Higher diversity of Brucella canis in Latin America, according to an MLVA_13 Bc analysis.

Brucella canis is the main causative agent of canine brucellosis, which affects domestic and wild canids and leads to clinical signs and symptoms of the reproductive and locomotor systems. Owing to the scarce information on this pathogen, here we addressed the genetic diversity of the circulating strains of this species in Argentina by following an MVLA_13 Bc scheme. The analyzed sample set consisted of 101 strains of B. canis isolates collected between 2006 and 2020 from canines of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) and other regions of Argentina, as well as 235 isolates from North America. The analysis yielded 336 variants (Hunter-Gaston Diversity Index, HGDI equal to 1.0) showing high diversity on a global scale. The analysis of the six most variable markers also reveled high diversity and allowed further analysis regarding variant relationships. Although the diversity obtained using both schemes (all or the 6 most variable markers) was higher for the Latin American than for the North American strains, we cannot discard that this was due to biases in the sampling methodology or to the different health policies employed in these regions regarding the management of infected individuals. Altogether, the Argentine circulating strains are genetically diverse, but with no apparent geographical association. The markers used in the MLVA_13 Bc are variable and highly useful for the evaluation of outbreaks. Furthermore, the reduced panel of 6 markers (MLVA_6 Bc) proposed in this study is convenient for the study of B. canis strain diversity.

Brucella canis Group 2 isolated in Argentina.

The aim of this study was to estimate the diversity and prevalence of both groups of Brucella canis 1 and 2 with and without deletion respectively in different areas of Argentina. A total of 104 bacterial cultures were typed as B. canis strains using the classical biotyping method. Two PCR assays were performed to confirm that all isolates were B. canis and not Brucella suis. The differentiation between groups 1 and 2 was achieved using another PCR assay and the diversity of B. canis isolates was assessed with four MLVA_16 markers. All strains belonged to Group 2. Bruce 09 marker (MLVA_16 assay) showed the greatest diversity. Only Group 2 of B. canis was identified among the strains evaluated. The markers chosen from the MLVA_16 allowed us to detect genetic diversity among the strains of B. canis studied.

Isolated Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease of Nasal Septum and Maxilla: Diagnosis and Follow-up With 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic inflammatory condition that can manifest in atypical locations. We present the case of a middle-aged woman presenting with isolated IgG4-RD of left maxilla and nasal septum, confirmed with F-FDG PET/CT. She achieved complete metabolic response with multiple pharmacologic treatment, but 1 year later, she experienced local relapse, and FDG PET/CT found new additional lesions in humeral vasculature and lungs. This case illustrates the usefulness of FDG PET/CT for initial evaluation and monitoring of IgG4-RD with unusual nasomaxillary involvement.

Femoroacetabular impingement mimicking avascular osteonecrosis on bone scintigraphy.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a structural abnormality of proximal femur and/or acetabulum. It has been recently described, and there are limited reports in nuclear medicine literature because bone scintigraphy is not listed in its diagnostic protocol, but it should be included on differential diagnosis when evaluating patients, with hip-related symptoms because it may be misinterpreted as degenerative changes or avascular necrosis, and its early treatment avoid progression to osteoarthritis. We describe the case of a male who suffered from hip pain. Bone planar scintigraphic appearance mimicked avascular necrosis, but single photon emission computed tomography (CT) imaging and CT examination confirmed the diagnosis of FAI.

Utility of 67Ga scintigraphy in disseminated infection after BCG instillation for treatment of bladder carcinoma.

Intravesical instillations of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), an attenuated live strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is the treatment of choice for superficial bladder cancer. Local side effects are frequent, although adverse systemic reactions are uncommon, but more serious. We present 2 patients who developed disseminated M. bovis infection with multiorgan involvement after intravesical BCG therapy. (67)Ga scintigraphy was very helpful for the diagnosis as the only imaging tool with pathological findings.