Coccidioidomycosis: first cases reported in Pernambuco, Brazil.

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. These fungi are known to thrive in desert climate. Fungi produce infectious arthroconidia in soil, they are aerosolized in the air and when inhaled by humans, usually cause infections such as pneumonia. The first cases of coccidioidomycosis in Brazil were reported in 1978. Since then, there have been other reports mainly from desert regions of Northeastern Brazil. The present report describes three cases of coccidioidomycosis on male farmers from Serra Talhada county, Pernambuco State, who developed pneumonia and were subsequently diagnosed with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. These three farmers were successfully treated with oral fluconazole. They reported having hunted armadillos in a rural and arid area of Pernambuco State. Armadillos are known to be carriers of Coccidioides. This is the first report of infection caused by Coccidioides in Pernambuco State, Brazil.

Chylous ascites secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma in a HIV/aids patient: case report and literature review

Study design: case report. Case report: Man, 42 years old, diagnosed with aids two years ago, had developed enlarging in abdominal volume six months from admission. Computed tomography imaging showed free liquid in peritoneal cavity and increased retroperitoneal and mesenteric lymph nodes, besides splenomegaly. Ascitic fluid had milky appearance and high triglycerides levels. Hodgkin's lymphoma (mixed cellularity) was confirmed by histopathological analysis of a video-laparoscopic lymph node biopsy, Ann Arbor IIIS staging. Chemotherapy and continuation of highly active antiretroviral therapy resulted in weight gain and reduction of abdominal volume. Chylous ascites is a rare condition, which has a vast differential diagnosis. Discussion: In our review, the majority (15/18, 83%) of chylous ascites in HIV/aids-patients are due to infectious causes (mainly Mycobacterium avium complex and tuberculosis infection), in highly immunocompromised patients (mean TCD4=87cell/mL). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of chylous ascites secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient with aids. (AU)

Tipo de estudo: relato de caso. Relato de caso: Homem, 42 anos, diagnosticado com aids há dois anos, desenvolveu aumento de volume abdominal há seis meses da admissão. Tomografia computadorizada mostrou líquido livre na cavidade peritoneal, além de linfonodos mesentéricos e esplenomegalia. O líquido ascítico tinha aspecto leitoso e alto nível de triglicerídeos. Após amplo diagnóstico diferencial, diagnosticamos linfoma de Hodgkin tipo celularidade mista por biópsia linfonodal via videolaparoscópica, Ann Arbor IIIS. Quimioterapia e continuação da terapia antirretroviral de alta potência resultaram em ganho de peso e redução do volume abdominal. Ascite quilosa é uma entidade rara, que possui vários diagnósticos diferenciais. Discussão: Em nossa revisão, a maioria (15/18, 83%) dos casos de ascite quilosa em paciente com HIV/aids deveu-se a causa infecciosa (especialmente pelo Mycobacterium avium complex e tuberculose), em pacientes gravemente imunocomprometidos (linfócitos T-CD4 médio=84células/mm3). Até onde sabemos, este é o primeiro caso de ascite quilosa secundária a linfoma de Hodgkin em paciente com aids. (AU)