Aspergillus niger causing tracheobronchitis and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in a lung transplant recipient: case report

A case of invasive aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus niger in a lung transplant recipient is described. The patient presented hyperglycemia starting postoperatively, with other complications such as cytomegalovirus infection. The associated predisposing factors and other implications are discussed. Aspergillus niger seems to be a fungal species of low virulence that requires the presence of a severely immunosuppressed host to cause invasive disease.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: report of two cases

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is a lymphoproliferative disorder of mature T lymphocytes associated with infection with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I). Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is characterized by clinical and laboratory polymorphism that allows it to be classified into four distinct subgroups: smoldering, chronic, acute and lymphomatous types. We present here two cases of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, respectively in the acute and lymphomatous forms of the disease. Case 1 was a 35-year-old woman who presented abdominal distension accompanied by hepatosplenomegaly, adenomegaly, skin lesions, positivity for anti-HTLV-I antibodies and leukocytosis with the presence of flower cells. Case 2 was a 38-year-old man who was admitted with generalized lymphadenomegaly, positivity for anti-HTLV-I antibodies, hypercalcemia and osteolytic lesions. In this paper, we correlate the clinical-laboratory findings of these two cases with data in the literature.

Acquired non-Chagas megacolon associated with the use of psychiatric medication: case report and differential diagnosis with Chagas megacolon

A case of acquired megacolon in a 62-year-old man with acute abdomen due to sigmoid volvulus is reported. The case was associated with the use of psychiatric medications. The aim in this report was to emphasize the differential diagnosis with Chagas megacolon. Anatomopathological examination did not show any evidence of denervation, ganglionitis and/or myositis, and the serological test for Chagas disease was negative.

Diphyllobothrium latum infection in a non-endemic country: case report

Diphyllobothriasis, which is rarely described in Brazil, was reported initially as a travelers’ disease and as an accidental infection in individuals who ate raw freshwater fish. This report aims to present the case of a 20-year-old patient with confirmed Diphyllobothrium latum infection.

Writing/erasing 3D micro and nano wrinkles in flexible elastomers for volatile organic compounds sensor

Micro/nano wrinkled patterns on cross-linked urethane/urea polymeric flexible free standing films with two soft segments, polypropylene oxide and polybutadiene, can be induced by UV-irradiation. The ability to write/erase these 3D structures, in a controlled manner, is the main focus of this work. The imprinting of the wrinkled structures was accomplished by swelling in an appropriate solvent followed by drying the membranes after the cross-linking process and UV irradiation. The surface tailoring of the elastomeric membranes was imaged by optical microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy and by atomic force microscopy. To erase the wrinkled structures the elastomers were swollen. The swelling as well as the sol/gel fraction and the UV radiation were tuned in order to control the wrinkles characteristics. It was found that the wrinkles wavelength, in the order of microns (1±0,25μm), was stamped by the UV radiation intensity and exposure time while the wrinkles' amplitude, in the order of nanometers (150-450 nm), was highly dependent on the swelling and sol/gel fraction. A prototype for volatile organic compounds detection was developed taking advantage of the unique 3D micro/nano wrinkles features.

Simultaneous occurrence of brain tumor and myeloradiculopathy in schistosomiasis mansoni: case report

Simultaneous occurrence of brain tumor and myeloradiculopathy in cases of Manson's schistosomiasis have only rarely been described. We report the case of a 38-year-old man who developed seizures during a trip to Puerto Rico and in whom a brain tumor was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging: brain biopsy revealed the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. He was transferred to a hospital in the United States and, during hospitalization, he developed sudden paraplegia. The diagnosis of myeloradiculopathy was confirmed at that time. He was administered praziquantel and steroids. The brain tumor disappeared, but the patient was left with paraplegia and fecal and urinary dysfunction. He has now been followed up in Brazil for one year, and his clinical state, imaging examinations and laboratory tests are presented here.

First report of an accident with the speckled forest pit viper (Bothriopsis taeniata) in Brazil

The first reported case of an accident with Bothriopsis taeniata in Brazil is described. The victim, a 43-year-old man, was bitten just above his right heel and presented a clinical condition compatible with mild Bothrops poisoning: local edema with hemorrhage at the bite site and pain, although without coagulopathy.

Report of a human accident caused by Conus regius (Gastropoda, Conidae)

Conus regius is a venomous mollusc in the Conidae family, which includes species responsible for severe or even fatal accidents affecting human beings. This is the first report on a clinical case involving this species. It consisted a puncture in the right hand of a diver who presented paresthesia and movement difficulty in the whole limb. The manifestations disappeared after around twelve hours, without sequelae.

Schistosomiasis mansoni of the bladder simulating bladder cancer: a case report

The relationship between bladder tumors and Schistosoma haematobium is well known, but only sporadic cases of bladder infection due to Schistosoma mansoni have been reported. In this case, a 48-year-old woman with macroscopic hematuria, dysuria and a palpable abdominal mass was investigated. Ultrasound showed a large exophytic mass in the bladder. Transurethral resection of the bladder revealed viable eggs of Schistosoma mansoni. The patient was treated clinically with oxamniquine and surgery was performed to resect the large mass. This case shows that schistosomiasis Mansoni in the bladder can simulate bladder cancer.

Poisoning due to Philodryas olfersii (Lichtenstein, 1823) attended at Restauração Hospital in Recife, State of Pernambuco, Brazil: case report

Few papers have been published on snake bites caused by Philodryas olfersii. We report here the first case identified at the Centro de Assistência Toxicológica do Hospital da Restauração, Recife, State of Pernambuco. This case was described based on medical protocols, interviewing the patient and identifying the animal that caused the bite. The patient presented pain, heat, erythema, edema and ecchymosis, without other laboratory abnormalities or coagulation disorders. The treatment consisted of administration of eight ampoules of antibothropic serum, and post-administration allergenic reactions were observed. The importance of bites by opistoglyph snakes needs to be reconsidered in research and at specialized treatment centers.

A list of mosquito species of the Brazilian State of Pernambuco, including the first report of Haemagogus janthinomys (Diptera: Culicidae), yellow fever vector and 14 other species (Diptera: Culicidae)

INTRODUCTION: Besides mosquito species adapted to urban environments (Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), only 15 species of Anopheles had been recorded in the State of Pernambuco. METHODS: Human-landing mosquitoes were collected in Dois Irmãos Park, in Recife. RESULTS: The first report for the state of Haemagogus janthinomys, an important vector of yellow fever virus, and 14 other species, including Trichoprosopon lampropus, a first reported for Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: The mosquito fauna in the area is diversified and has potential medical and veterinary importance.

HTLV-1 associated myelopathy diagnosed during lepromatous leprosy reaction treatment: a case report

Leprosy and human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection are prevalent in Brazil. Coinfection by Mycobacterium leprae and HTLV-1 is reviewed and a case is reported. A 59 year-old woman was followed and HTLV-1 associated myelopathy was diagnosed during leprosy treatment. The clinical and neurological aspects of this unusual association were initially reviewed. Immunological markers and the possible prognoses due to the association of the diseases were discussed. The unexpected association of leprosy and HTLV-1 associated myelopathy may occur in endemic areas and causes difficulties in determining the correct diagnosis and adequate management of the neurological manifestations.

Recurrent Acremonium infection in a kidney transplant patient treated with voriconazole: a case report

Acremonium infection is rare and associated with immunosuppression. A case of recurrent cutaneous Acremonium infection after short term voriconazole use is described. Surgical resection was the definitive therapy. Oral voriconazole was used in the treatment of Acremonium infection, but recurrence was associated with short therapy. Prolonged antifungal therapy and surgical resection are discussed for the treatment of localized lesions.

Writing to queens while crises proceed: In memory of Manuel Jacinto Nunes

The project of writing to a fictional Portuguese-speaking Queen on the crises proceeding since 2008 builds on Letters to Queen Elizabeth written by the British Academy and was first published in 2013. This expanded edition signals greater awareness of the complementarity between economic potential and cultural legacy in the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) insofar as its members, observers and their areas of economic integration encompass the globe. The edition is dedicated to the memory of Manuel Jacinto Nunes, who supported the project as dean of the economics section at the Lisbon Academy of Science. The cover shows a Crown with nine CPLP flags as jewels in the shape of a 7 rising from the waves. The waves of lusophonia appear far gentler than Poe’s maelstrom, reproduced in the back flap. This material, inserted in the proceedings published on IICT’s 130th anniversary, is used at NOVASBE through its Center for Globalization and Governance (CG&G).

Neurological involvement in visceral leishmaniasis: case report

Visceral leishmaniasis is a severe and potentially fatal vector-borne disease. The most typical symptoms are fever, hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss, bleeding and bacterial infections. Neurological changes are rarely reported. This paper describes a child who presented with neurological signs as the first symptoms of leishmaniasis; tone was diminished and tremors in the extremities were observed. A diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis was confirmed by parasite detection in the bone marrow. Symptoms were reversed by specific treatment. The nature of a possible mechanism of neurological involvement in visceral leishmaniasis remains unexplained.