Recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax: Associated factors.

INTRODUCTION: Determining the risk of recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax is challenging. The objective of this study was to develop a risk assessment model to predict the probability of recurrence in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of all episodes of pneumothorax diagnosed in the last 12 years in a hospital, in patients not initially submitted to surgery. Logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of recurrence. Based on a set of variables, a predictive model was built with its corresponding ROC curve to determine its discrimination power and diagnostic precision. RESULTS: Of the 253 patients included, 128 (50.6%) experienced recurrence (37% within the first year). Recurrence was detected within 110 days in 25% of patients. The median of time to recurrence for the whole population was 1120 days. The presence of blebs/bullae was found to be a risk factor of recurrence (OR: 5.34; 95% CI: 2.81-10.23; p=0.000), whereas chest drainage exerted protective effect (OR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.08-0.40; p=0.000). The variables included in the regression model constructed were hemoglobin and leukocyte count in blood, treatment received, and presence of blebs/bullae, with a fair discriminative power to predict recurrence [AUC=0.778 (95% CI: 0.721-0.835)]. CONCLUSION: The overall recurrence rate was high and was associated with the presence of blebs/bullae, failure to perform an active intervention (chest drainage) and low levels of hemoglobin and leukocytes in blood. Recurrence rarely occurs later than three years after the first episode. Once validated, this precision model could be useful to guide therapeutic decisions.

Recent epidemiological trends in extrapulmonary TB in Galicia, Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological trends and characteristics of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in Galicia, Spain, from 2000 to 2019.METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study based on data from the Galician TB information system.RESULTS: Of the total number of TB cases (n = 15,871), 5,428 (34.2%) had EPTB. The absolute number of cases and incidence of EPTB decreased dramatically (from 480 cases and 17.8 cases/100,000 in 2000, to 172 and 6.4 cases/100,000 in 2019, respectively), with a mean annual decrease of respectively 64% and 4.7% for absolute cases and incidence rates. The risk for EPTB was higher in men than in women (RR 3.86, 95% CI 3.66-4.07). The most frequent age group was 15-44 years (2,234 patients, 41.2%); overall reductions per age group were 82% (0-14 years), 75% (15-44 years), 44% (45-64 years) and 63% (≥65 years), with statistically significant differences. The most frequently locations were the pleura (1,916 cases; 35.3%) and the lymph nodes (1,504; 27.7%).CONCLUSION: The incidence of EPTB in Galicia has decreased significantly in the last 20 years. The epidemiological characteristics have not changed, except for the number of patients with risk factors. This improvement of EPTB epidemiological trends coincides with the implementation of the programme for the prevention and control of TB, which suggests that it has been very effective in the control of the EPTB.

Necrotizing Tracheobronchitis Caused by Aspergillus fumigatus in a Cow.

This report describes a case of tracheobronchitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus in a cow. A 4-year-old Jersey cow was submitted for necropsy examination. Grossly, the mucosa of the trachea and bronchi was diffusely reddened and was covered by a moderate amount of yellow, caseous material, sometimes with small foci of grey 'cotton-like' appearance, suggestive of filamentous fungus. Microscopical analysis of the trachea and bronchi showed marked diffuse mucosal and submucosal necrosis with a large amount of cellular debris, fibrinous exudation and inflammatory infiltration dominated by macrophages and neutrophils. There were large numbers of septate fungal hyphae with acute bifurcation angles and conidia and vesicles typical of Aspergillus spp. that were stained by the Grocott method. A. fumigatus growth in mycological culture from the trachea and bronchi was confirmed by molecular identification. Tracheobronchitis caused by A. fumigatus infection in cattle is poorly described and requires further research to improve the therapeutic management of the disorder.

Toracocentesis en Atención Primaria / Thoracentesis in Primary Care

La toracocentesis es una prueba sencilla y con escasas complicaciones que aporta información relevante en el diagnóstico de un derrame pleural, a través de una correcta interpretación del análisis del líquido pleural. Una iniciativa interesante sería incorporar esta técnica a aquellos equipos de Atención Primaria que atienden a pacientes graves y complejos con dificultades para el desplazamiento a centros especializados distantes de sus domicilios. En este contexto, un buen conocimiento de las posibilidades diagnósticas que ofrece el análisis del líquido pleural podría ser de gran utilidad, en manos de personal bien entrenado, para establecer la etiología de un derrame pleural e iniciar, con la mayor celeridad posible, su tratamiento. Este artículo trata de contribuir a ello, trasmitiendo unas pautas de cómo una técnica sencilla puede aportar información relevante para conocer la etiología del derrame pleural y que podría implementarse en un determinado marco de Atención Primaria

Thoracentesis is a simple test with few complications that provides relevant information in the diagnosis of a pleural effusion, through a correct interpretation of the pleural fluid analysis. An interesting initiative would be to incorporate this technique by those Primary Care teams that treat serious and complex patients, with difficulties in moving to specialised centres far from their homes. In this context, a good knowledge of the diagnostic possibilities offered by the pleural fluid analysis could be very useful in the hands of well trained staff to establish the aetiology of a pleural effusion and be able to initiate, as quickly as possible, its treatment. This article aims to contribute to this, by suggesting guidelines on how a simple technique can provide relevant information in order to determine the aetiology of pleural effusion, and which could be implemented within a given Primary Care framework

[Thoracentesis in Primary Care]. / Toracocentesis en Atención Primaria.

Thoracentesis is a simple test with few complications that provides relevant information in the diagnosis of a pleural effusion, through a correct interpretation of the pleural fluid analysis. An interesting initiative would be to incorporate this technique by those Primary Care teams that treat serious and complex patients, with difficulties in moving to specialised centres far from their homes. In this context, a good knowledge of the diagnostic possibilities offered by the pleural fluid analysis could be very useful in the hands of well trained staff to establish the aetiology of a pleural effusion and be able to initiate, as quickly as possible, its treatment. This article aims to contribute to this, by suggesting guidelines on how a simple technique can provide relevant information in order to determine the aetiology of pleural effusion, and which could be implemented within a given Primary Care framework.

Comparison of the Sensitivity of Three Methods for the Early Diagnosis of Sporotrichosis in Cats.

Sporotrichosis is caused by species of fungi within the Sporothrix schenckii complex that infect man and animals. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an epidemic has been observed since 1998, with most of the cases being related to transmission from infected cats. Although the definitive diagnosis of feline sporotrichosis is made by fungal culture, cytopathological and histopathological examinations are used routinely, because the long culture period may delay treatment onset. However, alternative methods are desirable in cases of low fungal burden. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been described as a sensitive method for diagnosing human and canine sporotrichosis, but there are no reports of its application to cats. The aim of this study was to analyse the sensitivity of cytopathological examination (Quick Panoptic method), histopathology (Grocott silver stain) and anti-Sporothrix IHC by blinded comparisons, using fungal culture as the reference standard. Samples were collected from 184 cats with sporotrichosis that exhibited skin ulcers. The sensitivities of Grocott silver stain, cytopathological examination and IHC were 91.3%, 87.0% and 88.6%, respectively. Grocott silver stain showed the best performance. IHC showed high sensitivity, as did cytopathological examination and these may be considered as alternative methodologies. When the three methods were combined, the diagnosis was established in 180 (97.8%) out of 184 cases. Taken together, these findings indicate the need to implement these methods as routine tools for the early diagnosis of sporotrichosis in cats, notably when fungal culture is not available.

Características de los pacientes con derrame pleural mielomatoso. Revisión sistemática / Characteristics of patients with myelomatous pleural effusion. A systematic review

Introducción. El derrame pleural mielomatoso (DPM) es raro en el mieloma múltiple, por lo que sus características no están bien definidas. Métodos. Revisión sistemática (cuatro bases de datos electrónicas) de los artículos que describen las características clínicas de estos pacientes, las características bioquímicas del derrame pleural y la eficacia de los tratamientos instaurados. Se analizaron casos aislados y pequeñas series retrospectivas. Resultados. Se incluyeron 98 artículos con un total de 153 pacientes con DPM. La mediana de edad fue de 62años y la razón hombre/mujer, de 1,7/1. La sintomatología más frecuente consistió en disnea (98,8%), dolor óseo (100%) y dolor torácico (95,3%); las alteraciones analíticas más relevantes fueron la anemia (90,1%) y la insuficiencia renal (53,8%). El DPM fue predominantemente unilateral (63,9%) y mayor de 2/3 del hemitórax (54,5%). El líquido pleural (LP) tuvo aspecto hemático/serohemático (87%) y cumplió criterios de exudado (94,7%) linfocitario (78,6%). Los procedimientos diagnósticos más rentables fueron la citología pleural (95,9%) y la observación en el LP de un pico monoclonal (94,7%). En una proporción significativa de pacientes (54,7%) el DPM no respondió al tratamiento y la mejor respuesta se obtuvo cuando la quimioterapia (con/sin corticoesteroides) se asoció a toracocentesis terapéuticas, drenaje torácico o pleurodesis. Conclusiones. El DPM predomina en varones de edad media/alta, es sintomático y suele ser unilateral. El LP es un exudado de aspecto hemorrágico y el procedimiento diagnóstico más rentable es la citología pleural. La respuesta al tratamiento no es favorable en más de la mitad de los pacientes (AU)

Background. Myelomatous pleural effusion (MPE) is rare in multiple myeloma, and therefore its characteristics are not well defined. Methods. A systematic review (4 online databases) was conducted of articles describing the clinical characteristics of patients with MPE, pleural effusion's biochemical characteristics and treatment efficacy. We analysed isolated cases and small retrospective series. Results. We included 98 articles with a total of 153 patients with MPE. The median age was 62years, and the ratio of males to females was 1.7:1. The most common symptoms were dyspnoea (98.8%), bone pain (100%) and chest pain (95.3%), and the most relevant abnormal laboratory test results were anaemia (90.1%) and renal failure (53.8%). MPE was predominantly unilateral (63.9%) and covered more than two-thirds of the hemithorax (54.5%). The pleural fluid (PF) had a haematologic/serohaematologic appearance (87%) and met the criteria for lymphocytic (78.6%) exudate (94.7%). The most cost-effective diagnostic procedures were pleural cytology (95.9%) and the observation of a monoclonal peak in the PF (94.7%). In a significant proportion of patients (54.7%), the MPE did not respond to treatment, and the best response was achieved when chemotherapy (with/without corticosteroids) was combined with therapeutic thoracentesis, chest drainage or pleurodesis. Conclusions. MPE predominates in middle to older age men, is symptomatic and is usually unilateral. PF is an exudate with a haemorrhagic appearance, and the most cost-effective diagnostic procedure is pleural cytology. Treatment response is unfavourable in more than half of patients (AU)

Characteristics of patients with myelomatous pleural effusion. A systematic review. / Características de los pacientes con derrame pleural mielomatoso. Revisión sistemática.

BACKGROUND: Myelomatous pleural effusion (MPE) is rare in multiple myeloma, and therefore its characteristics are not well defined. METHODS: A systematic review (4 online databases) was conducted of articles describing the clinical characteristics of patients with MPE, pleural effusion's biochemical characteristics and treatment efficacy. We analysed isolated cases and small retrospective series. RESULTS: We included 98 articles with a total of 153 patients with MPE. The median age was 62years, and the ratio of males to females was 1.7:1. The most common symptoms were dyspnoea (98.8%), bone pain (100%) and chest pain (95.3%), and the most relevant abnormal laboratory test results were anaemia (90.1%) and renal failure (53.8%). MPE was predominantly unilateral (63.9%) and covered more than two-thirds of the hemithorax (54.5%). The pleural fluid (PF) had a haematologic/serohaematologic appearance (87%) and met the criteria for lymphocytic (78.6%) exudate (94.7%). The most cost-effective diagnostic procedures were pleural cytology (95.9%) and the observation of a monoclonal peak in the PF (94.7%). In a significant proportion of patients (54.7%), the MPE did not respond to treatment, and the best response was achieved when chemotherapy (with/without corticosteroids) was combined with therapeutic thoracentesis, chest drainage or pleurodesis. CONCLUSIONS: MPE predominates in middle to older age men, is symptomatic and is usually unilateral. PF is an exudate with a haemorrhagic appearance, and the most cost-effective diagnostic procedure is pleural cytology. Treatment response is unfavourable in more than half of patients.

Comportamiento de las células nucleadas en los distintos tipos de derrame pleural / Behaviour of nucleated cells in various types of pleural effusion

Introducción. El conocimiento del comportamiento de los componentes celulares del líquido pleural puede ayudar a enfocar el diagnóstico diferencial de un derrame pleural. El objetivo es evaluar su composición en los distintos tipos de derrames y valorar si proporciona información clínica relevante. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional, transversal y retrospectivo en el que se analiza el componente celular de derrames pleurales de diversa etiología. Los derrames se clasificaron como neutrofílicos, linfocíticos (≥50% de cada uno de ellos), eosinofílicos (≥10%) o mesoteliales (>5%) y se agruparon en 6 categorías diagnósticas. Resultados. Se estudiaron 1.467 pacientes (354 insuficiencia cardiaca; 59 otros trasudados; 349 paraneumónicos; 133 tuberculosos; 397 neoplásicos y 175 otros exudados). El predominio celular fue linfocítico en la insuficiencia cardiaca (44,4%), paraneumónicos no complicados (29,2%), tuberculosis (88%) y neoplasias (49,6%); neutrofílico en los paraneumónicos (57%) y neoplásicos (9,6%); eosinofílico en las neoplasias (6,3%) y mesotelial en las tuberculosis (12%). Las etiologías más frecuentes con un recuento linfocitario ≥80% fueron tuberculosis (35,1%) y neoplasias (23,3%). Los parámetros con mayor capacidad discriminante fueron: leucocitos (trasudados: AUC 0,835) y porcentaje de neutrófilos (empiemas: AUC 0,906 y paraneumónicos complicados + empiemas: AUC 0,907). Conclusiones. Los recuentos de células nucleadas ayudan a enfocar la etiología del derrame pleural, ya que cada etiología suele tener un predominio celular característico. El porcentaje de células nucleadas en el líquido pleural no puede descartar tuberculosis si existe un recuento elevado de células mesoteliales, ni un derrame paraneumónico ante un predominio linfocítico, o malignidad con un recuento de linfocitos ≥80% (AU)

Introduction. To know the behavior of cellular components of pleural fluid can help focus the differential diagnosis of a pleural effusion. Our objective was to assess their composition in different types of pleural effusions and assess whether it provides relevant clinical information. Patients and methods. Observational, cross-sectional and retrospective study in which the cellular components of pleural effusions of different etiology were analyzed. Pleural effusions were classified as neutrophilic, lymphocytic (≥50% of each one of them), eosinophilic (≥10%) or mesothelial (>5%) and were grouped into six diagnostic categories. Results. 1.467 patients were studied (354 heart failure; 59 other transudates; 349 paraneumonic; 133 tuberculous; 397 malignant and 175 other exudates). The predominance cell was lymphocytic in heart failure (44,4%), uncomplicated parapneumonic (29,2%), tuberculosis (88%) and malignant (49,6%); neutrophilic in parapneumonic (57%) and malignant (9,6%); eosinophilic in malignant (6,3%) and mesotelial in tuberculosis (12%). The most frequent etiologies with lymphocyte count ≥80% were tuberculosis (35,1%) and malignant (23,3%). Parameters with higher discriminating accuracy were: leukocytes (transudates: AUC 0,835) and percentage of neutrophils (empyemas: AUC 0,906 and complicated parapneumonic+empyemas: AUC 0,907). Conclusions. Nucleated cell counts will help focus the etiology of pleural effusions, since each etiology often have a characteristic cell predominance. The percentage of nucleated cells in pleural fluid not ruled out tuberculosis if there is a high count of mesothelial cells, nor a parapneumonic effusion with lymphocytic predominance, or malignancy with ≥80% lymphocytes (AU)

Behaviour of nucleated cells in various types of pleural effusion. / Comportamiento de las células nucleadas en los distintos tipos de derrame pleural.

INTRODUCTION: To know the behavior of cellular components of pleural fluid can help focus the differential diagnosis of a pleural effusion. Our objective was to assess their composition in different types of pleural effusions and assess whether it provides relevant clinical information. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional and retrospective study in which the cellular components of pleural effusions of different etiology were analyzed. Pleural effusions were classified as neutrophilic, lymphocytic (≥50% of each one of them), eosinophilic (≥10%) or mesothelial (>5%) and were grouped into six diagnostic categories RESULTS: 1.467 patients were studied (354 heart failure; 59 other transudates; 349 paraneumonic; 133 tuberculous; 397 malignant and 175 other exudates). The predominance cell was lymphocytic in heart failure (44,4%), uncomplicated parapneumonic (29,2%), tuberculosis (88%) and malignant (49,6%); neutrophilic in parapneumonic (57%) and malignant (9,6%); eosinophilic in malignant (6,3%) and mesotelial in tuberculosis (12%). The most frequent etiologies with lymphocyte count ≥80% were tuberculosis (35,1%) and malignant (23,3%). Parameters with higher discriminating accuracy were: leukocytes (transudates: AUC 0,835) and percentage of neutrophils (empyemas: AUC 0,906 and complicated parapneumonic+empyemas: AUC 0,907). CONCLUSIONS: Nucleated cell counts will help focus the etiology of pleural effusions, since each etiology often have a characteristic cell predominance. The percentage of nucleated cells in pleural fluid not ruled out tuberculosis if there is a high count of mesothelial cells, nor a parapneumonic effusion with lymphocytic predominance, or malignancy with ≥80% lymphocytes.

Proteína C reactiva en líquido pleural. ¿Ayuda a predecir los derrames paraneumónicos complicados? / C-reactive protein in pleural fluid. Does it help predict complicated parapneumonic effusions?

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Chronic Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Two Cats with Diabetes Mellitus.

Human patients with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of fungal infections. Diabetes mellitus has also been implicated as a predisposing factor in the establishment of fungal lung infections in cats. Two diabetic cats of different origins presented with severe acute respiratory conditions that resulted in their death. At necropsy examination there was friable, black material in the main bronchi that obstructed the bronchial lumina. Microscopical examination of the lungs revealed the presence of pneumonia, calcium oxalate crystals and a large quantity of fungal hyphae and conidial heads. Fungal infection was confirmed with Grocott's methenamine silver stain. The results of the mycology analysis were compatible with Aspergillus section Nigri.

Trombosis venosa profunda primaria de miembro superior / Primary upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis

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In vitro activity of carvacrol and thymol combined with antifungals or antibacterials against Pythium insidiosum.

We describe the in vitro activities of the combinations of carvacrol and thymol with antibiotics (azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tigecycline) and antifungal agents (amphotericin B, caspofungin, itraconazole and terbinafine) against 23 isolates of the oomycete Pythium insidiosum. The assays were based on the M38-A2 technique and checkerboard microdilution. Based on the mean FICI values, the main synergies observed were combinations of carvacrol+itraconazole and thymol+itraconazole (96%), thymol+clarithromycin (92%), carvacrol+clarithromycin (88%), thymol+minocycline (84%), carvacrol+minocycline (80%), carvacrol+azithromycin (76%), thymol+azithromycin (68%), carvacrol+tigecycline (64%) and thymol+tigecycline (60%). In conclusion, we found that combinations of carvacrol or thymol with these antimicrobial agents might provide effective alternative treatments for cutaneous pythiosis due to their synergistic interactions. Future in vivo experiments are needed to elucidate the safety and therapeutic potential of these combinations.

Micafungin alone and in combination therapy with deferasirox against Pythium insidiosum.

This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo activity of micafungin alone and in combination with the iron chelator deferasirox against Pythium insidiosum. Micafungin showed a poor in vitro activity when it was used alone, but synergistic interactions were observed for 88.2% of the strains when the drug was combined with deferasirox. Smaller lesions were observed in infected rabbits receiving the combination therapy, although it favored disease dissemination to the lungs. The present results show that micafungin alone is ineffective against P. insidiosum, and the combination micafungin-deferasirox might have deleterious effects for the host.

Efficacy of a Brazilian calcium montmorillonite against toxic effects of dietary aflatoxins on broilers reared to market weight.

1. The protective effect of a natural Brazilian calcium montmorillonite (CaMont) against aflatoxins was studied in broiler chickens. 2. A total of 1056-d-old Cobb male broilers were housed in experimental pens (22 chickens per pen) for 42 d. Three levels of CaMont (0, 2.5 and 5 g/kg) and two levels of aflatoxins (0 and 3 mg/kg) were assayed. Each treatment had 8 replicate pens of 22 broiler chickens each. 3. Of all the chickens tested in the experiment, the ones treated with aflatoxins were the most adversely affected. CaMont treatment at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 g/kg improved body weight of chickens at 42 d of age by 13.3% and 22.7%, increased daily feed intake by 9.7% and 24.7%, and improved the productive efficiency index of chickens by 53% and 66.5%, respectively. 4. Dietary CaMont positively affected parameters such as weight of liver, heart and gizzard; however, serum potassium concentration decreased by 15.3% compared with that of chickens given only the aflatoxin-contaminated diet. 5. CaMont did not cause adverse effects in chickens that did not receive aflatoxins. 6. CaMont at pH 8.5 partially reduced the toxic effects of aflatoxins in broilers when included at levels of 2.5 and 5 g/kg in the diet.

Pneumocystis sp. in bats evaluated by qPCR.

Molecular techniques have revealed a high prevalence of Pneumocystis colonization in wild mammals. Accurate quantification of Pneumocystis sp. is essential for the correct interpretation of many research experiments investigating this organism. The objectives of this study were to detect the presence of Pneumocystis sp. in bats by qPCR, and to distinguish colonization from infection. Probes and primers for real time PCR (qPCR) were designed based on the gene of major surface glycoprotein (MSG) of Pneumocystis sp., in order to analyze 195 lung tissue samples from bats captured (2007-2009). All samples were also analyzed by nested PCR, using oligonucleotide primers designed for the gene encoding the mitochondrial small subunit rRNA (mtSSU rRNA) to confirm the results. The qPCR assay was standardized using a standard curve made with the DNA extracted from bronchoalveolar lavage positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii. The average Ct was found to be between 13 and 14 (calibration curve) for the detection of infection with Pneumocystis sp. and above these values for colonization. It was considered as negative samples the ones that had Ct values equal to 50. Out of the total 195 samples, 47 (24.1%) bat lung DNA samples were positive for Pneumocystis sp. by qPCR. The most common bat species found were: Tadarida brasiliensis (23.4%), Histiotus velatus (17.0%), Desmodus rotundus (14.9%) and Molossus molossus (8.5%). The average cycle threshold of the positive samples (bats) was 25.8 and standard deviation was 1.7. The DNA samples with Ct values greater than 14 suggest that these animals might be colonized by Pneumocystis sp. Results obtained in this study demonstrated the usefulness of the qPCR procedure for identification of Pneumocystis sp. and for distinction between its colonizing or infectious status in bats.

Phylogenetic analysis of Pneumocystis from pig lungs obtained from slaughterhouses in southern and midwestern regions of Brazil / Análise filogenética de Pneumocystis obtidos de pulmões de suínos provenientes de abatedouros da região sul e centro oeste do Brasil

The Pneumocystis genus is comprised of pathogens dwelling in the lungs of terrestrial, aerial, and aquatic mammals. Occasionally they induce severe pneumonitis, particularly in hosts with severe impairment of the immune system and progressively may fill pulmonary alveolar cavities causing respiratory failure. Molecular genetic studies revealed that Pneumocystis gene sequences present a marked divergence with the host species concerned. In the present study, the genetic diversity of Pneumocystis obtained from lungs of swines was examined by analyzing mitochondrial large subunit (mtLSU) and small subunit (mtSSU) rRNA sequences. The samples were obtained from two slaughterhouses located in two Brazilian states. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that genetic groupings within Pneumocystis organisms were in accordance with those of the corresponding hosts and that two clusters were formed. In conclusion, these data show that there are genetically distinct porcine Pneumocystis genotypes with at least two separate clusters in Brazil.

O gênero Pneumocystis compreende patógenos que residem em pulmões de animais terrestres, aéreos e aquáticos. Pode ocasionar uma grave pneumonia, particularmente em hospedeiros com o sistema imunológico seriamente comprometido, o que ocorre por meio de uma progressiva disseminação nas cavidades alveolares, causando insuficiência respiratória. Estudos genéticos, baseados em métodos moleculares, revelaram que as sequências dos genes de Pneumocystis apresentam marcante divergência de acordo com a espécie de hospedeiro. Neste estudo, a diversidade genética das amostras obtidas a partir de pulmões de suínos, provenientes de dois abatedouros localizados em dois estados brasileiros, foi examinada por análise das sequencias dos nucleotídeos dos produtos de PCR dos genes mtLSU e mtSSU do rRNA do Pneumocystis. O resultado confirma a tendência registrada em pesquisas com amostras de outros animais e permite concluir que existem, pelo menos, dois grupos filogenéticos distintos de Pneumocystis de suínos no Brasil.