Pulmonary nodules: An unusual onset of HIV infection belatedly diagnosed.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis is a generally systemic and potentially lethal fungal infection. Although HIV infection is a predisposing condition, especially if the CD4+ lymphocyte count is less than 100cells/mm3, other forms of immunosuppression may be associated with this opportunistic fungal condition, such as prolonged steroid therapy or solid organ transplantation. Pulmonary presentation must be included in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia or pulmonary neoplasia in the immunosuppressed patient. CASE REPORT: We report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in a non-diagnosed HIV patient. In a 44 year-old male suffering from dyspnea and chest pain the image of a pulmonary nodule was observed in a radiological finding. In the histopathological study, intracellular structures suggestive of fungal conidia, and morphologically compatible with Cryptococcus, were observed. HIV serology and cryptococcal antigen detection in serum were requested, given the possibility of cryptococcosis. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii was isolated from the culture of the pulmonary biopsy. The patient was finally diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis and HIV-1 infection. With a proper antifungal treatment the patient evolved satisfactorily. CONCLUSIONS: The best strategy to avoid opportunistic infections such as cryptococcosis in HIV-infected patients consists of an early diagnosis and a highly active antiretroviral treatment. In our case, the diagnosis of a pulmonary infection by C. neoformans var. grubii allowed a late diagnosis of HIV-1 infection.

Pulmonary nodules: an unusual onset of HIV infection belatedly diagnosed / Nódulos pulmonares: un inicio infrecuente de la infección por VIH diagnosticada tardíamente

Background: Cryptococcosis is a generally systemic and potentially lethal fungal infection. Although HIV infection is a predisposing condition, especially if the CD4+ lymphocyte count is less than 100cells/mm3, other forms of immunosuppression may be associated with this opportunistic fungal condition, such as prolonged steroid therapy or solid organ transplantation. Pulmonary presentation must be included in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia or pulmonary neoplasia in the immunosuppressed patient. Case report: We report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in a non-diagnosed HIV patient. In a 44 year-old male suffering from dyspnea and chest pain the image of a pulmonary nodule was observed in a radiological finding. In the histopathological study, intracellular structures suggestive of fungal conidia, and morphologically compatible with Cryptococcus, were observed. HIV serology and cryptococcal antigen detection in serum were requested, given the possibility of cryptococcosis. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii was isolated from the culture of the pulmonary biopsy. The patient was finally diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis and HIV-1 infection. With a proper antifungal treatment the patient evolved satisfactorily. Conclusions: The best strategy to avoid opportunistic infections such as cryptococcosis in HIV-infected patients consists of an early diagnosis and a highly active antiretroviral treatment. In our case, the diagnosis of a pulmonary infection by C. neoformans var. grubii allowed a late diagnosis of HIV-1 infection

Antecedentes: La criptococosis es una infección fúngica generalmente sistémica y potencialmente letal. Aunque la infección por VIH es una condición predisponente, especialmente si el recuento de linfocitos CD4+ es inferior a 100células/mm3, otras formas de inmunosupresión, como la terapia prolongada con esteroides o el trasplante de órgano sólido, pueden asociarse a esta micosis oportunista. La forma pulmonar debe incluirse en el diagnóstico diferencial de neumonía o neoplasia pulmonar en el paciente inmunodeprimido. Caso clínico: Presentamos un caso de criptococosis pulmonar en un paciente con VIH no diagnosticado. Varón de 44 años aquejado de disnea y dolor torácico en el que como hallazgo radiológico se observa un nódulo pulmonar. En el estudio histopatológico del mismo se observaron estructuras intracelulares sugestivas de conidias fúngicas, morfológicamente compatibles con Cryptococcus. Ante la sospecha de criptococosis se solicitó la serología de VIH y la detección en suero de antígeno criptocócico. Se aisló Cryptococcus neoformans variedad grubii de la siembra de la biopsia pulmonar. El paciente fue finalmente diagnosticado de criptococosis pulmonar e infección por VIH-1. Con el tratamiento antifúngico, el paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente. Conclusiones: La mejor estrategia para evitar infecciones oportunistas como la criptococosis en pacientes infectados por VIH consiste en un diagnóstico precoz y un tratamiento antirretroviral de gran actividad. En este caso, el diagnóstico de infección pulmonar por C. neoformans var. grubii permitió un diagnóstico tardío de infección por VIH-1

Conjuntivitis por Capnocytophaga ochracea en un neonato de dos semanas / Conjunctivitis by Capnocytophaga ochracea in a two weeks newborn

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Otitis externa necrosante causada por Scopulariopsis brevicaulisen un paciente sin factores predisponentes / Necrotising otitis externa due to Scopulariopsis brevicaulis in a patient without predisposing factors

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Características clínico-demográficas de la población del Sur de Gran Canaria con diagnóstico de enterobiasis: valoración de la toma de muestras / Demographic and clinical features of diagnosed individuals of enterobiasis in the southern Gran Canaria: sampling assessment

Introducción. La enterobiasis, causada por Enterobius vermicularis es una de las parasitosis más prevalentes en población infantil, cuyo diagnóstico implica la demostración de los huevos o gusanos mediante el método de Graham. El objetivo del estudio es describir las características clínico-demográficas y microbiológicas de pacientes con sospecha de Enterobiasis en el área Sur de Gran Canaria. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo y prospectivo de los resultados de muestras perianales evaluadas mediante el método de Graham por el Servicio de Microbiología del Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria entre Noviembre de 2014 y Noviembre de 2015. Se ha realizado un análisis descriptivo y de asociación de riesgo de las variables clínicas y demográficas y los resultados del Test de Graham. Resultados. Se obtuvieron 1.128 muestras válidas. En el 11,4% se observaron huevos de E. vermicularis; el 88,4% de las muestras positivas en menores de 14 años y el 53,5% en género masculino. Dolor abdominal (18,6%), prurito anal (11,6%), eosinofilia (8,5%) y parasitosis intestinal (7,8%) fueron los motivos de solicitud en las muestras positivas. Predomino elevado sin diagnóstico de sospecha o diagnósticos no relacionados con enterobiasis. Conclusiones. La enterobiasis es un motivo de consulta en atención primaria y una patología de interés en Gran Canaria. La calidad de recogida de muestras y el diagnóstico de sospecha es necesaria para realizar un buen análisis microbiológico (AU)

Introduction. Enterobius vermicularis, also known as pinworn, is the responsible agent for Human Enterobiasis. It is one of the most prevalent, but underrated, parasitic disease in children population. Diagnosis involves demonstration of either eggs or adult worms by Graham test. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, demographic and microbiological features of patients with suspected diagnosis of Enterobiasis in southern Gran Canaria. Material and methods. Descriptive and prospective study of perianal samples evaluated by Graham test in the Microbiology Department of `Insular de Gran Canaria´ University Hospital between November 2014 and November 2015. Descriptive analysis to evaluate the correlation between clinical and demographic variables and the results of Graham test microbiological observation. Results. 1,128 samples were analyzed. E. vermicularis was found in 11.4% of the samples. Among the positives samples, 88.4% belonged to children under 14 years, and 53.5% were male. Abdominal pain (18.6%), anal itching (11.6%), eosinophilia (8.5%) and intestinal parasitosis suspicion (7.8%) were the reasons of parasitological investigation request in positive samples. Nevertheless, a high proportion of the requests was not founded in a suspicious diagnosis or was unrelated to Enterobiasis. Conclusions. Enterobiasis is a common disease in primary health care and is of great importance in Gran Canaria. Quality in sample collection as well as diagnosis suspicious information are necessary for a good microbiological analysis (AU)

Infección de un quiste sebáceo por Actinomyces europaeus / A sebaceous cyst infection by Actinomyces europaeus

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Prevalencia y factores asociados a la colonización de microorganismos multirresistentes en centros de larga estancia de Gran Canaria / Prevalence and risk factors of multi-drug resistant organism colonization among long-term care facilities in Gran Canaria (Spain)

Introducción. Los microorganismos multirresistentes (MMR) son causa importante de infección nosocomial, su manejo clínico-terapéutico es complicado y producen elevada morbimortalidad, con aumento de costes sanitarios asociados. En centros sanitarios de larga estancia (CSLE), la colonización/infección de sus residentes por MMR es cada vez mayor, pudiendo estos actuar como reservorios y vehículos para brotes de cepas resistentes en los hospitales de agudos. Los objetivos del estudio fueron determinar la prevalencia de portadores de MMR y detectar factores asociados al estado de portador. Material y métodos. Estudio de prevalencia de corte en 235 residentes de 2 CSLE en Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Islas Canarias, España) entre octubre y noviembre del 2012. Se investigó la presencia de MMR en frotis nasal, faríngeo y rectal utilizando medios de cultivo selectivos. Se estudiaron los factores de riesgo asociados al estado de portador mediante análisis univariante y multivariante. Resultados. El 36,2% de residentes fueron portadores de al menos un MMR. El 26,6% fueron portadores de enterobacterias productoras de betalactamasa de espectro extendido y el 10,2% portadores de SARM. Los factores asociados significativamente con la colonización por MMR fueron: colonización-infección previa por MMR, ingreso hospitalario en los últimos 3 meses, infecciones de repetición del tracto urinario y enfermedad arterial periférica. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de MMR en estos CSLE es mayor que la encontrada en la bibliografía, especialmente la de enterobacterias BLEE. Debido a la alta prevalencia de infección/colonización por MMR y los factores de riesgo asociados al estado de portador, es posible que los CSLE actúen de reservorio de MMR y además su diseminación se facilite con el traslado de estos pacientes a hospitales en episodios agudos (AU)

Introduction. Multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO) are an important cause of nosocomial infections, with complicated clinical-therapeutic management and elevated morbidity-mortality, and an increase in healthcare costs. In long term care facilities (LTCFs) colonization/infection by MDRO among residents is increasing, and they may act as reservoirs and vehicles for the dissemination and production of outbreaks by resistant strains in acute hospitals. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of carriers of some common MDRO, and identifying factors associated with carrier state. Material and methods. A cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted on 235 residents in two LTCFs in the province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) between October and November of 2012. The presence of MMR was investigated in nasal, pharyngeal and rectal swabs using selective media. Risk factors associated with carrier state were calculated using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results. More than one-third (36.2%) of residents were found to be carriers of ≥ 1 distinct MDROs. More than one-quarter (26.6%) were carriers of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae, and 10.2% were MRSA carriers. Factors found to be associated with colonization by any MDRO were: prior colonization or infection by MDRO, hospitalization in the past 3 months, recurrent infections of the urinary tract, and peripheral arterial disease. Conclusions. The prevalence of MDRO in the LTCFs settings studied is greater than that found in the literature, and in particular ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae. Due to the high prevalence of infection/colonization by MDRO, it is possible that residents of LTCFs could act as important reservoirs of MDRO, and facilitate their spread into the acute care setting (AU)

Meningitis bacteriana por Streptococcus pyogenes / Bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes

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Queratitis en un paciente anciano / Keratitis in an elderly patient

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[Prevalence and risk factors of multi-drug resistant organism colonization among long-term care facilities in Gran Canaria (Spain)]. / Prevalencia y factores asociados a la colonización de microorganismos multirresistentes en centros de larga estancia de Gran Canaria.

INTRODUCTION: Multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO) are an important cause of nosocomial infections, with complicated clinical-therapeutic management and elevated morbidity-mortality, and an increase in healthcare costs. In long term care facilities (LTCFs) colonization/infection by MDRO among residents is increasing, and they may act as reservoirs and vehicles for the dissemination and production of outbreaks by resistant strains in acute hospitals. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of carriers of some common MDRO, and identifying factors associated with carrier state. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted on 235 residents in two LTCFs in the province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) between October and November of 2012. The presence of MMR was investigated in nasal, pharyngeal and rectal swabs using selective media. Risk factors associated with carrier state were calculated using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: More than one-third (36.2%) of residents were found to be carriers of ≥ 1 distinct MDROs. More than one-quarter (26.6%) were carriers of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae, and 10.2% were MRSA carriers. Factors found to be associated with colonization by any MDRO were: prior colonization or infection by MDRO, hospitalization in the past 3 months, recurrent infections of the urinary tract, and peripheral arterial disease. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MDRO in the LTCFs settings studied is greater than that found in the literature, and in particular ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae. Due to the high prevalence of infection/colonization by MDRO, it is possible that residents of LTCFs could act as important reservoirs of MDRO, and facilitate their spread into the acute care setting.

Malaria in paradise: characterization of imported cases in Gran Canaria Island (1993-2006).

BACKGROUND: Spain obtained the official certificate of malaria eradication in 1964. However, imported malaria cases have been increasing during the last few decades in this country. This study aims to describe the clinical and epidemiological features of patients diagnosed with malaria on Gran Canaria Island. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted based on case review of all patients diagnosed with malaria microbiologically confirmed from 1993 to 2006, at the three referral teaching hospitals on Gran Canaria Island. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-four episodes in 181 patients were diagnosed, 170 of them were analyzed. Most of them (82%) were travelers. Nearly 15% (14.7%) declared having had some chemoprophylaxis, but only half of them completed the treatment. Twenty cases (10.9%) were diagnosed who had just arrived as immigrants, mainly children. Malaria was acquired in Africa by 94.7% of the cases and Plasmodium falciparum was responsible for the majority of the cases (84.1%). Clinical and epidemiological differences were observed among different groups of patients formed by their origin and travel purposes. At least one indicator of severe malaria was established in 22.9% of the cases. However, global mortality was 3.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Malaria in Gran Canaria Island is imported from endemic areas, mainly from African countries, observed mostly among young adult males, but clinical and epidemiological features may change among different groups of patients. The number of immigrants diagnosed with malaria is increasing in this area nowadays.