Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Aspergillus detected in respiratory samples from a cohort of patients with suspicion of fungal infection of the respiratory tract as well as to determine the susceptibility to azoles of the isolates from the Fumigati section. Methods: A retrospective study was performed involving samples obtained from 16 hospitals covering different districts of...
Objectives: Dermatophytes are a challenging group of fungi that infect the keratinized tissues. The taxonomy of these fungi has changed recently with the reclassification of some species and description of new ones. However, many clinical laboratories still base the identification of dermatophytes on their phenotype. Since dermatophytes are very pleomorphic, macro and micromorphology are often insufficient to r...
Introduction: Trichophytum rubrum is a filamentous fungus, with worldwide distribution, that usually causes superficial infections of skin and nails, namely tinea pedis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris and onychomycosis. Rarely, severe dermatophytosis can occur, presenting as deep dermatophytosis, Majocchi’s Granuloma or extensive dermatophytosis. Objectives and Methods: Case report of Majocchi’s Granuloma in a ki...
Purpose: Invasive aspergillosis is difficult to manage in immunocompromised patients. We present a clinical case of a 13-year-old boy from Cabo Verde who was transferred to the Hematology Unit of a Central Hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, and diagnosed with aplastic anemia. Weeks after hospital admission, in June 2016, he presented febrile neutropenia with negative blood cultures. In August, the patient showed a n...
There is a lack of knowledge on the epidemiology of fungal infections worldwide because there are no reporting obligations. The aim of this study was to estimate the burden of fungal disease in Portugal as part of a global fungal burden project. Most published epidemiology papers reporting fungal infection rates from Portugal were identified. Where no data existed, specific populations at risk and fungal infect...
Background: Aspergillus respiratory infection is a common complication in cystic fibrosis (CF) and is associated with loss of pulmonary function and allergic disease. Methods: Fifty-three Aspergillus isolates recovered fromCF patients were identified to species by Internal Transcribed Spacer Region (ITS), β-tubulin, and calmodulin sequencing. Results: Three species complexes (Terrei, Nigri, and Fumigati) were f...
Objectives: African histoplasmosis caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii, is a rare endemic mycosis occuring in western and central regions of sub-Saharian Africa. For unknown reasons, although HIV infection and H. capsulatum var. duboisii coexist in Africa, this coinfection remains rare. In Europe, diagnosed cases of African histoplasmosis are all imported. We describe a case of African his...
Although there is an abundance of literature concerning the ingestion of food contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), only a small number of studies explore mycotoxin exposure in occupational settings. Taking this into consideration, our study was developed with the intention of elucidating whether there is occupational exposure to AFB1 in Portuguese poultry and swine production facilities. A specific biomarker ...
Although the adverse health consequences of ingestion of food contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are known, relatively few studies are available on the adverse effects of exposure in occupational settings. Taking this into consideration, our study was developed aiming to elucidate the possible effects of occupational exposure to AFB1 in Portuguese swine production facilities using a specific biomarker to ass...
A descriptive study was developed in order to assess air contamination caused by fungi and particles in seven poultry units. Twenty seven air samples of 25 litters were collected through impaction method. Air sampling and particle concentration measurement were performed in the pavilions’ interior and also outside premises, since this was the place regarded as reference. Simultaneously, temperature and relative...