Summaryobjectives To identify the main clinical and laboratory features of disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and compare them with those of HIV patients with other opportunistic diseases.methods Retrospective study of HIV patients comparing the clinical and laboratory data of patients with and without DH. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to verify the risk factors related to DH.results In total, 378 HIV patients were included, 164 with DH and 214 with other opportunistic diseases. Acute renal failure, respiratory insufficiency and septic shock were more frequent in DH patients, who also had a higher mortality (32% vs. 14%, P < 0.001). Independent risk factors for DH were: acute renal failure [odds ratio (OR) 5.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.2-8.5; P < 0.001], splenomegaly (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.19-9.9; P < 0.001), respiratory insufficiency (OR 2.7 95% CI 1.5-5.0; P < 0.001), proteinuria (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.3-5.2; P = 0.03), hypotension (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.2-5.0; P = 0.008), hepatomegaly (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.2-4.8; P = 0.01), cutaneous lesions (OR, 1.9; 95% CI 1.0-3.3; P = 0.02) and weight loss (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.0-3.1; P = 0.03).conclusion Our results suggest that DH is a severe opportunistic disease with high mortality rate, which should be promptly recognized in order to provide early specific treatment.

AKI is an important complication of anabolic steroid and vitamin supplement abuse. The exact pathophysiology of this type of AKI remains unclear. The main cause of renal dysfunction in these cases seems to be the vitamin D intoxication and drug-induced interstitial nephritis. It is mandatory to start early treatment for serious hypercalcemia, with vigorous venous hydration, diuretics and corticosteroids.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a well recognized opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed patients, which may cause febrile illness. We describe 4 renal transplant patients with VL in an endemic area in Brazil and their response to therapy. In 3 cases the diagnosis was confirmed by bone marrow aspirate that revealed the presence of Leishmania. In 1 case the bone marrow aspirate was inconclusive and the diagnosis was made through spleen biopsy that showed the presence of the parasite. VL needs to be considered as a cause of febrile illness in transplanted patients living in endemic areas.

No abstract

AKI is a rare but potential fatal complication in obstetric patients. RIFLE criteria seem to have association with mortality. There are important factors associated with oliguria and death, which must be prompt recognized to the institution of adequate therapeutic measures.

No abstract

Leptospirosis severity may be increasing, with pulmonary involvement becoming more frequent. Does this increase result from an intense immune response to leptospire? Notice that renal failure, thrombocytopenia and pulmonary complications are found during the immune phase. Thirty-five hospitalized patients with Weil's disease had 5 blood samples drawn, from the 15th day to the 12th month of symptoms, for ELISA-IgM, -IgG and -IgA specific antibody detection. According their 1st IgG titer, the patients were divided into: group 1 (n = 13) titer > 1:400 (positive) and group 2 (n = 22) titer <=1:400 (negative). Early IgG antibodies in group 1 showed high avidity which may indicate reinfection. Group 1 was older, had worse pulmonary and renal function, and fever for a longer period than group 2. Throughout the study, IgG and IgA titers remained higher in group 1. In conclusion, the severity of Weil's disease may be associated with the intensity of the humoral immune response to leptospire.

INTRODUCTION: leptospirosis is a zoonosis of worldwide importance. The disease is endemic in Brazil. This study was conducted to describe the clinical and laboratory presentation of leptospirosis in a metropolitan city of Brazil. METHODS: this is a retrospective study including 201 consecutive patients with leptospirosis admitted to tertiary hospitals in Fortaleza, Brazil, between 1985 and 2006. All patients had clinical and epidemiological data suggestive of leptospirosis, and positive laboratorial test for leptospirosis (microscopic agglutination test, MAT, higher than 1:800). RESULTS: a total of 201 patients were included, with mean age of 38.9 ± 15.7 years; 79.1% were male. The mean length from onset of symptoms to admission was 7 ± 3 days. The main clinical signs and symptoms at admission were fever (96.5%), jaundice (94.5%), myalgia (92.5%), headache (74.6%), vomiting (71.6%) and dehydration (63.5%). Hemorrhagic manifestations were present in 35.8%. Acute kidney injury was found in 87% of the patients. Platelet count was less than 100,000/mm³ in 74.3%. Hematuria was found in 42.9%. Death occurred in 31 cases (15.4%). CONCLUSIONS: leptospirosis is a globally relevant disease with potential fatal outcome. Signs and symptoms suggestive of leptospirosis must be known by any physician in order to institute early adequate treatment to improve outcome. Early indication and daily hemodialysis seems to be beneficial in this group of patients