Blastocystis SPP. in asymptomatic children from a human settlement in Lima-Peru

The purpose of this study was to determine: the prevalence of enteroparasitosis in children from a community of Villa María Del Triunfo, in Lima-Peru. This study consisted of 85 children between 2 – 14 years old from a community, located in the district of Villa María Del Triunfo, Lima. A cross-sectional, observational, prospective study was carried out. Stool samples were processed by direct examination and sedimentation method and Graham test. 85 children were evaluated, 42 female and 43 males, from 2 to 14 years of age; determining a prevalence of intestinal parasites of 69.41%. Among the positive Blastocystis spp. It was the most common parasite with 83.05%. Only 17 of the 49 cases had a single Blastocystis spp. infection, and 32 cases had polyparasitism. In conclusion, a high prevalence of Blastocystis spp infection was determined. (83.05%) which, together with other intestinal parasites, are explained by the poor socio-sanitary conditions observed in the community evaluated.El propósito de este estudio fue determinar: la prevalencia de entero parasitosis en niños de una comunidad de Villa María Del Triunfo, en Lima-Perú. Este estudio estuvo constituido por 85 niños entre 2 – 14 años de una comunidad, ubicados en el distrito de Villa María Del Triunfo, Lima. Se realizó un estudio de tipo transversal, observacional, prospectivo. Las muestras de heces fueron procesadas por examen directo y Método de sedimentación y test de Graham.  Se evaluaron 85 niños, 42 del sexo femenino y 43 del sexo masculino desde 2 hasta 14 años de edad; determinándose una prevalencia de parásitos intestinales de 69.41%. Dentro de los positivos Blastocystis spp. fue el parásito más común con 83,05%. Solo 17 de los 49 casos tenían infección única por Blastocystis spp., y 32 casos presentaron poli parasitismo. En conclusión, se determinó una elevada prevalencia de infección por Blastocystis spp. (83.05%) la cual, unida a otras parasitosis intestinales, se explican por las deficientes condiciones sociosanitarias observadas en la comunidad evaluada

Candidemia in a Brazilian hospital: the importance of Candida parapsilosis

The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of cases of candidemia in a Brazilian hospital in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará. A total of 50 blood cultures were analyzed from 40 candidemic patients. The mycological diagnosis was based on the phenotypical analysis and the patients' data were recorded in appropriate files. The most frequent species were Candida parapsilosis (n = 18), followed by C. albicans (n = 14), C. tropicalis (n = 8), C. guillermondii (n = 6), C. glabrata (n = 2), and Candida spp. (n = 2). A detailed descriptive study was undertaken with 21 patients whose medical records were complete. The candidemia episodes occurred in eight male patients and 13 female patients. The most representative risk factors implicated in candidemia were prior antibiotic therapy, central venous catheters, parenteral nutrition, gastric probes and mechanical ventilation. Death occurred in 13 of the 21-candidemic patients. This study demonstrated the emergence of candidemia caused by C. parapsilosis in a Brazilian hospital in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará.O presente estudo objetivou desenvolver uma análise retrospectiva de casos de candidemia em hospital brasileiro na cidade de Fortaleza, Ceará. Um total de 50 hemoculturas foram analisadas de 40 pacientes com quadros de candidemia. O diagnóstico micológico foi baseado na análise morfológica e bioquímica e os dados dos pacientes foram coletados das histórias clínicas. As espécies mais freqüentes foram Candida parapsilosis (n = 18), seguida por C. albicans (n = 14), C. tropicalis (n = 8), C. guillermondii (n = 6), C. glabrata (n = 2) e Candida spp. (n = 2). Um estudo descritivo foi realizado com apenas 21 pacientes os quais possuíam dados clínicos completos. Os episódios de candidemia aconteceram em oito pacientes do sexo masculino e 13 do feminino. Os fatores de risco implicados em candidemia foram antibioticoterapia prévia, uso de cateter venoso central, nutrição parenteral, sondagem gástrica e ventilação mecânica. A morte aconteceu em 13 dos 21 pacientes com candidemia. Este estudo demonstrou a emergência de candidemia causada por C. parapsilosis em um hospital brasileiro na cidade de Fortaleza, Ceará

Cotrimoxazole enhances the in vitro susceptibility of Coccidioides posadasii to antifungals

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cotrimoxazole on the in vitro susceptibility of Coccidioides posadasii strains to antifungals. A total of 18 strains of C. posadasii isolated in Brazil were evaluated in this study. The assays were performed in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and the combinations were tested using the checkerboard method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were reduced by 11, 2.4, 4.3 and 3.5 times for amphotericin B, itraconazole, fluconazole and voriconazole, respectively. Moreover, it was seen that cotrimoxazole itself inhibited C. posadasii strains in vitro. The impairment of folic acid synthesis may be a potential antifungal target for C. posadasii.Universidade Federal do Ceará Centro Especializado em Micologia MédicaUniversidade Federal do Ceará Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências MédicasUniversidade Federal do Ceará Departamento de QuímicaUniversidade Federal do Ceará Departamento de EstatísticaUniversidade Estadual do Ceará Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência VeterináriaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaSciEL

CANDIDEMIA IN A BRAZILIAN HOSPITAL: THE IMPORTANCE OF Candida parapsilosis

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of cases of candidemia in a Brazilian hospital in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará. A total of 50 blood cultures were analyzed from 40 candidemic patients. The mycological diagnosis was based on the phenotypical analysis and the patients' data were recorded in appropriate files. The most frequent species were Candida parapsilosis (n = 18), followed by C. albicans (n = 14), C. tropicalis (n = 8), C. guillermondii (n = 6), C. glabrata (n = 2), and Candida spp. (n = 2). A detailed descriptive study was undertaken with 21 patients whose medical records were complete. The candidemia episodes occurred in eight male patients and 13 female patients. The most representative risk factors implicated in candidemia were prior antibiotic therapy, central venous catheters, parenteral nutrition, gastric probes and mechanical ventilation. Death occurred in 13 of the 21-candidemic patients. This study demonstrated the emergence of candidemia caused by C. parapsilosis in a Brazilian hospital in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará