[Leukemoid reaction and fever after polyvalent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccination].

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the leading causes of pneumonia and several other invasive diseases as well as upper respiratory tract infections. They are more prevalent and serious in elderly and in those with chronic diseases and with high morbidity and mortality. Invasive pneumococcal diseases can most effectively be prevented by vaccination.

Ophthalmic manifestations in 18 patients with botulism diagnosed in Porto, Portugal between 1998 and 2003.

Background: Botulism is a rare but potentially lethal disease in which ophthalmic signs and symptoms are among the very earliest manifestations. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of botulism-infected patients admitted to a general hospital in Porto, Portugal.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all botulism patients admitted to São João Hospital between January 1998 and January 2003.

[Cervical smear, viral load and t cell counting in seropositive HIV women].

The aim of this study was to compare the T cell counting and viral load in seropositive women for HIV with normal cervical smear and intraepithelial lesions. 87 women were studied, 26 with normal smear, 46 with low grade intraepithelial lesions and 15 with high grade intraepithelial lesions. Women with normal smears showed the lowest viral load and high grade lesions the highest.

Phylogenetic demonstration of two cases of perinatal human immunodeficiency virus type 2 infection diagnosed in adulthood.

HIV-2 infection was diagnosed in two patients 15 and 24 years of age and, thereafter, in their mothers. Epidemiological data suggested that vertical transmission was the most probable mode of infection in both patients (Mota-Miranda A, et al.: AIDS 2001;15:2460-2461).

Intrathecal baclofen for the treatment of tetanus.

Tetanus remains a serious problem in public health, particularly in developing countries, despite efficient prevention programs. A retrospective study was conducted at an infectious diseases intensive care unit during 1998-2003 involving patients admitted with grade III tetanus. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intrathecal baclofen for the treatment of tetanus.