CAVITARY PNEUMONIA CAUSED BY RHODOCOCCUS- EQUI IN HIV-INFECTION

RE is a well-known Gram positive bacillus which is usually pathogenic in animals. Disease in humans is rare, but incidence has clearly incre ased with the advent of AIDS. In humans, RE predominantly infect peopl e with impaired cellular immunity so that it is considered an opportun istic agent. Its must common manifestation in immuno-compromised patie nts is a slowly progressive pneumonia which may cavitate. Even with ea rly diagnostic and optimal and prolonged antibiotic therapy, the morta lity of RE. infections remain high (20 to 55%). Problems in clinical a nd therapic management are illustrated in our two cases of cavitated p neumonia in two AIDS patients.