BACKGROUND Pseudallescheria boydii pneumonia is rarely reported among immunocompetent patients. CASE REPORT We report a case of a 62 year old white female with pseudallescheria boydii pneumonia. The patient was non-immunocompromised, had a history of mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection prior to presentation. After successful response to initial antitubercular therapy, the patient deve...

Mycobacterium triplex, a recently described, potentially pathogenic species, caused disease primarily in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of pulmonary infection due to this mycobacterium in an immunocompetent patient and review the characteristics of two other cases. In our experience, Mycobacterium triplex pulmonary infection is unresponsive to antimycobacterial chemotherapy.

Viral-induced aplastic crisis is an important cause of unexplained anaemia. It becomes significant in the context of an immunocompromised host. However, it is commonly overlooked in a well-nourished immunocompetent host. Parvovirus B19-induced transient crisis is one such example. Bone marrow study is a commonly performed preliminary investigation for an unexplained anaemia and can provide impo...

Diagnosis: Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in an immunocompetent host. This patient was admitted to the hospital, and serologic testing for CMV revealed positive IgM and IgG responses. PCR of a blood sample for CMV DNA revealed 3500 copies/mm. Because of her severe and prolonged symptoms, the patient received oral valgancyclovir (900 mg b.i.d.), with resolution of fever within 24 h after ...

Salmonella typhimurium double leu-arg auxotrophs have been shown to be highly effective as antitumor agents in nude mouse models of human metastatic cancer. In order to proceed to clinical development of the S. typhimurium double auxotroph, termed A1-R, it is necessary to evaluate antitumor efficacy in immunocompetent mice. In the present study, we have observed the efficacy of A1-R on the Lewi...

Nocardia species are found in soil rich in organic matter and in healthy gingiva, as well as periodontal pockets as oral microflora. Some species are pathogenic with low virulence, hence cause opportunistic infection most frequently in immunocompromised hosts, though occasionally in immunocompetent individuals. Pleuropulmonary nocardiosis is a rare occurrence. We report such a case in a 72yrs o...

Infection with histoplasma capsulatum is endemic in many parts of the world. This organism is of generally low human virulence but can act as an opportunistic agent when host immune responses allow persistent parasitization of macrophages (acute pulmonary and disseminated histoplasmosis) or when abnormal pulmonary spaces due to emphysema allow colonization of these spaces and its consequences. ...

Invasive aspergillosis is an uncommon opportunistic infection usually seen in immunocompromised patients. Despite extensive therapeutic measures the outcome is usually unfavourable. We report a case of invasive aspergillosis in an immunocompetent individual.

The global tuberculosis (TB) epidemic and the spread of multi- and extensively-drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) have been fueled by low adherence to following lengthy treatment protocols, and the rapid spread of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Persistence of the infection in immunocompetent individuals follows from the ability of M.tb to subvert host immune respon...

We present a case of a 23-year-old immunocompetent male who presented with chronic meningitis and was diagnosed as cryptococcal meningitis by positive cryptococcal antigen titer. The cerebrospinal fluid culture was positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. He was treated initially with amphotericin B but was later changed to fluconazole due to toxicity. This case highlights the use of fluconazole t...