Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis infection among asymptomatic children with eosinophilia in Croatia.

A total of 142 serum specimens from Croatian children aged 3-18 years, with peripheral eosinophilia and without any clinical symptoms, were tested for the presence of Toxocara canis IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot method. The overall T. canis seropositivity rate in the samples tested was 31%. There was no statistical difference in the seroprevalence rate between boys (32.1%) and girls (29.7%, chi2 = 0.092, P = 0.761). The T. canis seropositivity varied significantly between age groups both in boys (Fisher's test P < 0.001) and girls (Fisher's test P = 0.007). The highest seroprevalence rate was found in boys aged 11-14 (42.9%) and girls aged 7-10 (44.2%). Our results showed a high seroprevalence rate of T. canis infection among children with eosinophilia. It is important that testing for toxocariasis should be included in a differential diagnosis of eosinophilia, especially in children.

Hansenula anomala outbreak at a surgical intensive care unit: a search for risk factors.

During a 5-month period, Hansenula anomala (H. anomala), an opportunistic fungus, caused an outbreak of infections in eight adult patients treated at a surgical intensive care unit (ICU). The source of the infections and route of transmission could not be identified. A case-control study included 32 patients treated simultaneously at the surgical ICU. Univariate analysis pointed to the following significant risk factors: blood alkalosis, reduced urea, duration of hospitalization, bacteremia and colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and an APACHE II score >17 (during bacteremia or fungemia). The stepwise logistic regression multivariate analysis showed only the duration of blood alkalosis to be significant in case patients.

Pulmonary tuberculosis associated with invasive pseudallescheriasis.

A 54-year-old woman with pulmonary tuberculosis developed pneumonia caused by Scedosporium apiospermum, the asexual stage of the fungus Pseudallescheria boydii. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and P boydii were cultured in BAL fluid. The patient cleaned swimming pools in a spa health resort and was highly exposed to fungal conidia. She was successfully treated with antituberculosis drugs, miconazole nitrate and ketoconazole, leading to remission of her pulmonary infection. Invasive pulmonary pseudallescheriasis associated with tuberculosis is an unusual finding, especially in an immunocompetent individual.

Calor y leishmaniasis. Una revisión de las implicancias clínicas y biológicas / Heat and leishmaniasis. A review of clinical and biological implications

El estudio presenta una revisión a la literatura científica sobre el tema de tratamiento local con calor de lesiones cutáneas producidas por Leishmania spp, del Viejo y Nuevo Mundo. La revisión en general conlleva la impresión que las afirmaciones e instrucciones dadas por los autores al respecto se sustentan en unos pocos y no significativos ensayos terapéuticos en el hombre, en cuanto los estudios biológicos sugieren que el parásito es altamente susceptible al calor. Considerando que la termoterapia sería probablemente el tratamiento más barato y menos dañino para la leishmaniasis cutánea, sería altamente recomendable el desarrollo de investigación científica guiada.

This paper reviews literature concerning local application to heat for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in both Old and New World. The general review leads to the impression that statements and instructions given by authors are based on a few, non significant therapeutical trails in man, while biological studies suggest that the parasite should be highly susceptible to heat. Considering that thermotherapy would probably be the cheapest and least harmful treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis, it should advisable to carry on oriented scientific research.

Survey of 259 cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Nicaragua.

The clinical aspects of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Nicaragua are examined for the first time. Data regarding 259 cases were collected by the authors in two health centres of a central region of the country. On the basis of clinical observations the multiple aetiology (i.e. L. mexicana complex and L. braziliensis complex) of the lesions is suggested. The problem is of increasing importance in Nicaragua because of greater public awareness and new settlements in the endemic area and so it deserves further research.