BACILLARY ANGIOMATOSIS AND BACILLARY PELIOSIS IN PATIENTS INFECTED WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS

Drs. Koehler and Tappero have extensively reviewed the problem of rochalimaea infection in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Species of this genus cause trench fever and cat-scratch disease and are now also identified as the etiologic agents of cutaneous, visceral, osseous, and bacteremic disease in HIV-1-infected individuals. The major consideration in the differential diagnosis for HIV-1-infected persons is Kaposi's sarcoma. These authors provide a useful approach to diagnosis and antibiotic management of this relatively uncommon infectious complication of immunosuppression. It is important to recognize this infection, as it appears to respond to prolonged (possibly lifelong) antibiotic therapy.