Juvenile idiopathic recurrent parotitis (JIRP) treated with short course steroids, a case series study and one decade follow up for potential autoimmune disorder

BACKGROUND

Juvenile idiopathic recurrent parotitis (JIRP) in children is a condition characterized with recurrent episodes of idiopathic parotid gland inflammation. Since there are no definitive guidelines for diagnosis and management of this condition, we present a consecutive case series of patients with more than one decade follow up and their dramatic response to short course treatment by prednisolone.

METHODS

We conducted this study by retrospectively reviewed medical charts of children who were diagnosed with JIRP, from 1 January 2002 to 29 February 2023. We performed usual serological tests to exclude some possible background. We administered short course prednisolone on first day of episode as divided dosage (0.5 mg /kg).

RESULTS

In this case series of 10 patients (70%) were male, median age of onset was 5 years, duration of episodes 5 days, and the mean course of disease were 3.8 years. The average follows up of patients was near 10 years. In comparison with their natural course of disease all patients showed a dramatic response to treatment on the first day of administration of prednisolone (P Value 0.005). For ten years follow up there was not any additional accompanying autoimmune disorder.

CONCLUSION

Short course prednisolone on first day of each episode and its dramatic and meaningful response in our patients, introduce a new, effective, fast, and inexpensive regimen of therapy in patients with JIRP.

Neonatal Parotitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Neonatal parotitis is a rare disease. Between 1970 and 2011 only 44 cases have been reported in the English literature.

METHODS

In this case report, we describe a case of neonatal parotitis caused by Group B streptococcus (GBS). Additionally, we performed a review of the recent literature. We found 18 new cases published between 2011 and 2020. These cases were analyzed together with the 44 cases published before 2011.

RESULTS

All patients presented with swelling over the parotid area, with varying degrees of local inflammation and general symptoms. Purulent discharge from the Stensen's duct was present in 85% of the patients. The swelling was usually unilateral (84%). In total 70% of the patients were male. Prematurity was reported in 29% of the cases. The most common isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (68%). Only 5 cases were found describing GBS as the causative pathogen in neonatal parotitis. In most of the cases treatment with intravenous antibiotics was successful, 27% of the patients needed surgical drainage. The reported outcomes were good.

CONCLUSIONS

When comparing GBS cases and non-GBS cases there seems to be a difference in presenting symptoms and pathophysiology, with GBS patients presenting without purulent discharge form the Stensen's duct and with more severe generalized symptoms. Additionally, all GBS patients had a positive blood culture, compared to 27% of the non-GBS patients, which indicates that in GBS cases the major route of parotid infection is hematogenous, compared to a retrograde flow from the oral cavity to the parotid gland in non-GBS cases.

[Neonatal suppurative parotitis]

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare condition characterized by swelling, pain and erythema over the parotid gland. There may be a purulent exsudate from the Stensen duct. The predominant etiology is Staphylococcus aureus but cases with gram negative bacteria and streptococci have been reported. Most cases are managed conservatively with intravenous antibiotic therapy, and early treatment reduces risks of complications like sepsis and intraglandular abscess. We report two cases of neonatal suppurative parotitis; two 14-days-old males, both with one day history of parotid swelling and erythema. In one of them purulent exudate could be extracted from the Stensen duct. One of them had positive blood culture with Staphylococcus aureus. Ultrasound examination showed an enlarged parotid gland but no abscess. Growth of Staphylococcus aureus was found in both cases and the patients responded well to intravenous antibiotic therapy.

Challenging Case of Parotitis: A Comprehensive Approach

The diagnosis and management of parotitis can be challenging. Patients often present with pain and edema in the neck, jaw, head, and ear due to congestion of the gland. Parotitis is typically caused by an infection within the parotid gland and surrounding lymph nodes, and the infection can spread to nearby cervical fascial planes and cause major complications if not managed successfully. Specific guidelines for the outpatient management of parotitis are limited, and outpatient treatment failures are common, requiring inpatient therapy with multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics. In the current case, a comprehensive patient-centered approach was used to treat a woman whose overlapping clinical conditions, lifestyle, and work factors led to an infection of the parotid gland.

[Case of sialadenitis by iodinated contrast medium in a dialysis patient]

BACKGROUND

Sialadenitis by iodinated contrast medium (i.c.m) oriodine mumps (IM) is a rare and late benign manifestation that occurs independently of intravenous or endoarterial administration modality. If renal function is normal, i.c.m. does not reach salivary glands concentrations able to induce sialadenitis. However, a critical glomerular filtration reduction may lead to salivary ducts edema and glandular swelling after i.c.m. injection. We report a rare case report of IM in a patient on chronic hemodialysis.

METHODS

A 72-year-old woman affected by chronic kidney disease on chronic hemodialysis, underwent to endoscopic removal of a rectal cancer. For disease staging, a total body TC with i.c.m. was performed. The following morning, patient showed a soft and aching bilateral paroditidis swelling. Salivary glands ultrasound was diagnostic for sialadenitis. The patient was rapidly treated with betamethasone following by a 240 minutes post-dilution online hemodiafiltration session.

RESULTS

Within the next 24h, a complete remission of IM was obtained.

CONCLUSION

In our patient, a compensatory hyperactivity of the sodium / iodine symporter (NIS) on salivary gland cells may have played a crucial role in IM induction. An high efficiency hemodialysis session within the few following hours after i.c.m injection is a fundamental tool in patients on renal replacement treatment to prevent IM that is an epiphenomenon of i.c.m. accumulation.

[Neonatal suppurative parotitis in a six-day-old, mature boy]

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare condition with approximately 50 cases reported in the literature in English since 1970. It is characterized by parotid swelling along with other local inflammatory sign, and some neonates present with fever and irritability. Pus secretion from the ipsilateral parotid duct is pathognomonic. The most common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus, but other microorganisms are reported. We describe a case of a six-day-old, mature boy, previously healthy, who presented with fever, tender swelling of the right parotid and pus secretion from the parotid duct.

[A case of brucellosis presenting with suppurative parotitis involvement]

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic infection caused by Brucella bacteria. Brucella infections are usually presented with various clinical manifestations, and often accompanied by multiple organ involvements. In this article, we present a case of brucellosis with suppurative parotitis involvement accompanied by parotid abscess and fistula in a 60-year-old male patient. According to the literature review we conducted regarding complications of brucellosis, our case is the first case reported in the literature. Significant improvement in patient's suppurative parotitis and clinical findings was observed at the fifth week of combination antibiotic therapy. Patient's complaints resolved completely after eight weeks of treatment.

Parotidite aigue néonatale suppurative: à propos de trois cas cliniques avec revue de la littérature

Cet article fait mention de trois cas de parotidite bactérienne néonatale observés pendant une période de sept mois. Ce diagnostic est souvent clinique: on retrouve classiquement hyperthermie, tuméfaction, érythème, chaleur ainsi que sensibilité locale et écoulement purulent au niveau du canal de Sténon lors du massage de la parotide. Le diagnostic clinique est confirmé par échographie et culture de la sécrétion parotidienne purulente. Elles sont le plus souvent d’origine nosocomiale, favorisées par la prématurité et la déshydratation. Traitées précocement, leur évolution est favorable. Les risques liés à l’âge doivent faire débuter une antibiothérapie empirique puis fonction de l'examen direct du pus extrait du canal de Sténon. On isole le plus communément le Staphylocoque aureus; le Streptocoque Viridans et les germes anaérobies. Les parotidites aigues sont très rares en période néonatale: moins de 50 cas ont été rapportés dans la littérature. Nous rapportons trois observations assez particulières. Le diagnostic avait été suspecté sur les signes inflammatoires locaux.

[A premature neonate with a right pre-auricular swelling]

We present a 14-day-old premature born girl with a temperature of 37.8°C and a swelling and redness of the right parotid gland. Laboratory tests revealed a CRP of 79 mg/l and ultrasound examination confirmed a parotitis. Treatment with augmentin i.v. resolved the condition.

Atypical presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus: parotitis and secondary Sjogren's syndrome. Case report

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by auto antibodies directed against self-antigens, immune complex formation and immune deregulations and may affect joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system, and immune system. The onset can be variable and the symptoms can occur for many years. Parotitis as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare condition and can be associated with Sjogren's syndrome. In this article we present the case of a young patient who was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome retrospectively, after she met the criteria for SLE.

Melioidosis of salivary glands with coexisting diabetes: management of a difficult case

Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by the gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis is endemic in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. An important risk factor for the development of melioidosis is the presence of diabetes mellitus, which may increase the relative risk of infection by as much as 100-fold. We report a rare case of melioidosis of the parotid and submandibular gland with coexisting diabetes. This was successfully managed conservatively with intravenous ceftazidime followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and doxycycline.

[Neonatal sepsis caused by group B streptococci: atypical and recurrent disease episodes]

Both neonates of male twins born at 30 weeks and 3 days gestation presented with late-onset sepsis caused by an infection with group B streptococci (GBS), shortly after one another. Although the younger twin recovered with a standard regimen of 10 days penicillin G i.v., the older twin had three recurrent episodes with GBS positive blood cultures. Oropharyngeal, faecal, urine, liquor and breast milk cultures were GBS negative. Using echocardiography and a PET/CT scan, a persistent endovascular focus was discovered. We treated him with penicillin G i.v. for 4 weeks, after which he recovered completely. Another male neonate born at 26 weeks gestation presented with GBS sepsis and developed an erythematous swelling of the right mandibula within 12 hours. Ultrasound revealed parotitis, which is rare in neonates (3.8 per 10,000). Risk factors for parotitis include prematurity, low birth weight and dehydration (i.e., diuretic usage). Parotitis can be complicated by abscess formation.

Recurrent parotitis as a first manifestation in a child with primary Sjogren's syndrome

Recurrent parotitis is an acute, severe inflammation of one or both parotid glands, the major salivary glands in young children. We report the case of a seven-year old boy with Primary Sjogrens syndrome (PSS) who presented with 15 episodes of painful recurrent bilateral swellings of the parotid glands over a four-year period.

Acute suppurative neonatal parotitis: Case report

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is very rare. One review of the English-language literature spanning 35 years found only 32 cases. Most cases are managed conservatively with antibiotic therapy; early antibiotic treatment reduces the need for surgery. The predominant organism is Staphylococcus aureus. We report a new case of neonatal suppurative parotitis in a 3-week-old boy. The patient was diagnosed on the basis of parotid swelling, a purulent exudate from a Stensen duct, and the growth of pathogenic bacteria in culture. He responded well to 9 days of intravenous antibiotic therapy. We also discuss the microbiologic and clinical patterns of this disease.

Bilateral parotitis caused by Mycobacterium chelonae in an immunocompetent child

This report is of a healthy 3-year-old boy with bilateral parotitis caused by Mycobacterium chelonae. He was treated with antibiotics, but the symptoms did not improve. The biopsy pathology report revealed chronic caseating granulomatous inflammation. After 2 weeks, Mycobacterium chelonae was identified from the biopsy specimen culture. The antibiotics were changed to amikacin and clarithromycin, according to the susceptibility test. Two weeks later, he underwent debridement surgery. Only partial excision of the infected tissue was performed because of the possibility of facial nerve injury. After another 2 weeks of treatment with amikacin and clarithromycin, parotidectomy was performed. The patient then received a 6-month course of oral clarithromycin. At the 1-year follow up, he was well and without residual mass. His immunologic examinations were all within normal limits. This is the first report of bilateral parotitis caused by Mycobacterium chelonae in an immunocompetent boy in the English-language literature.

The bacteriology of salivary gland infections

The parotid gland is the salivary gland most commonly affected by inflammation. However, infection of the salivary glands can occur in any of the glands. The most common pathogens associated with acute bacterial infection are Staphylococcus aureus and anaerobic bacteria. The predominant anaerobes include: anaerobic Gram negative bacilli (eg, pigmented Prevotella and Porphyromonas); Fusobacterium spp; and Peptostreptococcus spp. In addition, Streptococcus spp (including Streptococcus pneumoniae) and aerobic and facultative Gram-negative bacilli (including Escherichia coli) have been reported. Aerobic and facultative Gram-negative bacilli are often seen in hospitalized patients. Organisms less frequently found are Haemophilus influenzae, Treponema pallidum, Bartonella henselae, and Eikenella corrodens. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteria are rare causes of infection. The choice of antibiotics should be guided by identification of the etiologic agent.

A life-threatening complication of acute parotitis

We present a case of necrotising fasciitis that complicated an episode of acute parotitis caused by Streptococcus milleri infection. Early diagnosis and aggressive therapy is necessary to reduce the incidence of mortality of this severe infection.

Apophysomyces elegans causing acute otogenic cervicofacial zygomycosis involving salivary glands

Zygomycosis is an invasive, life threatening fungal infection that usually affects immunocompromised hosts. In the head and neck region, rhino-orbito-cerebral zygomycosis is more common than the cervicofacial variety. We report the first case of otogenic cervicofacial zygomycosis caused by Apophysomyces elegans involving the salivary glands, an uncommon site of infection. The case began after a trivial trauma in a diabetic patient and despite surgical debridement and liposomal amphotericin B therapy, the patient died due to extensive involvement and metabolic/hemodynamic complications.

Parotiditis aguda neonatal por Streptococcus agalactiae

We report two cases of group B streptococcal acute neonatal parotitis. Both patients showed late-onset infections in association with acute parotid swelling, without cellulitis or purulent drainage from Stensen's duct. Neither of the infants had meningitis, and Streptococcus agalactiae was isolated from blood cultures. Differential diagnosis with cellulitis-adenitis syndrome was based on clinical manifestations with supporting radiographic findings, which revealed parotid swelling with increased vascularization. Both infants were treated with a 2-week-course of intravenous cefotaxime, with complete recovery. Although the most common cause of acute neonatal bacterial parotitis is Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae should be included in the differential diagnosis, especially in infants with late-onset sepsis.

Mycobacterium fortuitum-induced persistent parotitis: successful therapy with clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin

BACKGROUND

Parotitis caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria, a very rare disease entity, has never been reported to be caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum (M. fortuitum) in the literature.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An 8-year-old girl was seen with painful swelling of the right parotid gland despite antibiotic treatment of more than 1 month. Elevated serum amylase activity and diffuse contrast-enhanced CT of the parotid gland confirmed the diagnosis of parotitis. Histopathological study of specimens taken from the right parotid tail mass showed granulomatous inflammation with acid-fast positive bacilli; culture later confirmed M. fortuitum. After administration of clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin for 9 consecutive months, the parotitis and parotid tail mass were completely resolved at follow-up examination.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first case report of parotitis caused by M. fortuitum and its successful medical treatment.

Tuberculous parotitis: a review of seven cases

OBJECTIVES

Tuberculous parotitis is rare even in countries where tuberculosis is widespread. We evaluated seven patients with tuberculous parotitis together with clinical and histopathologic findings, and management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a period of 13 years, seven patients (5 males, 2 females; mean age 32 years; range 23 to 47 years) were diagnosed and treated for tuberculous parotitis. All the patients had a clinical suspicion of a parotid gland tumor.

RESULTS

The lesions were localized on the left in four patients, and on the right in three patients. The duration of disease varied from seven months to three years. The masses were localized, mobile, and measured 3 to 6 cm in diameter; one was fistulized. There was no evidence for active pulmonary tuberculosis. Chest radiograms showed old tuberculous lesions in two patients. The PPD skin test results were positive (>12 mm induration) in five patients (71%). Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging obtained in five patients showed mass formation suggesting a benign parotid gland tumor. Fine-needle aspiration cytology performed in three patients and cultivation performed in the fistulized case were all non-diagnostic. Superficial parotidectomy was performed in six patients and enucleation was performed in one patient. Histopathologic examination showed tubercles composed of macrophages, epithelioid cells and Langhans giant cells, and central caseous necrosis. Following diagnosis, all patients were treated with a four-drug chemotherapy regimen. There was no evidence for recurrence within a mean of 15-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Tuberculosis of the parotid gland should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with a solitary tumor in the parotid gland.

[Research progress in Laggera medicinal plants]

This paper reviewed the worldwide research progresses of the genus Laggera both on phytochemical and pharmacological work in the past few decades. The main secondary metabolites of this genus are proved to be sesquitepenoids, flavonoids and phenolic acids. Phamacological investigations revealed that the certain extracts of some Laggera species possess significant bioactivities on anti-inflammation, anti-tumor and anti-viral infection. This review afforded the comprehensive description of the active components as to provide useful references to elucidate their historical clinical application on upper respiratory infection, influenza, parotitis, and recurrent herpes viral infection.

Acute parotitis as a complication of fine-needle aspiration in Warthin's tumor. A unique finding of a 3-year experience with parotid tumor aspiration

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is an accurate, cost-effective tool for the study of salivary gland lesions. Although complications are extremely rare, salivary gland FNA can lead to hemorrhage, facial nerve injury, and cellulitis at the needle puncture site. Some studies suggest that FNA can cause infarction or metaplastic transformation of benign Warthin's tumors. We review our recent experience with FNA of the parotid gland, focusing on possible complications and pitfalls.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

The medical records of all patients who underwent FNA of the parotid gland from 2000 to 2002 in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of a major tertiary-care referral center were reviewed. Cytological results were compared to the histological diagnosis and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 256 lesions aspirated, 99 patients (39%), were cytologically diagnosed as benign tumors, including 31 (12%) Warthin's tumors, of which 16/17 resected and confirmed histologically. Five patients with Warthin's tumor had post-FNA parotitis and were treated accordingly.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of cystic spaces surrounded by oncocytic cells and a poor blood supply makes the tumor susceptible to infarction and inflammation. Our findings indicate that FNA is a strong and reliable tool in the investigation of the salivary glands. Nevertheless, when Warthin's tumor is clinically suspected on the basis of its location (tail of the parotid gland), cystic texture, patient sex (male) and age, one should consider parotitis as a possible complication.

EBM RATING

C-4.

Bilateral suppurative parotitis in a newborn

Suppuration occurring in inflamed parotid glands is an uncommon observation in the neonatal age group. This case report describes a male neonate, 12 days of age, who presented with high grade fever, irritability, poor feeding and bilateral swelling in the parotid region. Workup showed bilateral suppurative parotitis. Abscess developed despite antibiotic therapy requiring surgical drainage before final recovery.

[Complex therapy of acute and exacerbated chronic nonspecific parotitis including mexidol and non-coherent infrared therapy]

The task in view to reveal efficiency of complex application mexidol and in coherent infra-red therapy of inflammatory diseases of salivary glands. On the basis of clinical, laboratory and functional methods it is revealed, that combined application of mexidol and in coherent infra-red therapy leads to clinical effect that is expressed in reduction of terms of treatment an increase the terms of remission.

[Neonatal suppurative parotitis]

This report describes the case of a 10 days old newborn of a diabetic mother with gestosis, who developed erythema and swelling of the right cheek. A diagnosis of acute suppurative parotitis due to S. aureus was made. Following this case report the most important facts of epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnostics, and therapy of suppurative parotitis are discussed.

Treatment of chronic sialadenitis by intraductal penicillin or saline

PURPOSE

We sought to describe the treatment of chronic sialadenitis by intraductal penicillin or saline.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 32 males and 23 females with chronic submandibular sialadenitis aged 12 to 65 years and 16 males and 11 females with chronic parotitis aged 8 to 65 years who were treated by intraductal instillation of penicillin or saline.

RESULTS

In the patients with submandibular sialadenitis, 44 patients treated with penicillin and 11 treated with saline became symptom free; symptoms recurred in 3 treated with penicillin, of whom 2 became symptom free after further instillations and 1 after removal of a sialolith at the ductal orifice; and follow-up of 22 patients verified that 18 treated with penicillin and 4 with saline had been symptom free for 1 to 15 years and 1 to 3 years, respectively. In the patients with parotitis, 18 patients treated with penicillin, 8 treated with saline, and 1 treated with both became symptom free; symptoms recurred in 1 treated with penicillin and 1 with saline, both of whom became symptom free after further instillations; and follow-up of 15 patients verified that 11 treated with penicillin, 3 with saline, and 1 with both had been symptom free for 1 to 14 years, 2 to 12 years, and 3 years, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The intraductal instillation of penicillin or saline is a simple and surprisingly successful technique for the treatment of chronic sialadenitis.

Acute Parotitis Following Sitting Position Neurosurgical Procedures

Acute bacterial parotitis subsequent to major abdominal surgery is well documented, reportedly occurring in as many as 0.1% of patients. Postoperative parotitis has been reported between 1 to 15 weeks after surgery, commonly appearing within 2 weeks of the procedure. However, postoperative parotitis has not been reported previously after neurosurgical procedures. The authors report five cases of postoperative parotitis after neurosurgical operations in the sitting position with mild flexion and rotation of the head. This group of patients accounted for 0.16% of all craniotomy and 1.9% of all sitting position neurosurgical procedures performed in the authors' institution from 1996 through 2001. Neck flexion and head tilt in the sitting position might have an influence on acute parotitis. The authors found that the side of the parotitis was on the opposite side of the head rotation. Dehydration therapy may also be a contributing factor. The objective of this paper is to state that parotitis is a possible complication in neurosurgical patients operated on in sitting position and to discuss its pathophysiology and treatment options.

Acute neonatal suppurative parotitis: case reports and review

We describe two cases of neonatal suppurative parotitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Only 32 cases of neonatal suppurative parotitis (72% male) have been described in the English literature in the last 35 years. Thirty-eight percent were premature babies, only 41% were febrile and the causative agent in most cases was S. aureus. Recovery was achieved in 78% of the patients with antibiotic therapy without drainage.

Salivary gland disease in pediatric HIV patients: an update

Oral manifestations are one of the earliest clinical indicators of HIV infection and progression in children. Prompt recognition of these signs and symptoms by dental providers can help in the diagnosis and intervention of delaying the progression of HIV disease to AIDS. Salivary gland disease is a common manifestation of HIV infection in pediatric patients, presenting either as gland enlargement and/or xerostomia. The parotid glands by far are most frequently affected, though the other major glands are commonly involved. Diseases of the salivary glands and the corresponding quantitative changes in saliva affect the homeostasis of the oral cavity and account for significant morbidity during the progression of HIV disease. This paper summarizes the research on HIV-related salivary gland disease and outlines treatment and management considerations.

[Analysis of parotid sialography and intervention in 78 cases of chronic pyogenic parotitis]

OBJECTIVE

To study the value of parotid sialography and intervention in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pyogenic parotitis.

METHODS

Undertake the technique of parotid sialography with 48% Lipiodol ultra-fluide (France) under X-ray upon 78 patients who were given systemic anti-infections and supporting treatments only with non-obvious-results, and classify all the cases into chronic obstructive (21 cases) and nonobstructive parotitis (57 cases) according to the results of sialography through microcatheter, then go on with bacterial culture and drug sensitivity test. Filling treatments were carried out on obstructive parotitis cases through the duct with mixed liquor consisting of 2% lidocanine, 1% methylviolet. In the same way, alpha-chymotrypsin, amikacin, lidocaine was used in nonobstructive cases.

RESULTS

The cure rate of chronic obstructive parotitis was 80.95%, the cure rate of chronic nonobstructive parotitis was 87.72%.

CONCLUSION

The method of parotid sialography and intervention in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pyogenic parotitis is an effective way to treat chronic pyogenic parotitis.

Acute bacterial suppurative parotitis: microbiology and management

The parotid gland is the salivary gland most commonly affected by inflammation. The most common pathogens associated with acute bacterial parotitis are Staphylococcus aureus and anaerobic bacteria. The predominant anaerobes include gram-negative bacilli (including pigmented Prevotella and Porphyromonas spp.), Fusobacterium spp., and Peptostreptococcus spp. Streptococcus spp. (including S. pneumoniae) and gram-negative bacilli (including Escherichia coli) have also been reported. Gram-negative organisms are often seen in hospitalized patients. Organisms less frequently found are Arachnia, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Treponema pallidum, cat-scratch bacillus, and Eikenella corrodens. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteria are rare causes of parotitis. Therapy includes maintenance of hydration and administration of parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Once an abscess has formed surgical drainage is required. The choice of antimicrobial depends on the etiologic agent. Maintenance of good oral hygiene, adequate hydration, and early and proper therapy of bacterial infection of the oropharynx may reduce the occurrence of suppurative parotitis.

Parotid swelling in a premature neonate

Suppurative parotitis in neonates is very rare. We report a case of unilateral suppurative parotitis in a 29-week gestation age infant, who recovered completely following medical treatment. Diagnosis was by clinical examination and microbiology, and parotid involvement confirmed by computed tomographic (CT) scan. The causative organism was coagulase negative Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Management of childhood diseases during the Byzantine period: III-- respiratory diseases of childhood

Evidence on herbal, veterinary and chemical substances used in various forms for respiratory problems of childhood such as acute otitis, acute tonsillitis and parotitis was investigated in the Byzantine medical treatizes, from the 4th to the 15th century ad. The problem of asthma in childhood was well known during the Byzantine period. Despite the existent Hippocratic tradition, the physicians of the times developed their own methods of treatment. The texts of Antyllus, Orivasios from Pergamos, Aetius of Amida, Alexander of Tralles, Paulus Aeginitis, Theophanis Nonnos and others, strongly suggest influences from ancient Greek and Roman medicine, but at the same time indicate an original medical thought.