Visceral leishmaniasis mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or kala-azar, a serious disease resulting from a systemic infection caused by a protozoan of the genus Leishmania, is potentially fatal to humans. According to data from Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Brazil's Information System for Notifiable Diseases) from 2015 to 2016, 6,489 new cases were recorded in Brazil in 22 of the 27 federative units. In addition to typical clinical findings, VL may be associated with autoimmune phenomena, including simulating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We present the first case of autochthonous VL mimicking SLE in Santa Catarina in southern Brazil.

The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis according to gender in a university hospital in southern Brazil

Introduction: Intestinal parasitoses lead to high morbidity and mortality rates, mainly in endemic areas; however, little is known about their prevalence in the Southern region of Brazil. The aim of the current study is to report the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and to assess such prevalence according to gender. Methods: Analytical, transversal and retrospective design including parasitological stool tests performed in a university hospital. Results: We included 3,126 parasitological stool test results in the study ­ 44% of them were from men and 10.1% of the total were positive. Commensal protozoa were the most frequent parasites (7.7%) and Endolimax nana was the most prevalent protozoan (3.7%). Giardia lamblia was the most frequent pathogenic parasite (1.3%), and it was followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (0.7%). Men presented higher positive result rates (13.0% vs. 7.8%; p<0.001) for commensal (7.2% vs. 5.1%; p=0.016) and pathogenic parasites (4.5% vs. 1.8%; p<0.001); as well as for protozoa (10.7% vs. 6.4%; p<0.001) and for nematodes (1.4% vs. 0.6%; p=0.036). Similarly, men presented a higher positive result ratio for E. nana (5.2% vs. 2.6%; p<0.001), Entamoeba coli (3.5% vs. 1.6%; p<0.001), G. lamblia (2.2% vs. 0.6%; p<0.001) and S. stercoralis (1.1% vs. 0.3%; p=0.013) than women. Conclusion: parasites were found in 10% of the examined samples and commensal parasites were the most prevalent. Men showed higher enteroparasitosis rates than women.

Rendimento diagnóstico da broncoscopia flexível no Hospital Universitário - UFSC / Flexible bronchoscopy diagnostic performance at the University Hospital - UFSC

Introdução: A broncoscopia flexível é um procedimento com aplicações diagnósticas e terapêuticas em diversas doenças torácicas. O objetivo é analisar o rendimento diagnóstico desse exame no Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, em um período de 3 anos. Metodologia: Foram analisados os prontuários de pacientes submetidos à broncoscopia flexível no período de 01/01/2005 a 31/12/2007. Resultados: Duzentos e vinte e quatro prontuários forma revisados. Destes, 154 (68,7%) eram do gênero masculino, com idade média de 54,26 anos. As indicações mais freqüêntes foram: neoplasia pulmonar (NP) (34,8%), infecções respiratórias (IR) (33,9%) e doenças difusas do parênquimia pulmonar (DDPP) (12,9%). O diagnóstico foi estabelecido em 109 (48,7%) casos. Os resultados da análise do rendimento diagnóstico em função das principais categorias de indicações foram: 1-NP - 71,79% (56/78); 2-IR - 55,26% (42/76); 3-DDPP 27,59% (8/29). Na presença de lesão endobrônquica visível, todos os casos obtiveram diagnóstico (40/40). Conclusão: A broncofibroscopia demonstrou um rendimento diagnóstico relevante, principalmente quando analisado por categorias de indicações. O procedimento contribuiu de forma evidente para o diagnóstico das neoplasias brônquicas, em especial, aquelas com lesões endobrônquicas visíveis ao exame. Casuísticas maiores são necessárias para uma análise mais fidedigna das IR e das DDPP.

Introduction: Bronchoscopy is a procedure with diagnostic and therapeutic applications in several chest diseases. Analyzing the flexible bronchoscopy diagnostic performance at the University Hospital – Federal University of Santa Catarina, within a period of 3 years, is the objective. Methodology: Files of the patients submitted to flexible bronchoscopy were analyzed within the period between 01/01/2005 and 12/31/2007. Results: Two hundred and twenty four files were revised. From these, 154 (68,7%) male gender and 70 (31,2%) female gender, with an average age of 54,26 years old. The most frequent indications categories were: lung cancer (34,8%), respiratory infections (RI) (33,9%) and interstitial lung diseases (ILD) (12,9%). The diagnosis were established in 109 (48,7%) cases. The diagnosis performance related to the mains indications was: 1- Lung cancer – 71,79% (56/78); 2- RI – 55,26% (42/76); 3-ILD 27,59% (8/29). In the presence of endobronchial visible lesion, all the cases obtained diagnosis (40/40). Conclusion: Flexible bronchoscopy has shown a relevant diagnostic performance mainlywhen the indications categories were considered. The procedure has contributed in an evident way for the diagnosis of lung cancer, specially, those with endobronchial visible lesions. Studies with bigger population should be performed to better analyze the diagnostic performance in RI and ILD.