Case Report: Invasive Sinusitis due to Sporothrix Brasiliensis in a Renal Transplant Recipient.

Sporotrichosis is usually a subcutaneous infection caused by thermodimorphic fungi of the genus Sporothrix. The disease occurs worldwide, but endemic areas are located in tropical and subtropical regions. The epidemiology of sporotrichosis in Brazil is peculiar because of the cat's entry in the chain of transmission of this mycosis, associated with Sporothrix brasiliensis, the most virulent species in the genus. Sinusitis caused by Sporothrix species is unusual and may be underdiagnosed or confused with other fungal etiologies, like mucormycosis. We report a case of sinusitis due to a Sporothrix species in a 6-year renal transplant recipient. Direct examination of smears of exudate of the sinus specimen (aspirate, biopsy) revealed budding yeasts and cigar-shaped cells. Sporothrix was subsequently recovered from the patient's exudate culture and identified as S. brasiliensis using species-specific polymerase chain reaction, and she was successfully treated with antifungal therapy. Her parents also developed the disease a week later, both only cutaneous involvement. Sporotrichosis sinusitis is a rare disease, even in immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis is crucial, and benefits from good epidemiological history.

Effectiveness of the human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) vaccine in the treatment of children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) vaccine influences the clinical course of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) when administered to a group of patients with this condition. METHODS: Uncontrolled intervention study of patients with juvenile-onset RRP examined at the Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, Federal University of São Paulo, where nine patients between the ages of nine and 17 received three doses of the prophylactic quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil(®)) and were followed for one year. Disease staging, intervals between relapses, intervals between surgeries, and the number of surgeries during the year prior to vaccination and during the first year after vaccination were compared. RESULTS: Eight patients were infected with HPV-6 and one with HPV-11. There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical scores (p=0.083), anatomical scores (p=0.257), intervals between relapses (p=0.062), intervals between surgeries (p=0.357), or the numbers of surgeries (p=0.180) when the years before and after vaccination were compared. All patients had relapses following vaccination. CONCLUSION: Patients with juvenile-onset RRP experienced a similar clinical course in the year after versus the year before vaccination with Gardasil(®).

Real-time polymerase chain reaction test to discriminate between contamination and intraocular infection after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays in the diagnosis of postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis in clinically diagnosed infectious cases and to test for bacterial DNA in control samples collected from noninfected eyes. SETTING: Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil. DESIGN: Evaluation of diagnostic test or technology. METHODS: This study comprised patients with clinically diagnosed infectious endophthalmitis after cataract surgery and vitreous samples (from noninflamed eyes obtained through vitrectomy) and aqueous samples (at end of phacoemulsification) from control patients at a single university setting. Universal and gram-specific real-time PCR, Gram staining, and culture were performed. Sensitivity and cycle thresholds were determined. Clinical and microbiologic data were also assessed. RESULTS: The study evaluated 11 patients with infectious endophthalmitis (9 vitreous and 7 aqueous samples), 12 control vitreous samples, and 50 control aqueous samples. Gram and culture identified 80% and 75%, respectively, of patients with infectious endophthalmitis. Real-time PCR assays were positive in 91% of patients with a clinical diagnosis of endophthalmitis using aqueous samples, vitreous samples, or both. None of the 12 vitreous controls were positive by PCR. Two aqueous control samples were positive by real-time PCR. The cycle threshold cutoff value was 36 for universal PCR (sensitivity 93.8%; specificity 100%) and 38 for gram-specific PCR (sensitivity 93.8%; specificity 100%). Gram-positive microorganisms prevailed, and visual acuity varied according to the causative bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time PCR provided fast and accurate diagnosis of bacterial endophthalmitis. As a quantitative technique, it may be useful in distinguishing between contamination and infection based on the cycle thresholds value.