Clinical and microbiological characteristics of paracoccidioidomycosis in patients with AIDS in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (Pm) is a systemic disease, endemic in the American continent. There are two different clinical forms, the infant-juvenile or subacute form (PmS) and the chronic adult form (PmC). The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated paracoccidioidomycosis (PmHIV) shares characteristics with both of the previously mentioned forms. The objective of this work was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of the PmHIV and to compare them with the ones of PmS and the PmC. A retrospective analysis of 119 patients with paracoccidioidomycosis was performed. Ninety four suffered the chronic form, 11 the subacute one and 14 were coinfected with HIV. Patients with PmHIV presented a CD4+ T lymphocytes median of 70.5 cells/µl, 71.4% had fever, 64.3% had a miliary pattern on the chest radiography, 64.3% had hepatosplenomegaly, 64.3% had mucosal lesions and 50% had skin lesions. One patient died during his hospitalization. The clinical presentation of Pm in patients with HIV resembled the subacute form with fever, hepatomegaly and skin lesions. However, they also tended to present mucosal lesions, positive serology for Pm and pulmonary parenchyma lesions as usually seen in PmC (9/14 PmHIV patients had overlapping features, while 4/14 PmHIV patients clinically resembled PmS and 1/14 PmC). The incidence of Pm has not changed with the burden of AIDS as it has happened with other fungal infections but it appears clinically different from the classic clinical forms of the disease.

Epidemiología molecular de la criptococosis en un Hospital de enfermedades infecciosas de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires: análisis de 25 años / Molecular epidemiology of cryptococcosis in an infectious diseases hospital from the city of Buenos Aires: A 25 years experience

La criptococosis es una micosis grave de distribución universal, que afecta principalmente a huéspedes inmunocomprometidos. Es una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad en los pacientes infectados con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (HIV). Provoca al menos 620 000 muertes al año, representando entre el 13% al 44% de la mortalidad en pacientes HIV positivos según datos de cohortes correspondientes a países en desarrollo. (1, 2) La letalidad de la criptococosis meníngea en estudios de Argentina y Brasil muestra valores que van desde el 26% hasta el 63%. El complejo Cryptococcus neoformans/ Cryptococcus gattii, es el responsable de esta enfermedad. Existen alrededor de 70 especies pero solo dos de ellas son patógenas para el hombre: C. neoformans y C. gattii. Se reconocen 8 genotipos de este complejo, C. neoformans: VNI y VNII (C. neoformans var. grubii), VNIII (C. neoformans híbrido intervariedad AD), VNIV (C. neoformans var. neoformans) y C. gattii: genotipos VGI, VGII, VGIII y VGIV. Se han descripto híbridos interespecie VNIV/VGI, VNI/VGI, VNI/VGII. Se estudiaron 207 aislamientos de Cryptococcus, elegidos aleatoriamente, de un total de 2593 pacientes con diagnóstico de criptococosis diseminada. A los mismos se les realizó la genotipificación mediante una PCR-RFLP del gen URA5, y posterior digestión enzimática con enzimas Sau96I y HhaI. De las 207 cepas estudiadas, 174 fueron VNI (84,05%), 14 VNII (6,76%), 10 VNIII (4,83%), 2 VNIV (0,97%), 3 VGI (1,45%), 3 VGII de (1,45%) y 1 VGIII (0,49%).

Cryptococcosis is a severe worldwide mycosis, which mainly affects immunocompromised hosts and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. It causes 620,000 annual deaths, accounting for 13-44 % of mortality in HIV-positive individuals in developing countries. Mortality rates of meningeal cryptococcosis in studies from Argentina and Brazil go from 26 to 63 %. Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii is the species complex responsible for this disease. There are about 70 species, however, only two are human pathogens: C. neoformans and C. gattii. C. neoformans genotypes are VNI and VNII (C. neoformans var. grubii), VNIII (C. neoformans intervariety hybrid AD), VNIV (C. neoformans var. neoformans). C. gattii genotypes are VGI, VGII, VGIII and VGIV. Interspecies hybrids were described: VNIV/VGI, VNI/VGI, VNI/ VGII. A total of 207 Cryptococcus isolates were randomly selected from 2593 patients with diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis. Genotyping was performed by PCRRFLP of UR A5 gene with restriction enzyme digestion using Sau96I and HhaI enzymes. Among the 207 studied isolates, 174 resulted VNI (84.05%), 14 VNII (6.76%), 10 VNIII (4.83%), 2 VNIV (0.97%), 3 VGI (1.45%), 3 VGII (1.45%) and 1 VGIII (0.49%).

Relevance of intracranial hypertension control in the management of Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis related to AIDS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between intracranial hyperpressure (HICP) and mortality in patients with cryptococcal meningitis related to AIDS (CMRA). METHODS: This was an observational retrospective study. Patients were treated according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommendations during the evaluation period (days 0, 3, 5 and after hospitalization). High intracranial pressure (HICP) was defined as ICP values of C250 mm H20. The correlation between HICP and mortality at each of the three time points considered was investigated. Statistical analysis on the descriptive parameters and on the probability of a "death" event (odds ratio, OR) at each of those three time points was performed using the statistical software program Epidata. RESULTS: Eighty patients were included in this study, of whom 53 (66.25 %) were male. The average age of the patients was 37.5 ± 8.1 (range 22­55) years. The median CD4?lymphocyte cell count was 35 (range 0­367) cells/ml. Among the entire patient cohort, 53 patients had a favorable outcome, and the mortality rate was 33.75 %. At baseline (day 0), 57 subjects (71.5 %) presented HICP, and these patients had a higher mortality rate than those with a normal ICP, but the difference did not reach statistical significance[OR 1.65, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.56­4.84]. On day 3, 41 of the patients presented HICP, and HICP at this timepoint was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality (OR 4.35, 95 % CI 1.56­12.09). On day 5, 35(43.5 %) patients presented HICP, and HCIP at this time point was also significantly associated with higher mortality (OR 7.23, 95 % CI 2.53­20.14). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm an association between HICP and mortality in patients with CMRA and indicate that the control of ICP during the first 5 days of hospitalization is more important than managing HICP only at baseline.

Brote de histoplasmosis en la Escuela de Cadetes de la Base Aérea de Morón, Provincia de Buenos Aires, República Argentina / Histoplasmosis outbreak in Morón, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Se describe un brote de histoplasmosis que afectó a 6 cadetes de la Fuerza Aérea Argentina, sin antecedentes patológicos previos. Todos consultaron por problemas respiratorios después de haber limpiado un hangar. En ese recinto se encontraron abundantes deyecciones de animales, presuntamente de palomas y murciélagos. Los pacientes sufrieron fiebre, mialgias, taquipnea y tos no productiva. Las radiografías y tomografías de tórax mostraron imágenes pulmonares micronodulares, engrosamiento de los tabiques interalveolares y adenopatías hiliares. Todos tuvieron una evolución favorable y no requirieron tratamiento antifúngico. Las pruebas de inmunodifusión y contrainmunoelectroforesis con antígenos de Histoplasma capsulatum fueron positivas, al igual que las intradermorreacciones con histoplasmina. Se recogieron 5 muestras de tierra del lugar, las que fueron inoculadas por vía intraperitoneal a 20 hámsteres. De los cultivos de hígado y bazo de dichos animales se consiguió aislar la fase micelial de H. capsulatum. La cepa aislada se comparó con las obtenidas de 12 pacientes argentinos utilizando perfiles genéticos y se observó un clado único con más de 96% de similitud, lo que confirma la homogeneidad de las cepas argentinas. Si bien la histoplasmosis es endémica en la Pampa húmeda, este es el primer brote totalmente documentado al sur del paralelo 34°.

An histoplasmosis outbreak affecting 6 previously healthy Air Force cadets is herein presented. The patients suffered from fever and respiratory symptoms after having cleaned an abandoned hangar soiled with pigeons and bat droppings. They all presented fever, myalgia, tachypnea, and nonproductive cough. Chest X-ray and CT scan studies showed disseminated reticulonodular images affecting both lungs. Hiliar adenomegalies were also observed. All patients achieved a favourable outcome without antifungal treatment. Both serologic tests searching for specificic antibodies (immunodiffusion and counterimmunoelectrophoresis) and histoplasmin skin tests were positive in all cases. Five soil samples mixed with pigeons and bat droppings were collected from the hangar. Suspensions of these samples were inoculated into 20 hamsters by intraperitoneal injection; mycelial phase of H. capsulatum was isolated from liver and spleen cultures. The genetic profile of this strain was compared with 12 isolates obtained from Argentinean patients, and a great degree of homogeneity was observed (> 96% similarity). Although histoplasmosis is endemic in the wet Pampas, this is the first epidemic outbreak reported south of the 34th parallel.

[Histoplasmosis outbreak in Morón, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina]. / Brote de histoplasmosis en la Escuela de Cadetes de la Base Aérea de Morón, Provincia de Buenos Aires, República Argentina.

A histoplasmosis outbreak affecting 6 previously healthy Air Force cadets is herein presented. The patients suffered from fever and respiratory symptoms after having cleaned an abandoned hangar soiled with pigeons and bat droppings. They all presented fever, myalgia, tachypnea, and nonproductive cough. Chest X-ray and CT scan studies showed disseminated reticulonodular images affecting both lungs. Hiliar adenomegalies were also observed. All patients achieved a favourable outcome without antifungal treatment. Both serologic tests searching for specificic antibodies (immunodiffusion and counterimmunoelectrophoresis) and histoplasmin skin tests were positive in all cases. Five soil samples mixed with pigeons and bat droppings were collected from the hangar. Suspensions of these samples were inoculated into 20 hamsters by intraperitoneal injection; mycelial phase of H. capsulatum was isolated from liver and spleen cultures. The genetic profile of this strain was compared with 12 isolates obtained from Argentinean patients, and a great degree of homogeneity was observed (> 96% similarity). Although histoplasmosis is endemic in the wet Pampas, this is the first epidemic outbreak reported south of the 34th parallel.

Aislamiento de Candida dubliniensis en distintos materiales clínicos: Análisis de métodos fenotípicos de diferenciación con Candida albicans / Isolation of Candida dubliniensis in different clinical samples: Analysis of phenotypical methods to differenciate from Candida albicans

Con el objeto de estimar la frecuencia de aislamientos de Candida dubliniensis en materiales clínicos en el Hospital de Infecciosas F. J. Muñiz, se identificaron 388 levaduras entre setiembre de 2005 y agosto de 2007. Doscientos doce aislamientos presentaban color verde en CHROMagar® y producían tubos germinativos y clamidoconidias en agarleche. Para diferenciar cuales de ellos correspondían a Candida albicans o a C. dubliniensis, se utilizaron distintos métodos fenotípicos y se evaluó la utilidad de cada técnica a fin de proponer un algoritmo de identificación simple, económico y confiable. Se estudió el color en 2 medios con sustratos cromogénicos, la producción de clamidoconidias en medios de Staib, agar tomate-zanahoria y agar-tabaco; en este último medio también se evaluaron las características macromorfológicas de las colonias; se evaluó la presencia de actividad lipolítica (medio-opacidad), capacidad de desarrollo a 45 °C y asimilación de D-xilosa. El 6,1% (13/212 aislamientos) correspondió a C. dubliniensis (3,3% del total de levaduras). No se pudo diferenciar entre ambas especies por el color en los medios cromogénicos usados. Las pruebas que resultaron más sensibles y específicas fueron crecimiento a 45 °C, asimilación de D-xilosa, color y desarrollo en agar-tabaco. C. albicans produjo clamidoconidias en los 3 medios diferenciales, entre 11,6% y 15,1% de los casos. La presencia de lipasas se evidenció en el 95,6% de C. albicans pero 2 de las 13 cepas de C. dubliniensis también presentaron halo de opacidad. Consideramos que se deben usar, al menos, 3 métodos diferentes para discriminar entre estas levaduras ya que ninguna prueba es absolutamente sensible o específica.

In order to estimate the frequence of Candida dubliniensis in clinical samples in F. J. Muñiz Infectious Diseases Hospital, a total of 388 yeasts from September 2005 to August 2007. There were 212 isolates which presented a green color on CHROMagar® Candida medium and produced germ tubes and chlamidoconidiae in milk-agar; so as to distinguish whether they corresponded to Candida albicans or C. dubliniensis, different phenotypical methods were utilized. It was also evaluated the usefulness of each one in order to suggest a simple, economic and reliable identification algorithm. Each isolate was subcultured in two chromogenic media and then, the following determinations were done: chlamidospores production in Staib-agar, tomato-carrot-agar and tobacco-agar, colonies macromorphology was also studied in the last medium; opacity-test in Tween 80-CaCl2 agar (lipase activity), growing capacity at 45 °C, and D-xylose assimilation. Thirteen strains (6.1%) corresponded to C. dubliniensis. The difference in color between both species on chromogenic media was not so stressed as it is pointed out in some works. The more specific and sensitive tests were the ability to grow at 45 °C, D-xylose assimilation, color and macroscopic appearance in tobacco-agar. Between 11.6% and 15.1% of C. albicans strains produced chlamidoconidiae in the 3 differential media tested. The opacity halo (lipase) was evident in 95.6% of C. albicans isolates but 2 out of 13 C. dubliniensis also presented precipitation halo. We consider that at least 3 different phenotypical methods should be used to distinguish properly these two species since none of the tests is absolutely sensitive or specific.

[Isolation of Candida dubliniensis in different clinical samples. Analysis of phenotypical methods to differentiate it from Candida albicans]. / Aislamiento de Candida dubliniensis en distintos materiales clínicos. Análisis de métodos fenotípicos de diferenciación con Candida albicans.

In order to estimate the frequence of Candida dubliniensis in clinical samples in F. J. Muñiz Infectious Diseases Hospital, a total of 388 yeasts from September 2005 to August 2007. There were 212 isolates which presented a green color on CHROMagar Candida medium and produced germ tubes and chlamidoconidiae in milk-agar; so as to distinguish whether they corresponded to Candida albicans or C. dubliniensis, different phenotypical methods were utilized. It was also evaluated the usefulness of each one in order to suggest a simple, economic and reliable identification algorithm. Each isolate was subcultured in two chromogenic media and then, the following determinations were done: chlamidospores production in Staib-agar, tomato-carrot-agar and tobacco-agar, colonies macromorphology was also studied in the last medium; opacity-test in Tween 80-CaCl2 agar (lipase activity), growing capacity at 45 degrees C, and D-xylose assimilation. Thirteen strains (6.1%) corresponded to C. dubliniensis. The difference in color between both species on chromogenic media was not so stressed as it is pointed out in some works. The more specific and sensitive tests were the ability to grow at 45 degrees C, D-xylose assimilation, color and macroscopic appearance in tobacco-agar. Between 11.6% and 15.1% of C. albicans strains produced chlamidoconidiae in the 3 differential media tested. The opacity halo (lipase) was evident in 95.6% of C. albicans isolates but 2 out of 13 C. dubliniensis also presented precipitation halo. We consider that at least 3 different phenotypical methods should be used to distinguish properly these two species since none of the tests is absolutely sensitive or specific.

[Clinical and microbiological study of mycetomas at the Muñiz hospital of Buenos Aires between 1989 and 2004]. / Estudio clínico y microbiológico de los micetomas observados en el hospital de infecciosas Francisco J. Muñiz en el período 1989-2004.

This work presents clinical, microbiological and outcome data collected from 76 patients with mycetomas at the Muñiz Hospital from 1989 to 2004. Forty-nine patients were male and 27 female; the mean age was 43.4 years. The majority of the patients acquired the infection in Argentina: the most affected provinces were Santiago del Estero with 31 cases, and Chaco with 11; 8 cases came from other countries (Bolivia 6 and Paraguay 2). The mean evolution of the disease was 9.2 years. The most frequently observed sites were: feet 63 cases, ankles 3, and knees 2. Forty-eight patients had bone lesions and 5, adenomegalies. The following etiological agents were identified: Madurella grisea 29 cases, Actinomadura madurae 26, Scedosporium apiospermum 5, Nocardia brasiliensis 5, Acremonium spp. 4 (Acremonium falciforme 2, Acremonium kiliense 1, Acremonium recifei 1), Madurella mycetomatis 3, Fusarium solani 2, Nocardia asteroides 1 and Streptomyces somaliensis 1. The main drugs used in the treatments were ketoconazole and itraconazole for maduromycotic mycetomas, and cotrimoxazole associated with ciprofloxacin or amikacin for actinomycetic mycetoma. Six patients had to undergo amputation, 25 cases achieved complete clinical remission and 34 showed remarkable improvement.

Estudio clínico y microbiológico de los micetomas observados en el Hospital de Infecciosas Francisco J. Muñiz en el período 1989-2004 / Clinical and microbiological study of mycetomas at the Muñiz Hospital of Buenos Aires between 1989 and 2004

Se presentan las características clínicas, microbiológicas y los resultados del tratamiento de 76 casos de micetomas observados en el período 1989-2004 en el Hospital Muñiz. Cuarenta y nueve fueron varones y 27 mujeres, con una edad promedio de 43,4 años. La mayor parte de los pacientes adquirió la infección en nuestro país, las provincias más afectadas fueron Santiago del Estero con 31 casos y el Chaco con 11; 8 enfermos procedían del exterior, 6 de Bolivia y 2 de Paraguay. El promedio de evolución de la enfermedad fue de 9,2 años. Las localizaciones más comunes fueron las de los miembros inferiores: pies 63, tobillos 3 y rodillas 2. Se comprobó compromiso óseo en 48 casos y adenomegalias en 5. Fueron identificados los siguientes agentes causales: Madurella grisea 29 casos, Actinomadura madurae 26, Scedosporium apiospermum 5, Nocardia brasiliensis 5, Acremoniun spp. 4 (Acremonium falciforme 2, Acremonium kiliense 1 y Acremonium recifei 1), Madurella mycetomatis 3, Fusarium solani 2, Nocardia asteroides y Streptomyces somaliensis 1 caso cada uno. Los tratamientos más frecuentemente utilizados fueron ketoconazol o itraconazol en los micetomas maduromicósicos y la asociación de cotrimoxazol con ciprofloxacina o amicacina en los micetomas actinomicéticos. La amputación del miembro afectado se realizó en 6 casos, 25 pacientes alcanzaron la remisión clínica completa y 34 presentaron mejorías importantes.

This work presents clinical, microbiological and outcome data collected from 76 patients with mycetomas at the Muñiz Hospital from 1989 to 2004. Forty-nine patients were male and 27 female; the mean age was 43.4 years. The majority of the patients acquired the infection in Argentina: the most affected provinces were Santiago del Estero with 31 cases, and Chaco with 11; 8 cases came from other countries (Bolivia 6 and Paraguay 2). The mean evolution of the disease was 9.2 years. The most frequently observed sites were: feet 63 cases, ankles 3, and knees 2. Forty-eight patients had bone lesions and 5, adenomegalies. The following etiological agents were identified: Madurella grisea 29 cases, Actinomadura madurae 26, Scedosporium apiospermum 5, Nocardia brasiliensis 5, Acremonium spp. 4 (Acremonium falciforme 2, Acremonium kiliense 1, Acremonium recifei 1), Madurella mycetomatis 3, Fusarium solani 2, Nocardia asteroides 1 and Streptomyces somaliensis 1. The main drugs used in the treatments were ketoconazole and itraconazole for maduromycotic mycetomas, and cotrimoxazole associated with ciprofloxacin or amikacin for actinomycetic mycetoma. Six patients had to undergo amputation, 25 cases achieved complete clinical remission and 34 showed remarkable improvement.

[Successful discontinuation of antifungal secondary prophylaxis in AIDS-related cryptococcosis]. / Interrupción exitosa de la profilaxis secundaria antifúngica en la criptococosis asociada al SIDA.

The clinical and laboratory data of 22 patients with AIDS related cryptococcosis who were able to interrupt antifungal secondary prophylaxis after HAART administration, are presented. They were 14 males and 8 females, between 15 and 50 years old (X: 34 years old). All patients presented fever and severe deterioration of their general health status, and 19 exhibited a meningeal syndrome. At the start of antifungal treatment, 59% of the cases presented < 50 CD4+ cells/microl, the median viral burden was 134,804 RNA copies/ml and the median titer of serum cryptococcal antigen was 1/3,000. Amphotericin B by intravenous route, (0.7 mg/kg/day) or fluconazole (600 to 800 mg/day) were given as a treatment of the initial episode, up to CSF cultures negativization. Oral fluconazole (200 mg/day) or intravenous amphotericin B, 50 mg twice a week, were given as a secondary prophylaxis. The secondary prophylaxis was interrupted when the patients had received HAART for an average lapse of 19 months (6 to 36 months) and the median CD4+ cell count was 249/microl. The follow up after secondary prophylaxis discontinuation lasted for a median lapse of 22 months. These data seem to show that secondary prophylaxis is not necessary when the patient are clinically asymptomatic and the CD4+ cell counts are above 150/microl.

Interrupción exitosa de la profilaxis secundaria antifúngica en la criptococosis asociada al sida / Successful discontinuation of antifungal secondary prophylaxis in AIDS-related cryptococcosis

Se presentan los datos clínicos de 22 pacientes con criptococosis asociada al VIH que interrumpieron la profilaxis antifúngica secundaria, después de haber recibido la terapéutica antirretroviral de gran actividad (TARGA). Fueron 14 varones y 8 mujeres con edades comprendidas entre los 15 y los 50 años (X: 34 años). Todos presentaron un síndrome infeccioso general grave y 19 tuvieron meningoencefalitis. En el momento del diagnóstico 59% de los enfermos tenía recuentos de células CD4+ < 50/µL,la mediana de lascargas viralesfue de 134. 804 copias ARN/ml yla mediana de los títulosde antigenemiafue de 1/3.000. El tratamiento del episodio agudo se realizó con anfotericina B por vía venosa (0,7 mg/kg/día) o fluconazol(600 a 800 mg/día), hasta la negativización de los cultivos de LCR. La profilaxis secundaria consistió en la administración oral de 200 mg diarios de fluconazoló 2 dosis semanalesde 50 mg de anfotericina B. La profilaxis secundaria antifúngica fue interrumpida cuando los enfermos habían recibido la TARGA por un lapso medio 19 meses, la mediana de los recuentos de células CD4+ fue de 249/µl. Todos estaban asintomáticos y en buen esta-do general. El lapso medio de seguimiento posterior fue de 22 meses y ningún enfermo experimentó recidivas desu micosis.

The clinical and laboratory data of 22 patients with AIDS related cryptococcosis who were able to interrupt antifungal secondary prophylaxis afterHAART administration, are presented. They were 14 males and 8 females, between 15 and 50years old (X: 34 years old). All patients presented fever andsevere deterioration of their general health status, and 19 exhibited a meningeal syndrome. At the start of antifungal treatment, 59% of the cases presented < 50 CD4+ cells/µl, the median viral burden was 134,804 RNA copies/ml and the median titer ofserum cryptococcal antigen was 1/3,000. Amphotericin B by intravenous route, (0.7 mg/kg/day) or fluconazole (600 to 800 mg/day) were given as a treatment of the initial episode, up to CSF cultures negativization. Oral fluconazole (200 mg/day) or intravenous amphotericin B, 50 mg twice a week, were given as a secondary prophylaxis. The secondary prophylaxis was interrupted when the patients had received HAART for an average lapse of 19 months (6 to 36 months) and the medianCD4+ cells counts was 249/µl. The follow up after secondary prophylaxis discontinuation lasted for a median lapse of 22 months. These data seem to show that secondary prophylaxisis not necessary when the patient are clinically asymptomatic and the CD4+ cells counts are above 150/µl.

[Disseminated cryptococcosis in patients with AIDS. Clinical, microbiological, and immunological analysis of 51 patients]. / Criptococosis diseminada en pacientes con SIDA. Análisis clínico, microbiológico e inmunológico de 51 pacientes.

In the context of HIV infection, cryptococcal meningitis is the most common mycosis threatening the patient's life. We conducted a retrospective evaluation to determine the epidemiological, microbiological, immunological and clinical characteristics of disseminated cryptococcosis in 51 hospitalised HIV seropositive patients. All the individuals (n = 51) presented reactive serology for HIV (ELISA and/or Western blot) and none fulfilled strict HAART treatment, previous to the opportunistic infection. CD4+ lymphocyte T counts showed levels between 361 and 0 cells/microliter (mean = 45). All patients but one had counts lower than 100 cells/microliter. Cryptococcosis presented as unique episode in 35 patients (68.6%) and in 16 as relapse (31.3%). In all of them we detected central nervous system involvement. The induction treatment was carried out with amphotericin B (AMB), continued with maintenance therapy with fluconazole. Lethality rate was 36.7%, slightly superior among patients in relapse (40%) compared to those who presented a first episode of the mycosis (35.2%). In those individuals for whom data were available, 65.2% of blood cultures, 94.1% of CSF cultures and 79.06% of microscopic CSF examination with India ink were positive. Titers of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular antigen in CSF > or = 1/1000 were found in 36.1% and > or = 1/1000 in 73.6% of serum samples. In conclusion, manifestations and severity of disseminated cryptococcosis continue maintaining the characteristics of half a decade behind, in those patients who are not treated with HAART. Neurological involvement existed in all patients of this cohort. Treatment is not able to modify the parameters of mortality seen in previous communications. Diagnostic methods applied in this study are in accordance with those in the bibliography.

Criptococosis diseminada en pacientes con SIDA. Análisis clÝnico, microbiológico e inmunológico de 51 pacientes / Disseminated cryptococcosis in patients with AIDS. Clinical, microbiological, and immunological analysis of 51 patients

In the context of HIV infection, cryptococcal meningitis is the most common mycosis threatening the patient's life. We conducted a retrospective evaluation to determine the epidemiological, microbiological, immunological and clinical characteristics of disseminated cryptococcosis in 51 hospitalised HIV seropositive patients. All the individuals (n = 51) presented reactive serology for HIV (ELISA and/or Western blot) and none fulfilled strict HAART treatment, previous to the opportunistic infection. CD4+ lymphocyte T counts showed levels between 361 and 0 cells/microliter (mean = 45). All patients but one had counts lower than 100 cells/microliter. Cryptococcosis presented as unique episode in 35 patients (68.6) and in 16 as relapse (31.3). In all of them we detected central nervous system involvement. The induction treatment was carried out with amphotericin B (AMB), continued with maintenance therapy with fluconazole. Lethality rate was 36.7, slightly superior among patients in relapse (40) compared to those who presented a first episode of the mycosis (35.2). In those individuals for whom data were available, 65.2 of blood cultures, 94.1 of CSF cultures and 79.06 of microscopic CSF examination with India ink were positive. Titers of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular antigen in CSF > or = 1/1000 were found in 36.1 and > or = 1/1000 in 73.6 of serum samples. In conclusion, manifestations and severity of disseminated cryptococcosis continue maintaining the characteristics of half a decade behind, in those patients who are not treated with HAART. Neurological involvement existed in all patients of this cohort. Treatment is not able to modify the parameters of mortality seen in previous communications. Diagnostic methods applied in this study are in accordance with those in the bibliography.

[Tibial abscess caused by histoplasma capsulatum]. / Absceso tibial causado por Histoplasma capsulatum.

Disseminated histoplasmosis is the most serious form of the disease produced by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Histoplasmosis was first described by Darling in 1906, and it is endemic in certain areas of Central and Southeastern regions of USA, and most Latin America countries, including the Pampa húmeda and Mesopotamia regions in Argentina, but in other continents it has a limited regional distribution. Lung involvement predominates in 90% of cases, but H. capsulatum may involve bone and soft tissues. Bone lesions without other signs of infection are very rare, and are often misdiagnosed as cancer. We report a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in a man with a myelodysplasia who presented a left tibial abscess, without any clinical evidence of pulmonary involvement. The patient was successfully treated with itraconazole.

[Respiratory cryptococcosis in HIV positive patients.]. / Criptococcosis respiratoria en pacientes VIH positivos.

Although the lungs are the portal of entry of the infection, respiratory manifestations of AIDS related cryptococcosis have not been very well studied. The lack of typical findings in clinical and roentgenographic studies and the difficulties in the interpretation of the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from bronchial secretions, is probably the explanation for the lack of interest on this subject. The clinical and microbiological findings of 22 HIV positive patients, who presented C. neoformans in their respiratory tract clinical samples, are presented. Seventeen were males and 5 females, their age average was 30.8 years (21-50 years) and the following risk factors for HIV infection were detected: intravenous drug abuse 18, heterosexuals with several sexual partners two, one female prostitute and 1 homosexual man. All patients, except three, showed less than 100 CD4+ cells per microl. The following symptoms were observed: fever, cough, mucoid expectoration and chest ache. Roengenographic studies presented diffuse infiltrative patches in eleven cases, pulmonary cavities in three, pseudotumoral nodules in two, pneumonic infiltration in two and pleural effusion in four patients. C. neoformans was observed and/or isolated from sputum in nine patients, from bronchoalveolar lavage in seven, from lung biopsy in one and from pleural effusion in four cases. Blood cultures for C. neoformans were positive in 13 cases, urine cultures in 10 and in 11 patients C. neoformans was isolated from C.S.F. The latex agglutination tests for C. neoformans capsular polysaccharide rendered positive results in serum samples from 19 patients and from C.S.F. in 14 cases. Seven cases also presented active tuberculosis. According to these findings, it seems that the isolation of C. neoformans from bronchial secretion of HIV positive patients is a signal of disseminated cryptococcosis. It is important to isolate C. neoformans or detect its capsular antigen from other clinical samples in order to confirm the diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis. As observed in other studies, pleuropulmonary cryptococcosis does not present a typical clinical pattern.

[Study of eight cases of coccidioidomycosis in a hospital of Buenos Aires.]. / Estudio de ocho casos de coccidoidomicosis en un hospital de Buenos Aires.

Some clinical, epidemiological and diagnostic aspects from eight patients with chronic coccidioidomycosis (five pulmonary and three disseminated), diagnosed in the Muñiz Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. At diagnosis, lung cavitation and hemoptysis were present in five and four patients, respectively. Smoking (three cases) and alcoholism (two cases) were the most frequent predisposing factors. Diagnosis was achieved by microscopy and cultures from sputum (five cases), tongue and lymph node biopsies and scraping of cutaneous lesion achieved diagnosis. At diagnosis, most patients had positive coccidioidin skin test and serology. Four patients were born within the endemic area and two worked in contact with the soil of the same area.

Tratamientos de las onicomicosis debidas a hongos miceliales / Onychomycosis due to mycelial fungi: a private clinic experience in Argentina

El propósito de este estudio es presentar la experiencia en onicomicosis debida a hongos miceliales, incluyendo dermatofitos y mohos, obtenida en un consultorio privado de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. En total fueron incluidos 265 pacientes que sufrían este tipo de afección ungueal. El promedio de edad fue de 46,9 años (10-87), 142 fueron varones y 123 mujeres. Doscientos treinta y nueve casos presentaron la forma distal subungueal dre onicomicosis, 14 la forma blanco superficial, 5 la asociación de ambos, 4 onicolisis, 2 proximal subungueal y 1 enfermo exhibió onicolisis y onicomadesis. El 44,9 por ciento de los casos presentó una o dos uñas comprometidas, los restantes exhibieron más de 3 uñas atacads incluyendo un 4,9 por ciento de ellos que tuvieron más de 10 uñas con lesiones. En relación a la gravedad de la invasión ungueal, el 86,9 por ciento de los enfermos exhibió más del 50 por ciento de la superficie ungueal afectada. Fueron aislados los siguientes agentes causales de onicomicosis: T. rubrum 223 casos; T. mentagrophytes 13; T. tonsurans 1; en 20 pacientes se detectaron dermatofitos en el examen microscópico directo, pero no se obtuvieron cultivos positivos; se aislaron hongos miceliales no dermatofitos en 8 pacientes (Fusarium spp. 6 y Aspergillus terreus 2). La mayoría de los enfermos se incluyeron en 2 esquemas terapéuticos principales: itraconazol (1) por vía oral en la dosis diaria de 400 mg durante una semana de cada mes, estos ciclos se repitieron 3 a 4 veces (117 casos) o terbinafina (T) por vía oral a razón de 250 mg diarios durante 3 ó 4 meses (111 casos). Sólo 23 pacientes fueron seleccionados para ser tratados con fluconazol (F) de acuerdo con dos esquemas: 150 mg por semana ó 200 mg dos veces por semana durante 6 a 9 meses. Nueve casos recibieron sólo tratamiento local como primera medicación. Se observaron respuestas clínicas favorables (cura clínica y micológica o mejorías notables con reducción de > 75 por ciento de las lesiones) en el 71 por ciento de los pacientes inicialmente tratados con I y en el 53,1 por ciento de aquellos que recibieron T. El 56 por ciento de los casos que no mejoraron clínica y micológicamente con I mostraron buenas respuestas clínicas con T en un segundo tratamiento y la situación inversa fue comprobada en el 50 por ciento de los enfermos que no habían respondido favorablemente a T cuando se les administró I como segundo tratamiento...

Influencia del tratamiento con zidovudina (AZT) sobre los niveles de antígeno polisacárido capsular de Cryptococcus neoformans en los fluídos biológicos / Influence of zidovudine (AZT) on levels of capsular antigen of Cryptococcus neoformans in body fluids

Fueron investigados los títulos de antígeno polisacárido capsular de Cryptococcus neoformans en el momento del diagnóstico en 25 pacientes con criptococosis asociada al SIDA. Siete pacientes recibirían en el momento del diagnóstico de la micosis 500-600 mg/día de zidovudina (AZT) y otros 18 no recobirían ninguna medicación antirretroviral. Todos ellos recibieron tratamiento antifúngico específico inmediatamente después de realizado el diagnóstico micológico. Los títulos de los pacientes tratados con AZT fueron más bajos que aquellos no tratados con ningún esquema antirretroviral, aunque la diferencia observada careció de significación estadística (p>0,05). El promedio del tiempo de sobrevida (tomando desde el momento del diagnóstico de la micosis hasta la muerte) fue significativamente más largo (504,43 ñ 160 días) (p = 0,002). Tampoco se observaron diferencias significativas entre los recuentos de linfocitos CD4+ y la prevalencia de diferentes infecciones intercurrentes en ambos grupos. Las diferencias observadas entre ambas poblaciones estudiadas puede demostrar indirectamente la eficacia de la terapéutica antirretroviral para retardar el daño inmunológico provocado por el VIH sobre el sistema inmune de los pacientes

Nocardiosis asociada al SIDA / Nocardosis in patients infected with HIV

Se presentan los datos de nueve pacientes HIV positivos, internados en el Hospital F. J. Muñiz, entre enero de 1993 y diciembre de 1996, que padecieron nocardiosis como infección oportunista. Todos fueron varones y su edad promedio fue de 26 años; ocho eran adictos a drogas por vía intravenosa y uno fue homosexual. Fueron registradas las siguientes infecciones concomitantes: tuberculosis pulmonar en tres casos, histoplasmosis diseminada en dos y en un enfermo se observó tuberculosis y neumocistosis. En tres casos no hubieron otras infecciones asociadas. Se pudieron comprobar diferentes formas clínicas de nocardiosis: pleuropulmonares en cuatro casos; síndrome linfangítico-nodular en tres y pericarditis en dos enfermos. El examen microscópico directo de las muestras clínicas fue positivo en todos los casos y los cultivos permitieron el aislamiento de Nocardia en ocho de los nueve pacientes; en un caso se identificó como N brasiliensis y en los restantes fueron producidos por N. asteroides. La identificación de especies se llevó a cabo mediante las siguientes pruebas: hidrólisis de la caseína, lisis de los cristales de tirosina y xantina, prueba de ureasa y termotolerancia a 50º C durante 8 horas. No se realizaron pruebas de susceptibilidad "in vitro" a drogas antibacterianas. Se observaron manifestaciones pulmonares muy variables, desde bronconeumonías agudas a pioneumotórax. La evolución de estos pacientes estuvo estrechamente vinculada a la forma clínica. Todos los pacientes con síndrome linfangítico-nodular evolucionaron bien, por el contrario los dos casos de pericarditis murieron y los enfermos con procesos pleuropulmonares exhibieron una evolución variable en relación a la gravedad de los síntomas iniciales. Las drogas antimicrobianas empleadas en el tratamiento de estos casos fueron cotrimoxazol, amicacina y doxiciclina. El propósito de esta presentación es llamar la atención sobre la importancia de la búsqueda sistemática de las infecciones por Nocardia en los pacientes con SIDA

Ulcera cutánea provocada por hongos del género Fusarium / A cutaneous ulcer induced by fungi of the genus Fusarium

Se presenta el caso de un paciente oriundo y procedente del Paraguay, de 40 años de edad, portador de una ulceración crónica en cara externa del pie izquierdo, de 2 meses de evolución, debida a una hialohifomicosis por Fusarium oxysporum. Se destacan las características clínicas, métodos de diagnóstico y terapeútica de esta micosis, además de las diferentes etiologías a considerar en el diagnóstico diferencial de una úlcera en personas procedentes del área tropical o subtropical.

A case of cutaneous hyalohyphomycosis, due to Fusarium oxysporum, in a 40 years old man is presented. The patient came from Paraguay where he worked in a tropical rural area. His disease had begun 2 months before his admission as a skin ulcer located in the left leg. Clinical characteristics, diagnosis methods, differential diagnosis with other ulcers of the legs in tropical areas as well as therapeutic measures are discussed in this presentation.