Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), initially reported in 1908 in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, by Adolpho Lutz, is primarily a systemic and neglected tropical mycosis that may affect individuals with certain risk factors around Latin America, especially Brazil. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis sensu stricto , a classical thermodimorphic fungus associated with PCM, was long considered to represent a monotypic taxon. However, advances in molecular taxonomy revealed several cryptic species, including Paracoccidioides americana , P. restrepiensis , P. venezuelensis , and P. lutzii , that show a preference for skin and mucous membranes, lymph nodes, and respiratory organs but can also affect many other organs.

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic disease caused by melanized fungi that mainly affect individuals performing soil-related labour. The objective of this study was to analyse the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of chromoblastomycosis in Latin America and the Caribbean by an extensive literature review. An integrative review was performed of English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish publications in LILACS, SciELO, PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases covering the period 1969–2019. A total of 1,211 articles were identified, of which 132 were included in the review, covering 2,081 patients, 80.3% were male, the mean age was 56.1 years. The mean duration of the disease was 10.8 years. The lesions were mainly described in the lower limbs (60%). The most frequent clinical forms were verrucous (46.4%) and tumorous (21.7%). Major disease symptoms and signs consisted of itching and pain. Bacterial infection and functional limitation were important complications. Immunosuppression post-kidney transplantation was the most frequent comorbidity while leprosy was the main concomitant infectious disease. Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Cladophialophora carrionii were the predominant etiological agents. Majority of the cured cases were treated with itraconazole as monotherapy or in combination with other antifungals, surgery or cryosurgery. Chromoblastomycosis affects hundreds of rural workers in Latin America and the Caribbean, causing disability and personal, family and economic losses. It is important to prioritize epidemiological surveillance and early diagnosis of this disease in order to reveal its real prevalence and direct resources to preventive actions, diagnosis and early treatment. Lay Summary Chromoblastomycosis is a slowly progressing chronic disease caused by melanized fungi. We collected data from South America and the Caribbean covering 1969-2019, the 132 articles included 2 081 patients, mean disease duration was 10.8 years. Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Cladophialophora carrionii predominated.

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Chromobacterium violaceum sepsis is rare but associated with a high mortality rate. We report a fatal case of C. violaceum sepsis in a 6 years old Venezuelan indian boy. Clinical manifestations were fever and swelling in the right inguinal region. The initial diagnosis was an appendicular plastron. Appendicectomy was performed and during surgery a right psoas abscess was identified that resulted culture positive for pigmented C. violaceum. Blood cultures were positive for a pigmented and non pigmented C. violaceum strain. Imipenem and amikacin were administered despite of which the child died 9 days after hospital admission.

Introduction: Knowledge about healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) among health professionals is fundamental to reduce morbidity and mortality rates attributable to these infections. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge on HAIs in final-year students enrolled in the School of Health Sciences of Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela. Materials and methods: A descriptive study was conducted in a stratified random sample (n=98). A survey was administered to all participants in order to determine their knowledge about 3 specific areas: basics of HAIs, universal precautions and hand hygiene. Students who obtained an average score of 17.5 were considered as having an adequate level of knowledge about HAIs. Results: Participants' average age was 24.9 years, and 74.9% were female. The average scores of nursing, medical and bioanalysis students were 18, 18.04 and 17.25, respectively; the total average score was 17.87. 59.2% of the respondents obtained a passing score. In terms of the 3 areas of knowledge assessed in the survey, most of the students obtained a failing score in basics of HAIs (n=78) and the Hand hygiene (n=76) components, while the majority (n=91) had a passing score in the Universal precautions area. Conclusions: In general, all respondents have adequate knowledge about HAIs and their prevention. However, regardless of the academic program they were enrolled in, students showed a lack of knowledge regarding specific aspects of HAIs, such as the source of the microorganisms that cause these infections or the proper use of gloves, thus it is necessary that more attention is paid to these issues in their curricula.Introducción. El conocimiento acerca de las infecciones asociadas a la atención de la salud (IAAS) en profesionales en salud es fundamental para disminuir las tasas de morbimortalidad causadas por estas infecciones. Objetivo. Evaluar el nivel de conocimiento sobre las IAAS en estudiantes del último año de la Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela. Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo realizado en una muestra aleatoria estratificada (n=98). Se aplicó una encuesta para determinar los conocimientos de los participantes sobre 3 áreas específicas: generalidades sobre IAAS, precauciones universales e higiene de las manos. Se consideró que los estudiantes tenían un conocimiento adecuado si obtenían un puntaje promedio de 17.5. Resultados. La edad promedio de los encuestados fue 24.9 años y el 74.9% fueron mujeres. En promedio, los estudiantes de Licenciatura en Enfermería, los de Medicina y los de Licenciatura en Bioanálisis obtuvieron 18, 18.04 y 17.25 puntos, respectivamente; el 59.2% de los respondientes aprobó la encuesta y el puntaje promedio total fue 17.87 puntos. En cuanto a las tres áreas de conocimiento evaluadas, la mayoría de estudiantes reprobó Generalidades sobre IAAS (n=78) e Higiene de las manos (n=76), mientras que la mayoría (n=91) aprobó Precauciones universales. Conclusiones. En general, los estudiantes encuestados tienen un conocimiento adecu...