Molecular characterisation of Sporothrix schenckii isolates from humans and cats involved in the sporotrichosis epidemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

An epidemic of sporotrichosis, a subcutaneous mycosis caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii, is ongoing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in which cases of human infection are related to exposure to cats. In an attempt to demonstrate the zoonotic character of this epidemic using molecular methodology, we characterised by DNA-based typing methods 19 human and 25 animal S. schenckii isolates from the epidemic, as well as two control strains. To analyse the isolates, the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was performed using three different primers, together with DNA fingerprinting using the minisatellite derived from the wild-type phage M13 core-sequence. The analyses generated amplicons with considerable polymorphism. Although isolates exhibited high levels of genetic relatedness, they could be clustered into 5-10 genotypes. The RAPD profiles of epidemic S. schenckii isolates could be distinguished from that of the United States isolate, displaying 20% similarity to each primer and 60% when amplified with the M13 primer. DNA fingerprinting of S. schenckii isolated from the nails (42.8%) and the oral cavities (66%) of cats were identical to related human samples, suggesting that there is a common infection source for animals and humans in this epidemic. It is clear that cats act as a vehicle for dissemination of S. schenckii.

Molecular characterisation of Sporothrix schenckii isolates from humans and cats involved in the sporotrichosis epidemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

An epidemic of sporotrichosis, a subcutaneous mycosis caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii, is ongoing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in which cases of human infection are related to exposure to cats. In an attempt to demonstrate the zoonotic character of this epidemic using molecular methodology, we characterised by DNA-based typing methods 19 human and 25 animal S. schenckii isolates from the epidemic, as well as two control strains. To analyse the isolates, the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was performed using three different primers, together with DNA fingerprinting using the minisatellite derived from the wild-type phage M13 core-sequence. The analyses generated amplicons with considerable polymorphism. Although isolates exhibited high levels of genetic relatedness, they could be clustered into 5-10 genotypes. The RAPD profiles of epidemic S. schenckii isolates could be distinguished from that of the United States isolate, displaying 20 percent similarity to each primer and 60 percent when amplified with the M13 primer. DNA fingerprinting of S. schenckii isolated from the nails (42.8 percent) and the oral cavities (66 percent) of cats were identical to related human samples, suggesting that there is a common infection source for animals and humans in this epidemic. It is clear that cats act as a vehicle for dissemination of S. schenckii.

Histoplasmosis in a Brazilian center: clinical forms and laboratory tests.

Histoplasmosis, caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, is endemic in many regions of the Americas, Asia and Africa. It has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic infection to severe disseminated disease. A retrospective study was carried out to describe the clinical forms and assess the clinical significance of the laboratory diagnostic tests of patients with histoplasmosis during the period of July 1987 to December 2003 at Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas/ FIOCRUZ, RJ, Brazil. Seventy-four patients were included. Forty-nine percent of the cases (n = 36) occurred in HIV positive patients who presented with disseminated disease. The remaining 38 cases were classified in different clinical forms. Histoplasma capsulatum was isolated from 69.5% of the clinical specimens sent to culture. Immunodiffusion and immunoblot were positive in 72.6% and 100% of the performed tests, respectively. Histopathologic findings suggestive of H. capsulatum were found in 63.2% of the performed exams. Serology had a lower proportion of positivity amongst AIDS patients, when compared with HIV negative patients (X2 = 6.65; p lower than 0.008). Statistical differences between AIDS and non-AIDS patients were not observed with culture and histopathology. The specific role of each test varies according to the clinical form. Physicians need to know the value and limitations of the available diagnostic tests, but before that, they have to think about histoplasmosis and consider this clinical entity in their differential diagnosis.

Protothecosis.

Protothecosis is an infection caused by achlorophyllic algae of the genus Prototheca which rarely affects humans. Some 100 cases have been described in the medical literature, the majority caused by the species P. wickerhamii. The skin is the organ most frequently involved. Diagnosis is performed by isolation of the microorganism in culture or by histopathology. The ideal treatment has not been defined, with amphotericin B and the azoles having been employed. Surgical excision is recommended for small, localized lesions. We describe a case of cutaneous protothecosis on the right fourth finger of a female patient 59 years old with no underlying disease. Administration of itraconazole 400 mg/day for 6 weeks failed to produce an adequate clinical response. Treatment was then changed to fluconazole 200 mg/day, with regression of the lesion.

Sporotrichosis: an emergent zoonosis in Rio de Janeiro

During the period from 1987 to 1998, 13 cases of human sporotrichosis were recorded at the Research Center Evandro Chagas Hospital (CPqHEC) in Rio de Janeiro. Two of these patients related scratch by a sick cat. During the subsequent period from July 1998 to July 2000, 66 human, 117 cats and 7 dogs with sporotrichosis were diagnosed at the CPqHEC. Fifty-two humans (78.8 percent) reported contact with cats with sporotrichosis, and 31 (47 percent) of them reporting a history of a scratch or bite. This epidemic, unprecedented in the literature, involving cats, dogs and human beings may have started insidiously before 1998

Entomophthoramycosis by Conidiobolus coronatus. Report of a case successfully treated with the combination of itraconazole and fluconazole

Rhinoentomophthoramycosis caused by Conidiobolus coronatus in a 61-year old woman was unsuccessfully treated during 8 years with all the antifungals available in the Brazilian market, including potassium iodide for 1 month, sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim for 2 months, amphotericin B, total dose of 1130 mg, cetoconazole, 400 mg/day for 6 months, fluconazole, 200 mg/day, for at least 2 months and, itraconazole, 400 mg/day for 2 months, followed by 200 mg/day for 4 more months. Complete clinical and mycological cure was achieved using itraconazol 400 mg/day in association with fluconazol 200 mg/day during 24 months. After cure she was submitted to plastic surgery to repair her facial deformation. Today she remains clinically and mycologically cured after 59/60 months (5 years!) without any specific antifungal. We thus suggest the use of the combination of itraconazole and fluconazole as an additional option for the treatment of this mycosis

Dermatofitoses no Rio de Janeiro: estudo dos fatores de risco em populaçäo adulta / Dermatophytosis in Rio de Janeiro: study of high factors in an adult population

Em 109 casos de dermatofitose (grupo teste) e 200 controles atendidos no Ambulatório de Dermatologia do Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho no período de 1984 a 1988, foram investigados o uso de sapatos fechados, banheiros coletivos, piscinas e contato com animal domésticos como fontes de infecçäo; diabetes, obesidade, grupos de antibióticos e/ou corticóides foram avaliados como fatores predisponentes. A avaliaçäo estatística dos grupos estudados através do teste do qui-quadrado revelou que o uso calçados fechados e o diabetes säo fatores de risco. A dermatofitose dos pés foi a forma clínica mais observada e o Trichophyton rubrum a espécie mais prevalente