Problems in the diagnosis of lymphogranuloma venereum - A review of 6 cases

Six cases of lymphogranuloma venereum are described in White South Africans. All initially presented diagnostic problems. This sexually transmitted disease is uncommon in South Africa, and 5 of. the 6 patients presented with inguinallymphadenopathy without a primary lesion. The value of serological tests in the diagnosis of this disease is emphasized

Infections due to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Three cases are described which show the typical range of infections which may be caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. namely an actinomycosis-like infection. a prosthetic cardiac valve endocarditrs and a post-traumatic soft-tissue infection. Cultural studies are detailed. and a short review of the disease-producing potential of this organism and its treatment is presented

Streptococcus milleri causing infection in man

We describe the microbiological and morphological characteristics of 151 strains of Streptococcus milleri isolated during the course of routine bacteriological investigations. Although these strains formed a fairly heterogeneous group, several constant features were identified which typify the species. Strept. milleri emerged as a major cause of pyogenic infection, clinical disease being characterized by localized collections of pus in almost every organ system. Bacteraemia due to Strept. milleri was a significant indicator of the presence of an occult abscess. Endocarditis was rare. The penicillins or erythromycin remain the drugs of choice for treating infections caused by this organism

Isolation of Haemophilus ducreyi from genital ulcerations in White men in Johannesburg

An analysis of sexually acquired genital ulcerations in 31 White patients who were examined microbiologically in Johannesburg showed Haemophilus ducreyi to be the causative agent in 23 (74%), whereas syphilis was the confirmed diagnosis in only 6 (19%). All the H. ducreyi isolates produced B-Iactamase. Previously, chancroid was considered to be an infrequent cause of genital ulceration in this population group. Unlike those with syphilitic ulceration, patients with chancroid usually do not respond to penicillin. The improved isolation procedures for H. ducreyi now enable the laboratory to confirm most cases