First occurrence of feline sporotrichosis in a metropolitan area of Central-West Brazil

Sporotrichosis is a neglected mycosis that affects human and animal hosts, including domestic cats. In Brazil, its most frequently diagnosed etiological agent is Sporothrix brasiliensis. Zoonotic transmission of S. brasiliensis occurs via direct contact between an infected cat and a susceptible human host. Notification of confirmed cases of feline sporotrichosis is not mandatory in Brazil. The metropolitan area of Goiania city can be considered a silent area for the occurrence of feline sporotrichosis. In this context, voluntary reporting of feline sporotrichosis cases is recommended for all healthcare professionals. This study aimed to report the first occurrence of S. brasiliensis in a cat from the metropolitan area of Goiania city. Cytopathology, mycology, thermal dimorphism and calmodulin gene amplification tests were performed. The mycological and molecular biological diagnoses corresponded to S. brasiliensis. The etiological agent of zoonotic sporotrichosis was detected in the metropolitan area of Goiania city, and therefore there is a risk of the emergence of new cases of cats infected with S. brasiliensis and the occurrence of zoonotic transmission of this fungus.

A Challenge Called Ogilvie´s Syndrome

Ogilvie´s syndrome is a colonic dilation without any existing mechanical obstruction. The risk factors that cause it are not completely understood, but if untreated, the distension can result in rupture or ischaemic bowel perforation. Additionally, the existing guidelines do not agree with each other about the next steps if conservative treatment fails. We report the case of a 71-year-old woman in whom Ogilvie´s syndrome was particularly difficult to manage, and with it, we try to add clinical data to a field with scarce evidence.

Natural history of Brugada syndrome in a patient with congenital heart disease

Risk stratification of sudden death in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a controversial issue, and there is currently no consensus on the best method. Examination of data from the natural history of the disease is of fundamental importance and may help to identify relatives at risk. At the same time, study of the genetic mutations responsible for the disease may also contribute to risk stratification of the syndrome, enabling identification of asymptomatic relatives carrying mutations. This paper presents the case of a young man, aged 26, monitored as a pediatric cardiology outpatient from birth for a simple structural heart defect not requiring surgery. Analysis of the evolution of the patient's electrocardiogram revealed the appearance, at the age of 20, of a pattern compatible with type I BrS. Following an episode of syncope and induction of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in the electrophysiological study, a cardioverter-defibrillator was implanted. One year later, a single shock terminated an episode of ventricular fibrillation. A molecular study of the SCN5A gene identified a rare mutation, c.3622G>T (p.Glu1208X), recently described and associated with more severe phenotypes in patients with BrS, as in the case presented.