Zika virus infections imported from Brazil to Portugal, 2015.

Zika virus is an emerging arbovirus transmitted by Aedes sp. mosquitoes like the Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. Zika virus was until recently considered a mild pathogenic mosquito-borne flavivirus with very few reported benign human infections. In 2007, an epidemic in Micronesia initiated the turnover in the epidemiological history of Zika virus and more recently, the potential association with congenital microcephaly cases in Brazil 2015, still under investigation, led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on February 1, 2016. Here, we present the clinical and laboratory aspects related to the first four imported human cases of Zika virus in Portugal from Brazil, and alert, regarding the high level of traveling between Portugal and Brazil, and the ongoing expansion of this virus in the Americas, for the threat for Zika virus introduction in Europe and the possible introduction to Madeira Island where Aedes aegypti is present.

[Brucellar spondylodiscitis: case series of the last 25 years]. / Espondilodiscite Brucélica: Casuística dos Últimos 25 Anos.

INTRODUCTION: Brucellosis is an endemic zoonosis in Portugal. Brucellar spondylodiscitis is one of the most frequent focal manifestations which may cause severe sequelae despite appropriate therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with diagnosis of brucellar spondylodiscitis admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department of Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, over a 25-year period (1988-2012). RESULTS: We identified 54 patients, 55.6% male, mean age of 54.8 years. In 81.5% an epidemiological context was identified, mostly contact with sheep and goats. The duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 5.5 months. The most common signs and symptoms were pain (98.1%), fever (46.3%) and neurological deficits (25.9%). Spinal magnetic resonance imaging was the most used imaging method (77.8%) showing abscesses in 29.6% of patients. Lumbar location predominated (77.7%). Diagnosis was attained in 47 patients (87.0%): positive blood cultures (3 patients), positive serology (32 patients) or by both methods (12 patients). Combined regimens of doxycycline and rifampicin (64.8%), or streptomycin (24.1%) were most used, for an average duration of 4.4 months. A patient was referred for surgery for abscess drainage. Evolution was mostly favorable (92.6%), no deaths occurring. DISCUSSION: Research of the epidemiologic context turned out to be a major key leading to the diagnosis. Treatment of osteoarticular brucellosis is still controversial. CONCLUSIONS: Brucellar spondylodiscitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with low back pain, even in the absence of fever, particularly in regions where the disease is endemic. Antibiotic regimen, its' duration and the need for surgery should be individualized to achieve a better prognosis. Cases have declined over the years, a fact related to better control of animal endemic.

Introdução: A brucelose é uma zoonose endémica em Portugal, sendo a espondilodiscite brucélica uma das manifestações focaismais frequentes. Pode provocar sequelas graves, apesar da terapêutica dirigida.Material e Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo dos processos dos doentes com espondilodiscite brucélica, internados no Serviço de Doenças Infecciosas do Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, num período de 25 anos (1988-2012).Resultados: Foram identificados 54 doentes, 55,6% do sexo masculino, com idade média de 54,8 anos. Em 81,5% identificou-se contexto epidemiológico, maioritariamente contacto com gado ovino e caprino. A duração da sintomatologia prévia ao diagnóstico foi de 5,5 meses. Os sinais e sintomas mais frequentes foram: dor (98,1%), febre (46,3%) e défices neurológicos (25,9%). A ressonância magnética nuclear da coluna foi o exame imagiológico mais usado (77,8%) evidenciando abcessos em 29,6% dos doentes. A localizaçãolombar predominou (77,7%). O diagnóstico etiológico foi confirmado em 47 doentes (87,0%): microbiologicamente (3 doentes), serologicamente (32 doentes) ou por ambos (12 doentes). As associações de doxiciclina com rifampicina (64,8%), ou estreptomicina (24,1%) foram as mais utilizadas, com duração média de 4,4 meses de tratamento. Um doente teve indicação cirúrgica para drenar abcesso. A evolução foi maioritariamente favorável (92,6%), sem óbitos.Discussão: A investigação de contexto epidemiológico revelou ser uma peça importante na suspeita do diagnóstico. O tratamento da brucelose osteoarticular ainda é controverso.Conclusões: A espondilodiscite brucélica deve ser considerada no diagnóstico diferencial dos doentes com lombalgia, mesmo naausência de febre, particularmente em regiões onde a doença é endémica. O esquema antibiótico, sua duração e a necessidade de cirurgia deverão ser individualizados, com vista a um melhor prognóstico. O número de casos tem diminuído ao longo dos anos, facto relacionado com melhor controlo da endemia animal.

Miltefosine for visceral leishmaniasis relapse treatment and secondary prophylaxis in HIV-infected patients.

Miltefosine is the first effective oral drug against visceral leishmaniasis. However, there are few data about its role against the increasing problem of HIV-associated visceral leishmaniasis. It is necessary to establish a treatment and secondary prophylaxis approach with miltefosine in this population, particularly for those in whom standard treatment was unsuccessful. We report our experience with miltefosine in 5 HIV-infected patients. Miltefosine was used in relapse treatments (50 mg, b.i.d.) in 3 patients and as maintenance therapy (50 mg, 3 times/week) in all of them. Miltefosine was discontinued after full recovery of immune function in 4 patients. The median disease-free period has been 20 months since miltefosine discontinuation. One patient was lost to follow-up. Miltefosine dosage regimens for the treatment of relapses and for maintenance treatment in HIV-infected patients should be established in prospective studies.

[Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV infection in the HAART era]. / Leishmaniose visceral e infecção por vírus da imunodeficiência humana na era da terapêutica anti-retrovírica de alta eficacia.

Visceral Leishmaniasis is an endemic infection in Portugal, as well as in other Mediterranean basin countries, where it has become a frequent complication of HIV infection. There are several studies published about Leishmania/HIV co-infection, however some particularities of its epidemiology, pathogenesis and especially of its treatment and prophylaxis remain unclear and undefined. The authors review some aspects of this co-infection, particularly epidemiology, clinical classic manifestations and laboratory features, diagnosis, treatment, prophylaxis and prevention and report the casuistic of the Infectious Diseases Department of the University Hospital of Coimbra during the last ten years (1996-2006) in the HAART (<>) era. Visceral Leishmaniasis behaves as an opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients and should be considered as an AIDS-defining disease. Nowadays and according to World Health Organization, VL is the second most important protozoan disease and one of the most neglected; therefore the establishment of treatment and prophylaxis guidelines is urgent.