No abstract

In this work, we collect data from surveys of bloodstream Candida isolates performed in Brazil from 1996 to 2004. Besides, we analyzed the species distribution of bloodstream Candida isolates together with potential risk factors for candidemia and the susceptibility profile of these isolates in patients from Hospital das Clínicas in Goiânia city, Brazil. Blood samples were collected in the admission day and on every 7 days, in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital. Candida isolates were identified by standard protocols that included germ tube formation, chlamydoconidia production on cornmeal agar and sugar fermentation and assimilation tests. Data of patients were recorded and analyzed according to age at the time of diagnosis, gender and presence of potential risk factors. Statistical analysis was used to determine if the time of hospital permanence increased Candida colonization in ICU patients' blood. The antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution method according to document NCCLS/CLSI M27-A2. Among the 345 blood samples cultured, candidemia was recovered in 33 patients, which were isolated 51.5% of Candida non-albicans. Fungemia was associated with long-term hospitalization. Fluconazole, itraconzole, voriconazole and amphotericin B exhibited a potent activity against all isolates of Candida. Voriconazole MICs were much low for all isolates tested. This work confirms data of increase of Candida non-albicans species in bloodstream in ICU and shows that voriconazole in vitro activity was higher than those of itraconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B.

Human infection by Cunninghamella bertholletiae occurs almost exclusively in immunocompromised patients. Infections due to this microorganism have been most frequently diagnosed in patients with hematological malignancies, with neutropenia and in diabetes mellitus patients. This work reports a case of fungal infection by Cunninghamella bertholletiae isolated from blood in a man with a complex clinical picture, involving diabetes and pharmacological immunosupression. Blood culture at room temperature and at 37 degrees C on Sabouraud agar grew a single mold with characteristic properties of Cunninghamella. In the microscopic morphology, were found wide, non-septate, branching hyphae with erect sporangiophores terminated in swollen vesicles and sporangioles borne off the vesicles. C. bertholetiae was identified after subculture on Sabouraud dextrose agar at 45 degrees C. The patient died 15 days after the beginning of amphotericin B therapy.

Carotid-jugular fistulae are rare, but habitually cause morbidity and mortality. They are often linked with penetrating trauma, primarily caused by gunshots. This report describes the case of a patient who was the victim of a gunshot wound to the left cervical area, provoking a carotid-jugular arteriovenous fistula and occlusion of the common carotid artery. The fistula was corrected by ligature of the internal jugular vein and arteriorrhaphy of the left common carotid artery with a bovine pericardium patch.

Amyloidosis consists of deposition of insoluble fibrillar proteins in tissues and, causing dysfunction. In association with other factors, the condition can contribute to emergence of complications, such as pseudoaneurysms at arterial puncture sites. Pseudoaneurysms are becoming an ever-more common complication, which underscores the importance of identifying risk factors, so that their incidence can be minimized.