; Sarcocystis; Sarcocystosis; Travel; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

In May 2014, six patients presented in Germany with a Sarcocystis-associated febrile myositis syndrome after returning from Tioman Island, Malaysia. During two earlier waves of infections, in 2011 and 2012, about 100 travellers returning to various European countries from the island were affected. While the first two waves were associated with travel to Tioman Island mostly during the summer months, this current series of infections is associated with travel in early spring, possibly indicating an upcoming new epidemic.

Topics: Adolescent; Anti-Infective Agents; Child; Female; Fever; Germany; Headache; Humans; Infant; Malaysia; Male; Myalgia; Prednisolone; Sarcocystis; Sarcocystosis; Travel; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

An adult female sea otter housed for 5 years in an outdoor habitat in an aquarium developed signs of neurologic disease. Bilateral caudal paresis was evident initially and other neurologic signs consistent with CNS disease developed rapidly. Diagnostic work-up included CBC, serum biochemical analyses, determination of serum antibody titers, radiography of the vertebral column, CSF analysis, muscle biopsy, computed tomography of the brain, and assays for mercury, lead, and thiamine. A tentative diagnosis of encephalitis caused by a Sarcocystis neurona-like organism was made on the basis of detection of CSF antibodies by use of Western blot analysis. Response to treatment was not satisfactory and the sea otter was euthanatized. Immunohistochemical staining revealed S neurona-like organisms within foci of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. This report provides evidence that, for sea otters, there may be a mode of transmission of an S neurona-like organism that does not involve opossums.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Zoo; Anti-Infective Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Brain; Dexamethasone; Encephalomyelitis; Fatal Outcome; Female; Glucocorticoids; Lumbar Vertebrae; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Microscopy, Electron; Muscle, Skeletal; Otters; Paresis; Pyrimethamine; Sarcocystis; Sarcocystosis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

To determine the clinical findings, course of treatment, and long-term outcome of horses on a farm in central Kentucky during an epizootic of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM).. Cohort study.. 21 horses on a farm in central Kentucky, 12 of which developed clinical signs of EPM.. Horses on the farm were serially examined for signs of neurologic disease and serum and CSF antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona. Horses were considered to have EPM if they had neurologic signs and positive test results for antibodies to S neurona in CSF. Blood values were monitored for evidence of abnormalities resulting from long-term pyrimethamine and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole administration Physical, neurologic, and fetal necropsy examinations were performed as needed. Horses were treated for EPM until they had negative test results for CSF antibodies to S neurona.. Of 21 horses on the farm, 12 had EPM over the course of 6 months. The duration of treatment ranged from 45 to 211 days, excluding 1 horse that persistently had CSF antibodies to S neurona. Adverse effects from pyrimethamine and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole administration included transient fever, anorexia, and depression (n = 2); acute worsening of ataxia (2); mild anemia (4); and abortions (3).. EPM may develop as an epizootic. In the horses of this report subtle clinical signs that were originally considered unimportant ultimately progressed to obvious neurologic signs. Adverse effects associated with EPM treatment included worsening of neurologic signs, anemia, abortion, and leukopenic and febrile episodes.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Antibodies, Protozoan; Antimalarials; Clonixin; Cohort Studies; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalomyelitis; Female; Horse Diseases; Horses; Kentucky; Male; Neurologic Examination; Pyrimethamine; Sarcocystis; Sarcocystosis; Treatment Outcome; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Muscle sarcocystosis is a parasitic infection acquired by ingestion of sporocysts of Sarcocystis species. A case is described where symptoms of fever, chronic myositis and eosinophilia were present. Diagnosis was made via muscle biopsy. Improvement and cure coincided with treatment with cotrimoxazole. A limited review of human muscle sarcocystosis and an outline of the gaps in the knowledge of this infection is presented.

Topics: Adult; Eosinophilia; Humans; Male; Myositis; Sarcocystosis; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination