Objective: The identification of behavioral and clinical factors that are associated with pulmonary tuberculosis might improve the detection and treatment of the disease, thereby reducing its duration and transmission. Our objective was to identify sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors that are associated with the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between April of 2008 and March of 2009 at three health care clinics in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil. We selected 233 patients older than 14 years of age who spontaneously sought medical attention and presented with cough for ≥ 2 weeks. Sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral data were collected. Sputum smear microscopy for AFB and mycobacterial culture were also carried out, as were tuberculin skin tests and chest X-rays. The patients were divided into two groups (with and without pulmonary tuberculosis). The categorical variables were compared by the chi-square test, followed by logistic regression analysis when the variables were considered significant. Results: The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was 41.2%. The unadjusted OR showed that the following variables were statistically significant risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis: fever (OR = 2.39; 95% CI, 1.34-4.30), anorexia (OR = 3.69; 95% CI, 2.03-6.75), and weight loss (OR = 3.37; 95% CI, 1.76-6.62). In the multivariate analysis, only weight loss (OR = 3.31; 95% CI, 1.78-6.14) was significantly associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusions: In areas with a high prevalence of tuberculosis, weight loss could be used as an indicator of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with chronic cough for ≥ 2 weeks.Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, pulmonary/epidemiology; Risk factors. ResumoObjetivo: A identificação de fatores comportamentais e clínicos associados à tuberculose pulmonar pode melhorar a detecção e o tratamento dessa doença, consequentemente reduzindo sua duração e transmissão. Nosso objetivo foi identificar fatores sociodemográficos, clínicos e comportamentais associados à tuberculose pulmonar. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado entre abril de 2008 e março de 2009 em três unidades de saúde na cidade de Fortaleza (CE). Foram selecionados 233 pacientes maiores de 14 anos que procuraram atendimento médico espontaneamente e que apresentavam tosse por ≥ 2 semanas. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos, clínicos e comportamentais. Foram realizadas baciloscopia direta para BAAR e cultura de micobactérias, bem como testes tuberculínicos e radiografias de tórax. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos (com e sem tuberculose pulmonar). As variáveis categóricas foram comparadas com o teste do qui-quadrado, seguido de análise de regressão logística quando as variáveis foram consideradas significativas. Resultados: A prevalência de tuberculose pulmonar foi 41,2%. As OR não ajustadas indicaram que as seguintes variáveis foram fatores de risco significativos para tuberculose pulmonar: febre (OR = 2,39; IC95%...

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an endemic parasitic disease frequently found in Northeast Brazil and may cause acute kidney injury (AKI) and glomerulonephritis. After appropriate treatment, renal function recovery may occur. We describe the rare case of a patient with VL, who developed severe AKI requiring dialysis and was subsequently diagnosed with Chagas disease coinfection. After specific treatment for VL, there was partial recovery of the renal function, followed by the onset of Chagas disease cardiomyopathy.

RESUMOO melanoma ungueal é uma forma de apresentação rara do melanoma. É frequente o diagnóstico tardio. Geralmente afeta polegar ou hálux e a maioria dos pacientes é de meia idade ou idosos de pele escura. A associação entre melanoma e vitiligo é tem sido descrita há mais de 50 anos e os pacientes acometidos tem apresentado maior sobrevida sugerindo resposta imune ao melanoma. O objetivo deste relato é descrever um caso de melanoma ungueal com surgimento de linfonodo inguinal e vitiligo associado diagnosticado tardiamente com posterior evolução para doença sistêmica.Palavras-chave: Melanoma. Vitiligo. Doenças da Unha. Recidiva. ABSTRACTSubungual melanoma is a rare clinical entity of melanoma. It usually involves an unsuspecting lesion in the thumb or big toe, thus late diagnosis. Majority of patients are middle-aged or older, usually of dark skin ethnicity. The association between melanoma and vitiligo has been described for over 50 years, showing increased survival rates in affected patients suggesting immune response to melanoma. The objective of this report is to describe a clinical case of nail melanoma, presenting as enlargened unilateral inguinal lymph node associated with rapid and progressive vitiligo. However, investigations proved late diagnosis, with subsequent progression of the disease.

A doença de Madelung, lipomatose cervical benigna simétrica, é afecção rara, de etiologia desconhecida caracterizada por acúmulo de volumosas massas de gordura não encapsuladas. Existem poucos estudos sobre a doença de Madelung e associação com neoplasias. Descrevemos um caso de doença de Madelung associada a carcinoma hepatocelular.