First case of Penicillium marneffei fungemia in Greece and strain susceptibility to five licensed systemic antifungal agents and posaconazole.

We report the first case of Penicillium marneffei infection in a Greek bisexual man who is a frequent traveler to China. Penicilliosis and AIDS were diagnosed and antifungal treatment plus highly active antiretroviral therapy were administered successfully. In nonendemic areas travel history, clinical suspicion and laboratory alertness are critical for infection management.

Acute chest syndrome in sickle-cell trait; Two case reports in persons of Mediterranean origin and review of the literature.

Sickle-cell trait has been characterized as a benign condition. However, life-threatening complications sometimes develop. Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is usually described in homozygous sickle cell disease, but it rarely develops in individuals with sickle-cell trait. Two cases of ACS in patients with sickle-cell trait are reported here. Factors such as advanced age at the time of presentation and absent past medical and family history can be misleading. Although ACS in sickle-cell trait has thus far only been reported in persons of Afro-American origin, persons of Mediterranean origin can, on rare occasions, also experience the syndrome.

Isolated native tricuspid valve Candida endocarditis in a non-drug-addicted patient: case report and review of the literature.

A case is reported of isolated native tricuspid calve Candida parapsilosis endocarditis (INTVCE) in a male patient with no history of drug abuse or heart disease. The patient had received hyperalimentation and antibiotics for four months via a central venous catheter after abdominal surgery. He underwent successful treatment with tricuspid valve debridement, liposomal amphotericin (AmBisome) and fluconazole, and remained without relapse during an eight-year follow up. A literature review of 12 similar cases (including the present patient) without history of drug abuse or heart disease, dating from 1970, is included.