Antimony compounds are the cornerstone treatments for tegumentary leishmaniasis. The reactivation of herpes virus is a side effect described in few reports. We conducted an observational study to describe the incidence of herpes zoster reactivation during treatment with antimony compounds. The global incidence of herpes zoster is approximately 2.5 cases per 1,000 persons per month (or 30 cases per 1,000 persons per year). The estimated incidence of herpes zoster in patients undergoing antimony therapy is higher than previously reported.

OBJETIVO: Demonstrar a experiência na execução da técnica de punção braquial para a realização de coronariografia. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 106 pacientes ambulatoriais com suspeita de doença coronária submetidos a coronariografia pela técnica transbraquial. Foi pré-selecionado cateter MP2 introduzido através de bainha 5F, e o cateterismo esquerdo e angiografia realizados da maneira usual. Ao término do exame, foi retirada a bainha e a hemostasia realizada por compressão manual. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos exames (76,4%) foi completada com a utilização de um único cateter (MP2). A mediana do tempo de fluoroscopia foi 4,5 min. Em apenas 4 casos a técnica teve que ser substituída, todas ocorreram com um mesmo operador durante a curva de aprendizagem. Observamos a presença de hematoma de pequeno volume em 3 pacientes, logo após o procedimento, áreas discretas de equimose em 4 e equimoses mais extensas em 6 doentes, não tendo ocorrido complicações graves. CONCLUSÕES: A técnica transbraquial mostrouse efetiva e segura, facilitando a realização de cateterismo ambulatorial com baixa freqüência de complicações.

OBJECTIVES: To report the experience using the transbrachial approach for coronary angiography. METHODS: 106 patients were studied with possible diagnosis of coronary artery disease using transbrachial catheterization. A preselected catheter (MP2) was introduced through a 5 F sheath and left heart catheterization and angiography performed in the usual manner. At the end of the procedure, the sheath was removed and hemostasis accomplished by manual compression. RESULTS: Most procedures (76.4%) were performed with a single catheter (MP2). The median fluoroscopy time was 4.5 min. In only 4 cases, during the learning curve of one operator, a different technique had to be performed. Three patients suffered small hematomas, 4 patients presented with small and 6 with moderate ecchymosis; there were no severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: The transbrachial technique is effective and safe; it has facilitated outpatient catheterization with a low rate of complications.

Descreve-se caso de um paciente adulto, portador de forma crônica multifocal grave de paracoccidioidomicose, cujo diagnóstico etiológico foi feito pelo achado do fungo em aspirado de medula óssea, a partir da obsemação direta e da mielocultura. Os autores destacam a importância destes exames na propedêutica de pacientes suspeitos de portarem a forma sistêmica da micose.

Acute or chronic disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis can be associated with changes in blood and bone marrow cell counts, mainly in the severe forms of this disease. However, there are few reports about the microbiological confirmation of the mycosis in bone marrow tissue. The present report describes a case of an adult patient with severe chronic multifocal paracoccidioidomycosis, whose etiological diagnosis has been done by the microscopical exam and culture of the bone marrow aspirate. The authors emphasize the importance of these exams as an alternative way for the diagnosis of suspected cases of severe paracoccidioidomycosis.