Invasive candidiasis encompassing Candida bloodstream infections and deep-seated candidiasis can become a persistent health problem. These infections are caused by Candida species and have high morbidity and mortality rates. Species distribution, access to diagnosis, treatment and mortality are different around the world. The mortality rate is high in South America (30–70%), and Candida albicans is the most prevalent species in this region. However, a global epidemiological shift to non-albicans species has been observed. In this group, C. parapsilosis is the species most frequently detected, followed by C. tropicalis, and at a slower rate, C. glabrata, which has also increased, in addition to the emerging C. auris, resistance to several drugs. This article summarizes relevant aspects of candidemia pathogenesis, such as the mechanisms of fungal invasion, immune response, and the impact of genetic defects that increase host susceptibility to developing the infection. We also discuss relevant aspects of treatment and future challenges in South America.

The number of fungal infections at any given time in Argentina is not known. Here we estimate the burden of serious fungal infections in Argentina for the first time. Specific population statistics were searched from multiple sources, local literature was identified, and estimates made. Some additional data were sourced from the Ministry of Health, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) program, and national haematology and transplant societies. Argentina has a population of 43.8 million, with 25% of this total being children under 15 years. The predicted candidemia annual incidence is 2193 cases, with 50% occurring in the ICU. At a 6% prevalence rate, an estimated 593,695 women suffer from recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Invasive aspergillosis is relatively common because of high smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rates, with 268 cases in immunocompromised patients and another 1938 in the 168,000 COPD patients admitted to hospital. Asthma is also common, affecting 14% of adults, and so allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) are major problems. An estimated 432 cases of cryptococcal meningitis (CM)—90% of them in AIDS patients—and 1177 cases of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) occur each year. The estimated annual case number of disseminated histoplasmosis is 404 in AIDS patients, almost as frequent as CM. Paracoccidioidomycosis annual incidence is estimated at 219, and coccidioidomycosis at 16 cases. At least 881,023 people (>2.01%) in Argentina are affected by a serious fungal disease annually, with considerable morbidity and mortality.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) are two forms of a disease caused by Candida spp. β-defensin (BD) is one of the most important families of antimicrobial peptides in the female genital tract and includes molecules that exert essential local functions as antimicrobial and PMN chemoattractant peptides. However, the information on their role during murine and human VVC and RVVC is limited. Thus, we analyzed the behavior and contribution of BD1 to the local response in a VVC mice model and the local cytokine profile and human BD1 and BD3 expression in cervicovaginal lavage from patients with VVC and RVVC. We demonstrated that, in patients with RVVC BD1, mRNA and protein expression were severely diminished and that the aspartate proteinase and lipase secreted by C. albicans are involved in that decrease. This study provides novel information about the pathogenesis of VVC and describes a highly efficient C. albicans escape strategy for perpetuating the infection; these results may contribute to the development of new or combined treatment approaches.

Introducción: La enfermedad COVID-19 muestra una marcada heterogeneidad en su curso clínico, habiéndose descripto algunos factores que se asocian un peor pronóstico. El conocimiento del comportamiento de la enfermedad en el escenario local es de gran relevancia para permitir un mejor abordaje. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo en dos hospitales de la ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina, de pacientes de 18 años o más hospitalizados por infección activa por SARS-CoV-2, desde marzo a octubre del año 2020. Resultados: Se incluyeron 448 pacientes, de los cuales el 95.75% correspondieron a neumonía COVID-19. La mayoría de los episodios ocurrieron en hombres (63.6%), la mediana de edad fue 63 años (RIC:53-75), y las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron hipertensión arterial (55.1%), obesidad (31.7%) y diabetes mellitus (28.1%). Requirieron ingreso a unidad de cuidados intensivos 162 pacientes (36.2%) y 66 (14.7%), asistencia respiratoria mecánica. Fallecieron 67 pacientes (15%) dentro de los primeros 30 días de seguimiento. En el análisis multivariado la única variable independiente predictora de mortalidad a los 30 días fue la edad (Odds ratio ajustado [ORa]=1.08, IC95%=1.04-1.11, p<0.001). Los scores pronósticos 4C-Score y CALL-Score presentaron muy buena discriminación (Área bajo la curva [ABC]=0.766, IC95%=0.72-0.80 y ABC=0.785, IC95%=0.70-0.85, respectivamente) y los porcentajes predichos de mortalidad se aproximaron bastante a lo observado en el presente estudio. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes hospitalizados por infección por SARS-CoV-2 presentaban comorbilidades y se presentaron como neumonía, asociada a una elevada mortalidad. Los scores pronósticos con mejor rendimiento para predecir complicaciones fueron el 4C-Score y el CALL score.

We report a case of Chagas disease reactivation in a patient with stage IIb follicular lymphoma in the cecum. He was admitted at the hospital with neutropenia and fever. He had a history of right hemicolectomy six months earlier and had received the sixth cycle of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone/rituximab (CHOP-R). Blood/urine cultures were negative, but the fever persisted. Reactivation of Chagas disease was confirmed by means of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Parasitic load was 577,950 Parasite equivalents/mL (Par. Eq./mL). The patient began treatment with benznidazole 5 mg/k/d every 12 hours. After a month, the qRT-PCR control was undetectable. The patient completed 60 days of treatment and is currently asymptomatic. Trypanosoma cruzi qRT-PCR may become a useful diagnostic method for reactivation of Chagas disease.