A preliminary suudy on the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in soils of Jamaica / Estudo preliminar sobre a ocorrência de fungos queratinofílicos em solos da Jamaica

This report represents the first study of keratinophilic fungi present in soils of Jamaica. Out of the 40 soil samples examined from different habitats, 30 (75%) were positive for the presence of keratinophilic fungi, yielding 36 isolates of keratinophilic fungi. Microsporum gypseum complex (represented by 16 isolates of M. gypseum, and four of M. fulvum) was most frequent, being present in 50% of the samples. A very high occurrence of this dermatophyte in Jamaican soil is of public health significance. The remaining isolates of keratinophilic fungi were represented by Chrysosporium spp (mainly C. indicum and C. tropicum) and Sepedonium sp.

Esta comunicação representa o primeiro estudo sobre fungos queratinofílicos presentes em solos da Jamaica. De 40 amostras de solo examinadas de diferentes localidades, 30 (75%) foram positivas para a presença de fungos queratinofílicos permitindo 36 isolamentos dos mesmos. O complexo Microsporum gypseum (representados por 16 isolamentos de M. gypseum e quatro de M. fulvum) foi o mais frequente, estando presente em 50% das amostras. A muito alta ocorrência deste dermatófito no solo da Jamaica é significante para a saúde pública. Os isolados remanescentes de fungos queratinofílicos foram representados pelo Chrysosporium spp (principalmente C. indicum e C. tropicum) e Sepedonium sp.

Disseminated Penicillium marneffei infection in a Myanmar refugee from Mizoram state.

A 30-year-old female, a Myanmar refugee, settled in Mizoram for last three years, reported to our hospital with respiratory symptoms and numerous characteristic skin lesions on multiple sites. Histology and culture of a biopsy from a facial skin lesion established the diagnosis of penicilliosis marneffei. This is first known case of Penicillium marneffei infection from Mizoram state, India to the best of our knowledge. It is possible that several undetected cases of the disease exist in Mizoram, and in the neighboring country, Myanmar and several such cases may be presenting in metropolitan cities.

Mucocutaneous nasal histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent young adult.

A case of mucocutaneous nasal histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent host is described below. A 30-year-old male had a broadened nose with swelling and repeated blockage of nasal passages for the past six months. Diagnosis was made on the basis of histological demonstration of characteristic yeast cells of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum occurring within histiocytes and extracellularly in stained smears of fine needle aspirates and biopsy from the lesions in ala of the nose and perioral region. The patient showed appreciable regression of lesions after three weeks of itraconazole therapy but was not available for re-assessment.