A good deal of data support a role for probiotic intestinal bacteria in the prophylaxis and therapy of candidiasis. Candida spp. are highly infectious eukaryotes that can colonize and infect humans and other warm-blooded mammals, worldwide. Although most humans manifest antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses to Candida antigens a large percentage of the human population is colonized with ...

We present a woman with a widespread severe papulopustular eruption, fever, and fatigue of 5 weeks' duration. HIV infection was diagnosed, with an absolute CD4(+) count of 3 cells/µL. The eruption was consistent with disseminated cutaneous histoplasmosis. The clinical manifestations and management of cutaneous histoplasmosis are reviewed.

In the present study, we determined the frequency of superficial and cutaneous mycoses and their etiologic agents during a 7-year period (2002-2008) in Natal, Brazil. A total of 1,717 specimens of skin, nail, and hair were collected from 1,382 patients with suspected mycoses lesions and were then subjected to direct microscopy and culture.

We report the first case of pythiosis from Africa in an 8-month-old dog with a chronic and ulcerative cutaneous lesion. The etiologic agent belonged to the genus Pythium. Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolate in a sister group to the other P. insidiosum strains. However, the isolate may belong to a new Pythium species.

Primary cutaneous lymphomas can be difficult to be distinguished from reactive mimics, even when integrating histologic, immunophenotypic, and clinical findings. Molecular studies, especially PCR-based antigen receptor gene rearrangement (ARGR) analysis, are frequently useful ancillary studies in the evaluation of cutaneous lymphoproliferations. The biologic basis of ARGR studies is discussed, ...

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare primary cutaneous neoplasm known for its propensity to develop early regional and distant metastasis. Fewer than 400 cases occur annually in the United States. MCC ranks as the most deadly of cutaneous malignancies, with a fatality rate of approximately 25%. Because of its aggressive nature, MCC is often resistant to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy reg...

Primary cutaneous actinomycosis is very uncommon. We report a patient with cutaneous actinomycosis with multiple lesions without any detectable extra-cutaneous lesions. In our patient the actinomycosis was the presenting manifestation of HIV infection.