Abstract The lungs have great importance in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis since they are the portal of entry for the infecting fungi, the site of quiescent foci, and one of the most frequently affected organs. Although they have been the subject of many studies with different approaches, the severity classification of the pulmonary involvement, using imaging procedures, has not been carried out yet. This study aimed to classify the active and the residual pulmonary damage using radiographic and tomographic evaluations, according to the area involved and types of lesions.

Abstract Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) has been shown to be a neurological manifestation of COVID-19. The current study presents two cases of PFP after COVID-19, along with a rapid review of known cases in the literature. Both case reports were conducted following CARE guidelines. We also performed a systematic review of PFP cases temporally related to COVID-19 using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases on August 30, 2021, using a rapid review methodology. The two patients experienced PFP 102 and 110 days after COVID-19 symptom onset. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in nasal samples through reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) testing. Anosmia was the only other neurological manifestation. PFP was treated with steroids in both cases, with complete subsequent recovery. In the rapid review, we identified 764 articles and included 43 studies. From those, 128 patients with PFP were analyzed, of whom 42.1% (54/128) were male, 39.06% (50/128) female, and in 23 cases the gender was not reported. The age range was 18 to 59 (54.68%). The median time between COVID-19 and PFP was three days (ranging from the first symptom of COVID-19 to 40 days after the acute phase of infection). Late PFP associated with COVID-19 presents mild symptoms and improves with time, with no identified predictors. Late PFP should be added to the spectrum of neurological manifestations associated with the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection as a post COVID-19 condition.

Abstract Background: The present study was carried out aiming to evaluate the impact of laryngeal sequelae on the quality of life of treated paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Otorhinolaryngology Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Thirty-two PCM patients considered clinically and immunologically cured were included: 16 with laryngeal involvement during the active phase of the disease (laryngeal PCM group) and 16 without laryngeal involvement (control group). They were submitted to structured interview, otorhinolaryngology examination, videolaryngoscopy, videoendoscopic swallowing study, completed two questionnaires for voice self-assessment - Voice-related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) - and were asked to score their voices on a scale from zero to 10 (self-assessment of vocal quality). Results: Dysphonia was present in 50% of the cases. Patients with laryngeal PCM presented worse voice-related quality of life scores on the V-RQOL and poorer vocal quality self-assessment than the control group. No significant differences in the VHI were found between the groups. None of the participants developed dysphagic sequelae, although some minor changes were observed on videoendoscopic examination. Conclusion: There were no dysphagia complaints and only a few mild changes were found on the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, suggesting that this evaluation should be performed only in specific cases. Patients with laryngeal involvement presented worse V-RQOL and self-assessment voice quality. This study contributes to the current knowledge of the functional assessment of the larynx affected by PCM and the impact of dysphonia on quality of life.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a adesão ao tratamento de paracoccidioidomicose. Métodos: Estudo conduzido com 188 pacientes com paracoccidioidomicose atendidos em um hospital terciário na Região Centro-Oeste do Brasil, de 2000 a 2010, para avaliar adesão ao tratamento. Foram considerados aderentes pacientes que tiveram o seguinte critério: retiraram os medicamentos na farmácia e autorrelataram a utilização de, no mínimo, 80% de dispensação dos antifúngicos prescritos na última consulta. Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes era homem (95,7%), tinha a forma crônica da doença (94,2%) e foi tratada com sulfametoxazol/trimetropim (86,2%). Apenas 44,6% dos pacientes aderiram ao tratamento. A maior perda de seguimento foi observada nos primeiros 4 meses de tratamento (p < 0,02). Adesão ao tratamento foi maior em pacientes com do que sem envolvimento pulmonar (RC: 2,986; IC95% 1,351-6,6599) e maior para os pacientes com do que sem tuberculose associada (RC 2,763; IC95% 1,004-7,604). Conclusões: A adesão ao tratamento da paracoccidioidomicose foi baixa e os primeiros 4 meses constituíram o período com maior evasão. Pacientes com envolvimento paracocidióidico pulmonar ou tuberculose associada revelaram maior adesão ao tratamento da paracoccidioidomicose.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the treatment compliance of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis. Methods: We studied 188 patients with paracoccidioidomycosis admitted to a tertiary referral hospital in the Central-West Region of Brazil from 2000 to 2010, to assess their compliance to treatment. In order to be considered compliant, patients needed to present two established criteria: (1) receive medicines from the pharmacy, and (2) achieve a self-reported utilization of at least 80% of the dispensed antifungal compounds prescribed since their previous appointment. Results: Most patients were male (95.7%), had the chronic form of the disease (94.2%), and were treated with cotrimoxazole (86.2%). Only 44.6% of patients were treatment compliant. The highest loss to follow-up was observed in the first 4 months of treatment (p < 0.02). Treatment compliance was higher for patients with than for those without pulmonary involvement (OR: 2.986; 95%CI 1.351-6.599), and higher for patients with than without tuberculosis as co-morbidity (OR: 2.763; 95%CI 1.004-7.604). Conclusions: Compliance to paracoccidioidomycosis treatment was low, and the period with the highest loss to follow-up corresponds to the first four months. Pulmonary paracoccidioidal involvement or tuberculosis comorbidity predicts a higher compliance to paracoccidioidomycosis therapy.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to describe cryptococcal meningitis (CM) cases and the associated demographic, clinical, and microbiological data obtained from cities in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul in the Midwestern region of Brazil. METHODS: The data from 129 patients with laboratory-confirmed CM admitted from 1997 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The molecular types of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii isolated from cerebrospinal fluid were analyzed to determine their geographic distribution. RESULTS: The patients had a mean age of 37 years and consisted mostly of men (76.7%). Most of the Cryptococcus isolates were obtained from patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and included 105 (87.5%) and 5 (55.6%) isolates of C. neoformans and C. gattii complexes, respectively. A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of URA5 revealed that most of the isolates were C. neoformans molecular type VNI (89.1%), whereas the molecular types VGII (7%) and VNII (3.9%) were observed less frequently. Notably, 65% of the cases with a time from symptom onset to laboratory diagnosis of more than 60 days resulted in fatalities, and sequelae were observed among the patients who survived. CONCLUSIONS: The present study documents the occurrence of neurocryptococcosis, which is mainly caused by C. neoformans VNI, in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, with probable autochthonous cases in the Brazilian Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, and a biome where cryptococcosis has not yet been explored.

Abstract INTRODUCTION We describe the clinical and laboratorial features of oral candidiasis in 66 HIV-positive patients. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction-based techniques were performed for differentiation of Candida spp. isolated from patients at a public teaching hospital in Midwest Brazil. RESULTS: Oral lesions, mainly pseudomembranous, were significantly related to higher levels of immunosuppression. Of 45 Candida isolates, 66.7% were C. albicans. Most of the isolates were susceptible to the antifungal drugs tested. CONCLUSIONS: Oral lesions were associated with higher immunosuppression levels. Lower susceptibility to antifungals by non-albicans isolates supports the importance of surveillance studies using susceptibility tests to aid in the treatment.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) is a systemic mycosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum (H. capsulatum) and is characterized by progressive and fatal evolution in immunocompromised patients. Moreover, it is considered an AIDS-defining disease. METHODS: We performed an observational, analytical, retrospective study to identify the clinical outcomes and risk factors for death from DH in patients with AIDS at an infectious diseases service facility in Brazil between September 2011 and July 2016. Patients with a positive serology for HIV and DH were diagnosed via direct examination and/or positive cultures for H. capsulatum. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were included in this study. Approximately, 82.6% were men, with a mean age of 41.0±11.5 years, and 52.2% had a concomitant diagnosis of AIDS and DH. The median CD4+ T cell count was 19 cells/mm3, and 56.5% of the patients died. The most frequently observed symptoms were fever, dyspnea, and skin lesions. On the basis of a comparative analysis of those who died and survived, the absence of splenomegaly and hepatomegaly and the presence of H. capsulatum in the peripheral blood were considered as risk factors for death. Those who died had a higher leukocyte count; CRP, urea, and lactate dehydrogenase levels; AST index; and international normalized ratio prothrombin time. The serum total protein and albumin levels of the patients were lower. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate for DH is high among severely immunocompromised patients with AIDS. The risk factors for death were those traditionally associated with blood dyscrasia, inflammatory activity, as well as increased renal and nutritional impairment.

Resumo A paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é uma micose sistêmica, relacionada às atividades agrícolas, com incidência e prevalência subestimadas, pela ausência de notificação em várias Unidades da Federação (UFs). A evolução insidiosa do quadro clínico pode ter como consequência sequelas graves se o diagnóstico e o tratamento não forem instituídos precoce e adequadamente. Ao lado do complexo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (P. brasiliensis), a descrição de nova espécie, Paracoccidioides lutzii (P. lutzii), em Rondônia, onde a doença alcançou níveis epidêmicos, bem como na região Centro-Oeste e no Pará, constituem-se em desafios para a instituição do diagnóstico e a urgente disponibilização de antígenos que tenham reatividade com os soros dos pacientes. Este consenso visa atualizar o primeiro consenso brasileiro em PCM, estabelecendo recomendações para o manejo clínico do paciente, com base nas evidências conhecidas. São apresentados dados de etiologia, epidemiologia, imunopatogenia, diagnóstico, terapêutica e sequelas, enfatizando-se o diagnóstico e a terapêutica, bem como recomendações e desafios atuais nessa área do conhecimento.

Abstract Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal disease associated with agricultural activities. Its incidence and prevalence are underestimated because of the lack of reporting in several Brazilian states. If paracoccidiodomycosis is not diagnosed and treated early and adequately, endemic fungal infection may result in serious sequelae. In addition to the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (P. brasiliensis) complex, the appearance of a new species, Paracoccidioides lutzii (P. lutzii), in Rondônia state, where the disease has reached epidemic levels, and in the country’s Midwest region and Pará state, are challenges to diagnosis and to the urgent availability of antigens that are reactive with patients’ sera. These guidelines aim to update the first Brazilian consensus on paracoccidioidomycosis by providing evidence-based recommendations for bedside patient management. The guidelines provide data on etiology, epidemiology, immunopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and sequelae, with emphasis on diagnosis and treatment, as well as current recommendations and challenges in this field of knowledge.

Resumen La paracoccidioidomicosis es una micosis sistémica, relacionada con las actividades agrícolas, con incidencia y prevalencia subestimadas por la ausencia de notificación en varios estados. La evolución insidiosa del cuadro clínico puede tener como consecuencia secuelas graves si el diagnóstico y el tratamiento no se establecen precoz y adecuadamente. Al lado del complejo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (P. brasiliensis), la descripción de nueva especie, Paracoccidioides lutzii (P. lutzii) en Rondonia, donde la enfermedad alcanzó niveles epidémicos, y en la región Centro Oeste y en Pará, se constituyen en desafíos para la institución del diagnóstico y la urgente puesta a disposición de antígenos que tengan reactividad con los sueros de los pacientes. El presente consenso tiene por objeto actualizar el primer consenso brasileño en paracoccidioidomicosis, estableciendo recomendaciones para el manejo del paciente al borde del lecho, con base en las evidencias conocidas. Se presentan datos de etiología, epidemiología, inmunopatogenia, diagnóstico, terapéutica y secuelas, enfatizando el diagnóstico y terapéutica, así como recomendaciones desafíos y actuales en esta área del conocimiento.

Resumo A paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é uma micose sistêmica, relacionada às atividades agrícolas, com incidência e prevalência subestimadas, pela ausência de notificação em várias Unidades da Federação (UFs). A evolução insidiosa do quadro clínico pode ter como consequência sequelas graves se o diagnóstico e o tratamento não forem instituídos precoce e adequadamente. Ao lado do complexo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (P. brasiliensis), a descrição de nova espécie, Paracoccidioides lutzii (P. lutzii), em Rondônia, onde a doença alcançou níveis epidêmicos, bem como na região Centro-Oeste e no Pará, constituem-se em desafios para a instituição do diagnóstico e a urgente disponibilização de antígenos que tenham reatividade com os soros dos pacientes. Este consenso visa atualizar o primeiro consenso brasileiro em PCM, estabelecendo recomendações para o manejo clínico do paciente, com base nas evidências conhecidas. São apresentados dados de etiologia, epidemiologia, imunopatogenia, diagnóstico, terapêutica e sequelas, enfatizando-se o diagnóstico e a terapêutica, bem como recomendações e desafios atuais nessa área do conhecimento.

Abstract Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal disease associated with agricultural activities. Its incidence and prevalence are underestimated because of the lack of reporting in several Brazilian states. If paracoccidiodomycosis is not diagnosed and treated early and adequately, endemic fungal infection may result in serious sequelae. In addition to the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (P. brasiliensis) complex, the appearance of a new species, Paracoccidioides lutzii (P. lutzii), in Rondônia state, where the disease has reached epidemic levels, and in the country’s Midwest region and Pará state, are challenges to diagnosis and to the urgent availability of antigens that are reactive with patients’ sera. These guidelines aim to update the first Brazilian consensus on paracoccidioidomycosis by providing evidence-based recommendations for bedside patient management. The guidelines provide data on etiology, epidemiology, immunopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and sequelae, with emphasis on diagnosis and treatment, as well as current recommendations and challenges in this field of knowledge.

Resumen La paracoccidioidomicosis es una micosis sistémica, relacionada con las actividades agrícolas, con incidencia y prevalencia subestimadas por la ausencia de notificación en varios estados. La evolución insidiosa del cuadro clínico puede tener como consecuencia secuelas graves si el diagnóstico y el tratamiento no se establecen precoz y adecuadamente. Al lado del complejo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (P. brasiliensis), la descripción de nueva especie, Paracoccidioides lutzii (P. lutzii) en Rondonia, donde la enfermedad alcanzó niveles epidémicos, y en la región Centro Oeste y en Pará, se constituyen en desafíos para la institución del diagnóstico y la urgente puesta a disposición de antígenos que tengan reactividad con los sueros de los pacientes. El presente consenso tiene por objeto actualizar el primer consenso brasileño en paracoccidioidomicosis, estableciendo recomendaciones para el manejo del paciente al borde del lecho, con base en las evidencias conocidas. Se presentan datos de etiología, epidemiología, inmunopatogenia, diagnóstico, terapéutica y secuelas, enfatizando el diagnóstico y terapéutica, así como recomendaciones desafíos y actuales en esta área del conocimiento.

Abstract Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal disease occurring in Latin America that is associated with rural environments and agricultural activities. However, the incidence and prevalence of paracoccidiodomycosis is underestimated because of the lack of compulsory notification. If paracoccidiodomycosis is not diagnosed and treated early and adequately, the endemic fungal infection could result in serious sequelae. While the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis ( P. brasiliensis ) complex has been known to be the causal agent of paracoccidiodomycosis, a new species, Paracoccidioides lutzii ( P. lutzii ), has been reported in Rondônia, where the disease has reached epidemic levels, and in the Central West and Pará. Accurate diagnoses and availability of antigens that are reactive with the patients’ sera remain significant challenges. Therefore, the present guidelines aims to update the first Brazilian consensus on paracoccidioidomycosis by providing evidence-based recommendations for bedside patient management. This consensus summarizes etiological, ecoepidemiological, molecular epidemiological, and immunopathological data, with emphasis on clinical, microbiological, and serological diagnosis and management of clinical forms and sequelae, as well as in patients with comorbidities and immunosuppression. The consensus also includes discussion of outpatient treatments, severe disease forms, disease prevalence among special populations and resource-poor settings, a brief review of prevention and control measures, current challenges and recommendations.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a frequência de resultados indeterminados de um interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA, ensaio de liberação de interferon-gama) e os fatores relacionados com esses resultados em pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS (PVHA). Métodos: Foram avaliadas 81 PVHA na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil, por meio do teste tuberculínico e de um IGRA. Informações a respeito de variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas foram obtidas por meio de questionários e prontuários médicos. A relação entre essas variáveis e os resultados indeterminados foi avaliada por meio do cálculo da OR ajustada em um modelo de regressão logística multivariada. A concordância foi avaliada por meio do coeficiente kappa. Resultados: Os resultados do teste tuberculínico e do IGRA foram positivos em 18 (22,2%) e 10 (12,3%), respectivamente, dos 81 pacientes avaliados (κ = 0,62). O resultado do IGRA foi indeterminado em 22 (27,1%) dos pacientes (IC95%: 17,8-38,1%). A chance de resultados indeterminados foi significativamente maior em fumantes (OR ajustada = 6,0; IC95%: 1,4-26,7) e em amostras armazenadas durante menos de 35 dias (OR ajustada = 14,0; IC95%: 3,1-64,2). Pacientes com imunossupressão avançada (contagem de células T CD4+ < 200 células/mm3) apresentaram maior risco de resultados indeterminados (OR ajustada para tabagismo e tempo inadequado de armazenamento das amostras = 4,7; IC95%: 0,91-24,0), embora a diferença não tenha sido significativa. Conclusões: A alta prevalência de resultados indeterminados pode ser um grande obstáculo ao uso rotineiro de IGRAs em PVHA. A necessidade de repetir o teste aumenta seu custo e deve ser levada em conta em estudos da relação entre custo e eficácia. O processamento das amostras pode alterar significativamente os resultados.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the frequency of and factors associated with indeterminate interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) results in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Methods: We tested 81 PLWHA in the central-west region of Brazil, using the tuberculin skin test and an IGRA. Information on sociodemographic and clinical variables was gathered through the use of questionnaires and from medical records. The association of those variables with indeterminate results was analyzed by calculating the adjusted ORs in a multivariate logistic regression model. Concordance was evaluated by determining the kappa statistic. Results: Among the 81 patients evaluated, the tuberculin skin test results were positive in 18 (22.2%) of the patients, and the IGRA results were positive in 10 (12.3%), with a kappa of 0.62. The IGRA results were indeterminate in 22 (27.1%) of the patients (95% CI: 17.8-38.1%). The odds of obtaining indeterminate results were significantly higher in smokers (adjusted OR = 6.0; 95% CI: 1.4-26.7) and in samples stored for less than 35 days (adjusted OR = 14.0; 95% CI: 3.1-64.2). Patients with advanced immunosuppression (CD4+ T-cell count < 200 cells/mm3) were at a higher risk for indeterminate results (OR adjusted for smoking and inadequate duration of sample storage = 4.7; 95% CI: 0.91-24.0), although the difference was not significant. Conclusions: The high prevalence of indeterminate results can be a major limitation for the routine use of IGRAs in PLWHA. The need to repeat the test increases its costs and should be taken into account in cost-effectiveness studies. The processing of samples can significantly alter the results.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to identify Candida spp. isolated from candiduria episodes at a tertiary hospital in the Midwest region of Brazil, and to determine their susceptibility profiles to antifungal compounds. From May 2011 to April 2012, Candida spp. isolated from 106 adult patients with candiduria admitted to the University Hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul were evaluated. Both, species identification and susceptibility testing with fluconazole-FLC, voriconazole-VRC, and amphotericin B-AmB were carried out using the Vitek 2. To discriminate species of the C. parapsilosis complex, a RAPD-PCR technique using the RPO2 primer was performed. From the total of 106 isolates, 42 (39.6%) C. albicans and 64 (60.4%) Candida non-albicans (CNA) - 33 C. tropicalis, 18 C. glabrata, 5 C. krusei, 4 C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, 2 C. kefyr, 1 C. lusitaniae, and 1 C. guilliermondii were identified. All isolates were susceptible to AmB and VRC, whereas all C. glabrata isolates presented either resistance (5.6%) or dose-dependent susceptibility (94.4%) to FLC. The study of Candida spp. and their resistance profiles may help in tailoring more efficient therapeutic strategies for candiduria.

Com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento da paracoccidioidomicose nas últimas três décadas, dados clínicos e epidemiológicos de 595 pacientes atendidos dentre 1980 a 2009 no Hospital da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul foram estudados. Sexo, faixa etária, forma clínica, associação com tuberculose ou AIDS e mortalidade foram comparados por década em que a doença foi diagnosticada. Observou-se, nas três décadas do estudo, uma redução do percentual de mulheres, de pacientes do grupo de 20 a 39 anos, assim como de casos com a forma aguda/subaguda. Estas alterações estão intimamente relacionadas e podem ser analisadas simultaneamente. Houve aumento de casos de coinfecção com AIDS da primeira para segunda década, coincidindo com o surgimento da epidemia, e manteve-se estável durante a década seguinte. Não houve alteração da taxa de coinfecção com tuberculose, que no geral foi de 6,9% o que reforça a importância desta comorbidade. A taxa geral de mortalidade foi de 6,7% e também não variou entre as décadas estudadas. A manutenção da taxa de óbitos chama a atenção para a relevância dessa doença negligenciada.

With the objective to evaluate the behavior of paracoccidioidomycosis in the last three decades, clinical and epidemiological data of 595 patients admitted to clinical services of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul from 1980 to 2009 were investigated. Gender, age distribution, clinical form, comorbidity with tuberculosis or AIDS, and mortality were compared by decades of clinical admission. It was shown that during the three decades there was a decrease in women percentage, and the same manner occurred a reduction in participants in the age group of 20 to 39 years. Moreover, the acute/subacute forms have been diminished in the period. These fluctuations are closely related and can be simultaneously analyzed. Increased AIDS co-infection prevalence from the first to the second decade was also revealed, coinciding with the appearance of the retroviral epidemic and stabilizing during the third decade. No change in the tuberculosis co-infection rate was observed (overall = 6.9%). It reinforces the importance of this co-morbidity. The overall mortality rate remained steady at 6.7%, not varying significantly from one decade to another. The persistent mortality rate calls attention to the importance of this neglected disease.

In many parts of the world, numerous outbreaks of pertussis have been described despite high vaccination coverage. In this article we report the epidemiological characteristics of pertussis in Brazil using a Surveillance Worksheet. Secondary data of pertussis case investigations reported from January 1999 to December 2008 recorded in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) and the Central Laboratory for Public Health (LACEN-MS) were utilized. The total of 561 suspected cases were reported and 238 (42.4%) of these were confirmed, mainly in children under six months (61.8%) and with incomplete immunization (56.3%). Two outbreaks were detected. Mortality rate ranged from 2.56% to 11.11%. The occurrence of outbreaks and the poor performance of cultures for confirming diagnosis are problems which need to be addressed. High vaccination coverage is certainly a good strategy to reduce the number of cases and to reduce the impact of the disease in children younger than six months.

Introduction Vascular access in patients undergoing hemodialysis is considered a critical determinant of bloodstream infection (BSI) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of BSI in patients with end-stage renal disease using central venous catheters for hemodialysis. Methods A cohort study was conducted in a public teaching hospital in central-western Brazil from April 2010 to December 2011. For every patient, we noted the presence of hyperemia/exudation upon catheter insertion, as well as fever, shivering, and chills during hemodialysis. Results Fifty-nine patients were evaluated. Thirty-five (59.3%) patients started dialysis due to urgency, 37 (62.7%) had BSI, and 12 (20%) died. Hyperemia at the catheter insertion site (64.9%) was a significant clinical manifestation in patients with BSI. Statistical analysis revealed 1.7 times more cases of BSI in patients with hypoalbuminemia compared with patients with normal albumin levels. The principal infective agents identified in blood cultures and catheter-tip cultures were Staphylococcus species (24 cases), non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli (7 cases of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and 5 cases of Chryseobacterium indologenes), and Candida species (6). Among the Staphylococci identified, 77.7% were methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative Staphylococci. Of the bacteria isolated, the most resistant were Chryseobacterium indologenes and Acinetobacter baumannii. Conclusions Blood culture was demonstrated to be an important diagnostic test and identified over 50% of positive BSI cases. The high frequency of BSI and the isolation of multiresistant bacteria were disturbing findings. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated microorganism, although Gram-negative bacteria predominated overall. These results highlight the importance of infection prevention and control measures in dialysis units.