Saprochaete clavata invasive infection: characterization, antifungal susceptibility, and biofilm evaluation of a rare yeast isolated in Brazil

ABSTRACT Rare emerging pathogens such as Saprochaete clavata are associated with invasive fungal diseases, high morbidity, mortality, rapidly fatal infections, and outbreaks. However, little is known about S. clavata infections, epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, biofilms, and disease outcomes. The objective of this study was to describe a new case of severe S. clavata infection in a patient diagnosed at a referral children's hospital in Brazil, including antifungal minimal inhibitory concentration, S. clavata biofilm characterization, and molecular characterization. The S. clavata isolated from an immunocompromised 11-year-old male patient was characterized using MALDI-TOF, Gram staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and next generation sequencing (NGS) of genomic DNA. Biofilm production was also evaluated in parallel with determining minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and biofilm sensitivity to antifungal treatment. We observed small to medium, whitish, farinose, dry, filamentous margin colonies, yeast-like cells with bacillary features, and biofilm formation. The MALDI-TOF system yielded a score of ≥ 2,000, while NGS confirmed S. clavata presence at the nucleotide level. The MIC values (in mg L-1) for tested drugs were as follows: fluconazole = 2, voriconazole ≤ 2, caspofungin ≥ 8, micafungin = 2, amphotericin B = 4, flucytosine ≤ 1, and anidulafungin = 1. Amphotericin B can be active against S. clavata biofilm and the fungus can be susceptible to new azoles. These findings were helpful for understanding the development of novel treatments for S. clavata-induced disease, including combined therapy for biofilm-associated infections.

A Covid-19 e as citocinas: uma revisão de literatura / Covid-19 and cytokines: a literature review / Covid-19 y citocinas: una revisión de la literatura

A COVID-19 surgiu em dezembro de 2019 na China, o contágio se espalhou rapidamente pelo mundo e já em março de 2020 a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) declarou o surto como pandemia. A infecção causada por SARS-COV-2 mostrou-se com sintomatologia variada. Enquanto alguns infectados não tinham sintomas, outros apresentavam sinais que variam dos semelhantes a uma gripe, até uma possível evolução para síndrome do desconforto respiratório. Evidências indicam que, durante o curso da COVID-19 a rápida progressão e mortalidade pode ter sido associada à mecanismo hiperinflamatórios, com descontrole regulatório da produção de citocinas pró- inflamatórias, tanto em nível local, quanto sistêmico. Sendo assim, neste artigo revisamos a literatura sobre a COVID-19, seus aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos, bem como a o papel das citocinas no contexto da infecção por SARS-CoV-2, já que a busca pelo entendimento dos mecanismos imunológicos que envolvem a COVID-19 e outras doenças de caráter inflamatório é de suma importância para o tratamento e o manejo de tais enfermidades.

COVID-19 emerged in December 2019 in China, the contagion spread rapidly around the world, and already in March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a pandemic. The infection caused by SARS-COV-2 was shown to have varied symptomatology. While some infected people had no symptoms, others showed signs ranging from flu-like to a possible evolution to respiratory distress syndrome. Evidence indicates that during the course of COVID-19 the rapid progression and mortality may have been associated with hyperinflammatory mechanisms, with regulatory uncontrolled production of pro-inflammatory cytokines at both local and systemic levels. Therefore, in this article we review the literature on COVID-19, its epidemiological and clinical aspects, as well as the role of cytokines in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection, since the search for understanding the immunological mechanisms surrounding COVID-19 and other inflammatory diseases is of paramount importance for the treatment and management of such diseases.

El COVID-19 surgió en diciembre de 2019 en China, el contagio se extendió rápidamente por todo el mundo y ya en marzo de 2020 la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) declaró el brote como pandemia. Se demostró que la infección causada por el SARS-COV-2 presentaba una sintomatología variada. Mientras que algunos infectados no presentaban síntomas, otros mostraban signos que iban desde similares a los de la gripe hasta una posible evolución a síndrome de dificultad respiratoria. Las pruebas indican que durante el curso del COVID-19 la rápida progresión y la mortalidad pueden haber estado asociadas a mecanismos hiperinflamatorios, con una producción descontrolada reguladora de citocinas proinflamatorias tanto a nivel local como sistémico. Por lo tanto, en este artículo revisamos la literatura sobre la COVID-19, sus aspectos epidemiológicos y clínicos, así como el papel de las citocinas en el contexto de la infección por SARS-CoV-2, ya que la búsqueda de la comprensión de los mecanismos inmunológicos que rodean la COVID-19 y otras enfermedades inflamatorias es de suma importancia para el tratamiento y la gestión de dichas enfermedades.

Impacto da atividade física na qualidade de vida e sobrevida de idosos com câncer: uma revisão sistemática / Impact of physical activity on the quality of life of older adults with cancer: a systematic review

Objetivo: avaliar o impacto da atividade física (AF) em qualidade de vida (QV) e sobrevida (SV) de idosos com câncer. Método: revisão sistemática nas bases de dados Medline-Bireme, PubMed, Cochrane-Embase e SciELO. Os estudos passaram por critérios de seleção e análise, com base nas escalas de PRISMA e PEDro. Resultados:foram selecionados dez estudos ao final do processo, sete relacionados à QV e três relacionados à SV. Os resultados mostraram que intervenções realizadas após o diagnostico oncológico trazem benefícios para a QV, como aumento da funcionalidade, da força muscular, da densidade mineral óssea, da flexibilidade, do bem-estar e da massa magra. Houve também impacto positivo na SV. Conclusão: os resultados desta revisão sistemática ajudam a compreender que a prática de AF pode trazer benefícios tanto para a QV quanto para a SV de pessoas acima de 60 anos com diagnósticos oncológicos.(AU)

Objective: to evaluate the impact of physical activity (PA) on quality of life (QoL) and survival rate (SV) of the elderly with cancer. Method: systematic review in databases such as Medline-Bireme, PubMed, Cochrane-Embase, and SciELO. The studies underwent selection and analysis criteria, based on PRISMA and PEDro scales. Results: ten studies were selected at the end of the process, seven related to QoL and three related to SV. The results showed that interventions performed after cancer diagnosis bring benefits for QoL, such as increased functionality, muscle strength, bone mineral density, flexibility, well-being and lean mass. There was also a positive impact on SV. Conclusion: the results of this systematic review help to understand that PA can offer benefits for both QoL and SV of people over 60 years of age with cancer diagnosis.(AU)

Larynx cancer: search for molecular markers

Introduction: Despite the advances in the understanding and treatment of the Larynx squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), the survival has not changed in the last 30 years. Objective: In this study, we search for a better understanding of the pattern of genic expression of LSCC. Methods: Thirty-two tumor samples were collected from patients submitted to LSCC resection. The samples were submitted to cDNA microarray analysis to identify LSCC target. Results: The comparison of gene expression between early and advanced stages revealed 30 genes with significant differential expression. RT-qPCR validation experiments confirmed significant expression of only two genes (TMEM56 and SEC14L2) from eight selected. Comparing adjacent normal and tumor tissues, 69 genes showed statistically significant expression (mean ratio of 5.5), and 30 of them were up-regulated in tumor tissues. Gene expression validation by RT-qPCR showed SPRR2G and S100A7A as the most expressed in tumor tissue. Conclusion: The results demonstrate different pattern of expression, specially among tumor and non neoplastic tissue. The limitations to improve survival in larynx cancer justify studies focusing on search for molecular markers of prognosis and possible targeted therapy on LSCC.

Saúde itinerante nos centros municipais de educação infantil do município de Guarapuava - PR; os desafios da promoção da saúde em crianças expostas a doenças parasitárias / Travelling health in the municipal kindergartens in the city of Guarapuava - PR; the challenges of health promotion in children exposed to parasitic diseases

A presença de enteroparasitoses em crianças em idade pré-escolar tem sido motivo de preocupação pelos órgãos de saúde principalmente devido ao impacto negativo sobre o crescimento e desenvolvimento intelectual dessas crianças. As infecções por parasitas intestinais podem levar a quadros de desnutrição e formas de gastroenterite crônica. O presente trabalho analisou crianças em idade pré-escolar frequentadoras de 11 unidades CMEIs (Centros Municipais de Educação Infantil) na cidade de Guarapuava-PR em 11 unidades. Foram estudadas 287 crianças e o índice de positividade para enteroparasitoses foi de 13,9%. A idade média das 287 crianças foi de 2,7 anos e a maioria das crianças analisadas foram domicialiadas em zona urbana 84,3% e somente 15,7% em zona rural, com média de filhos por família de 2,08 membros. A prevalência das parasitoses mostrou que G. duodenalis foi o protozoário mais isolado com 70,4%, seguido de Ascaris lumbricoides 6,8% o único helminto encontrado. Com relação à terapêutica empregada 20% das crianças tratadas com o fármaco albendazol continuaram apresentando exames positivos para os mesmos parasitas. Já com o fármaco benzoilmetronidazol todas as crianças apresentaram resultados negativos para presença de parasitas nas fezes. Os fatores de risco para enteroparasitoses indicaram que a presença da variável água tratada foi menor nos casos positivos. Nossos resultados mostraram que G. duodenalis foi o parasita mais isolado em crianças em idade pré-escolar.

The presence of enteroparasitoses in pre-school children has been a concern of health agencies mainly due to the negative impact on the growth and intellectual development of those children. Intestinal parasite infections can lead to malnutrition and chronic forms of gastroenteritis. The present study analyzed pre-school children attending 11 CMEIs (Municipal Kindergarten Schools) in the city of Guarapuava ­ PR. A total of 287 children were studied, resulting in a positive index for enteroparasitoses of 13.9%. The mean age of the 287 children was 2.7 years and most of the children analyzed were domiciled in urban areas (84.3%), with only 15.7% living in rural areas, with a mean number of children per family of 2.08. The parasite prevalence showed that G. duodenalis was the most frequently isolated protozoan, with 70.4%; followed by Ascaris lumbricoides with 6.8%, the only helminth found. Regarding therapy, 20% of the children treated with albendazole continued to present positive tests for the same parasites. When treated with benzoylmetronidazole, all children presented negative results for the presence of parasites in the faeces. The risk factors for enteroparasitoses showed that the variable treated water was lower in the positive cases. The results of this study showed that G. duodenalis was the most frequently parasite isolated in pre-school children.

Significant differe nces in demographic, clinical, and pathological features in relation to smoking and alcohol consumption among 1,633 head and neck cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: As a lifestyle-related disease, social and cultural disparities may influence the features of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in different geographic regions. We describe demographic, clinical, and pathological aspects of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck according to the smoking and alcohol consumption habits of patients in a Brazilian cohort. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed the smoking and alcohol consumption habits of 1,633 patients enrolled in five São Paulo hospitals that participated in the Brazilian Head and Neck Genome Project - Gencapo. RESULTS: The patients who smoked and drank were younger, and those who smoked were leaner than the other patients, regardless of alcohol consumption. The non-smokers/non-drinkers were typically elderly white females who had more differentiated oral cavity cancers and fewer first-degree relatives who smoked. The patients who drank presented significantly more frequent nodal metastasis, and those who smoked presented less-differentiated tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck demonstrated demographic, clinical, and pathological features that were markedly different according to their smoking and drinking habits. A subset of elderly females who had oral cavity cancer and had never smoked or consumed alcohol was notable. Alcohol consumption seemed to be related to nodal metastasis, whereas smoking correlated with the degree of differentiation. .

Cisto cervical: maligno ou benigno? / Cervical cyst: malignant or benign?

Introdução: o carcinoma papilífero da tireóide pode apresentar-se a partir de uma metástase cervical. A presença de metástase cística cervical pode ser confundida com lesão benigna e postergar o tratamento adequado do carcinoma papilífero. Relato de caso: esse fato ocorreu com o caso apresentado o que nos trouxe ensinamentos. Trata-se de uma paciente jovem com lesão cervical cística há quatro anos, com ultra-sonografia compatível com lesão benigna. O exame histopatológico pós-operatório diagnosticou metástase de carcinoma papilífero de tireóide. Em nova ultrasonografia, duas imagens nodulares menores que 1cm foram observadas na glândula tireóide. Discussão: a dificuldade de diagnóstico clínico, por imagem e por punção aspirativa por agulha fina das lesões císticas pode postergar o diagnóstico e, com isso, o tratamento. O caso aqui apresentado nos alerta de que não devemos aceitar ultra-sonografia cervical que não contenha o estudo da glâdula tireóide, principalmente quando forem formações que possam sifnificar metástases.

Introduction: the thyroi papillary carcinoma can present itself as cervical metastasis. The presence of cystic cervical metastasis can be confused with benign lesions and delay the treatment of papillary carcinoma. Case report: it occurred in the present case. We are reporting a cse of a young female patient with a cystic cervical lesion for four years with ultrasonography (US) diagnostic compatible to a benign lesion. The patient underwent surgical resection and the histopathological analysis diagnosed metastasis of thyroid papillary carcinoma. Another US identified two nodes smaller than 1cm in the thyroid gland. Discussion: the difficulty of clinical and radiological diagnosis and the limitation of fine needle aspiration cytology of the cervical cystic lesions can delay the diagnosis and treatment. The cervical US without study of the thyroid cannot be accepted, specially when there is the possibility of a cervical metasasis.

Blindness after laryngectomy and bilateral neck dissection in a diabetic patient: case report

CONTEXT: Neck dissection that accompanies resection of the primary lesion in malignant tumors of the upper aerodigestive tracts may cause complications inherent to the procedure or to prolongation of surgical time, increasing the risks for the patient. Among the complications that might occur is blindness, a rare complication with only 10 cases reported in the literature thus far. OBJECTIVE: To present the case of a diabetic patient submitted to total laryngectomy and modified and selective neck dissection that resulted in blindness. CASE REPORT: The authors report on a patient submitted to total laryngectomy and selective neck dissection on the left side, and modified radical neck dissection on the right, who developed blindness. This was probably due to intraoperative hypotension plus the contribution of decompensated diabetes mellitus and thrombosis of the internal jugular vein on the right side. The possible causes, risk factors and care to be taken to prevent this rare but highly debilitating complication are discussed