Immunosuppression and Opportunistic Infections: A Rare Case Report of Nocardia Osteomyelitis of the Pelvis.

Patients with a long-standing history of immunosuppression are at significantly increased risk of opportunistic infections. One such group of organisms that may cause these types of infections includes the genus, a gram-positive, filamentous rod that demonstrates a branching pattern, is urease-producing and has acid-fast properties. The disease profile of varies with manifestations ranging from cutaneous infection to severe pulmonary or central nervous system (CNS) infections, and rarely, osteomyelitis.

Congenital Chagas' disease transmission in the United States: Diagnosis in adulthood.

Two brothers with congenitally-acquired Chagas' disease (CD) diagnosed during adulthood are reported. The patients were born in the USA to a mother from Bolivia who on subsequent assessment was found to be serologically positive for Trypanosoma cruzi. Serologic screening of all pregnant women who migrated from countries with endemic CD is strongly recommended.

Approaches to vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

Purpose Of Review: This article reviews recent publications regarding new antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

Recent Findings: Newer drugs against vancomycin-resistant enterococci are now available or will soon be available. Quinupristin-dalfopristin, a streptogramin, and linezolid, an oxazolidinone, are effective and safe but only bacteriostatic against enterococi.