Comparison of Blended Learning With Traditional Dermatology Learning for Medical Students: Prospective Evaluation Study.

BACKGROUND: Novel internet-based applications and associated technologies have influenced all aspects of society, ranging from commerce and business to entertainment and health care, and education is no exception. In this context, this study was designed to evaluate the impact of a dermatology e-learning program on the academic performance of medical students in dermatology. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop a dermatology blended-learning course for undergraduate medical students, evaluate the knowledge gained by students exposed to this course, and compare the results to those of traditional teaching methods. METHODS: In this prospective study, we evaluated the performance of fourth-semester medical students at the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil. Students who had been in their second year of the medical course in 2019 were considered the control group, while students in their second year in 2020 were considered the blended or hybrid group. The first group attended traditional classes, using printed material (books and handouts), while the second group used our web-based course and e-book as a supplement in a hybrid web-plus-traditional fashion. Neither participants nor evaluators were blinded. The students in both groups were subjected to the same pre- and postcourse face-to-face, multiple-choice, paper-based evaluations, and we compared their performances. The content of the classes was the same for both groups. All didactic activities were developed by a team of certified dermatologists and professors from the university. RESULTS: A total of 129 students were selected and divided into 2 groups: the control group (n=57) and the hybrid group (n=72). The precourse tests did not indicate any difference between the control group (mean score 2.74, SD 1.25) and the hybrid group (mean score 3.2, SD 1.22 SD; P>.05). The hybrid group had better final-term grades (mean 8.18, SD 1.26) than the traditional group (mean 7.11, SD 1.04). This difference was statistically significant (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study explores pedagogical possibilities in the field of dermatology teaching for medical school students. The results suggest that the performance of undergraduate students who attended the course with additional e-learning material was superior when compared to the performance of those who participated in the traditional course alone.

Ultrastructure of vascular permeability in urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have addressed the ultrastructure of vascular permeability in urticaria. OBJECTIVES: To describe the types of endothelial cell organelles involved in vascular permeability in drug-induced acute urticaria (DIAU). METHODS: Seven patients with DIAU were enrolled in the study. Biopsies of urticarial lesions and apparently normal skin were performed. The 14 collected fragmentswere processed with immunogold electron microscopy using single stains for tryptase and factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) and double immunogold labeling for both tryptase and FXIIIa. RESULTS: Some sections demonstrated mast cells in the degranulation process, in both anaphylactic and piecemeal degranulation. After double immunogold staining, 10 nm (FXIIIa) and 15 nm (tryptase) gold particles wereboth present, covering the granules in the mast cells, indicating that both tryptase and FXIIIa were localized within the granules of these cells. Interestingly, we found strong evidence of the presence of caveolae and vesico-vacuolar organelles (VVOs) in the endothelial cells of the biopsies. In addition to these findings, we were able to demonstrate the presence of tryptase and FXIIIa in the endothelial celIs, in urticarial lesions and in apparently normal skin. CONCLUSIONS: VVOs are present in the endothelial cells of post-capillary venules in DIAU. This is the first report on the expression of FXIIIa and tryptase in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells in urticaria.

Cutaneous larva migrans: a bad souvenir from the vacation.

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a common endemic disease in tropical and subtropical countries. This condition is caused by skin-penetrating larvae of nematodes, mainly of the hookworm Ancylostoma braziliense and other nematodes of the family Ancylostomidae. We report three cases of CLM acquired during vacations in different regions of Brazil.

Invitro effect of pine bark extract on melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activity, production of endothelin-1, and PPAR in cultured melanocytes exposed to Ultraviolet, Infrared, and Visible light radiation.

BACKGROUND: French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster) extract (PBE), the registered trade name of which is Pycnogenol® , has been studied for its depigmenting action due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic activity. However, the mechanisms through which PBE are still not fully clear. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the impact of PBE on four in vitro parameters closely associated with cutaneous pigmentation, including melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activity, endothelin-1 (ED1), and production of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, δ, and γ (PPAR α, δ, and γ), by studying the modulation of action of ultraviolet radiation A (UVA)/ultraviolet radiation B (UVB), infrared-A (IR-A), visible light (VL), and association of UVA/UVB, IR-A, and VL (ASS). METHODS: Human melanocytes were incubated in a dry extract solution of PBE, exposed to UVA/UVB, IR-A, VL, and ASS for subsequent quantification of melanin, ED1, and PPAR α, δ, and γ. The effects of PBE on inhibition of tyrosinase activity were also performed by monophenolase activity assay. RESULTS: UVA/UVB, IR-A, VL, and ASS radiation caused significant increases in the synthesis of melanin, ED1, and PPAR α, δ, and γ when compared to baseline control. However, PBE significantly reduced the production of melanin, ED1, and PPAR α, δ, and γ, as well as reducing about 66.5% of the tyrosinase activity. CONCLUSIONS: PBE reduces in vitro melanin production by downregulating tyrosinase and reducing pigmentation-related mediators, such as ED1 and PPAR α, δ, and γ, therefore contributing to the inhibition of pathways associated with skin hyperpigmentation.

Effectiveness of telemedicine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of the telemedicine care model implemented to treat and guide patients with COVID-19 related symptoms and indicators during the pandemic. METHODS: This is a retrospective study with data collected from the electronic records of standardized forms for assistance. As a way of evaluating the work performed, the number of consultations, types of referrals, efficiency of care, and patient satisfaction were observed. RESULTS: Between April 2 and October 15, 2020, 92 professionals attended 3,660 patients by telemedicine; out of them, 523 (14.3%) were referred to a COVID-19 attending room, 128 (3.5%) to other specialties, 123 (3.4%) to a general emergency department, and 2,886 (78.9%) were monitored via home care. Of the total number of patients, 81 (2.2%) were hospitalized, and 13 (0.35%) died. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine offered useful tools for the care, treatment, and monitoring of patients with COVID-19 during the pandemic. The service was considered by most respondents as satisfactory, resolutive, or safe.

Urticaria unresponsive to antihistaminic treatment: an open study of therapeutic options based on histopathologic features.

BACKGROUND: The non- or low-sedating H1 receptor antagonists represent the basic therapy for urticaria. OBJECTIVE: To test an alternative approach to patients unresponsive to conventional treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 22 patients with chronic urticaria unresponsive to conventional antihistamine treatment were enrolled for this study. They had uncontrolled urticaria even using multiple combinations of antihistamines on maximum doses and corticosteroids in short cycles (prednisone 20-40 mg, per os once a day, 3-7 days per month). Cutaneous biopsies of the urticaria lesions were taken. These findings were classified as: (I) a mixture of perivascular dermal inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils and/or eosinophils; (II) inflammatory infiltrate composed chiefly of neutrophils; and (III) inflammatory infiltrate composed mainly of eosinophils. According to histology, the patients were submitted to one of the following therapeutic schemes: class A - antihistamine treatment plus dapsone; class B - colchicine or dapsone; class C - montelukast. RESULTS: Four patients in class A, 08 in class B and seven in class C displayed complete control of urticaria after 12 weeks of treatment; one patient in class B and two in class C did not respond to treatment. Two years after discontinuation, 16 patients are still free of urticaria. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests an alternative approach for treating unresponsive chronic urticaria.

Surveillance of intradomiciliary contacts of leprosy cases: perspective of the client in a hyperendemic municipality.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize approach methods for intradomiciliary contacts (IdC) of leprosy cases resident in Northern Brazil, during 2001-2012. METHOD: A cross-sectional and descriptive study in the state of Rondônia. Included IdC of leprosy cases diagnosed/reported in SINAN-Ministry of Health (MS), 2001-2012. A semi-structured instrument was applied to the IdCs, with six interventions: complete dermatological examination; complete neurological examination; BCG vaccination; instructions for return to the health unit; BCG guidance; and guidance to mobilize other contacts.Results: From a total of 459 IdCs included, failure to perform the dermatological examination was reported by 191 people (41.6%) and the neurological examination, by 252 (54.9%); 138 (30.1%) did not have BCG indicated and 122 (26.6%) did not receive guidelines; 257 (56.0%) were not advised to return for a new evaluation/follow-up and 186 (40.5%) were not asked to mobilize other contacts. CONCLUSION: Despite the favorable indicators of IdC examination coverage in the state, the evaluation process presents patterns that indicate operational quality failures.

Analysis of the availability of the resources necessary for urgent and emergency healthcare in São Paulo between 2009-2013.

INTRODUCTION:: The Regulatory Complex is the structure that operationalizes actions for making resources available to meet the needs of urgent and emergency care in the municipality of São Paulo. In the case of urgent care, needs are immediate and associated with high morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE:: To identify the most frequently requested resources, the resolution capacity and the mortality rate associated with the unavailability of a certain resource. METHOD:: Our study was based on data from medical bulletins issued by the Urgent and Emergency Regulation Center (CRUE) in the city of São Paulo from 2009 to 2013. RESULTS:: 91,823 requests were made over the five years of the study (2009 to 2013). Neurosurgery requests were the most frequent in all years (4,828, 5,159, 4,251, 5,008 and 4,394, respectively), followed by computed tomography (CT) scans, adult intensive care unit (ICU) beds, cardiac catheterization, and pediatric ICU beds. On average, requests for neurosurgery, adult ICU, pediatric ICU, CT scans, catheterization and vascular surgery were answered in 70%, 27%, 39%, 97%, 87% and 77% of cases. The total number of deaths relating to requests for neurosurgery, CT scans, adult ICU, pediatric ICU, catheterization and vascular surgeon assessment were 182, 9, 1,536, 1,536, 135, 49 and 24 cases, respectively. CONCLUSION:: There is a lack of resources to meet urgent and emergency needs in the city of São Paulo.

Oral health conditions in leprosy cases in hyperendemic area of the Brazilian Amazon.

Leprosy is a hyperendemic chronic condition in the Rondônia State . Despite the significant impact of oral health on the quality of life and clinical evolution of leprosy patients, systematic evaluation of oral health status has been neglected. To analyze the dental-clinical profile, self-perceived oral health and dental health service access of leprosy cases in the municipality of Cacoal in Rondônia State , North Brazil, from 2001 to 2012. A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was performed based on dental evaluation and standardized structured instruments. We investigated clinically assessed and self-perceived oral health status, as well as dental health service access. A total of 303 leprosy cases were included; 41.6% rated their oral health as good, and 42.6% reported being satisfied with their oral health. Self-reported loss of upper teeth was 45.5%. The clinical evaluation revealed that 54.5% had active caries. Most (97.7%) cases reported having been to the dentist at least once in their life and 23.1% used public health services. The poor standard of oral health in this population may increase the risk for leprosy reactions, consequently reducing quality of life. Low access to public health dental services and poor self-perceived oral health reinforce the need to achieve comprehensive health care in this population.

Extensive colorectal lymphomatous polyposis complicated by acute intestinal obstruction: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Multiple lymphomatous polyposis is a rare type of gastrointestinal lymphoma that extensively infiltrates the intestine. Multiple lymphomatous polyposis originates from the mantle zone of the lymphoma follicle and is considered to be a mantle cell lymphoma, which is a relatively aggressive type of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We report an unusual case of a patient with multiple lymphomatous polyposis with extensive colorectal involvement and acute intestinal obstruction, an atypical complication of this rare disease. On the basis of this case study, the pitfalls in gastrointestinal tract lymphomatous polyposis diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the treatment options, are discussed. CASE PRESENTATION: Our patient was a 76-year-old white woman with asthenia, cramps, and swelling in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen, as well as weight loss within the previous 5 months. A colonoscopy revealed polyps in the rectum, sigmoid colon, descending colon, and right and left colic flexures. A biopsy revealed lymphomatous infiltration of the intestinal wall. Because of the large size of the polypoid masses, which narrowed the colonic lumen in multiple locations, the patient developed acute intestinal obstruction and was referred for laparotomy. She underwent a total proctocolectomy with a permanent ileostomy and a left salpingo-oophorectomy. Microscopic examination showed the presence of a multicentric, low-grade, small lymphocytic lymphoma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive immunostaining for CD79a, CD20, and CD45. These results were consistent with the diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma. Two weeks after surgery and prior to discharge, but before the beginning of chemotherapy, the patient's general condition worsened as she experienced a severe and progressive respiratory tract infection, advanced respiratory insufficiency, and septic shock, and she ultimately died. CONCLUSIONS: Mantle cell lymphoma develops as a progressive and aggressive disease with widespread polyposis of the gastrointestinal tract. The intensive chemotherapeutic regimens usually result in the regression of macroscopic and microscopic lesions; however, remissions are short in duration, and the median length of patient survival is 3-4 years. Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare disease that should be part of the differential diagnosis of polypoid diseases of the large intestine.

Taxa de sobrevivência após intoxicação por paraquat: impacto das variáveis clínicas emergenciais e laboratoriais / Survival rate after paraquat poisoning: impact of emergency clinical and laboratory variables

RESUMO Objetivo analisar a associação da sobrevida às medidas de atendimento de emergência, sintomas clínicos e marcadores bioquímicos usados para pacientes intoxicados por paraquat. Métodos coorte retrospectiva, norteada pela ferramenta Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology . O protocolo de coleta e análise de dados foi baseado em duas fases: primeira, com o levantamento das fichas de investigação de intoxicações exógenas da Secretaria de Vigilância Epidemiológica; segunda, com a análise das informações nos prontuários médicos impressos. Resultados dos 36(100%) pacientes investigados, 19(53,0%) sobreviveram; no tocante às manifestações clínicas, houve significância estatística para o sistema respiratório (p=0,003); no que tange às variáveis bioquímicas, houve significância estatística para as enzimas hepáticas. As medidas de emergências inicias 13(56,5%) dos sobreviventes receberam lavagem gástrica com carvão ativado. Conclusão observou-se falta de eficácia dos impactos das medidas de atendimento de emergência e dos medicamentos em aumentar a sobrevida dos pacientes.

ABSTRACT Objective to analyze the association of survival to emergency care measures, clinical symptoms and biochemical markers used for paraquat intoxicated patients. Methods retrospective cohort, guided by the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology tool. The data collection and analysis protocol were based on two phases: first, with the survey of the investigation forms of exogenous poisoning from the Secretariat of Epidemiological Surveillance; second, with the analysis of information in printed medical records. Results of the 36 (100%) patients investigated, 19 (53.0%) survived; regarding the clinical manifestations, there was statistical significance for the respiratory system (p=0.003); regarding the biochemical variables, there was statistical significance for liver enzymes. The initial emergency measures 13(56.5%) of survivors received gastric lavage with activated charcoal. Conclusion we observed a lack of efficacy of the impacts of emergency care measures and medications in increasing patient survival.

Effectiveness of telemedicine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of the telemedicine care model implemented to treat and guide patients with COVID-19 related symptoms and indicators during the pandemic. METHODS: This is a retrospective study with data collected from the electronic records of standardized forms for assistance. As a way of evaluating the work performed, the number of consultations, types of referrals, efficiency of care, and patient satisfaction were observed. RESULTS: Between April 2 and October 15, 2020, 92 professionals attended 3,660 patients by telemedicine; out of them, 523 (14.3%) were referred to a COVID-19 attending room, 128 (3.5%) to other specialties, 123 (3.4%) to a general emergency department, and 2,886 (78.9%) were monitored via home care. Of the total number of patients, 81 (2.2%) were hospitalized, and 13 (0.35%) died. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine offered useful tools for the care, treatment, and monitoring of patients with COVID-19 during the pandemic. The service was considered by most respondents as satisfactory, resolutive, or safe.

Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients and the main nursing diagnoses / Características clínicas dos pacientes COVID-19 e os principais diagnósticos de enfermagem

AIMS: to present a reflection on the clinic of patients infected by COVID-19 and to propose the main nursing diagnoses based on International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP©). METHOD: this is a reflection study, in which the selection criteria used were articles indexed in the MEDLINE, LILACS and BDENF databases published between December 2019 and April 2020, in English and Portuguese. RESULTS: 10 scientific articles were part of the study, which made it possible to know the symptomatologic profile of the disease, with emphasis on the classic triad of COVID-19, which is cough, shortness of breath and fever. It revealed that the basic human need most affected in this patient profile is oxygenation in view of hypoxemia being the main complication, for which the clinical outcome was negative, especially in elderly patients. CONCLUSION: there was a shortage and studies related to nursing in the face of this pandemic, but it was possible to conclude that ICNP© is one of the taxonomies that can be used to implement nursing diagnoses and intervention, the most frequent nursing diagnoses are related to the basic human and social need for oxygenation and vascular regulation.

OBJETIVO: apresentar uma reflexão sobre a clínica dos pacientes contaminados pela COVID-19 e propor os principais diagnósticos de enfermagem baseados na Classificação Internacional para a Prática de Enfermagem (CIPE®). MÉTODO: trata-se de um estudo de reflexão, na qual utilizaram-se como critérios de seleção, artigos indexados nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS e BDENF publicados entre dezembro de 2019 a abril de 2020, no idioma inglês e português. RESULTADOS: fizeram parte do estudo 10 artigos científicos o que possibilitou conhecer o perfil sintomatológico da doença, com destaque para a tríade clássica da COVID-19 que é tosse, falta de ar e febre. Revelou que a necessidade humana básica mais afetada nesse perfil de paciente é a oxigenação tendo em vista hipoxemia ser a principal complicação, para as quais o desfecho clínico foi negativo, principalmente, em pacientes idosos. CONCLUSÃO: evidenciou-se a carência e estudos relativos à enfermagem frente a essa pandemia, porém foi possível concluir que a CIPE® é uma das taxonomias que pode ser utilizada para implementar os diagnósticos e intervenção de enfermagem, os diagnósticos de enfermagem mais frequentes estão relacionados a necessidade humana básica de oxigenação e regulação vascular.

Intoxicação parenteral por herbicida: estamos preparados para o cuidar? / Paren­teral herbicide poisoning: are we prepared to care? / Envenenamiento parenteral por herbicidas: estamos preparados para cuidar?

Objetivo: relatar o caso de uma paciente jovem admitida na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), vítima de suicídio por envenenamento parenteral por paraquat (PQ) e propor os principais diagnósticos de enfermagem e intervenções de acordo com a Classificação Internacional para as Práticas de Enfermagem(CIPE®). Método: Estudo descritivo retrospectivo do tipo estudo de caso, de uma paciente admitida na unidade de terapia intensiva pública no interior sul da Amazônia legal. Relato de caso: a vítima injetou PQ no bíceps, o local evoluiu para induração e necrose por coagulação, conforme avanço e metabolização do PQ a paciente apresentou manifestações, como leucocitose, lesão hepatorenal, respiratória e em seguida falência múltiplas de órgãos (FMO). Conclusão: Conclui-se que vítimas de intoxicação por PQ, são considerados vítimas de tentativa de suicídio, a ingestão oral acima de 40/45mg/kg aumenta significativamente a mortalidade para 100%, e a administração parenteral contribui diretamente com FMO, e óbito em 100%.(AU)

Objective: report the case of a young patient admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), victim of suicide due to paraquat(PQ) parenteral poisoning and propose the main nursing diagnoses and interventions according to the International Classification for Nursing Practices (ICNP®). Method: retrospective descriptive study of the case study type, of a patient admitted to the public intensive care unit in the southern interior of the legal Amazon. Case report: the victim injected PQ into the biceps, the site evolved to induration and necrosis by coagulation, as the PQ progressed and metabolized, the patient presented with manifestations such as leukocytosis, hepatic and respiratory damage and then multiple organ failure (FMO). Conclusion: It is concluded that victims of PQ intoxication are considered victims of attempted suicide, oral intake above 40 / 45mg / kg significantly increases mortality to 100%, and parenteral administration contributes directly to FMO, and death in 100%.(AU)

Objetivo: informar el caso de un paciente joven ingresado en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI), víctima de suicidio debido a intoxicación parenteral por Paraquat (PQ) y proponer los principales diagnósticos e intervenciones de enfermería de acuerdo con la Clasificación Internacional de Prácticas de Enfermería(CIPE®). Método: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo del tipo de estudio de caso, de un paciente ingresado en la unidad pública de cuidados intensivos en el interior del sur de la Amazonía legal. Informe del caso: la víctima inyectó PQ en el bíceps, el sitio evolucionó a induración y necrosis por coagulación, a medida que la PQ progresaba y se metabolizaba, el paciente presentaba manifestaciones tales como leucocitosis, daño hepático y respiratorio y luego falla orgánica múltiple (FMO). Conclusión: se concluye que las víctimas de intoxicación PQ se consideran víctimas de intento de suicidio, la ingesta oral por encima de 40 / 45mg / kg aumenta significativamente la mortalidad al 100%, y la administración parenteral contribuye directamente a la FMO, y la muerte en 100%.(AU)

Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4 expression of keratinocytes from patients with localized and disseminated dermatophytosis.

There are few studies on the role of innate immune response in dermatophytosis. An investigation was conducted to define the involvement of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 in localized (LD) and disseminated (DD) dermatophytosis due to T. rubrum. Fifteen newly diagnosed patients, eight patients with LD and seven with DD, defined by involvement of at least three body segments were used in this study. Controls comprised twenty skin samples from healthy individuals undergoing plastic surgery. TLR2 and TLR4 were quantified in skin lesions by immunohistochemistry. A reduced expression of TLR4 in the lower and upper epidermis of both LD and DD patients was found compared to controls; TLR2 expression was preserved in the upper and lower epidermis of all three groups. As TLR4 signaling induces the production of inflammatory cytokines and neutrophils recruitment, its reduced expression likely contributed to the lack of resolution of the infection and the consequent chronic nature of the dermatophytosis. As TLR2 expression acts to limit the inflammatory process and preserves the epidermal structure, its preserved expression may also contribute to the persistent infection and limited inflammation that are characteristic of dermatophytic infections.

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome due to anticonvulsants in a two-year-old boy.

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) usually refers to severe cutaneous drug eruption associated with systemic involvement and potentially fatal outcome. We report a 2-year-old Caucasian boy who developed DIHS due to phenytoin and phenobarbital and who showed extensive internal organ involvement. We are alerting that failure to recognize this drug eruption and discontinue the culprit drug may result in increased severity, greater extent of internal organ involvement, and fatal outcome. The recent research about the influence of human herpesvirus 6 co-infection on the pathogenesis of DIHS is also discussed by the authors in this paper.

Carcinoid tumor of the duodenum: a rare tumor at an unusual site. Case series from a single institution.

CONTEXT: Duodenal carcinoids are extremely rare, and their characteristics and biological behavior have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with resected duodenal carcinoids. METHODS: Twenty patients (12 females and 8 males) were investigated. Their average age was 66.4 ± 5.8 years old (43 to 88 years old). The data corresponding to the clinical picture, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with duodenal carcinoid tumors subjected to resection over a period of 18 years (1993-2011) were analyzed. RESULTS: The most common symptoms were dyspepsia (50%) and epigastric pain (45%) followed by weight loss (10%) and vomiting (5%). Carcinoid syndrome was not observed in any patient. The lesion was located on the first part of the duodenum in 15 (75%) patients, the second part in 4 (20%) patients, and the third part in 1 (5%) patient. The diagnosis of a carcinoid tumor was established through an endoscopic excision biopsy in 19 (95%) patients and an histopathological examination of the surgical specimen in 1 (5%) patient. The average tumor size was 1.1 cm ± 0.4 cm (0.3 cm to 6.0 cm). Nineteen (95%) patients were initially treated by endoscopic resection of the duodenal lesion. One patient (5%), whose tumor was on the third part of the duodenum underwent a duodenectomy of the third and fourth duodenal parts and duodenojejunal anastomosis. The duodenal carcinoid resection margin was involved in four (20%) patients. Four (20%) patients were subjected to a partial gastrectomy to fully remove the lesion. The tumor was restricted to the submucosal layer in 16 (80%) cases, and it penetrated into the muscular layer in 4 (20%) cases. All patients exhibited positive chromogranin A, neuron-specific enolase, and/or synaptophysin immunostaining. The average duration of the follow-up period was 39.6 months (3 to 96 months). Twelve (60%) of the 20 cases in this series are alive without any evidence of active disease. Only one (5%) patient died due to liver metastases of the duodenal carcinoid. CONCLUSIONS: Duodenal carcinoids are rare and indolent tumors usually associated with a benign progression. Duodenoscopy, computerized tomography, and endoscopic ultrasound should be performed to evaluate the tumor size, the level of wall invasion, and the presence of regional or distant lymphatic metastases. Endoscopic removal of tumors smaller than 1.0 cm without periampullary localization or evidence of muscular propria layer invasion assessed by histology and/or endoscopic ultrasound is recommended. The endoscopic resection with a carcinoid tumor size between 1.0 cm and 2.0 cm can be incomplete and require new endoscopic resection or even surgical removal. Duodenal carcinoid larger than 2.0 cm require full-thickness resection and concomitant lymphadenectomy.

The use of nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested PCR) for the early diagnosis of Histoplasma capsulatum infection in serum and whole blood of HIV-positive patients.

The aim of the study was to detect the rDNA sequences and their regions in Histoplasma capsulatum, which could be considered species-specific and used as a molecular method for this diagnosis by the technique of nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR), employing specific sequences (primers) for H. capsulatum: 18S rDNA region (HC18), 100 kDa (HC100) and the sequence 5.8 S-ITS rDNA (HC5.8). The PCR sequences HC18, HC100 and HC5.8 resulted in a specificity of 100%. The molecular assays may increase the specificity, sensitivity and speed in the diagnosis of Histoplasmosis.