Endobronchitis by Scedosporium apiospermum in a child with cystic fibrosis

Presentamos un caso de endobronquitis por Scedosporium apiospermum en una niña con fibrosis quística. El diagnótico se confirmó mediante laboratorio. La citología del aspirado bronquial mostró la presencia de grandes cantidades de micelio dicotomizado septado. El cultivo del aspirado bronquial en tres muestras consecutivas, mostró la presencia de Scedosporium apiospermum en cultivo puro. El estudio de la superficie de la mucosa, mediante microscopia electrónica de barrido, reveló la presencia de micelio escaso, contrastando con la presencia de una gran cantidad de conidias. La microscopia electrónica de transmisión realizada en los cortes de la mucosa bronquial, reveló la presencia de infiltrado inflamatorio constituido por macrófagos, leucocitos polimorfonucleares y una gran cantidad de micelio dicotomizado y macrófagos con micelio y conidis en el interior de fagosomas. La paciente fue tratada con anfotericina B e itraconazol(AU)

A case of endobronchitis by Scedosporium apiospermum in a child with cystic fibrosis is presented. The bronchial aspirate's cytology showed the presence of a large amount of septated-dichotomized hyphae. The bronchial aspirate's culture showed the presence of Scedosporium apiospermum in a pure culture of three consecutive samples. The scanning electron microscopy study of the mucosal surface revealed scarce mycelia with the presence of abundant conidiae. The transmission electron microscopy of the mucosa revealed inflammatory infiltrates constituted by macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, a lot of dichotomized mycelia and macrophages with hyphae and conidiae within the phagosomes. The patient was treated with amphotericin B and itraconazole(AU)

[Cyclospora cayetanensis infection. Laboratory diagnosis]. / Infección por Cyclospora cayetanensis. Diagnóstico de laboratorio.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is an Apicomplexa protozoa which was found to cause gastroenteritis in humans in 1979. This paper reviews the laboratory diagnosis of the disease. The usefulness of direct examination of fresh fecal matter with special acid-fast stains is emphasized as well as the morphometric differentiation between this organism and other similar coccidia. The paper reviews the sporulation technique of Cyclospora cayetanensis for the recognition and differentiation of artifacts and green-blue algae. Another aspect discussed is the morphology of the parasite in histological sections and with electromicroscopic examination whereby tissue morphology changes caused by the microorganism can be identified. The experience of the Service and Laboratory of Parasitology of the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría of Mexico in the laboratory diagnosis of this protozoosis is described. The paper is oriented towards the inclussion of Cyclospora cayetanensis in the diagnostic protocols for the study of diarrheas in our health Institutions.

[Vegetables for human consumption as probable source of Toxocara sp. infection in man]. / Verduras de consumo humano como probable fuente de infección de Toxocara sp. para el hombre.

Although Toxocara canis life cycle is known, other possible mechanisms dynamically involved in its transmission to man are still ignored. The object of the present investigation was to search the occurrence of Toxocara sp. eggs in vegetables which humans consume. Five hundred and thirty six vegetables from a supply distribution center in Mexico City (Distrito Federal) were examined. Those included 212 carrots, 76 potatoes, 31 radishes, 22 mushrooms, 27 lettuces, 20 sweet potatoes and 66 bundles of spinaches, 32 bundles of salt-worts, 29 bundles of coriander, and 21 bundles of purslane. Each unit or bundle was washed with 50 ml of sterilized water, allowing sedimentation at room temperature for 8 hours. Five ml of sediment were centrifugated at 3,000 r.p.m. for 5 minutes. Sediment was examined in lugol stained fresh plates through light microscopy, which turned to be Toxocara sp. eggs were found only in two vegetables: 1.9% of carrots and 6.5% of radishes. Toxocara sp. eggs were: 66.7% recently emitted and 33.3% embryonated. Other parasite elements were: Ascaris lumbricoides eggs 1.9% in carrots, 2.6% in potatoes, 9.1% in mushrooms, 6.9% in corianders, 20.0% in sweet potatoes and 6.1% in spinachs. Entamoeba histolytica cyts were found in 0.9% of carrots. Soil contamination with Toxocara sp. eggs from parasitized dogs or cats, or with either sewage systems or contaminated water where vegetables for human consumption are grown, play a role as a transmission mechanism must be deeperly studied since 33.3% of Toxocara sp. eggs found contained larvae, potentially infective to man.