INTRODUÇÃO: Pênfigo vulgar (PV) é uma doença auto-imune caracterizada por bolhas na pele e mucosas, que se desenvolve devido a interações entre predisposição genética e fatores ambientais. Infecções por vírus da família herpesviridae são sugeridos como possíveis gatilhos para PV. OBJETIVOS E MÉTODOS: Neste relato investigamos a presença de viroses herpéticas em lesão refratária da pálpebra superior direita de uma paciente portadora de PV. A lesão persistiu mesmo após tratamento com corticoesteróides. Reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e análise de sequenciamento de DNA foram usados para detectar o DNA do HSV1/2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6, HHV-7, e HHV-8. RESULTADOS: A amostra coletada da pálpebra superior direita foi positiva para HSV1/2. O seqüenciamento confirmou o resultado do PCR e identificou a cepa do HSV pertencendo ao tipo 1. Após o tratamento com aciclovir a lesão foi cicatrizada e não recidivou. CONCLUSÃO: Quando pacientes portadores de PV forem refratários à corticoterapia, infecção herpética deverá ser considerada.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease characterized by blistering of the skin and mucosa, which develops due to the interaction between predisposing genetic and environmental factors. Infections caused by members of the Herpesviridae family have been suggested as a possible triggering factor for PV. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: In this report, we investigate the presence of herpesviruses in refractory lesions on the right upper eyelid. The lesion has persisted despite the treatment with corticosteroids. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis have been used to detect the DNA of HSV 1/2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6, HHV-7, and HHV-8. RESULTS: The sample collected from the right upper eyelid has tested positive for HSV 1/2. Sequence analysis has confirmed the PCR results and allowed the identification of the HSV strain as belonging to type 1. After treatment with acyclovir, the lesion of the right upper eyelid has cleared and not relapsed. CONCLUSION: When patients present PV lesions which are refractory to corticosteroid therapy, herpetic infection should be considered.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common human enzymopathy. It affects as many as 330 million individuals worldwide. This deficiency may determine neonatal jaundice, chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia and acute hemolytic anemia induced by drugs, infections and broad bean ingestion. The efficacy of blood transfusion is decreased when the donor is G6PD deficient. In this study, we aimed at determining the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in blood donors of Mossoro, Brazil. Samples of 714 blood donors (576 men and 138 women; 343 white and 371 non-white) with ages ranging from 18 to 62 years and that accepted to participate in the study were analyzed. All participants answered a standard questionnaire. G6PD activity was analyzed by the methemoglobin reduction test with deficiency being confirmed by the semiquantitative test. The overall prevalence of G6PD deficiency in blood donors was 3.8%, similar to the rate described for others regions of Brazil. There was no significant statistical difference in the frequency of G6PD deficiency between men and women, nor between white and non-white blood donors. This relatively high frequency of G6PD deficiency highlights a need to screen blood donors for this condition.

Trombose ou hipoplasia da veia porta não tem sido, ainda, considerados contra-indicações para o transplante ortotópico de fígado. Contudo, permanecem com obstáculos associados com aumento da freqüência de falha primária e a longo prazo do transplante de fígado. Existem alguns fatores de risco tais como: sexo masculino, cirrose avançada, doença hepática alcoólica e cirurgia prévia para hipertensão portal. Os autores relatam o caso de uma criança de 4 anos, do sexo feminino, que sofria de doença terminal do fígado resultante de atresia de vias biliares e que tinha submetido, sem sucesso, a uma operação de Kasai. Ela se submeteu a um transplante ortotópico de fígado por cirrose biliar secundária. Durante a cirurgia uma hipoplasia portal severa do receptor foi encontrada. Uma anastomose entre a veia gástrica esquerda do receptor e a veia porta do doador foi feita. Reperfusão hepática e subseqüente função do fígado foram excelentes. A paciente recebeu alta hospitalar no trigésimo dia. A veia gástrica esquerda pode ser uma alternativa para revascularização portal no transplante hepático.

Portal vein thrombosis or hipoplasia have not been, anymore, a contraindication for orthotopic liver transplantation. Nevertheless, it remains an obstacle associated with increased incidence of primary and long-term liver failure. There are some risk factors like being male, advanced cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease and previos surgery for portal hypertension. The authors report a case of a 4-yr-old female patient who suffered from end-stage liver disease resulting from biliary atresia with failed Kasai´s operation. She underwent orthotopic liver transplantation for secondary biliary cirrhosis. During surgery a severe recipient portal vein hipoplasia was found. An anastomosis between the recipient left gastric vein and the graft portal vein was performed. Hepatic reperfusion and subsequent liver function were excellent. The patient left hospital on the 30th postoperative day. The left gastric vein can be an alternative of portal revascularization in liver transplant.