[HIV infection revealed during the treatment of a unilateral abscess of the psoas muscle]

We report the case of a 25-year-old unmarried male patient who presented with painful swelling of the right lumbar area of one month's duration, associated with fever and general debility, but without any urological or gastro-intestinal symptoms. He admitted having had unprotected sexual intercourse. Abdominal radiography revealed an abscess in the right psoas muscle, which was drained by lumbotomy. Analysis of the pus revealed Staphylococcus aureus. Histological examination of the abscess wall found non-specific inflammation. A test for tuberculosis was negative, while serological examination revealed HIV. The patient was treated with antiretroviral drugs