Abstract Introduction Tetanus, an acute infectious disease, is highly prevalent worldwide, especially in developing countries. Due to respiratory failure and hemodynamic instability associated with dysautonomia, severe cases require intensive care, but little has been published regarding the management in the Intensive Care Unit. Objective To draw a 10-year clinical–epidemiological profile of Intensive Care Unit patients with severe tetanus, observe their evolution in the Intensive Care Unit and identify risk factors for mortality. Methods In this retrospective study, we used a standardized questionnaire to collect information from the records of patients with severe tetanus admitted to the intensive care unit of a referral hospital for infectious and contagious diseases in Northeastern Brazil. Results The initial sample included 144 patients, of whom 29 were excluded due to incomplete information, leaving a cohort of 115 subjects. The average age was 49.6 ± 15.3 years, most patients had no (or incomplete) vaccination against tetanus, and most were male. The main intensive care-related complications were pneumonia (84.8%) and dysautonomia (69.7%). Mortality (44.5%) was higher than expected from the mean APACHE II score (11.8), with shock/multiple organ failure as the main cause of death (72.9%). The independent factors most predictive of mortality were APACHE II score, dysautonomia, continuous neuromuscular blockade and age. Conclusion A high mortality rate was observed in our cohort of Intensive Care Unit patients with severe tetanus and a number of risk factors for mortality were identified. Our results provide important insights for the development of intervention protocols capable of reducing complications and mortality in this patient population.

OBJETIVO: Falhas da ventilação não-invasiva (VNI) têm sido relacionadas a efeitos adversos agudos do uso de máscaras. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a incidência, tipo e intensidade de eventos adversos e conforto das máscaras facial total (MFT), facial (MF) e nasal (MN). MÉTODOS: Estudo randomizado, tipo cruzado, em 24 voluntários sadios submetidos a seis períodos de VNI, modo bilevel positive airway pressure em ajustes de baixa e moderada a alta pressão. Foi aplicado um questionário de avaliação de onze eventos adversos especificamente relacionados ao uso das máscaras. O conforto foi avaliado por escala visual analógica. O CO2 exalado no circuito foi medido entre a conexão da máscara e o orifício de exalação. RESULTADOS: A MFT teve desempenho similar a MF e MN quanto a escores de conforto. A aplicação de pressões mais altas reduziu o conforto e aumentou a incidência e a intensidade dos eventos adversos, independentemente do tipo de máscara. A MFT teve melhor desempenho quanto a vazamentos e dor no nariz e pior resultado quanto ao ressecamento oronasal e claustrofobia. A MF teve o pior resultado quanto a vazamentos. A pressão parcial do CO2 exalado no circuito permaneceu em zero com a MFT. CONCLUSÕES: Os eventos adversos agudos causados pelas interfaces de VNI são relacionados ao tipo de máscara e aos parâmetros de pressão. A MFT é uma alternativa confiável às MF e MN. A reinalação de CO2 a partir do circuito é menos provável de ocorrer com a MFT.

OBJECTIVE: Failure of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been associated with short-term adverse effects related to the use of masks. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence, type and intensity of adverse effects, as well as the comfort, of total face masks (TFMs), facial masks (FMs) and nasal masks (NMs) during NIV. METHODS: This was a randomized crossover trial involving 24 healthy volunteers submitted to six sessions of NIV in bilevel positive airway pressure mode using the TFM, FM and NM masks at low and moderate-to-high pressure levels. A written questionnaire was applied in order to evaluate eleven specific adverse effects related to the use of the masks. Comfort was assessed using a visual analog scale. The CO2 exhaled into the ventilator circuit was measured between the mask and the exhalation port. RESULTS: The performance of the TFM was similar to that of the NM and FM in terms of comfort scores. Higher pressure levels reduced comfort and increased adverse effects, regardless of the mask type. When the TFM was used, there were fewer air leaks and less pain at the nose bridge, although there was greater oronasal dryness and claustrophobia. Air leaks were most pronounced when the FM was used. The partial pressure of exhaled CO2 entering the ventilator circuit was zero for the TFM. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term adverse effects caused by NIV interfaces are related to mask type and pressure settings. The TFM is a reliable alternative to the NM and FM. Rebreathing of CO2 from the circuit is less likely to occur when a TFM is used.

A coccidioidomicose, uma doença fúngica adquirida através da inalação do agente Coccidioides immitis sob forma de artroconídio, vem sendo descrita desde 1892. Restringe-se principalmente a áreas de clima árido, solo alcalino e regiões de baixo índice pluviométrico. Não por acaso, a maioria dos casos descritos no Brasil ocorreu na região Nordeste. Relata-se o caso de um homem de 19 anos, imunocompetente, com queixa de dor pleural bilateral, febre, adinamia e tosse seca havia dois meses. A radiografia de tórax evidenciou múltiplos nódulos bilaterais. O paciente participava de caçadas a tatus (Dasypus novemcinctus) e a pesquisa direta para fungos no escarro evidenciou Coccidioides sp. Tratado com anfotericina B, apresentou pneumotórax e insuficiência respiratória, indo a óbito. A biópsia pulmonar post mortem evidenciou Coccidioides immitis sob a forma de endósporos.

Coccidioidomycosis is a disease caused by inhalation of arthrospores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis. It has been recognized as a clinical entity since 1892. It is related to activities that involves dust exposure. It is found in many regions of the western hemisphere with dry and alkaline soil. In Brazil it has been described almost exclusively in the Northeast region where drought periods may favor its growth in its soil. We report a case of fatal coccidioidomycosis, in an immunocompetent host, associated to the activity of armadillo hunting (Dasypus novemcynctus) in a rural area of Ceará state.

A síndrome de Jó ou hiperimunoglobulinemia E é uma rara condição de imunodeficiência, sem etiologia definida, caracterizada por infecções de repetição dos tratos respiratórios superior e inferior e da pele associadas a níveis elevados de imunoglobulina E, eosinofilia e alterações faciais peculiares. Relata-se o caso de um homem de 22 anos, portador da doença, complicada com empiema pleural e cistos pulmonares e boa evolução.

Job's syndrome, or hyperimmunoglobulinemia E, is a rare immunodeficiency condition with no established etiology, characterized by recurrent lower and upper respiratory tract and skin infections associated with high levels of immunoglobulin E, eosinophilia, and a characteristic facial alteration. The authors report on a 22-year-old man who carried this disease complicated by pleural empyema and lung cysts, showing a good evolution.