The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of exercise training by means of a rehabilitative walking protocol. Twenty patients with COPD staged as III/IV according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease were included. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the exercise program regarding oxygen desaturation, sensation of dyspnea/fatigue, quality of life and six-minute walk distance. The comparison between the six-minute walk distance prior to and after training proved the efficacy of the protocol, which also resulted in a decrease in oxygen desaturation and in the sensation of dyspnea. This protocol can be easily put into practice.

Keywords: Activities of daily living; Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Rehabilitation; Exercise therapy; Exercise test.

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative bacterial infection characterized by multiple abscesses, fistulous pathways, and fibrosis involving the face, neck, chest, and abdomen. It is caused by an anaerobic Gram-positive saprophytic bacterium ( Actinomyces). Primary actinomycosis of the lung is a rare disease that probably results from aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions. It can present as a chronic respiratory disease. The treatment of choice is antibiotic therapy with penicillin. The authors report the case of a 55-year-old female diagnosed with pulmonary actinomycosis and successfully treated with levofloxacin.

Keywords: Actinomycosis; Infection; Ofloxacin; Medical records.