Sporothrix schenckii isolated from domestic cats with and without sporotrichosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

A total of 148 cats with a clinical and mycologic diagnosis of sporotrichosis and 84 apparently healthy cats with domiciliary contact with the affected animals were studied. Sporothrix schenckii was isolated from 148 (n = 148; 100%) clinical samples of cutaneous lesion (biopsy, swab or aspiration of purulent secretion), 47 (n = 71; 66.2%) nasal cavities, 33 (n = 79; 41.

Genetic diversity of Histoplasma capsulatum strains isolated from soil, animals, and clinical specimens in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, by a PCR-based random amplified polymorphic DNA assay.

Little is known about the genetic strain diversity and geographical range of Histoplasma capsulatum isolated in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. We characterized 13 environmental, 7 animal, and 28 clinical H. capsulatum isolates by using a PCR-based random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma associated with HTLV-1 infection in a Brazilian adolescent.

We present the case of a 15-year-old patient infected with HTLV-1 who developed a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination, as well as clinically and hematologically confirmed leukemia. The patient died 3 months after initial presentation of the disease. The rarity of the disease in this age group justifies the present report.

Nutritional status impairments in HIV-infected patients are associated with increased TNF-alpha and IL-6 serum levels but not with viral load.

Background: Cytokines may alter metabolic pathways and contribute to malnutrition among human immunodefiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals.

Patients And Methods: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-2 receptors (sIL-2R), beta2-microglobulin serum levels and plasma viral load of 45 HIV-positive patients were determined and correlated to nutritional status impairment. Patients were grouped by CD4 counts into categories I (< 200/microl), II (200-499/microl), III (> or = 500/microl).

Leishmanial antigens in the diagnosis of active lesions and ancient scars of American tegumentary leishmaniasis patients.

Cutaneous biopsies (n = 94) obtained from 88 patients with American tegumentary leishmaniasis were studied by conventional and immunohistochemical techniques. Specimens were distributed as active lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 53) (Group I), cicatricial lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 35) (Group II) and suggestive scars of healed mucosal leishmaniasis patients (n = 6) (Group III). In addition, active cutaneous lesions of other etiology (n = 24) (Group C1) and cutaneous scars not related to leishmaniasis (n = 10) (Group C2) were also included in the protocol.

Sporotrichosis: an emergent zoonosis in Rio de Janeiro.

During the period from 1987 to 1998, 13 cases of human sporotrichosis were recorded at the Research Center Evandro Chagas Hospital (CPqHEC) in Rio de Janeiro. Two of these patients related scratch by a sick cat. During the subsequent period from July 1998 to July 2000, 66 human, 117 cats and 7 dogs with sporotrichosis were diagnosed at the CPqHEC.

First isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii from a native jungle tree in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest.

Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii was isolated for the first time from decaying wood in a hollow of a native jungle tree Guettarda acreana, in a wild area of an Amazon rainforest island, in Brazil. The presence of this variety in a virgin environment without either anthropic action or introduced vegetation is discussed with regard to the common knowledge of Cr.

Isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the nails of domestic cats (Felis catus).

We report the first isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the nail surfaces of cats. The fungus grew from nail clippings of three cats associated with three household outbreaks of sporotrichosis involving cats and human beings. The identification of the isolates was based on macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics at 25 degrees C and conversion of S.

Fungal infections in the immunocompromised host.

In recent years many remarkable changes occurred in our way of life, producing opportunities for microbes. All these changes are related to the recent emergence of previously unrecognized diseases, or the resurgence of diseases that, at least in developed countries, were thought to be under control. This concept is reviewed regarding fungal infections and their agents in the immunocompromised host.

Possible primary ecological niche of Cryptococcus neoformans.

To study hollows of living trees as natural habitats of Cryptococcus neoformans in an endemic area of cryptococcosis in the northeastern region of Brazil, samples of decaying wood were collected inside 32 hollows of living trees and plated on niger seed agar. Identification of C. neoformans was based upon morphological and physiological tests.

Flow cytometry as a tool to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis interaction with the immune system and drug susceptibility.

Flow cytometric analysis is a useful and widely employed tool to identify immunological alterations caused by different microorganisms, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, this tool can be used for several others analysis. We will discuss some applications for flow cytometry to the study of M.