PURPOSE To study the contribution of immunologic background to the uptake of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) by the tumor tissues. METHODS The uptakes of (18)F-FDG to the same experimental tumor model (SCCVII) xenografted into immunocompetent and immunodeficient (athymic) mice were compared. In addition, the immunomodifying effect of steroid on the uptake of (18)F-FDG by these tumo...

The typical clinical presentation of measles in a normal immunocompetent host includes cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, Koplik's spots, and rash. However, in an immunocompromised host, measles may have an atypical clinical presentation and may be commonly associated with severe pneumonia or encephalitis. We report a fatal case of measles pneumonia without any clinical features that suggest measle...

Purpureocillium lilacinum is a filamentous, hyaline fungus considered an emerging pathogen in humans. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcome of hyalohyphomycosis in C57BL/6 murine models inoculated with two clinical P. lilacinum isolates (S1 and S2). Each isolate was inoculated in mice randomly distributed in immunocompetent (CPT) and immunosuppressed (SPS) groups. Mice were evaluated...

Tumors arise and progress in immunocompetent hosts presumably by activating tolerance mechanisms critical for normal homeostasis. Host immune cells can mount anti-tumor responses by activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). However, emerging data suggests that molecules that negatively regulate TLRs are exploited by tumors to induce tolerance and mitigate the host immunosurveillance. Targeting ...

Competitive interactions between coinfecting genotypes of the same pathogen can impose selection on virulence, but the direction of this selection depends on the mechanisms behind the interactions. Here, we investigate how host immune responses contribute to competition between clones in mixed infections of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi. We studied single and mixed infections ...

We describe a case of white-grain eumycetoma caused by Scedosporium apiospermum in an immunocompetent host that was successfully treated with oral voriconazole, and we review the Brazilian reports on scedosporiosis.

The first fatal Cunninghamella bertholletiae infection in a clinically immunocompetent host is reported. This case differs from previously reported cases by the lack of extensive vascular invasion and thrombosis.