Aspergillosis in Critically Ill Patients with and Without COVID-19 in a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Brazil.

The impact of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) on non-neutropenic critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICU) has been demonstrated in recent decades. Furthermore, after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 associated with pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has become a major concern in ICUs. However, epidemiological data from different regions are scarce. We evaluated the prevalence and clinical-epidemiological data of IPA in patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) in the ICU ("severe COVID-19") and non-COVID ICU patients in MV of a tertiary hospital in the southern region of Brazil. Eighty-seven patients admitted between June 2020 and August 2022 were included; 31 with severe COVID-19. For the diagnosis of IPA or CAPA, algorithms including host factors and mycological criteria (positive culture for Aspergillus spp., immunoassay for galactomannan detection, and/or qPCR) were utilized. The overall incidence of IPA and CAPA in our ICU was 73 cases/1000 ICU hospitalizations. Aspergillosis occurred in 13% (4/31) of the COVID-19 patients, and in 16% (9/56) of the critically ill patients without COVID-19, with mortality rates of 75% (3/4) and 67% (6/9), respectively. Our results highlight the need for physicians enrolled in ICU care to be aware of aspergillosis and for more access of the patients to sensitive and robust diagnostic tests by biomarkers detection.

Sporothrix brasiliensis Causing Atypical Sporotrichosis in Brazil: A Systematic Review.

Zoonotic sporotrichosis, a subcutaneous mycosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis, has become hyperendemic and a serious public health issue in Brazil and an emerging disease throughout the world. Typical sporotrichosis is defined as fixed or lymphocutaneous lesion development, however, reports of atypical presentations have been described in hyperendemic areas, which may result in a worse prognosis. Thus, considering an increase in atypical cases and in more severe extracutaneous cases and hospitalizations reported in Brazil, we aimed to perform a systematic review to search for hypersensitivity reactions (HRs) and extracutaneous presentations associated with zoonotic sporotrichosis. A systematic review was performed, following the PRISMA guidelines to search for atypical/extracutaneous cases (mucosal, osteoarthritis, HRs, pulmonary, meningeal) of zoonotic sporotrichosis. A total of 791 published cases over 26 years (1998-2023) in eleven Brazilian states were reviewed. Most cases corresponded to a HR (47%; n = 370), followed by mucosal (32%; n = 256), multifocal (8%; n = 60), osteoarthritis (7%; n = 59), meningeal (4%; n = 32), and pulmonary (2%; n = 14) infections. When available (n = 607), the outcome was death in 7% (n = 43) of cases. Here, we show a frequent and worrisome scenario of zoonotic sporotrichosis in Brazil, with a high and dispersed incidence of atypical/extracutaneous cases throughout the Brazilian territory. Therefore, educational measures are necessary to make health professionals and the overall population aware of this fungal pathogen in Brazil as well as in other countries in the Americas.

Evaluation of HIV-1 antiretroviral drug resistance profiles in the peripheral blood reservoir of successfully treated persons using massive sequencing and viral full genome characterization.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy has revolutionized HIV treatment, increasing quality and life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH). However, the expansion of treatment has resulted in an increase in antiretroviral-resistant viruses, which can be an obstacle to maintenance of successful ART. OBJECTIVES: This study analysed the genetic composition of the HIV near full-length genome (NFLG) from archived proviruses of PLWH under successful ART, and determined the presence/frequency of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) and viral subtype. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-six PLWH from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and 40 from Rio Grande (RS) had proviral HIV NFLG PCR-amplified and ultradeep sequenced. The presence/frequency of DRMs were analysed in Geneious. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using PhyML and SimPlot. RESULTS: All samples included in the study were sequenced and 69 (80.2%) had the HIV NFLG determined. RJ and RS showed a predominance of HIV subtypes B (78.3%) and C (67.5%), respectively. Overall, 168 DRMs were found in 63 (73.3%) samples, and 105 (62.5%) of them were minority variants. Among DRMs, 41 (39.0%) minority variants and 33 (52.4%) variants with frequency above 20.0% in the viral population were able to confer some degree of resistance to at least one drug in use by respective patients, yet no one showed signs of therapeutic failure. CONCLUSIONS: Our study contributes to the understanding of the impact of DRMs on successful therapy and supports the sustainability of combinatorial ART, because all patients maintained their successful treatment despite the high prevalence of DRMs at low (62.5%) or high (37.5%) frequency.

Optimization of a commercial Histoplasma galactomannan EIA test in a population from an endemic area of histoplasmosis in southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Since 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends Histoplasma antigen detection for the diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) in people living with HIV (PLHIV). OBJECTIVE: Here we aimed to optimise the IMMY's Clarus® Histoplasma GM enzyme immunoassay (EIA), evaluating the best cut-off in the semi-quantitative (SQ-HGM EIA), also known as 'calibrator cut-off procedure'. METHODS: The optimization was done using the quantitative standard procedure (Q-HGM EIA), also known as 'standard curve procedure', as reference test. A retrospective study from an endemic area of DH in southern Brazil was carried out including 264 patients investigated for DH using the test. Receiver Operator Characteristic curve was plotted, and sensitivity and specificity of the SQ-HGM EIA were calculated. RESULTS: The study included 24 positive (values ≥ 0.20 ng/ml) and 240 negative patients by the Q-HGM EIA. According to the manufacturer SQ-HGM EIA protocol, the new SQ-HGM EIA cut-off of 0.8 EIA units was validated, resulting in sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 98.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study pioneers and brings important data about the optimization of the Histoplasma antigen testing for the diagnosis of DH in a population from Southern Brazil. This optimization also reduced the amount of reagents used, lowering the cost associated with testing.

Anti-Aspergillus fumigatus IgG in patients with bronchiectasis and its relationship with clinical outcome.

Aspergillosis is a mycosis, most commonly affecting the airways. This mycosis can worsen the clinical condition of patients with concurrent lung diseases. We assayed for the presence of serum anti-A. fumigatus IgG in bronchiectasis patients from a tertiary hospital in south Brazil and evaluated the relationship with clinical outcome. Thirty-one patients with bronchiectasis, without cystic fibrosis, were included. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected from all participants. Positive serological tests were detected in 13% (4/31) of the patients. The mortality rate for the year following the assay was, in the seropositive group, 75% (3/4), whereas in the seronegative group, 15% (4/27). An illustrative case is also shown and discussed. Our study highlights the diagnostic challenge and the possible impact of Aspergillus infection on these patients, indicating the necessity of more and larger investigations in the field.

Fungal Bloodstream Co-infection by Trichosporon asahii in a COVID-19 Critical Patient: Case Report and Literature Review.

Opportunistic infections are serious complications in critically ill COVID-19 patients, especially co-infections with bacterial and fungal agents. Here we report a rare case of bloodstream co-infection by Trichosporon asahii, an emerging yeast, and Acinetobacterbaumannii, an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen, both multidrug resistant, in a tertiary hospital from southern Brazil. A review of the literature regarding similar cases is also included. Treatment with multiple antimicrobials failed, and the patient progressed to death four days after the diagnosis of bacteremia and fungemia.

Disseminated Histoplasmosis in Persons with HIV/AIDS, Southern Brazil, 2010-2019.

We evaluated disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) in HIV patients over 10 years in southern Brazil. The incidence was 12 cases/1,000 hospitalizations (2010-2019); the mortality rate was 35%. Tuberculosis frequently obscured the diagnosis of DH. We emphasize the need in our region to suspect and investigate DH using more sensitive methods.

Treatment of Human Sporotrichosis Caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis.

We describe the successful treatment of a series of 30 zoonotic sporotrichosis cases from southern Brazil. Sporothrix brasiliensis was the species genotypically identified in all 25 confirmed cases. Five other cases were classified as probable, without laboratory confirmation, but with clinical and epidemiological data of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis. Two isolates were sequenced by translation elongation factor-1 alpha (EF1α) loci in order to compare their sequences, and both of them showed distinct genotypes from S. brasiliensis strains from other Brazilian states. Itraconazole (ITZ) or potassium iodide (KI) were the first choice treatment in 28 and 2 cases, respectively. Microdilution assay showed a wild-type profile of S. brasiliensis isolates to ITZ. However, a lack of clinical response occurred in 42% of cases, especially those treated with ITZ 100 mg/day, and treatment needed modifications, by either increased doses or antifungal combinations. Clinical cure required a mean of 187 days of treatment, which was dependent on the clinical form of the disease and age of patients. Therapy, including dosages and durations, for cutaneous forms of sporotrichosis requires re-evaluation, since cases caused by S. brasiliensis may influence treatment efficacy.

CATastrophe: Response to the challenges of zoonotic sporotrichosis in southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, zoonotic sporotrichosis became a national public health problem, with thousands of cases in the last decade in several regions of the country. In this context, health education activities are critical, especially in promoting early diagnosis and access to proper health care in sporotrichosis hyperendemic areas. Therefore, we report the implementation of a public specialised reference service (SRS) for diagnosis and treatment of sporotrichosis in southern Brazil. We evaluated the impact of the SRS on diagnostic confirmation and speed of diagnosis. METHODS: The SRS was implemented in Rio Grande City. We implemented a public service to promote the correct diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of human sporotrichosis cases. To study the impact of implementing SRS, the annual number of cases and the period between the appearance of lesions until diagnosis were compared, using prior data and that post-implementation. RESULTS: The implementation of the SRS directly benefited almost 50 patients in only four years, with the collaboration of almost 50% of the local health groups, together with an increase of more than 200% in diagnosis confirmation and speed of diagnosis, showing the reach, impact and importance of the SRS. CONCLUSION: The impact on the individual and collective health of the local population highlights the value of this public health approach in facing the epidemiological threat of zoonotic sporotrichosis.

Coinfection of disseminated cryptococcosis and BK Virus, a casualty of missed diagnosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A case report and review of the literature.

Background and Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an overload of health services and healthcare professionals. The result is a setback in health promotion and prevention, delays in diagnosis, and deaths from other diseases that are currently receiving inadequate attention. This article illustrates the risk of this negligence. Case report: This study aimed to report a case of coinfection of disseminated cryptococcosis and BK virus in a patient without a previous diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection and COVID-19 negative in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite receiving antifungal therapy, the patient died. Conclusion: This fatal case is a warning regarding delay of diagnosis and neglect of other serious illnesses owing to the current pandemic, including fungal diseases and neglected diagnoses.

COVID-19-Associated Histoplasmosis in an AIDS Patient.

Most reports associating fungal infections with COVID-19 have been cases of invasive aspergillosis. Here, we report a case of severe histoplasmosis and COVID-19 infections in an HIV patient in Rio Grande, Southern Brazil. Histoplasmosis must be included as a diagnostic possibility in opportunistic fungal co-infections in COVID-19 patients with AIDS, mainly in endemic areas.

Disseminated sporotrichosis with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in an HIV patient: Case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis has been occurring as outbreaks in Brazil, reaching epidemic levels in some regions. Zoonotic transmission is the main route to acquire Sporothrix. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of disseminated sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis in an HIV/AIDS patient, with the presentation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). CONCLUSIONS: This case reinforces that sporotrichosis should always be suspected in patients with IRIS from endemic regions, even in patients without the typical cutaneous lesions of this mycosis.

Disseminated sporotrichosis with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in an HIV patient: case report and review of the literature / Esporotricosis diseminada y síndrome inflamatorio de reconstitución inmune en un paciente con VIH: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis has been occurring as outbreaks in Brazil, reaching epidemic levels in some regions. Zoonotic transmission is the main route to acquire Sporothrix. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of disseminated sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis in an HIV/AIDS patient, with the presentation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). CONCLUSIONS: This case reinforces that sporotrichosis should always be suspected in patients with IRIS from endemic regions, even in patients without the typical cutaneous lesions of this mycosis

ANTECEDENTES: La esporotricosis suele aparecer en Brasil en forma de brotes y alcanza tasas epidémicas en algunas regiones. La ruta principal de transmisión es la zoonótica. CASO CLÍNICO: Describimos un caso de esporotricosis diseminada causado por Sporothrix brasiliensis en una paciente con VIH/sida que presentó un síndrome inflamatorio de reconstitución inmune (SIRI). CONCLUSIONES: Este caso demuestra que en regiones endémicas de esporotricosis esta micosis siempre debe ser sospechada en casos de SIRI, incluso en pacientes sin las lesiones cutáneas típicas de esta enfermedad

Nontuberculous mycobacteria in patients with suspected tuberculosis and the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium avium in the extreme south of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a heterogeneous group of bacteria that are widely distributed in nature and associated with opportunistic infections in humans. The aims of this study were to identify NTM in patients with suspected tuberculosis who presented positive cultures and to evaluate the genetic diversity of strains identified as Mycobacterium avium. METHODS: We studied pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples obtained from 1,248 patients. The samples that tested positive on culture and negative for the M. tuberculosis complex by molecular identification techniques were evaluated by detection of the hsp65 and rpoB genes and sequencing of conserved fragments of these genes. All strains identified as M. avium were genotyped using the eight-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem-repeat method. RESULTS: We found that NTM accounted for 25 (7.5%) of the 332 mycobacteria isolated. Of those 25, 18 (72%) were M. avium, 5 (20%) were M. abscessus, 1 (4%) was M. gastri, and 1 (4%) was M. kansasii. The 18 M. avium strains showed high diversity, only two strains being genetically related. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the need to consider the investigation of NTM in patients with suspected active tuberculosis who present with positive cultures, as well as to evaluate the genetic diversity of M. avium strains.

Histoplasma capsulatum and Mycobacterium avium co-infection in an immunocompromised patient: Case report and literature review.

We report a case of fungal and mycobacterial co-infection in an immunosuppressed patient from Southern Brazil. Histoplasmosis was diagnosed in an AIDS patient admitted to the hospital with nonspecific respiratory signs. However, 4 months post hospital discharge, the patient worsened and a co-infection with Mycobacterium avium was detected. Physicians must consider and investigate a broad spectrum of diseases which can occur as co-infections and which share the same clinical symptoms and signs in immunosuppressed patients.

Histoplasmosis Outbreaks in Brazil: Lessons to Learn About Preventing Exposure.

Histoplasmosis is considered the most common invasive opportunistic fungal disease in the Americas, with outbreaks and micro-epidemics reported for over 80 years. In Brazil, this disease has been described since 1946, reaching a remarkable incidence in the population, especially during the HIV-AIDS pandemic. In this study, published and unpublished outbreaks and micro-epidemics of histoplasmosis in Brazil were revisited by accessing different database sources and evaluating epidemiological and clinical features. We have found reports spanning 1946-2017, across 10 Brazilian states and with involvement of 370 humans and 2 dogs, and 13 disseminated cases and 3 deaths were reported. Rio de Janeiro had the largest number of outbreaks (n = 20/40; 50%) reported in this study. The majority of outbreaks and micro-epidemics was reported in caves (n = 21/40; 52.5%), followed by reports in abandoned/deactivated sites (n = 6/40; 15%), mines (n = 5/40; 12.5%), chicken coops (n = 4/40; 10%). Histoplasmosis is a serious health issue in Brazil considering the attractive and growing market of ecotourism throughout more than 7000 caves, and all levels of poultry farming activity are important to raise awareness about how dangerous this neglected disease can be and establish ways to decrease exposure to contaminated environmental sources through adequate preventive measures.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria in patients with suspected tuberculosis and the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium avium in the extreme south of Brazil / Micobactérias não tuberculosas em pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose e a diversidade genética de Mycobacterium avium no extremo sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a heterogeneous group of bacteria that are widely distributed in nature and associated with opportunistic infections in humans. The aims of this study were to identify NTM in patients with suspected tuberculosis who presented positive cultures and to evaluate the genetic diversity of strains identified as Mycobacterium avium. Methods: We studied pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples obtained from 1,248 patients. The samples that tested positive on culture and negative for the M. tuberculosis complex by molecular identification techniques were evaluated by detection of the hsp65 and rpoB genes and sequencing of conserved fragments of these genes. All strains identified as M. avium were genotyped using the eight-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem-repeat method. Results: We found that NTM accounted for 25 (7.5%) of the 332 mycobacteria isolated. Of those 25, 18 (72%) were M. avium, 5 (20%) were M. abscessus, 1 (4%) was M. gastri, and 1 (4%) was M. kansasii. The 18 M. avium strains showed high diversity, only two strains being genetically related. Conclusions: These results highlight the need to consider the investigation of NTM in patients with suspected active tuberculosis who present with positive cultures, as well as to evaluate the genetic diversity of M. avium strains.

RESUMO Objetivo: As micobactérias não tuberculosas (MNT) são um grupo heterogêneo de bactérias amplamente distribuídas na natureza e relacionadas com infecções oportunistas em seres humanos. Os objetivos deste estudo foram identificar MNT em pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose e culturas positivas e avaliar a diversidade genética de cepas identificadas como Mycobacterium avium. Métodos: Foram estudadas amostras pulmonares e extrapulmonares provenientes de 1.248 pacientes. As amostras que apresentaram resultado positivo em cultura e negativo para o complexo M. tuberculosis na identificação molecular foram avaliadas por meio da detecção dos genes hsp65 e rpoB e de sequenciamento de fragmentos conservados desses genes. Todas as cepas identificadas como M. avium foram genotipadas pelo método mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem-repeat com oito loci. Resultados: Das 332 micobactérias isoladas, 25 (7,5%) eram MNT. Dessas 25, 18 (72%) eram M. avium, 5 (20%) eram M. abscessus, 1 (4%) era M. gastri e 1 (4%) era M. kansasii. As 18 cepas de M. avium apresentaram alta diversidade, e apenas duas eram geneticamente relacionadas. Conclusões: Esses resultados mostram a necessidade de considerar a investigação de MNT em pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose ativa e culturas positivas e de avaliar a diversidade genética de cepas de M. avium.

Laboratory tools for tuberculosis control in a setting with a high burden of HIV/AIDS.

Introduction. Nosocomial transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an important health issue and the detection of tuberculosis (TB) cases is the main tool for controlling this disease.Aim. We aimed to assess the possible occurrence of nosocomial transmission of M. tuberculosis in a reference hospital for HIV/AIDS patients and evaluate both the performance of the Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) platform and drug resistance profiles.Methodology. We evaluated the performance of the Xpert platform. Samples that tested positive on the BACTEC MGIT 320 (MGIT320) platform were submitted for genotyping and drug susceptibility testing.Results. In this study, pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples from 407 patients were evaluated, and among these, 15.5 % were diagnosed with TB by the MGIT320 platform, with a TB/HIV coinfection rate of 52.4 %. The Xpert platform gave positive results for TB for 11 samples with negative results on the MGIT320 platform. In the genotyping results, 53.3 % of the strains clustered; of these strains, half were in two of the four clusters formed, and the patients had visited the hospital on the same day. Drug resistance was observed in 11.7 % of the strains.Conclusion. Putative nosocomial transmission of M. tuberculosis was detected, showing that genotyping is a powerful approach for understanding the dynamics of M. tuberculosis transmission, especially in a high-burden TB and HIV landscape.

Molecular and Clinical Profiles of Human Pegivirus Type 1 Infection in Individuals Living with HIV-1 in the Extreme South of Brazil.

Human pegivirus type 1 (HPgV-1) infection has been associated with a beneficial effect on the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-coinfected individuals. However, the mechanisms involved in this protection are not yet fully elucidated. To date, circulating HPgV-1 genotypes in HIV-1-infected individuals have not yet been identified in the extreme south of Brazil. The present study aimed to determine the genotypic circulation of HPgV-1 and the influence of HPgV-1 status and persistence time on the evolution of HIV-1 infection. A retrospective cohort of 110 coinfected individuals was analyzed. Samples were subjected to viral RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, nested PCR, and genotyping. Genotypes 1 (2.8%), 2 (47.9% of subtype 2a and 42.3% of subtype 2b), and 3 (7%) were identified. In antiretroviral treatment-naïve subjects HPgV-1 subtype 2b was associated with lower HIV-1 viral load (VL) rates (p = 0.04) and higher CD4+ T-cell counts (p = 0.03) than was subtype 2a, and the positivity for HPgV-1 was associated with higher CD4+ T-cell counts (p = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference in HIV-1 VL between HPgV-1-positive and HPgV-1-negative subjects (p = 0.08). There was no significant association between the different groups in HPgV-1 persistence and median HIV-1 VL (p = 0.66) or CD4+ T-cell counts (p = 0.15). HPgV-1 subtype 2b is associated with better prognosis of HIV-1 infection. Although HPgV-1 infection is persistent, our data suggest that the time of infection does not influence HIV-1 VL or CD4+ T-cell counts in coinfected subjects.