Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by yeast species of Cryptococcus genus, particularly Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex. The knowledge of the cryptococcosis casuistic in northeastern Argentina is scarce and there is no information about the molecular types circulating in this area. The aim of this study was to genotyping C. neoformans/C. gattii complex clinical isolates obtained at Hospital "Dr. Julio C. Perrando", Resistencia city (Chaco, Argentina), in order to determine species, variety and molecular type. During two years and one month 26 clinical isolates were studied. Using conventional and molecular methods one isolate was identified as C. gattii VGI type, and 25 isolates as C. neoformans var. grubii; 23 of these belonged to VNI type and two belonged to VNII type. This data is a contribution to the knowledge of cryptococcosis epidemiology in Argentina and the first report about C. neoformans/ C. gattii complex molecular types from clinical isolates in northeastern Argentina.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an endemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides species limited to Latin America arising with the chronic form in 90% of cases. The capacity of microorganisms to form biofilms is considered of great importance medical since can contribute to the persistence and to the chronic state of the diseases. The ability of Paracoccidioides to form biofilm has been demonstrated in vitro. In our study, for the first time we have observed this capability in vivo on a vascular prosthesis using scanning electron microscope showing a dense network of Paracoccidioides yeasts covered by an extracellular matrix.

In order to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of paracoccidioidomycosis, a descriptive study of all the cases diagnosed by the Clinical Microbiology Service at Dr. Julio C. Perrando hospital in the city of Resistencia (Chaco Province, Argentina) was conducted. Between 2011 and 2014, 46 cases were detected. In the period 2013-2014, an almost 4-fold increase in the incidence rate was detected. The chronic form of the disease was predominant with an average age of 53 years. Serological tests in 39 out of 46 patients were performed. In 15 of 39 patients, serological tests were the only diagnostic tool while in 4 patients with a microbiological diagnosis serological tests were non-reactive. In patients from endemic areas with non-specific infectious syndrome it is important to include paracoccidioidomycosis in the differential diagnosis and to apply all available diagnostic tools to reach a timely diagnosis and to reduce the long-term sequelae and their socio-economic impact.

The aim of this work was to detect the presence of Salmonella spp. in recreational aquatic environments in the Northeast of Argentina and to relate it with water and environmental parameters. Sixty eight samples of water from recreational aquatic environments in the provinces of Chaco and Corrientes, Argentina, were studied. Salmonellae were detected in 6 samples (8.8%). Salmonella spp. isolates belonged to the following species and serovars: S. enterica serovar Give, S. enterica subespecie IV, S. enterica ser. Bredeney, S. enterica ser. Rubislaw, and S. enterica ser. Enteritidis (two isolates). None of the isolates were resistant to tested antimicrobials. There were no significant differences among sampling sites as a reservoir of bacteria Salmonella spp. and the other variables. The presence of Salmonella spp. in our recreational aquatic environments reaffirms the need for monitoring in order to minimize the risks of infection to exposed persons

The carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are one of the main concerns of global health, mainly those that are encoded by plasmids. The aim was to describe the progress of colonization by CPE in anal swabs of patients of intensive care unit (ICU) and COVID-ICU in an adult hospital from Chaco province, Argentina. A descriptive retrospective study was carried out between 2021 January to August. 379 anal swabs were studied, in 26% (n=98) CPE were detected. K. pneumoniae was the more frequent isolate. In January, in COVID-ICU, 18% of anal swabs where positive, being all identified as KPC carbapenemase. In August, in COVID-ICU, the total of positive anal swab raised to 81% and all detected carbapenemase were MBL type. In ICU, the percentage of positive anal swabs increased from 14% in January to 49% in August, where both KPC and MBL carbapenemases were detected. Of The total of colonized patients, 15% developed CPE infection. Active surveillance and control measures are necessary to keep down the spread of CPE.