Case report: First case of fungemia caused by Papiliotrema laurentii in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection

ABSTRACT Previously considered saprobe and non-pathogenic, the fungus Papiliotrema laurentii (formerly known as Cryptococcus laurentii), is rarely associated with human infection. Nevertheless, there has been an increase in reported infections by non-neoformans cryptococci. After a literature search on the Cochrane Library, LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE, PubMed, and PMC (PubMed Central) databases, we conclude that this is the first case report of fungemia and probable meningitis caused by Papiliotrema laurentii in a previously immunocompetent host with associated COVID-19.

Case report: Mycetoma caused by Gordonia soli

ABSTRACT Mycetoma is a neglected tropical disease caused by fungi (eumycetoma) or bacteria (actinomycetoma), with high morbidity. Gordonia spp. are gram-positive bacteria that have previously been reported to cause mycetoma. Here, we report a case of Gordonia soli (initially misidentified as Nocardia spp.) as the etiological agent of actinomycetoma in a 64-year-old patient. After a literature search in the Cochrane Library, LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE, PubMed, and PubMed Central databases, we concluded that this is the first case report of mycetoma caused by Gordonia soli. The current case highlights the importance of microbiological diagnosis of mycetoma and the challenges in its management.

Susceptibility and molecular characterization of Candida species from patients with vulvovaginitis

Abstract Vulvovaginal candidiasis affects women of reproductive age, which represents approximately 15–25% of vaginitis cases. The present study aimed to isolate and characterize yeast from the patients irrespective of the presentation of clinical symptoms. The isolates were subjected to in vitro susceptibility profile and characterization by molecular markers, which intended to assess the distribution of species. A total of 40 isolates were obtained and identified through the CHROMagar, API20aux and by ITS and D1/D2 regions sequencing of DNAr gene. Candida albicans strains were genotyped by the ABC system and the isolates were divided into two genotypic groups. The identity of the C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii, C. kefyr and Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates was confirmed by the multilocus analysis. The strains of Candida, isolated from patients with complications, were found to be resistant to nystatin but sensitive to fluconazole, amphotericin B and ketoconazole, as observed by in vitro sensitivity profile. The isolates from asymptomatic patients, i.e., the colonized group, showed a dose-dependent sensitivity to the anti-fungal agents, fluconazole and amphotericin B. However, the isolates of C. albicans that belong to distinct genotypic groups showed the same in vitro susceptibility profile.

Chromoblastomycssis: a neglected tropical disease / Cromoblastomicose: doença tropical negligenciada

SUMMARYChromoblastomycosis (CMB) is a chronic fungal infection of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue caused by a transcutaneous traumatic inoculation of a specific group of dematiaceous fungi occurring mainly in tropical and subtropical zones worldwide. If not diagnosed at early stages, patients with CBM require long term therapy with systemic antifungals, sometimes associated with physical methods. Unlike other neglected endemic mycoses, comparative clinical trials have not been performed for this disease. Nowadays, therapy is based on a few open trials and on expert opinion. Itraconazole either as monotherapy or associated with other drugs, or with physical methods, is widely used. Recently, photodynamic therapy has been successfully employed in combination with antifungals in patients presenting with CBM. In the present revision the most used therapeutic options against CBM are reviewed as well as the several factors that may have impact on the patient's outcome.

RESUMOCromoblastomicose (CMB) é uma infecção fúngica crônica da pele e tecido subcutâneo causada pela inoculação transcutânea traumática de um grupo específico de fungos dermatiáceos que ocorrem principalmente em zonas tropicais e subtropicais do mundo. Quando não são diagnosticados nas fases iniciais, pacientes com CBM necessitam de tratamentos prolongados com antifúngicos sistêmicos, por vezes associados a métodos físicos. Diferentemente de outras micoses endêmicas negligenciadas, não foram realizados ensaios clínicos comparativos para esta doença. Atualmente a terapia é baseada em alguns poucos ensaios abertos e em opiniões de especialistas. Itraconazol é amplamente utilizado como monoterapia ou em associação com outras drogas, ou com métodos físicos. Recentemente, a terapia fotodinâmica foi empregada com sucesso combinada a antifúngicos em pacientes com CBM. Neste manuscrito as opções terapêuticas mais utilizadas contra CBM foram revistas, assim como os diversos fatores que podem influenciar a evolução dos pacientes.

Brazilian guidelines for the management of candidiasis - a joint meeting report of three medical societies: Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia, Sociedade Paulista de Infectologia and Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical

Candida infections account for 80% of all fungal infections in the hospital environment, including bloodstream, urinary tract and surgical site infections. Bloodstream infections are now a major challenge for tertiary hospitals worldwide due to their high prevalence and mortality rates. The incidence of candidemia in tertiary public hospitals in Brazil is approximately 2.5 cases per 1000 hospital admissions. Due to the importance of this infection, the authors provide a review of the diversity of the genus Candida and its clinical relevance, the therapeutic options and discuss the treatment of major infections caused by Candida. Each topography is discussed with regard to epidemiological, clinical and laboratory diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations based on levels of evidence.

Clinical aspects and relevance of molecular diagnosis in late mucocutaneous leishmaniasis patients in Paraná, Brazil

The aim of the present work was to study the clinical aspects and relevance of molecular diagnosis in late mucocutaneous leishmaniasis patients in Parana, Brazil. Twenty one suspected cases of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) in patients from the endemic areas of leishmaniasis were assessed. Different methods used in diagnosing the disease and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique were compared in order to establish the sensitivity of each method. Out of the 21 patients analyzed, 14.3 percent presented other etiologies such as vasculitis, syphilis, and paracoccidioidomycosis, with all tests negative for leishmaniasis. Out of the remaining 15 patients, 6.7 percent cases were confirmed for leishmaniasis by direct examination; 46.67 percent were positive for culture, which allowed isolating and identifying the parasite and - with the PCR technique - it was possible to diagnose 100 percent MCL patients for all the three repetitions of exams. The PCR optimized for the present work proved to be an auxiliary method for diagnosing leishmaniasis applicable in the patients carrying MCL due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and did not need culture to be performed, resulting in a faster diagnosis.

Análise das alterações radiográficas pulmonares durante a terapêutica da paracoccidioidomicose / Review of lung radiographic findings during treatment of patients with chronic paracoccidioidomycosis

OBJETIVO: Foram analisadas as alterações radiográficas pulmonares em pacientes com paracoccidioidomicose crônica de modo evolutivo, verificando-se as diferenças entre os tratados com um novo agente antifúngico triazólico, o voriconazol, em relação aos que utilizaram a atual droga de escolha para o tratamento, o itraconazol. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo comparativo, randomizado, com avaliação das radiografias do tórax obtidas antes, durante e após o tratamento de 39 pacientes, divididos em dois grupos: um recebendo o voriconazol e o outro, itraconazol. A avaliação das radiografias teve como parâmetro uma adaptação do método já estabelecido para a análise de outra doença pulmonar difusa, o esquema ILO (International Labour Office) de classificação das pneumoconioses, classificando-se as lesões em pequenas ou grandes opacidades. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos coincidiram com as descrições prévias existentes em relação à apresentação das alterações radiográficas pulmonares, e a evolução destas ao longo do tratamento foi semelhante nos dois grupos. As pequenas opacidades regrediram parcialmente, ao passo que as grandes opacidades mostraram tendência à regressão completa. CONCLUSÃO: O uso da adaptação do modelo ILO de classificação das pneumoconioses revelou-se útil para o acompanhamento dos pacientes com paracoccidioidomicose crônica ao longo do tratamento, do ponto de vista radiográfico.

OBJECTIVE: Lung radiographic findings were reviewed to evaluate the differences in the progression of findings along the follow-up of patients with chronic paracoccidioidomycosis treated with a novel second-generation triazole antifungal agent (voriconazole) as compared with patients treated with the drug of choice for treatment of such disease (itraconazole). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative, randomized study involved the review of chest radiographic images acquired before, during and after treatment of 39 patients divided into two groups: one receiving voriconazole and the other receiving itraconazole. The parameters adopted to describe and to measure lesions present on the radiographic images were based on an adaptation of the method used in cases of another diffuse pulmonary disease, the ILO (International Labour Office) classification of pneumoconioses, dividing the lesions into small and large opacities. RESULTS: The results coincided with previous descriptions regarding lung radiographic findings, and the progression of such findings along the treatment was similar for both groups. Partial regression was observed in the small opacities while large opacities showed a tendency towards complete regression. CONCLUSION: The adapted ILO classification demonstrated to be useful in the radiographic follow-up along treatment of patients with chronic paracoccidioidomycosis.

Infecções causadas por fungos demácios e suas correlações anátomo-clinicas / Infections caused by dematiaceous fungi and their anatomoclinical correlations

O gênero Exophiala é composto por fungos melanizados dimórficos, responsáveis por um espectro de doenças, incluindo feohifomicoses, micetomas, cromoblastomicoses e fungemia. A espécie E. jeanselmei é a predominante nestas infecções, seguida de E. dermatitidis. Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar quatro casos e discutir aspectos clínicos, histológicos, micológicos e epidemiológicos para o seu diagnóstico.

The Exophiala genus comprises dimorphic melanized fungi responsible for a spectrum of diseases including phaeohyphomycosis, mycetoma, chromoblastomycosis and fungemia. The E. jeanselmei species is predominant in such infections, followed by E. dermatitidis. This paper aims at reporting four cases and at discussing clinical, histologycal, mycologycal and epidemiologycal aspects for its diagnosis.

Isolamento de Cryptococcus neoformans de amostras ambientais de Curitiba e região metropolitana (Paraná, Brasil) e testes de suscetibilidade frente a drogas antifúngicas / Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from environmental samples of Curitiba and metropolitan region (Paraná, Brazil), and susceptibility antifungal testing

Criptococose é uma doença causada pela levedura encapsulada Cryptococcus neoformans, está intimamente ligada a pessoas imunodeprimidas, quer seja por drogas imunossupressoras administradas pós-transplantes ou por doenças imunodepressorascomo a SIDA. A doença origina-se pela penetração do fungo através das vias aéreas superiores, seguindo para os pulmões, acometendo o paciente com uma pneumonia criptocócica, com posterior disseminação do microrganismo pela via hematogênica,chegando ao sistema nervoso central e até as meninges, originando uma meningite criptocócica. As amostras analisadas neste estudo são provenientes de restos vegetais, areia de galinheiros, fezes de morcegos, restos vegetais de eucaliptos como folhas e caules, e, principalmente, fezes de pombos. A análise de 88 amostras de diferentes materiais orgânicos resultou em 11 amostras positivas para o desenvolvimento da levedura. Os 11 isolados foram testados quanto à sensibilidade frente aos antifúngicos anfotericina B, fluconazol e itraconazol. C. neoformans não apresentou resistência às drogas testadas e as concentrações mínimas inibitóriasencontradas foram: CIM de 0,03 a 1 μg/mL para anfotericina B (média de 0,515 μg/mL), CIM de 0,125 μg/mL para fluconazol e CIM de 0,03 μg/mL para itraconazol.

Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans is closely with the imunodepressed people, as for imunodeletion drugs managed after-transplants as mmunosuppressives diseases, the illness where originates for the inoculation of fungus through the superior airways, in the lung causes the patient with a cryptococcal pneumonia, and follow dissemination of themicroorganism for the hematogênic way arriving at the central nervous system and until meninges, originating a cryptococcal meningitis. The samples analyzed in this study are proceeding from vegetal remaining portions, sand of poulterer, excrements of bats, vegetal remaining portions of eucalyptus as leaves and stem. The analysis of 88 samples of different organic materialsresulted in 11 positive samples for the development of the yeast. The 11 isolated ones had been tested to sensitivity antifungal for amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole. C. neoformans did not present resistance to the tested drugs: the minimum inhibitory concentrations was founded: MIC of 0,03 to 1 μg/mL for amphotericin B (average of 0,515 μg/mL), CIM of 0,125 μg/mL for fluconazole and CIM of 0,03 μg/mL for itraconazole.

Treatment of severe chromoblastomycosis with itraconazole and 5-flucytosine association / Tratamento de cromoblastomicose severa com a associação itraconazole e 5-flucitosina

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic human melanized fungi infection of the subcutaneous tissue caused by traumatic inoculation of a specific group of dematiaceous fungi through the skin, often found in barefooted agricultural workers, in tropical and subtropical climate countries. We report the case of a male patient presenting a slow-growing pruriginous lesion on the limbs for 20 years, mistreated over that time, which was diagnosed and successfully treated as chromoblastomycosis. Besides the prevalence of this disease, treatment is still a clinical challenge.

Cromoblastomicose é uma infecção fúngica crônica do tecido subcutâneo causada pela inoculação traumática de um grupo específico de fungos através da pele, encontrados eventualmente em trabalhadores do campo descalços em países de clima tropical e subtropical. Relatamos aqui o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino com uma lesão dermatológica de crescimento lento e pruriginosa nos membros inferiores por 20 anos, diagnosticada e tratada com sucesso para cromoblastomicose. Apesar da prevalência desta doença em nossa região, o tratamento ainda é um desafio.

HIV-1 genotypic resistance profile of patients failing antiretroviral therapy in Paraná, Brazil

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has reduced morbidity and mortality related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but in spite of this advance, HIV mutations decrease antiretroviral susceptibility, thus contributing to treatment failure in patients. Genotyping HIV-1 allows the selection of new drugs after initial drug failure. This study evaluated the genotypic profile of HIV-1 isolates from treated (drug-experienced) patients in Paraná, Brazil. The prevalence of mutations in reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease (PR) genes were assessed. We analyzed 467 genotypes of patients with HIV-1 viral loads above 1,000 copies/mL. Mutations at HIV-1 RT and PR genes and previously used ART regimens were recorded. The most prevalent RT mutations were: 184V (68.31 percent), 215YF (51.6 percent), 103NS (46 percent), 41L (39.4 percent), 67N (38.54 percent), 210W (23.5 percent), 190ASE (23.2 percent), and 181C (17.4 percent). PR mutations were 90M (33.33 percent), 82ATFS (29 percent), 46I (26.8 percent) and 54V (22.2 percent). The prevalence of mutations was in line with previous national and international reports, except to nonnucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors related mutations, which were more prevalent in this study. Previous exposure to antiretroviral drugs was associated with genotypic resistance to specific drugs, leading to treatment failure in HIV patients.

Genetic diversity of human immunodeficiency virus-1 isolates in Paraná, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: Because epidemiological data on circulating HIV subtypes among HIV-positive patients in the state of Paraná were not known until now, the aims of this study were to describe the genetic diversity profile of HIV-1 in treated patients in Paraná, Brazil, and report the differences in protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT) mutations in HIV-1 subtypes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2003 to 2006. Plasma viral RNA of 389 patients was extracted and PR and RT genes were polymerase chain reaction-amplified and sequenced. Sequences were subtyped and examined for antiretroviral resistance mutations. Data on gender of patient harboring the viruses and past history of antiretroviral treatment were also collected. RESULTS: Most viruses were either subtype B (61.44 percent) or subtype C (20.57 percent). Subtype C and F were more frequent in women (p < 0.00). The prevalence of subtypes was similar over the years studied. The most frequent RT mutations in all subtypes were M184V and mutations at codons 215, 41, 103, 67, 219, and 190. Mutations 41L, 210W, 215YF, and 74V were significantly more prevalent on subtype B, and the mutation 106M was significantly more prevalent on subtype C. The most frequent major PI mutations in all subtypes occurred at codons 46, 82, and 90. PR mutations 32I, 46I, and 84V were significantly more prevalent on subtype B. The minor PI mutations on codons 36, 93, and 63 were more prevalent on subtypes F, C, and B, respectively. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the predominant strain of HIV-1 in Paraná is subtype B, followed by subtype C. Some mutations at PR and TR had subtype predominance in accordance with other authors' report.

Invasive aspergillosis in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: a retrospective analysis

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) currently is an important cause of mortality in subjects undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) and is also an important cause of opportunistic respiratory and disseminated infections in other types of immunocompromised patients. We examined the medical records of 24 cases of proven and probable invasive aspergillosis (IA) at the Hospital de Clinicas of the Federal University of Parana, Brazil, from January 1996 to October 2006. During this period occurred a mean of 2.2 cases per year or 3.0 cases per 100 HSTC transplants. There was a significant relationship between structural changes in the bone marrow transplant (BMT) Unit and the occurrence of IA cases (p=0.034, relative risk (RR) = 2.47). Approximately 83 percent of the patients died due to invasive fungal infection within 60 days of follow up. Some factors tended to be associated with mortality, but these associations were not significant. These included corticosteroid use, neutropenia (<100 cells/mm³) at diagnosis, patients that needed to change antifungal therapy because of toxicity of the initial first-line regimen and disseminated disease. These factors should be monitored in BMT units to help prevent IA. Physicians should be aware of the risk factors for developing invasive fungal infections and try to reduce or eliminate them. However, once this invasive disease begins, appropriate diagnostic and treatment measures must be implemented as soon as possible in order to prevent the high mortality rates associated with this condition.

Candidemia em um hospital terciário brasileiro: incidência, freqüência das diferentes espécies, fatores de risco e suscetibilidade aos antifúngicos / Candidemia in a Brazilian tertiary care hospital: incidence, frequency of different species, risk factors and antifungal susceptibility

São apresentados os resultados de estudo transversal e observacional sobre candidemia realizado no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná. No período de janeiro de 2001 a dezembro de 2004, foram analisados 100 episódios de candidemia. A incidência foi de 1,27 por 1.000 internações, sendo Candida spp o oitavo agente mais isolado nas infecções da corrente sanguínea. A idade variou de 5 dias a 89 anos com uma média de 32 anos, 60 por cento dos casos ocorreram em adultos (66 por cento > 50 anos) e 40 por cento em crianças (52 por cento < 1 ano). Cinqüenta e nove pacientes estavam internados em enfermarias e 41 em unidade de terapia intensiva. Candida albicans foi a espécie mais (59 por cento) freqüente, seguida por Candida tropicalis (15 por cento), Candida parapsilosis (9 por cento). As condições associadas mais (97 por cento) freqüentes foram uso de antibióticos, cateter venoso central (77 por cento), bloqueador H2 (57 por cento), nutrição parenteral total (49 por cento) internamento em unidade de terapia intensiva (41 por cento). Dos 51 isolados testados, 3 de Candida glabrata apresentaram suscetibilidade dose-dependente ao fluconazol e eram resistentes ao itraconazol. Uma amostra de Candida krusei apresentou suscetibilidade dose-dependente ao fluconazol, e uma de Candida pelliculosa suscetibilidade dose-dependente ao itraconazol. Na população de estudo, 68 por cento receberam tratamento antifúngico, no entanto a mortalidade foi de 56 por cento.

Results from a cross-sectional observational study on candidemia conducted at Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, are presented. From January 2001 to December 2004, one hundred candidemia cases were evaluated. The incidence was 1.27 episodes per 1,000 hospitalizations and Candida was the eighth most frequently isolated agent from bloodstream infections. The patients’ ages ranged from five days to 89 years, with a mean of 32 years. Sixty percent of the cases occurred in adults (66 percent > 50 years old) and 40 percent in children (52 percent < one year old). Fifty-nine percent had been admitted to medical wards and 41 percent to the intensive care unit. Candida albicans was the most (59 percent) frequent species followed by Candida tropicalis (15 percent) and Candida parapsilosis (9 percent). The most (97 percent) prevalent coexisting conditions were the use of antibacterial drugs, central venous catheter (77 percent), H2 blockers (57 percent), total parenteral nutrition (49 percent) and admission to the intensive care unit (41 percent). Out of the 51 isolates tested, three of Candida glabrata presented dose-dependent susceptibility to fluconazole and resistance to itraconazole. One sample of Candida krusei presented dose-dependent susceptibility to fluconazole and one of Candida pelliculosa presented dose-dependent susceptibility to itraconazole. Among the study population, 68 percent received antifungal therapy, but the mortality was 56 percent.

Disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis in a patient with AIDS: report of a case

We describe a case report of disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis as the initial presentation of AIDS in a 24-year-old HIV-positive male patient. He presented multiple ulcerated skin lesions distributed over the face, thorax, legs and arms. Biopsy of one of the cutaneous lesions was suggestive of sporotrichosis and culture isolated Sporothrix schenckii. Itraconazole was started and the lesions progressively resolved after 15 days of medication. The patient was discharged with this medication but he did not return for follow-up. He died three months later in another hospital. Therapy of sporotrichosis in HIV-infected patients remains unclear and the response to therapy is variable. Itraconazole is highly concentrated in the skin and is one of the options for treatment of disseminated sporotrichosis

Multicenter Brazilian study of oral Candida species isolated from Aids aatients

Oropharyngeal candidiasis continues to be considered the most common opportunistic disease in Aids patients. This study was designed to investigate species distribution, serotype and antifungal susceptibility profile among Candida spp. isolated from the oral cavity of Aids patients recruited from six Brazilian university centers. Oral swabs from 130 Aids patients were plated onto CHROMagar Candida medium and 142 isolates were recovered. Yeast isolates were identified by classical methods and serotyped using the Candida Check« system-Iatron. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed according to the NCCLS microbroth assay. C. albicans was the most frequently isolated species (91 percent), and 70 percent of the isolates belonged to serotype A. We detected 12 episodes of co-infection (9 percent), including co-infection with both serotypes of C. albicans. Non-albicans species were isolated from 12 episodes, 50 percent of them exhibited DDS or resistance to azoles. Otherwise, only 8 out 130 isolates of C. albicans exhibited DDS or resistance to azoles. Brazilian Aids patients are infected mainly by C. albicans serotype A, most of them susceptible to all antifungal drugs

Hospital-associated funguria: analysis of risk factors, clinical presentation and outcome

Fungal urinary tract infections are an increasing problem in hospitalized patients. Funguria may be a result of contamination of the urine specimen, colonization of hte urinary tract, or may be indicative of true invasive infection. In this study, we report the risk factors, clinical features, treatments and outcome in a group of 68 hospitalized patients (adults and children) with fungal isolates recovered from 103 urinary samples. Underlying medical conditions were present in most patients. In the pediatric group, urinary tract abnormalities (86) and prematurity (19)accounted for the majority of the cases. Diabetes mellitus (28), nephrolithiasis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia were the most common diseases in adults. Indwelling urethral catheters were noted in 38 of the pediatric patients and in 43 of adults during hospitalization. Candida albicans strains were responsible for 97 and 75 of positive cultures in children and adults, respectively. Symptoms such as fever, dysuria, frequency and flank pain were generally absent in both groups. Fluconazole was the most frequent antifungal utilized (61) in children and ketoconazole in the adult group (42). Removing the urinary catheter was attempted in 6 pediatric patients (29) and in only 8 adults (17). One patient (4) in the pediatric group died compared to 10 in the adult group (21, p=0.04). Successful diagnosis and treatment of funguria depends on a clear understanding of the risk factors and awareness of fungal epidemiology.