Camera trap surveys of Atlantic Forest mammals: A data set for analyses considering imperfect detection (2004-2020)

Camera traps became the main observational method of a myriad of species over large areas. Data sets from camera traps can be used to describe the patterns and monitor the occupancy, abundance, and richness of wildlife, essential information for conservation in times of rapid climate and land-cover changes. Habitat loss and poaching are responsible for historical population losses of mammals in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, especially for medium to large-sized species. Here we present a data set from camera trap surveys of medium to large-sized native mammals (>1 kg) across the Atlantic Forest. We compiled data from 5380 ground-level camera trap deployments in 3046 locations, from 2004 to 2020, resulting in 43,068 records of 58 species. These data add to existing data sets of mammals in the Atlantic Forest by including dates of camera operation needed for analyses dealing with imperfect detection. We also included, when available, information on important predictors of detection, namely the camera brand and model, use of bait, and obstruction of camera viewshed that can be measured from example pictures at each camera location. Besides its application in studies on the patterns and mechanisms behind occupancy, relative abundance, richness, and detection, the data set presented here can be used to study species' daily activity patterns, activity levels, and spatiotemporal interactions between species. Moreover, data can be used combined with other data sources in the multiple and expanding uses of integrated population modeling. An R script is available to view summaries of the data set. We expect that this data set will be used to advance the knowledge of mammal assemblages and to inform evidence-based solutions for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest. The data are not copyright restricted; please cite this paper when using the data.

Drosophila nasuta (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in Brazil: a decade of invasion and occupation of more than half of the country

As a result of human activities and natural dispersal, exotic species can be brought to new areas, where they become established and spread, becoming invaders. These species are responsible for the loss of biodiversity and cause ecosystemic harm throughout the world. In this paper, we report the rapid, broad geographic expansion of the invasive fly Drosophila nasuta in Brazil. An 84% increase was found in its area of occupation in the country compared to previous studies. The present data reveal its arrival to the Pantanal wetlands in a location more than one thousand kilometers from the closest previous record in the Cerrado biome. We present the first record of D. nasuta in the Atlantic Forest in the states of Paraíba and Bahia. We report its introduction in the Amazon Forest in the state of Amazonas approximately 700 kilometers from previous records. The relative abundance of D. nasuta in this biome increased fivefold in comparison to a previous study. In the first decade of invasion in Brazil, D. nasuta has already colonized more than half of the country. The present data reveal its invasive potential and underscore the importance of following up the possible negative effects of this biological invasion.

First Records of the Invading Species Drosophila Nasuta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in the Amazon

Invading species pose a growing threat to biodiversity, ecosystemic systems, regional economies, and public health. In recent decades, South America has received five exotic drosophilids species, some of which have invaded natural ecosystems and caused harm to agriculture. The most recent case is the Asian fly Drosophila nasuta Lamb. In the present study, we record D. nasuta in the Amazon, which is the largest and most biodiverse tropical rainforest in the world. Sampling of drosophilids was carried out between 2012 and 2017 in the Brazilian state of Pará. Drosophila nasuta was first detected on 1^st July 2017, with 145 individuals of this species sampled among the 11,496 drosophilids caught. Although at low abundance, D. nasuta was recorded in forest fragments, anthropized fields, and urban environment. The records of the species occurred in the six municipalities of the state of Pará investigated at locations separated by approximately 700 km. In less than 10 years, D. nasuta has occupied approximately 2.5 million km² in South America. The present findings assist in understanding the susceptibility of tropical forests to biological invasions.

Current and future potential global distribution of the invading species Drosophila nasuta (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Species distribution modelling has been widely employed to indicate probable areas of invasion and to guide management strategies. Drosophila nasuta is native to Asia and has invaded Africa, islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and, more recently, the Americas. This species has been dispersing rapidly in the past decade, dominating the assemblage of drosophilids in numerous invaded territories, especially in protected areas. Here, we model the potential geographic distribution of D. nasuta for the present and two future scenarios. We also determine the environmental variables that most influence its distribution and investigate the risk of invasion in protected areas. Drosophila nasuta has the potential to expand its occurrence, especially on continents that have already been invaded. Variables related to greater rainfall were those that most influenced its distribution. The projections for the two future scenarios revealed a small increase in the distribution of the species compared to the projection for the present. The largest overlaps between the projected areas to be invaded by D. nasuta and territories in protected areas were found for Central and South America. The predictive maps delineated here can assist in the establishment of management plans directed at the conservation of biodiversity.

Reduced genetic diversity and the success of the invasive peacock bass (Cichliformes: Cichlidae)

Several species of Cichla successfully colonized lakes and reservoirs of Brazil, since the 1960's, causing serious damage to local wildlife. In this study, 135 peacock bass were collected in a reservoir complex in order to identify if they represented a single dominant species or multiple ones, as several Cichla species have been reported in the basin. Specimens were identified by color pattern, morphometric and meristic data, and using mitochondrial markers COI, 16S rDNA and Control Region (CR). Overlapping morphological data and similar coloration patterns prevented their identification using the taxonomic keys to species identification available in the literature. However, Bayesian and maximum likelihood from sequencing data demonstrated the occurrence of a single species, Cichla kelberi. A single haplotype was observed for the 16S and CR, while three were detected for COI, with a dominant haplotype present in 98.5% of the samples. The extreme low diversity of the transplanted C. kelberi evidenced a limited number of founding maternal lineages. The success of this colonization seems to rely mainly on abiotic factors, such as increased water transparency of lentic environments that favor visual predators that along with the absence of predators, have made C. kelberi a successful invader of these reservoirs.

Invasion and Spreading of Drosophila nasuta (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in the Caatinga Biome, Brazil

Biological invasions are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss, and it is essential to understand the pattern and rate of expansion of invasive species outside their native distribution. In this study, we documented the invasion of the Asian fruit fly, Drosophila nasuta Lamb, in the Caatinga, and measured its geographical distribution in this environment, which covers 11% of the Brazilian territory. We collected drosophilids in eight sites distributed in the north of the Caatinga (in the state of Ceará), in the south (in Bahia), in the east (in Pernambuco), and in the west (in Piauí), as well as in sites in the central area of the biome. Drosophila nasuta occurred in all areas and was one of the most frequently occurring species in half of the sampled sites. We observed greater abundance in areas with arboreal vegetation and a possible preference of this species for areas with higher annual rainfall in the Caatinga. Of all the biomes where D. nasuta is found in Brazil, the area occupied in the Caatinga is the largest documented to date. Our results show D. nasuta's success in invading the Caatinga and the vast area this species has colonized in this biome. The success of this invasion can be explained by the high fertility and short life cycle as well as by the ability of D. nasuta to use different trophic resources.

New record of Ocelot, Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Felidae), in an Atlantic Forest fragment in the Pernambuco Endemism Center, northeastern Brazil

The Pernambuco Endemism Center is a key region for the maintenance of biodiversity of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Inventories of the medium-sized terrestrial mammals in this region are scarce, and several information gaps still remain. We conducted a camera trap survey at the Tapacurá Ecological Station, São Lourenço da Mata, Pernambuco. We obtained new records of at least four females and three male individuals of Ocelot, Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758). The records provide important data about occurrence and distribution of a threatened population of this mesocarnivore in northeastern Brazil.

Distribution modeling applied to deficient data species assessment: A case study with Pithecopus nordestinus (Anura, Phyllomedusidae)

The arboreal frog Pithecopus nordestinus is geographically present in almost all Brazilian Northeast territory and Minas Gerais State. It is currently classified as deficient data (DD) by IUCN Red List of Endangered Species, requiring further knowledge about its geographic distribution and population status. In this context, the species distribution modeling can be applied, since its basis uses species occurrence records and environmental variables related to bioclimatic and landscape features. This kind of method predicts the species suitability of certain organism in the geographic space. We obtained 159 P. nordestinus occurrence records, covering all the previously known distribution of the species. These records were collected from direct field sampling, scientific literature, museum collections, and available online databases. We used four species distribution modeling algorithms to obtain the potential range (extent of occurrence) and available habitat for this frog through habitat area analysis proposed by IUCN. The generated models can be considered as excellent, with mean AUC value of 0.981. The environmental variables related to temperature and radiation were the most important to the construction of this distribution model. Our results indicate that the forested areas of the Atlantic Forest domain and forest patches inside the Caatinga biome present the highest suitability values for the species occurrence and the major part of available habitats, a fact possibly related to the known arboreal habit of this amphibian. We thus provide a new distribution area for P. nordestinus more broadly than previously known and a new polygon for conservation purposes based on extent of occurrence, and an increase of occupancy based on habitat area analysis. The identification of additional areas where the P. nordestinus occurrence was not yet well known, new habitats for possible dispersal or recolonization; and the selection of conservation hotspots applied to this species are direct applications from our study. In addition, the methodological procedures used here may serve as a baseline tool for new investigations with focus on still deficient data species and its ecological and conservation planning requirements.

Effects of seasonality on drosophilids (Insecta, Diptera) in the northern part of the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

Seasonality is an important aspect associated with population dynamic and structure of tropical insect assemblages. This study evaluated the effects of seasonality on abundance, richness, diversity and composition of an insect group, drosophilids, including species native to the Neotropical region and exotic ones. Three preserved fragments of the northern Atlantic Forest were surveyed, where temperatures are above 20 °C throughout the year and rainfall regimes define two seasons (dry and rainy). As opposed to other studies about arthropods in tropical regions, we observed that abundance of drosophilids was significantly higher in the dry season, possibly due to biological aspects and the colonization strategy adopted by the exotic species in these environments. Contrarily to abundance, we did not observe a seasonal pattern for richness. As for other parts of the Atlantic Forest, the most representative Neotropical species (Drosophila willistoni, D. sturtevanti, D. paulistorum and D. prosaltans) were significantly more abundant in the rainy season. Among the most abundant exotic species, D. malerkotliana, Zaprionus indianus and Scaptodrosophila latifasciaeformis were more importantly represented the dry season, while D. simulans was more abundant in the rainy period. The seasonality patterns exhibited by the most abundant species were compared to findings published in other studies. Our results indicate that exotic species were significantly more abundant in the dry season, while native ones exhibited an opposite pattern.

The heterogeneity of Caatinga biome: an overview of the bat fauna

In semiarid regions like the Brazilian Caatinga, the long dry season suggests that it is a homogeneous environment. However, differences in climate, soil, relief, and duration of the dry season across this biome has prompted the division of Caatinga in eight ecoregions. Here, we test the validity of these ecoregions for bats, which play a fundamental role in the balance of ecosystems. A literature review was carried out to investigate the distribution of bat species in all Caatinga ecoregions, and the lack of sampling efforts. In total, 90 chiropteran species were recorded in the biome. Bat distribution is not homogeneous, and almost all ecoregions present exclusive species. Gaps in chiropteran sampling efforts occur in all ecoregions. A robust and significant correlation was observed between the number of studies reporting samples and bat richness of each ecoregion, indicating that more research will increase recorded richness in these areas, and in the Caatinga as a whole. The existence of at least four ecoregions in the Caatinga was also supported. This underlines the importance of these areas to conservation initiatives.

Contributions of Dryland Forest (Caatinga) to Species Composition, Richness and Diversity of Drosophilidae

In this study, semi-arid environments were tested to see if they support insect diversity. This was evaluated through the structure of the composition of assemblies of drosophilids in three conservation units placed in three different ecoregions in the dryland forests, Caatinga. This is a unique biome in northeast Brazil, comprising approximately 10% of the country. Species richness was investigated over 2 years during a prolonged drought, considered the worst affliction the Caatinga ecosystem had experienced in the last 50 years. Alpha diversity indices and the ecological similarity between the samples were calculated to determine how the environments drive the composition of Drosophilidae in such semi-arid places. A total of 7352 specimens were sampled. They were classified into 20 species belonging to four genera: Drosophila, Rhinoleucophenga, Scaptodrosophila, and Zaprionus. Drosophila nebulosa Sturtevant (44.5%) and Drosophila cardini Sturtevant (12.5%) were the most abundant species. The occurrences and abundances of all the species differed greatly between sites. These results and other ecological analyses indicate that although placed in the same biome, there are great variability in the drosophilid species and abundance among the three protected and conserved dryland environments.

Sphingomyelin derivatives increase the frequency of microvesicle and granule fusion in chromaffin cells

Sphingomyelin derivatives like sphingosine have been shown to enhance secretion in a variety of systems, including neuroendocrine and neuronal cells. By studying the mechanisms underlying this effect, we demonstrate here that sphingomyelin rafts co-localize strongly with synaptosomal-associated protein of 25Kda (SNAP-25) clusters in cultured bovine chromaffin cells and that they appear to be linked in a dynamic manner. In functional terms, when cultured rat chromaffin cells are treated with sphingomyelinase (SMase), producing sphingomyelin derivatives, the secretion elicited by repetitive depolarizations is enhanced. This increase was independent of cell size and it was significant 15min after initiating stimulation. Interestingly, by evaluating the membrane capacitance we found that the events in control untreated cells corresponded to two populations of microvesicles and granules, and the fusion of both these populations is clearly enhanced after treatment with SMase. Furthermore, SMase does not increase the size of chromaffin granules. Together, these results strongly suggest that SNARE-mediated exocytosis is enhanced by the generation of SMase derivatives, reflecting an increase in the frequency of fusion of both microvesicles and chromaffin granules rather than an increase in the size of these vesicles.

Cytogenetic mapping of the Muller F element genes in Drosophila willistoni group

Comparative genomics in Drosophila began in 1940, when Muller stated that the ancestral haploid karyotype of this genus is constituted by five acrocentric chromosomes and one dot chromosome, named A to F elements. In some species of the willistoni group such as Drosophila willistoni and D. insularis, the F element, instead of a dot chromosome, has been incorporated into the E element, forming chromosome III (E + F fusion). The aim of this study was to investigate the scope of the E + F fusion in the willistoni group, evaluating six other species. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was used to locate two genes of the F element previously studied-cubitus interruptus (ci) and eyeless (ey)-in species of the willistoni and bocainensis subgroups. Moreover, polytene chromosome photomaps corresponding to the F element (basal portion of chromosome III) were constructed for each species studied. In D. willistoni, D. paulistorum and D. equinoxialis, the ci gene was located in subSectction 78B and the ey gene in 78C. In D. tropicalis, ci was located in subSection 76B and ey in 76C. In species of the bocainensis subgroup, ci and ey were localized, respectively, at subsections 76B and 76C in D. nebulosa and D. capricorni, and 76A and 76C in D. fumipennis. Despite the differences in the subsection numbers, all species showed the same position for ci and ey. The results confirm the synteny of E + F fusion in willistoni and bocainensis subgroups, and allow estimating the occurrence of this event at 15 Mya, at least.

The genome of Anopheles darlingi, the main neotropical malaria vector

Anopheles darlingi is the principal neotropical malaria vector, responsible for more than a million cases of malaria per year on the American continent. Anopheles darlingi diverged from the African and Asian malaria vectors ∼100 million years ago (mya) and successfully adapted to the New World environment. Here we present an annotated reference A. darlingi genome, sequenced from a wild population of males and females collected in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 10 481 predicted protein-coding genes were annotated, 72% of which have their closest counterpart in Anopheles gambiae and 21% have highest similarity with other mosquito species. In spite of a long period of divergent evolution, conserved gene synteny was observed between A. darlingi and A. gambiae. More than 10 million single nucleotide polymorphisms and short indels with potential use as genetic markers were identified. Transposable elements correspond to 2.3% of the A. darlingi genome. Genes associated with hematophagy, immunity and insecticide resistance, directly involved in vector–human and vector–parasite interactions, were identified and discussed. This study represents the first effort to sequence the genome of a neotropical malaria vector, and opens a new window through which we can contemplate the evolutionary history of anopheline mosquitoes. It also provides valuable information that may lead to novel strategies to reduce malaria transmission on the South American continent. The A. darlingi genome is accessible at www.labinfo.lncc.br/index.php/anopheles-darlingi.

[Expression of embryonic markers in pterygium derived mesenchymal cells]

BACKGROUND

Destruction of the limbal epithelium barrier is the most important mechanism of pterygium formation (conjunctiva proliferation, encroaching onto the cornea). It is thought to arise from activated and proliferating limbal epithelial stem cells. The objective of this study is to evaluate the presence of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells (stem cells) in cultured cells extracted from human pterygium.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cells from 6 human pterygium were isolated by explantation and placed in cultures with amniomax medium. Once the monolayer was reached the cells were seeded onto 24 well microplates. The cells were studied in the second sub-culture. The immunohistochemical expression of different embryonic stem cell markers, OCT3/4 and CD9, was analysed. The differentiated phenotypes were characterised with the monoclonal antibodies anti-CD31, α-actin and vimentin.

RESULTS

All the cell populations obtained from pterygium showed vimentin expression. Less than 1% of the cells were positive for CD31 and α-actin markers. The majority of the cell population was positive for OCT3/4 and CD9.

CONCLUSIONS

The cell population obtained from pterygium expressed mesenchymal cell phenotype and embryonic markers, such us OCT3/4 and CD9. This undifferentiated population could be involved in the large recurrence rate of this type of tissue after surgery.

DNA sequence analysis and the phylogeographical history of the rodent Deltamys kempi (Sigmodontinae, Cricetidae) on the Atlantic Coastal Plain of south of Brazil

The rodent Deltamys kempiThomas, 1917 is found on the Coastal Plain - a recently formed geographic region located on Brazil's south-east coast. Considering that Deltamys is the only South American sigmodontine with a sex chromosome system of type X(1)X(1)X(2)X(2)/X(1)X(2)Y, this investigation was focused on the phylogeographic history of this taxon by using gene sequence analysis, trying to clarify when Deltamys differentiated, what was its centre of diversification, and what were the probable routes it used to reach its present distribution. We analysed sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and nuclear recombination activating gene 2, performed cranial measurements and searched for centric fusions in individuals collected in distinct localities. The results, clearly demonstrate that D. kempi, on the Coastal Plain, divided into two groups, one occupying a small portion to the north of this region and the other spreading widely to the south. In this process, the phenomena of marine transgression and regressions which moulded its habitat, together with the occurrence of successive chromosomal rearrangements, were certainly the fundamental factors in shaping D. kempi diversification.

[Persistent corneal defects treated with botulinum toxin-induced ptosis]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the use of botulinum toxin (BTX) induced ptosis in the treatment of corneal pathology.

METHODS

We employed two BTX injections into the superior lid of 10 eyes (9 patients). We evaluated the degree of ptosis, its duration and the effect on the corneal lesion.

RESULTS

Complete ptosis resulted in seven eyes and the corneal pathology resolved in all of them. There were no relevant complications.

CONCLUSIONS

BTX treatment is a simple and safe technique for treating refractory corneal pathology. It has significant advantages over surgical tarsorrhaphy and is especially useful where the pathology does not require surgery.

[Brown-McLean syndrome after insertion of an anterior chamber intraocular lens: description of one case]

CASE REPORT

We report one case of Brown-McLean syndrome.

DISCUSSION

In this case, a 71-year-old male developed a Brown-McLean syndrome after implantation of an anterior chamber lens in one aphakic eye. A phacoemulsification procedure was performed in the other eye without development of corneal clearance alterations in the next 7 years. The cause of Brown-McLean syndrome is still unexplained. It is possible that it could develop in eyes with a genetic predisposition when these eyes are exposed to certain conditions, such as insertion of an anterior chamber lens.

A morphological and tensile bond strength evaluation of an unfilled adhesive with low-viscosity composites and a filled adhesive in one and two coats

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to measure the tensile bond strength (TBS) testing of resin composite to dentin of three low-viscosity composites, in association with an unfilled adhesive, and a filled adhesive one and two coats respectively, and to evaluate and compare the SEM morphological observations.

METHODS

The labial surface of 120 bovine lower incisors were ground to obtain a flat dentin surface allowing demarcation of a 4 mm diameter area with adhesive tape. The teeth were randomly divided in six groups of 20 each. The dentin of each ground surface was etched with 35% H(3)PO(4) for 15s, followed by application of the respective adhesive: Single Bond (SB) for Groups 1, 2, 3 and 6; Optibond Solo (OS) for Groups 4 and 5. In Groups 1 and 4, a resin composite rod with a wire loop was luted directly to the adhesive surface with Z100. Group 2 received an intermediate layer of Flow It (FI) composite; Group 3 received an intermediate layer of Protect Liner F (PLF) composite; Group 5 received a second coat of OS; and Group 6 received an intermediate layer of an experimental low-viscosity composite (EM). A resin composite rod was luted to the surface of each specimen with Z100 resin composite. All specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24h prior to TBS testing. Each specimen was inspected by SEM and classified according to adhesive or cohesive failure mode. One specimen of each group was cut longitudinally, polished and prepared for SEM observation.

RESULTS

The TBS values were: Group 1 (7.86MPa+/-2.28), Group 2 (7.62MPa+/-1.85), Group 3 (7.60MPa+/-2.14), Group 4 (7.96MPa+/-2.36), Group 5 (7.50MPa+/-2.70) and Group 6 (7.18MPa+/-2.40). No significant statistical differences were observed among the groups. However, the analyses of the failure mode presented a considerable variation.

SIGNIFICANCE

The use of a filled adhesive or an unfilled adhesive along with a low-viscosity composite as an intermediate layer may provide a stress absorbing layer, whereby improving the preservation of the bonded interface area.

Cytologic characteristics of abnormal cells in prior "normal" cervical/vaginal Papanicolaou smears from women with a high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion

BACKGROUND

Some cervical/vaginal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears previously diagnosed as normal in women with a high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) are found to contain abnormal cells on retrospective review. This study characterized and quantitated such cells in 100 Pap smears.

METHODS

One hundred prior negative Pap smears from 49 women with a newly diagnosed HSIL were rescreened, as were 107 negative Pap smears from 100 women with normal subsequent smears. Cases were assorted randomly so that the rescreener was unaware of the subsequent follow-up.

RESULTS

All 12 Pap smears found to contain atypical mature and immature metaplastic cells belonged to the group with a subsequent HSIL (P = 0.001). In addition, 18 of the 100 previously negative Pap smears (18%) had immature metaplastic cells without nuclear atypia compared with 4 of 107 Pap smears (4%) in the control group (P = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports the observations of other authors that atypical metaplastic cells, especially those of the immature type, are associated with HSIL. These cells most likely are HSIL lesional cells, which are not easily recognizable as such. Immature metaplastic cells without atypia also were shown to be associated significantly with HSIL in this study. These cells may be unrecognizable lesional cells or a marker of increased risk for HSIL and deserve further study.

Comparison of functional testing for resistance to activated protein C and molecular biological testing for factor V R506Q in 370 patients

OBJECTIVE

To compare functional and molecular biological tests for resistance to activated protein C (APC)/factor V R506Q, the most common cause of familial thrombosis.

METHODS

We developed functional and molecular biological tests for resistance to APC/factor V R506Q at our institution and correlated the results for 370 patients studied by both methods. The functional method is based on addition of exogenous APC to an activated partial thromboplastin time-based assay. The molecular biological method is based on polymerase chain reaction followed by endonuclease digestion.

RESULTS

Considering the molecular biological test as definitive for detecting the factor V R506Q mutation, the sensitivity of the functional assay was 100%, and the specificity was 74%. The prevalence of the factor V mutation in the population studied was 12% (41 heterozygotes, two homozygotes), and the positive predictive value of the functional assay was 34%. Although a normalized sensitivity ratio (nAPC-SR) less than 0.84 is considered evidence of resistance to APC by functional testing, we found that all patients with factor V R506Q had an nAPC-SR less than or equal to 0.71. When this alternative positive cutoff was used, the specificity of the functional test for factor V R506Q increased to 87%, and the positive predictive value increased to 52%, which constituted a significant improvement. We compared clinical findings from patients with resistance to APC with or without the presence of factor V R506Q, and found that as a group, those with factor V R506Q had a higher incidence of hypercoagulability, but fewer additional risk factors for hypercoagulability. The mechanism of resistance to APC in factor V R506Q-negative individuals is unclear, but may be related to other risk factors for hypercoagulability.

CONCLUSIONS

The functional assay for resistance to APC is an excellent screening test for factor V R506Q, but confirmatory molecular biological testing is necessary when the functional test is positive, because of the high false-positive rate.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of primary isolated splenic Blastomyces dermatitidis. A case report

BACKGROUND

Blastomyces dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungus; its usual port of entry is the lung. Although any organ system can be secondarily involved, non-pulmonary sites of primary infection have been reported.

CASE

This is the first reported case of primary isolated splenic B dermatitidis. The diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology was examined by comparing it with the only previously reported case of primary (not isolated) splenic B dermatitidis.

CONCLUSION

In patients with splenic involvement by B dermatitidis, cytologic evaluation can be prompt and diagnostic. FNA biopsy in patients with splenomegaly is safe and well tolerated.