Pulmonary histoplasmosis Histoplasmosis pulmonar

Histoplasma capsulatum is a dysmorphic fungus that dwells on earth in specific geographic locations. Its presence is favored by the droppings of bird and bats. The human infection is caused by the inhalation of a high quantity of spores. We describe the clinical course of a forty three year old immunocompetent male , geologist, who acquired the infection while visiting underground mines in Central America and Peru. Ninety (90%) percent of the Histoplasma spp infection are asymptomatic. The rest of the cases are manifested by pulmonary or non focalized infection. Its diagnosis is based on cutaneous reaction tests, the detection of antigens in blood or urine and also by direct visual identification of the agent in clinical samples or culture. These patients must be treated with itraconazole or amphotericin-B in accordance to its clinical seriousness

Retinoblastoma in children, experience at a pediatric hospital

Retrospective analysis of clinical charts of 41 children (59 eyes) diagnosed with retinoblastoma and treated by a multidisciplinary team at Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna in Santiago-Chile, between 1999 and 2007. The information included gender, laterality, diagnosis age, presenting signs, tumor spread, treatment modality and survival rate. Results: A total of 23 cases (56%) were unilateral and 18 cases (44%) were bilateral. The mean age at diagnosis was 21.6 months (range 2 - 84) and 27 children (65.9%) were male. The most common presenting signs were leucokoria (51.2%), strabismus (24.4%) and proptosis (4.9%). Enucleation was performed in 48 eyes (81.3%), being the only required treatment in 17 children (41.5%). The remaining 24 patients received systemic and/or local therapy with chemotherapy, focal therapy and external beam radiation. 5 children died during the follow - up study period, due to extraocular extension to the orbit, central nervous system and bone marrow. Conclusion: In spite of high enucleation rate as initial therapy for retinoblastoma, the survival rate with this current treatment protocol is similar to those from developed countries