Recurrent brain abscesses in an HIV-positive patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and arteriovenous malformations of the lung.

Patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia are at risk for the development of brain abscesses. The history of a 47-year-old man infected with the human immunodeficiency virus and with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is reported. Within eight months, the patient presented twice with life-threatening cerebral abscesses at different sites. On both occasions, Streptococcus anginosus was cultured from the abscess material. Treatment consisted of parenteral antibiotics and neurosurgical drainage. After treatment of the second occurrence, the patient was placed on a prophylactic regimen of clindamycin. He remains relapse-free and is clinically stable 24 months after the second episode.