Clinical and laboratory features of disseminated histoplasmosis in HIV patients from Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the main clinical and laboratory features of disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and compare them with those of HIV patients with other opportunistic diseases. METHODS: Retrospective study of HIV patients comparing the clinical and laboratory data of patients with and without DH. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to verify the risk factors related to DH. RESULTS: In total, 378 HIV patients were included, 164 with DH and 214 with other opportunistic diseases. Acute renal failure, respiratory insufficiency and septic shock were more frequent in DH patients, who also had a higher mortality (32%vs. 14%, P < 0.001). Independent risk factors for DH were: acute renal failure [odds ratio (OR) 5.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.2-8.5; P < 0.001], splenomegaly (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.19-9.9; P < 0.001), respiratory insufficiency (OR 2.7 95% CI 1.5-5.0; P < 0.001), proteinuria (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.3-5.2; P = 0.03), hypotension (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.2-5.0; P = 0.008), hepatomegaly (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.2-4.8; P = 0.01), cutaneous lesions (OR, 1.9; 95% CI 1.0-3.3; P = 0.02) and weight loss (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.0-3.1; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that DH is a severe opportunistic disease with high mortality rate, which should be promptly recognized in order to provide early specific treatment.

Behcet's disease and IgA nephropathy: report of this association in a patient from Brazil and literature review.

Behcet's disease (BD) is associated with renal involvement in about one-third of the cases and a variety of renal lesions have been reported. A 27-year-old man presented a history of recurrent oral and genital ulcers, associated with pseudofoliculitis and arthritis in his left knee. The first laboratory tests revealed: urea = 53mg/dL, creatinine = 1.8 mg/dL. The urinalysis showed leukocyturia. Initial treatment with ceftriaxone, thalidomide and prednisone was instituted. He became clinically stable, with normal renal function, but presenting hematuria and proteinuria. One year later the patient presented dark urine. The new laboratory tests showed urea=58 mg/dL, creatinine = 1.4 mg/dL, and mild proteinuria (500-1000 mg/24h). Two years later the proteinuria was 2230 mg/day. The renal biopsy showed one glomerulus with severe glomerular sclerosis, mild tubular atrophy, mild interstitial fibrosis and thickening of arterial walls. Treatment with captopril was started to decrease proteinuria. Two years later, the patient presented creatinine = 1.7 mg/dL and proteinuria = 2509 mg/day. A new renal biopsy evidenced proliferative crescentic glomerulonephritis, with diffuse granullary deposits of IgA, IgM and C3. It was instituted pulsotherapy with metilprednisolone, monthly endovenous cyclophosphamide and maintenance prednisone. The patient became clinically stable, with creatinine of 1.3 mg/dL and proteinuria of 500 mg/day. BD could be one of the various causes of secondary IgA nephritis. It is important to periodically perform renal function evaluation in patients with BD, through urinalysis and measurement of serum creatinine and its clearance, in order to detect any abnormality and provide an early adequate treatment.