Investigation of Oral Shedding of Torquetenovirus (TTV) in Moderate-to-Severe COVID-19 Hospitalised Patients.

BACKGROUND: Torquetenovirus (TTV) is a small DNA virus constituting the human virome. High levels of TTV-DNA have been shown to be associated with immunosuppression and inflammatory chronic disorders. AIM: To assess the possible association between the salivary viral load of TTV-DNA in patients hospitalised due to COVID-19 and disease severity. METHODS: Saliva samples collected from 176 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were used to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and TTV-DNA by use of real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The majority of patients were male with severe COVID-19. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 was observed in the saliva of 64.77% of patients, showing TTV-DNA in 55.68% of them. Patients with impaired clinical conditions (p < 0.001), which evolved to death (p = 0.003), showed a higher prevalence of TTV-DNA. The median viral load in patients with severe condition was 4.99 log10 copies/mL, in which those who were discharged and those evolving to death had values of 3.96 log10 copies/mL and 6.27 log10 copies/mL, respectively. A statistically significant association was found between the distribution of TTV-DNA viral load in saliva samples and severity of COVID-19 (p = 0.004) and disease outcomes (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that TTV-DNA in saliva could be a useful biomarker of COVID-19 severity and prognosis.

ELISA with recombinant antigen Lb6H validated for the diagnosis of American tegumentary leishmaniasis.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) diagnosis is an open question, and the search for a solution is urgent. The available tests that detect the etiological agent of the infection are specific for ATL diagnosis. However, they present disadvantages, such as low sensitivity and the need for invasive procedures to obtain the samples. Immunological methods (leishmanin skin test and search for anti-Leishmania antibodies) are good alternatives to the etiological diagnosis of ATL. Presently, we face problems with disease confirmation due to the discontinuity in the production of leishmanin skin test antigen, particularly in resource-poor settings. Aiming to diagnose ATL, we validated rLb6H-ELISA for IgG antibodies using 1,091 samples from leishmaniasis patients and healthy controls, divided into four panels, living in 19 Brazilian endemic and non-endemic states. The rLb6H-ELISA showed a sensitivity of 98.6% and a specificity of 100.0%, with the reference panel comprising 70 ATL patient samples and 70 healthy controls. The reproducibility evaluation showed a coefficient of variation of positive samples ≤ 8.20% for repeatability, ≤ 17,97% for reproducibility, and ≤ 8.12% for homogeneity. The plates sensitized with rLb6H were stable at 4°C and -20°C for 180 days and 37°C for seven days, indicating 12 months of validity. In samples of ATL patients from five research and healthcare centers in endemic and non-endemic areas, rLb6H-ELISA showed a sensitivity of 84.0%; no significant statistical difference was observed among the five centers (chi-square test, p = 0.13). In samples of healthy controls from four areas with different endemicity, a specificity of 92.4% was obtained; lower specificity was obtained in a visceral leishmaniasis high endemicity locality (chi-square test, p<0.001). Cross-reactivity was assessed in 166 other disease samples with a positivity of 13.9%. Based on the good diagnostic performance and the reproducibility and stability of the antigen, we suggest using ELISA-rLb6H to diagnose ATL.

Assessment of an in-house IgG ELISA targeting SARS-CoV-2 RBD: Applications in infected and vaccinated individuals.

The study evoluated an in-house Spike Receptor Binding Domain Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (RBD-IgG-ELISA) for detecting SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in infected and vaccinated individuals. The assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 91%, specificity of 99.25%, and accuracy of 95.13%. Precision and reproducibility were highly consistent. The RBD-IgG-ELISA was able to detect 96.25% of Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed cases for SARS-CoV-2 infection, demonstrating positive and negative predictive values of 99,18% and 91,69%, respectively. In an epidemiological survey, ELISA, lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA), and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) exhibited diagnostic sensitivities of 68.29%, 63.41%, and 70.73%, respectively, along with specificities of 82.93%, 80.49%, and 80.49%, respectively. Agreement between RBD-IgG-ELISA/PCR was moderate (k index 0.512). However, good agreement between different assays (RBD-IgG-ELISA/LFIA k index 0.875, RBD-IgG-ELISA/ECLIA k index 0.901). Test performance on individuals' samples were inferior due to seroconversion time and chronicity. The IgG-RBD-ELISA assay demonstrated its effectiveness in monitoring antibody levels among healthcare professionals, revealing significant differences both before and after the administration of the third vaccine dose, with heightened protection levels observed following the third dose in five Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine regimens. In conclusion, the RBD-IgG-ELISA exhibits high reproducibility, specificity, and sensitivity, making it a suitable assay validated for serosurveillance and for obtaining information about COVID-19 infections or vaccinations.

Postorotracheal intubation dysphagia in patients with COVID-19: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The cause of oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can be multifactorial and may underly limitations in swallowing rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the factors related to dysphagia in patients with COVID-19 immediately after orotracheal extubation and the factors that influence swallowing rehabilitation. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective study. METHODS: The presence of dysphagia was evaluated using the American Speech-Language Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System (ASHA NOMS) scale and variables that influenced swallowing rehabilitation in 140 adult patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation for >48 h. RESULTS: In total, 46.43% of the patients scored 1 or 2 on the ASHA NOMS (severe dysphagia) and 39.29% scored 4 (single consistency delivered orally) or 5 (exclusive oral diet with adaptations). Both the length of mechanical ventilation and the presence of neurological disorders were associated with lower ASHA NOMS scores (odds ratio [OR]: 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74-0.87 P < 0.05; and OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.61-0.29; P < 0.05, respectively). Age and the presence of tracheostomy were negatively associated with speech rehabilitation (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87--0.96; OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.80--0.75), and acute post-COVID-19 kidney injury requiring dialysis and lower scores on the ASHA NOMS were associated with longer time for speech therapy outcomes (ß: 1.62, 95% CI, 0.70-3.17, P < 0.001; ß: -1.24, 95% CI: -1.55--0.92; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Prolonged orotracheal intubation and post-COVID-19 neurological alterations increase the probability of dysphagia immediately after extubation. Increased age and tracheostomy limited rehabilitation.

Recurrent Chagas' disease meningomyelitis in an HIV-infected patient.

Chagas' disease reactivation leading to monophasic acute or subacute meningoencephalitis or space-occupying lesions is a well-described AIDS-defining condition in Latin America. We report a 59-year-old man native from the Northeast region of Brazil, with a second episode of subacute chagasic meningomyelitis. He had long-term multidrug-resistant HIV and had abandoned combined antiretroviral therapy (CD4+ lymphocyte count, 16 cells/mm³, and HIV viral load 169 403 copies/mL). He initially received benznidazole but switched to nifurtimox after developing myelotoxicity. He was discharged home having made a partial neurological improvement. Chagas' disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of meningomyelitis in people living with HIV/AIDS who are from endemic areas of this parasitic disease.

Detection of Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 and hsp70 Genetic Markers Using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms and Sequencing in Identification of Leishmania Species Causing Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Brazil.

The identification of Leishmania species that cause tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is important for taxonomic and prognostic purposes. Molecular analysis using different Leishmania genomic targets is the most useful method for identifying Leishmania species. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and heat shock protein (hsp70) genetic markers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP) and sequencing, for identification of Leishmania species. Samples from 84 Brazilian patients were amplified. Internal transcribed spacer 1 PCR followed by RFLP (HaeIII) [ITS1-RFLP (HaeIII)] identified 46.4% (39/84) of the samples as compatible with the Viannia subgenus. Internal transcribed spacer 1 PCR followed by sequencing (ITS1-sequencing) identified Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in 91.7% (77/84) of the TL samples, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis in 3.6% (3/84), L. (V.) guyanensis in 2.4% (2/84), and L. (L.) infantum in 1.2% (1/84). One of the samples showed the same proportion of similarity with L. (V.) guyanensis and L. (V.) panamensis. hsp70 nested PCR followed by RFLP (HaeIII) [nested hsp70-RFLP (HaeIII)] identified 91.7% (77/84) of the samples as compatible with L. (V.) braziliensis/L. (V.) naiffi, 3.6% (3/84) with L. (L.) amazonensis, 1.2% (1/84) with L. (L.) infantum, and 3.6% (3/84) with L. (V.) guyanensis. hsp70 PCR followed by sequencing (hsp70-sequencing) identified L. (V.) braziliensis in 91.7% (77/84) of the TL samples, L. (L.) amazonensis in 3.6% (3/84), L. (V.) guyanensis in 3.6% (3/84), and L. (L.) infantum in 1.2% (1/84). Our findings clearly showed that nested hsp70-RFLP (HaeIII) is better than ITS1-RFLP (HaeIII) and that ITS1 or hsp70 PCR followed by sequencing was adequate for identifying Leishmania species. We also found that Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the most common species causing TL in Brazil. Therefore, sequencing multiple target genes such as ITS1 and hsp 70 is more accurate than RFLP for identifying Leishmania species.

Postorotracheal intubation dysphagia in patients with COVID-19: A retrospective study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The cause of oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can be multifactorial and may underly limitations in swallowing rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the factors related to dysphagia in patients with COVID-19 immediately after orotracheal extubation and the factors that influence swallowing rehabilitation. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective study. METHODS: The presence of dysphagia was evaluated using the American Speech-Language Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System (ASHA NOMS) scale and variables that influenced swallowing rehabilitation in 140 adult patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation for >48 h. RESULTS: In total, 46.43% of the patients scored 1 or 2 on the ASHA NOMS (severe dysphagia) and 39.29% scored 4 (single consistency delivered orally) or 5 (exclusive oral diet with adaptations). Both the length of mechanical ventilation and the presence of neurological disorders were associated with lower ASHA NOMS scores (odds ratio [OR]: 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74-0.87 P < 0.05; and OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.61-0.29; P < 0.05, respectively). Age and the presence of tracheostomy were negatively associated with speech rehabilitation (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87-−0.96; OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.80-−0.75), and acute post-COVID-19 kidney injury requiring dialysis and lower scores on the ASHA NOMS were associated with longer time for speech therapy outcomes (β: 1.62, 95% CI, 0.70-3.17, P < 0.001; β: −1.24, 95% CI: −1.55-−0.92; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Prolonged orotracheal intubation and post-COVID-19 neurological alterations increase the probability of dysphagia immediately after extubation. Increased age and tracheostomy limited rehabilitation.

Can COVID-19 impact the natural history of paracoccidioidomycosis? Insights from an atypical chronic form of the mycosis.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides spp. It can occur as an acute/subacute form (A/SAF), a chronic form (CF) and rarely as a mixed form combining the features of the two aforementioned forms in an immunocompromised patient. Here, we report a 56-year-old male patient with CF-PCM who presented with atypical manifestations, including the development of an initial esophageal ulcer, followed by central nervous system (CNS) lesions and cervical and abdominal lymphatic involvement concomitant with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. He was HIV-negative and had no other signs of previous immunodeficiency. Biopsy of the ulcer confirmed its mycotic etiology. He was hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 and required supplemental oxygen in the intensive unit. The patient recovered without the need for invasive ventilatory support. Investigation of the extent of disease during hospitalization revealed severe lymphatic involvement typical of A/SAF, although the patient`s long history of high-risk exposure to PCM, and lung involvement typical of the CF. Esophageal involvement is rare in non-immunosuppressed PCM patients. CNS involvement is also rare. We suggest that the immunological imbalance caused by the severe COVID-19 infection may have contributed to the patient developing atypical severe CF, which resembles the PCM mixed form of immunosuppressed patients. Severe COVID-19 infection is known to impair the cell-mediated immune response, including the antiviral response, through T-lymphopenia, decreased NK cell counts and T-cell exhaustion. We hypothesize that these alterations would also impair antifungal defenses. Our case highlights the potential influence of COVID-19 on the course of PCM. Fortunately, the patient was timely treated for both diseases, evolving favorably.

Visceral Leishmaniasis Revealing Undiagnosed Inborn Errors of Immunity.

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a potentially fatal disease and may be associated with primary or acquired immunodeficiencies. There are few reports, in the literature, of inborn errors of immunity. Here, we report two cases of VL as a marker of inborn errors of immunity, namely, GATA2 and RAB27A deficiency. Our data suggest that VL patients should be screened for primary immunodeficiency, particularly in cases of VL relapse.

Genetic variability of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum causing human visceral leishmaniasis in the Southeastern Brazil.

Leishmania infantum is a protozoan that causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Americas and some regions of Europe. The disease is mainly characterized by hepatosplenomegaly and fever, and can be fatal. Factors related to the host and parasite can contribute to the transmission of Leishmania and the clinical outcome. The intraspecific genetic variability of L. infantum strains may be one of these factors. In this study, we evaluated the genetic variability of L. infantum obtained from bone marrow smear slides from patients in the Sao Paulo State, Brazil. For this, the minicircle of the kDNA hypervariable region was used as target by Sanger sequencing. By analyzing the similarity of the nucleotides and the maximum likelihood tree (Fasttree), we observed a high similarity (98%) among samples. Moreover, we identified four different profiles of L. infantum. In conclusion, L. infantum strains from Sao Paulo State, Brazil, showed low diversity measured by minicircle of the kDNA hypervariable region.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among health care workers in a reference hospital in Brazil.

Health care workers (HCW) are the frontline workforce for COVID-19 patient care and, consequently, are exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to close contact to infected patients. Here, we evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCW from an infectious disease hospital, reference center for COVID-19 care in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo city, Brazil. Among 2,204 HCW, 1,417 (64.29%) were subjected to detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Out of the total, 271 (19.12%) presented anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Prevalence varied according to HCW categories. The highest prevalence was observed in workers from outsourced companies, cooks and kitchen assistants, hospital cleaning workers, and maintenance workers. On the other hand, resident physicians and HCW from the institution itself presented lower prevalence (nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, laboratory technicians). Social and environmental factors are important determinants, associated with exposure in the hospital environment, which can determine the greater or lesser risk of infection by pathogens that spread rapidly by air.

Seasonality of sporotrichosis in Brazil: A modelled analysis of the epidemic in São Paulo, 2011-2020.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is an endemic subcutaneous mycosis classically caused by the Sporothrix schenckii species complex. Recently, sporotrichosis has emerged in Brazil as a cat-transmitted epidemic caused by a new species, Sporothrix brasiliensis. OBJECTIVES: To survey the clinical-epidemiological profile of all sporotrichosis cases diagnosed between 2011 and 2020 at a reference hospital in São Paulo metropolitan area and evaluate the annual distribution of cases in relation to seasonality. METHODS: Patients' demographic and clinical-epidemiological data were surveyed. A generalized linear model was fitted to relate the quarterly number of sporotrichosis cases detected between 2015 and 2019 with precipitation and temperature series. Prediction of the number of cases from 2011 to 2014 was attempted based on the fitted model without the trend component that appears from 2015. RESULTS: Among 271 suspected cases admitted during 2011-2020, 254 were confirmed by fungal isolation and/or clinical-epidemiological criteria. We observed that 2015 onwards the number of cases regularly increased during Autumn and Winter, the driest and coldest stations of the year. We verified that temperature series affected the number of cases (p = .005) because an increase of 1°C in the temperature series was associated with a 14.24% decrease in the average cases number, with the average number of cases increasing by 10.96% (p < .0001) every quarter, corresponding to an annual increase of 52%. Between 2011 and 2014, the predicted number of sporotrichosis cases averaged 10-12 per year, with 33%-38% occurring in the winter. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that sporotrichosis seasonality is associated with the felines' oestrus cycle, which may provide alternative, cat-directed approaches to the sporotrichosis epidemic control.

Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a cohort of people living with HIV/AIDS from an urban area.

The prevalence rate of coinfection Chagas disease (CD) and HIV in Brazil is between 1.3 and 5%. Serological tests for detecting CD use total antigen, which present cross reactivity with other endemic diseases, such as leishmaniasis. It is urge the use of a specific test to determinate the real prevalence of T. cruzi infection in people living with HIV AIDS (PLWHA). Here, we evaluated the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in a cohort of 240 PLWHA living in urban area from São Paulo, Brazil. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, using epimastigote alkaline extract antigen from T. cruzi (ELISA EAE), returned a 2.0% prevalence. However by Immunoblotting, using trypomastigote excreted-secreted antigen (TESA Blot) from T. cruzi, we detected a prevalence of 0.83%. We consider that the real prevalence of T. cruzi-infection in PLWHA is 0.83%, lower than reported in literature; this is due to TESA Blot specificity, probably excluding false positives for CD immunodiagnosis. Our results demonstrate a real need to apply diagnostic tests with high sensitivity and specificity that can help assess the current status of CD/HIV coinfection in Brazil in order to stratify the effective risk of reactivation and consequently decreasing mortality.

Recombinant protein KR95 as an alternative for serological diagnosis of human visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas.

In the Americas, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, leading to death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. In Brazil, the disease reaches all regions, and in 2020, 1,933 VL cases were reported with 9.5% lethality. Thus, an accurate diagnosis is essential to provide the appropriate treatment. Serological VL diagnosis is based mainly on immunochromatographic tests, but their performance may vary by location, and evaluation of diagnostic alternatives is necessary. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of ELISA with the scantily studied recombinant antigens, K18 and KR95, comparing their performance with the already known rK28 and rK39. Sera from parasitologically confirmed symptomatic VL patients (n = 90) and healthy endemic controls (n = 90) were submitted to ELISA with rK18 and rKR95. Sensitivity (95% CI) was, respectively, 83.3% (74.2-89.7) and 95.6% (88.8-98.6), and specificity (95% CI) was 93.3% (85.9-97.2) and 97.8% (91.8-99.9). For validation of ELISA with the recombinant antigens, we included samples from 122 VL patients and 83 healthy controls collected in three regions in Brazil (Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest). When comparing the results obtained with the VL patients' samples, significantly lower sensitivity was obtained by rK18-ELISA (88.5%, 95% CI: 81.5-93.2) compared with rK28-ELISA (95.9%, 95% CI: 90.5-98.5), but the sensitivity was similar comparing rKR95-ELISA (95.1%, 95% CI: 89.5-98.0), rK28-ELISA (95.9%, 95% CI: 90.5-98.5), and rK39-ELISA (94.3%, 95% CI: 88.4-97.4). Analyzing the specificity, it was lowest with rK18-ELISA (62.7%, 95% CI: 51.9-72.3) with 83 healthy control samples. Conversely, higher and similar specificity was obtained by rKR95-ELISA (96.4%, 95% CI: 89.5-99.2), rK28-ELISA (95.2%, 95% CI: 87.9-98.5), and rK39-ELISA (95.2%, 95% CI: 87.9-98.5). There was no difference in sensitivity and specificity across localities. Cross-reactivity assessment, performed with sera of patients diagnosed with inflammatory disorders and other infectious diseases, was 34.2% with rK18-ELISA and 3.1% with rKR95-ELISA. Based on these data, we suggest using recombinant antigen KR95 in serological assays for VL diagnosis.

In vitro miltefosine and amphotericin B susceptibility of strains and clinical isolates of Leishmania species endemic in Brazil that cause tegumentary leishmaniasis.

Tegumentary leishmaniasis encompasses a spectrum of clinical manifestations caused by the parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In Brazil, there are at least seven Leishmania species that are endemic and responsible for this set of clinical manifestations of the disease. Current treatment is limited to a restricted number of drugs that in general have several drawbacks including parenteral use, toxicity, and severe side effects. Amphotericin B is considered a second-line drug for tegumentary leishmaniasis in Brazil, while miltefosine was recently approved for clinical use in the treatment of this disease. In this study, we investigated the in vitro susceptibility of Leishmania strains representative of the species endemic to Brazil, as well as a panel of thirteen clinical isolates of tegumentary leishmaniasis, to both amphotericin B and miltefosine. A moderate variation in the susceptibility to both drugs was found, where the EC50 values varied from 11.43 to 52.67 µM for miltefosine and from 12.89 to 62.36 nM for amphotericin B in promastigotes, while for the intracellular amastigotes, values ranged from 1.08 to 9.60 µM and from 1.69 to 22.71 nM for miltefosine and amphotericin B respectively. Furthermore, the clinical isolates and strains of the subgenus Viannia were evaluated for the presence of Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1), as this is an important factor associated with disease severity and treatment outcome. These findings provide a preclinical dataset of the activity of these drugs against the causative species of tegumentary leishmaniasis in Brazil.

Genetic variability of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum causing human visceral leishmaniasis in the Southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Leishmania infantum is a protozoan that causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Americas and some regions of Europe. The disease is mainly characterized by hepatosplenomegaly and fever, and can be fatal. Factors related to the host and parasite can contribute to the transmission of Leishmania and the clinical outcome. The intraspecific genetic variability of L. infantum strains may be one of these factors. In this study, we evaluated the genetic variability of L. infantum obtained from bone marrow smear slides from patients in the Sao Paulo State, Brazil. For this, the minicircle of the kDNA hypervariable region was used as target by Sanger sequencing. By analyzing the similarity of the nucleotides and the maximum likelihood tree (Fasttree), we observed a high similarity (98%) among samples. Moreover, we identified four different profiles of L. infantum. In conclusion, L. infantum strains from Sao Paulo State, Brazil, showed low diversity measured by minicircle of the kDNA hypervariable region.

Visceral Leishmaniasis Revealing Undiagnosed Inborn Errors of Immunity

ABSTRACT Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a potentially fatal disease and may be associated with primary or acquired immunodeficiencies. There are few reports, in the literature, of inborn errors of immunity. Here, we report two cases of VL as a marker of inborn errors of immunity, namely, GATA2 and RAB27A deficiency. Our data suggest that VL patients should be screened for primary immunodeficiency, particularly in cases of VL relapse.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among health care workers in a reference hospital in Brazil

ABSTRACT Health care workers (HCW) are the frontline workforce for COVID-19 patient care and, consequently, are exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to close contact to infected patients. Here, we evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCW from an infectious disease hospital, reference center for COVID-19 care in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo city, Brazil. Among 2,204 HCW, 1,417 (64.29%) were subjected to detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Out of the total, 271 (19.12%) presented anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Prevalence varied according to HCW categories. The highest prevalence was observed in workers from outsourced companies, cooks and kitchen assistants, hospital cleaning workers, and maintenance workers. On the other hand, resident physicians and HCW from the institution itself presented lower prevalence (nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, laboratory technicians). Social and environmental factors are important determinants, associated with exposure in the hospital environment, which can determine the greater or lesser risk of infection by pathogens that spread rapidly by air.

Can COVID-19 impact the natural history of paracoccidioidomycosis? Insights from an atypical chronic form of the mycosis

ABSTRACT Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides spp. It can occur as an acute/subacute form (A/SAF), a chronic form (CF) and rarely as a mixed form combining the features of the two aforementioned forms in an immunocompromised patient. Here, we report a 56-year-old male patient with CF-PCM who presented with atypical manifestations, including the development of an initial esophageal ulcer, followed by central nervous system (CNS) lesions and cervical and abdominal lymphatic involvement concomitant with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. He was HIV-negative and had no other signs of previous immunodeficiency. Biopsy of the ulcer confirmed its mycotic etiology. He was hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 and required supplemental oxygen in the intensive unit. The patient recovered without the need for invasive ventilatory support. Investigation of the extent of disease during hospitalization revealed severe lymphatic involvement typical of A/SAF, although the patient`s long history of high-risk exposure to PCM, and lung involvement typical of the CF. Esophageal involvement is rare in non-immunosuppressed PCM patients. CNS involvement is also rare. We suggest that the immunological imbalance caused by the severe COVID-19 infection may have contributed to the patient developing atypical severe CF, which resembles the PCM mixed form of immunosuppressed patients. Severe COVID-19 infection is known to impair the cell-mediated immune response, including the antiviral response, through T-lymphopenia, decreased NK cell counts and T-cell exhaustion. We hypothesize that these alterations would also impair antifungal defenses. Our case highlights the potential influence of COVID-19 on the course of PCM. Fortunately, the patient was timely treated for both diseases, evolving favorably.

Visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is mainly caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani and Leishmania (L.) infantum; however, other Leishmania species have been associated with VL. We report a case of a patient simultaneously diagnosed with VL caused by Leishmania (L.) amazonensis and Hodgkin's lymphoma. After treatment with liposomal amphotericin B and chemotherapy, the patient presented a clinical cure. This case report reinforces the hypothesis that other Leishmania species can cause visceral lesions mainly related to immunosuppression.