Herpes simplex virus 1 rhombencephalitis in a patient with chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus-6A.

Central nervous system infection caused by Herpes simplex virus 1 remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant patients. Additionally, the clinical implications of the recently discovered Human herpesvirus 6A are still under investigation. Hereby, we report a clinical case of an immunosuppressed patient following kidney transplantation and with chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus-6A (CIHHV-6A) that developed rhombencephalitis due to herpes virus simplex 1. This case highlights the importance of investigating the CIHHV-6 status in the differential diagnosis whenever a human herpesvirus is detected in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Scrofula Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) occurs when at the minimum there is resistance to isoniazid and rifampin. Prevention of new infections of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and progression to TB disease is critical to reduce the burden and mortality of this disease. We present the case of a 73-year-old human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative female who presented with cervical lymphadenopathy and who was diagnosed with MDR-TB. LEARNING POINTS: Tuberculosis is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and approximately a quarter of the world's population is estimated to be latently infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis lymphadenitis is a rare manifestation of the disease in Portugal.With the advent of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, disease surveillance by the government should be intensified, with the aim of national and global TB control, focusing on prevention.

Skin and soft tissue infections in the intensive care unit: a retrospective study in a tertiary care center. / Infecções da pele e de tecidos moles na unidade de terapia intensiva: estudo retrospectivo em um centro terciário.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that may influence outcomes in patients with severe skin and soft tissue infections in the intensive care unit. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a cohort of 1,123 critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit with a primary or secondary diagnosis of severe skin and soft tissues infection between January 2006 and December 2014. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included, 20 (66.7%) of whom were diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis; in these patients, perineal area involvement was most commonly identified. Abscess was diagnosed in 8 (26.7%) patients, most commonly involving the cervical area. Risk factors such as immunosuppression and previous surgical trauma were commonly observed in this population. The most commonly isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli. Multidrug resistant microorganisms were commonly detected, even in the absence of traditional risk factors; among these patients, previous use of antibiotics was the most common risk factor for drug resistance. The rate of mortality was significantly higher in patients with necrotizing fasciitis (55%, p = 0.035) and associated with disease severity, presence of septic shock, cardiac arrest and leucocytosis. CONCLUSION: Different risk factors and etiologies of severe skin and soft tissue infections were identified. Necrotizing fasciitis and drug-resistant bacteria were significant predictors of mortality, even in the absence of traditional risk factors. Obtaining a better understanding of trends in the risk factors and microorganisms associated with severe skin infections may help in the determination of prompt treatment and antibiotic choices.

OBJETIVO: Descrever o prognóstico, os fatores de risco e a etiologia das infecções da pele e dos tecidos moles na unidade de terapia intensiva. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de uma coorte de 1.123 pacientes graves admitidos a uma unidade de terapia intensiva com o diagnóstico de infecção grave de pele ou tecidos moles. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionados 30 pacientes, sendo 20 (66,7%) com fasceíte necrotizante, predominantemente da região perineal; 8 (26,7%) com abscesso cutâneo; e 2 (6,6%) com celulite. A maioria dos pacientes tinha fatores de risco, como imunossupressão e lesões cutâneas. O microrganismo isolado predominante foi Escherichia coli. Pacientes com fasceíte necrotizante na admissão à unidade de terapia intensiva apresentaram mortalidade significativamente maior (55%; p = 0,035), assim como aqueles com maior índice de severidade, choque séptico, parada cardiorrespiratória e leucocitose. Organismos resistentes à antibioticoterapia foram comuns, mesmo na ausência de fatores de risco. Quando presente, o fator de risco mais comum foi o uso prévio de antibiótico. CONCLUSÃO: Foram identificados fatores de risco e microrganismos diferentes dos classicamente descritos na literatura, além de elevada mortalidade da fasceíte necrotizante e presença de microrganismos multirresistentes na ausência de fatores de risco. Dada a aparente evolução etiológica das infecções da pele e tecidos moles, a identificação de novos fatores de risco e etiologia pode contribuir para uma terapêutica antimicrobiana mais adequada.

Infecções da pele e de tecidos moles na unidade de terapia intensiva: estudo retrospectivo em um centro terciário / Skin and soft tissue infections in the intensive care unit: a retrospective study in a tertiary care center

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever o prognóstico, os fatores de risco e a etiologia das infecções da pele e dos tecidos moles na unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de uma coorte de 1.123 pacientes graves admitidos a uma unidade de terapia intensiva com o diagnóstico de infecção grave de pele ou tecidos moles. Resultados: Foram selecionados 30 pacientes, sendo 20 (66,7%) com fasceíte necrotizante, predominantemente da região perineal; 8 (26,7%) com abscesso cutâneo; e 2 (6,6%) com celulite. A maioria dos pacientes tinha fatores de risco, como imunossupressão e lesões cutâneas. O microrganismo isolado predominante foi Escherichia coli. Pacientes com fasceíte necrotizante na admissão à unidade de terapia intensiva apresentaram mortalidade significativamente maior (55%; p = 0,035), assim como aqueles com maior índice de severidade, choque séptico, parada cardiorrespiratória e leucocitose. Organismos resistentes à antibioticoterapia foram comuns, mesmo na ausência de fatores de risco. Quando presente, o fator de risco mais comum foi o uso prévio de antibiótico. Conclusão: Foram identificados fatores de risco e microrganismos diferentes dos classicamente descritos na literatura, além de elevada mortalidade da fasceíte necrotizante e presença de microrganismos multirresistentes na ausência de fatores de risco. Dada a aparente evolução etiológica das infecções da pele e tecidos moles, a identificação de novos fatores de risco e etiologia pode contribuir para uma terapêutica antimicrobiana mais adequada.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify factors that may influence outcomes in patients with severe skin and soft tissue infections in the intensive care unit. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a cohort of 1,123 critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit with a primary or secondary diagnosis of severe skin and soft tissues infection between January 2006 and December 2014. Results: Thirty patients were included, 20 (66.7%) of whom were diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis; in these patients, perineal area involvement was most commonly identified. Abscess was diagnosed in 8 (26.7%) patients, most commonly involving the cervical area. Risk factors such as immunosuppression and previous surgical trauma were commonly observed in this population. The most commonly isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli. Multidrug resistant microorganisms were commonly detected, even in the absence of traditional risk factors; among these patients, previous use of antibiotics was the most common risk factor for drug resistance. The rate of mortality was significantly higher in patients with necrotizing fasciitis (55%, p = 0.035) and associated with disease severity, presence of septic shock, cardiac arrest and leucocytosis. Conclusion: Different risk factors and etiologies of severe skin and soft tissue infections were identified. Necrotizing fasciitis and drug-resistant bacteria were significant predictors of mortality, even in the absence of traditional risk factors. Obtaining a better understanding of trends in the risk factors and microorganisms associated with severe skin infections may help in the determination of prompt treatment and antibiotic choices.

Hemiballistic movements in a newly HIV patient.

Infections of central nervous system (CNS) include a broad group of conditions and pose a particular challenge to physicians, especially in immunocompromised individuals. This case refers to a 26-year-old male patient with a history of smoked hashish and drug abuse admitted to the infectious disease department with hemiballismus of left hemibody and a positive HIV serologic test. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study showed lesions at lower left and right cerebellar hemisphere, one of them thalamus - mesencephalic suggesting an opportunistic infection or an HIV associated encephalopathy. Lumbar puncture, brain biopsy and successive neuroimaging were not conclusive for one disease and despite the use of directed therapy for cerebral toxoplasmosis, meningeal tuberculosis, anti-retrovirals and sedative medication, after over 6 weeks of hospitalization pallidotomy was performed. After 5 months of oral and surgical treatment the patient showed clinical, immunological and radiological recovery.

Candida albicans osteomyelitis as a cause of chest pain and visual loss.

Candida albicans osteomyelitis is a rare disease that occurs in immunocompromised individuals, sometimes with a late diagnosis related to the mismatch between symptoms and candidemia. This case refers to a 36-year-old male patient with a history of oesophageal surgery for achalasia with multiple subsequent surgeries and hospitalisation in the intensive care unit for oesophageal fistula complication. Four months after discharge, the patient was admitted to the infectious diseases department with pain in the 10th-12th left ribs, swelling of the 4th-6th costal cartilage and decreased visual acuity. An MRI study showed thickening and diffuse enhancement, with no defined borders in the cartilage and ribs, compatible with infection. After performing a CT-guided bone biopsy, isolated C. albicans sensitive to antifungal agents was detected. The patient started therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and maintenance fluconazole for 6 months and showed clinical and radiological improvement within this time.