Patrones clínicos e histopatológicos de dermatosis en pacientes con infección por COVID-19 en la Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad del Bajío, IMSS-T1, de León, Guanajuato / Clinical and histopathological patterns of dermatosis in COVID-19 positive patients treated in the Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad del Bajío, IMSS-T1, de León, Guanajuato

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad COVID-19, además de presentar síntomas respiratorios, puede afectar otros órganos como la piel. Al momento, se han descrito cinco variantes clínicas de manifestaciones cutáneas por COVID-19. Pocos reportes abordan el tema de la gravedad de las dermatosis cutáneas de COVID-19 y el pronóstico. OBJETIVO: Describir patrones clínicos e histológicos de dermatosis en pacientes con COVID-19. Pacientes y MÉTODOS: Es una cohorte para pacientes del IMSS-T1 en León, Guanajuato, México, entre septiembre 2020 y enero 2021. Identificamos pacientes con dermatosis asociada a COVID-19 desde su ingreso hospitalario y aquellos que la desarrollaron durante su estancia. Se les invitó a participar para evaluación clínica y toma de biopsia que fueron descritas por un patólogo experto. RESULTADOS: La frecuencia de las dermatosis por COVID-19 fue de 15,7%. Los que desarrollaron las lesiones durante su estancia hospitalaria presentaron mayor morbi-mortalidad (p = 0,001). Las lesiones vaso-oclusivas fueron las más diagnosticadas y asociadas con mayor mortalidad (p = 0,003). Histológicamente el hallazgo más común fue trombosis superficial y profunda (58%). CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes que desarrollaron las lesiones durante su hospitalización y aquellos con lesiones vaso-oclusivas tuvieron la mayor morbi-mortalidad. Las lesiones vaso-oclusivas pueden ser un factor de mal pronóstico en pacientes con COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 disease, besides presenting respiratory manifestations, can affect other organs such as kidneys, gastrointestinal system, heart, and skin. So far, five clinical variants of dermatoses have been described. Few reports discuss the severity associated with the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 and the prognosis. AIM: To describe the clinical and histopathological patterns of dermatoses in patients with COVID-19 infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study conducted in patients admitted to "IMSS T1" in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico from September 2020 to January 2021. We identified those with COVID-19 dermatosis from the moment they were admitted; and those who developed them during hospitalization. Patients were invited to participate for a clinical evaluation and biopsy. The biopsies were described by an expert pathologist. RESULTS: The frequency of dermatological lesions was 15.7%. Those who developed dermatosis during their hospital stay presented higher mortality (p = 0.001) and severity of COVID-19 (p = 0.001) Vasoocclusive lesions were the most frequent in the hospital setting, and were associated to higher mortality (p = 0.003). The most frequent histopathological feature was superficial and deep thrombosis (58%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who developed dermatologic lesions during hospitalization and those with vaso-occlusive dermatoses had higher morbi-mortality. Vaso-occlusive lesions could be considered as a poor prognostic factor.

[Clinical and histopathological patterns of dermatosis in COVID-19 positive patients treated in the Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad del Bajío, IMSS-T1, de León, Guanajuato]. / Patrones clínicos e histopatológicos de dermatosis en pacientes con infección por COVID-19 en la Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad del Bajío, IMSS-T1, de León, Guanajuato.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 disease, besides presenting respiratory manifestations, can affect other organs such as kidneys, gastrointestinal system, heart, and skin. So far, five clinical variants of dermatoses have been described. Few reports discuss the severity associated with the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 and the prognosis. AIM: To describe the clinical and histopathological patterns of dermatoses in patients with COVID-19 infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study conducted in patients admitted to "IMSS T1" in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico from September 2020 to January 2021. We identified those with COVID-19 dermatosis from the moment they were admitted; and those who developed them during hospitalization. Patients were invited to participate for a clinical evaluation and biopsy. The biopsies were described by an expert pathologist. RESULTS: The frequency of dermatological lesions was 15.7%. Those who developed dermatosis during their hospital stay presented higher mortality (p = 0.001) and severity of COVID-19 (p = 0.001) Vasoocclusive lesions were the most frequent in the hospital setting, and were associated to higher mortality (p = 0.003). The most frequent histopathological feature was superficial and deep thrombosis (58%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who developed dermatologic lesions during hospitalization and those with vaso-occlusive dermatoses had higher morbi-mortality. Vaso-occlusive lesions could be considered as a poor prognostic factor.

Dermatophytosis caused by Nannizzia nana.

PURPOSE: In this paper, we reported three distinct cases of tinea, including tenia ungulum, tenia pedis, and tenia cruris caused by the infection of Nannizzia nana in the immunocompetent patients who were also the residents of Guatemala. Dermatophytes were identified phenotypically and genotypically. Thereafter, DNA was extracted from the fungal isolates and a fragment of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region was amplified and sequenced. The direct visual examination revealed the presence of fungal hyphae and arthroconidia. These characteristic morphological features resembled with the general features of the species, Nannizzia nana. Furthermore, nucleotide sequences that were amplified from the fungal isolates, confirmed the species identification. Thereafter, all the patients were treated with Terbinafine (250mg) through oral route for two weeks, except the patient with onychomycosis, who received the same treatment but for an extended period of three months. All the patients showed complete recovery from dermatophytosis. This study contributes to a better understanding of the epidemiology of human infections that are caused by dermatophytes, often misdiagnosed. Dermatophytes are currently less known but are now being more frequently identified due to the improvements in the diagnostic techniques.

Periocular dermatoses.

The periocular area may be affected by infectious or noninfectious diseases such as inflammatory dermatoses, systemic disease, drug reactions, benign and malignant lesions, traumatic lesions, and esthetic complications. We present a review of the most common periocular dermatoses.

Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum identification by real-time PCR targetting the polA gene in paraffin-embedded samples positive by immunohistochemistry.

Syphilis is a systemic and sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum. This spirochete causes different clinical and subclinical stages depending on the duration of infection and immune status of the host. Several tests have been developed for diagnosis, and are classified into direct and indirect methods. The first one includes dark field microscopy, direct fluorescent antibody test in fluids or tissue, and molecular biology techniques. In the indirect method (serologic), the routine tests are used, and are divided in two categories: non-treponemal and treponemal ones. The objective of this work was to identify T. pallidum ssp. pallidum in paraffin-embedded skin biopsies positive by immunohistochemistry, using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). We included a sample of 17 paraffin-embedded biopsies. DNA was extracted and processed by conventional PCR and real-time PCR with a TaqMan® probe to identify the polA gene. Using PCR, 11 tested positive (64.7%) and 6 (35.3%) were negative. With qPCR and TaqMan® probe, 100% of samples tested positive. The minimum number of spirochetes detected in each sample was 2. With this work, we can conclude that qPCR is a fast and very accurate method for diagnosis of syphilis in tissue specimens.

Frecuencia de tiña del cuerpo en un hospital del estado de Quintana Roo / Frequency of tinea corporis in a hospital in Quintana Roo state

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: las dermatofitosis son micosis superficiales causadas por un grupo de hongos parásitos de la queratina, denominados dermatofitos. Comprenden tres géneros: Trichophyton, Microsporum y Epidermophyton. Son cosmopolitas, predominan en climas cálidos y húmedos, y representan 70 a 80% de todas las micosis. OBJETIVO: identificar la frecuencia de consulta por tiña del cuerpo en una zona urbana tropical. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: estudio descriptivo, abierto y transversal, en el que durante tres meses en 2015 se registraron todos los pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de tiña del cuerpo que asistieron a la consulta de dermatología de un hospital de segundo nivel de Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, México. Se registraron los datos demográficos, tiempo de evolución, topografía y factores predisponentes asociados. Se realizó examen directo en escama con hidróxido de potasio (KOH), cultivo micológico en medio de Sabouraud y examen directo del cultivo con azul de lactofenol para identificar al agente causal. RESULTADOS: de 546 consultas de dermatología general se detectaron 17 pacientes (3%) y se corroboró el diagnóstico con KOH en 14 pacientes (82%, nueve mujeres [64%]), entre éstos hubo crecimiento en el cultivo en 9 muestras (64%). Se aisló Microsporum canis en 4 (44%), Trichophyton rubrum en 4 (44%) y T. mentagrophytes en uno (11%). Los límites de edad fueron 3 y 57 años (4 niños, 28.5%). El tiempo de evolución promedio fue de 15 semanas. La localización más frecuente fueron las extremidades. Los factores predisponentes más comunes fueron el contacto con mascotas infectadas y la administración de corticoesteroides. CONCLUSIONES: la tiña del cuerpo representa 3% de la consulta de dermatología en un hospital de una zona urbana tropical. Fue más frecuente en mujeres, predominó en las extremidades y en 28.5% afectó a población pediátrica. T. rubrum y M. canis fueron los agentes causales más frecuentes.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Dermatophytosis are superficial mycosis caused by dermatophytes, a group of fungi that parasite keratin, and is composed of three genera: Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. They predominate on hot and humid climates, and are responsible of 70-80% of all mycosis. OBJETIVE: To identify the frequency of consultation for tinea corporis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive, open and cross-sectional study in which, during three months in 2015, all patients with clinical diagnosis of tinea corporis that attended to the dermatology department in a second level hospital at Playa del Carmen, QR, Mexico, were registered including demographic data, such as progression time, topography and associated predisposing factors; a KOH mount was performed, as well as mycological culture in Sabouraud dextrose agar and microscopic examination of the colony with lactophenol blue to identify the causal agent. RESULTS: Out of 546 visits to the dermatology service, the diagnosis was confirmed in 17 patients (2.5%) and diagnosis was confirmed with a positive KOH mount in 14 patients (82%, nine women [64%]), and in 9 samples there was culture growth (64%). Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum were isolated in 4 cases (44%) each, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in one case (11%). Age range was 3-57 years, with four children registered (28.5%). The progression time of the disease was 15 weeks in average. The most frequent topography was the extremities. The most common predisposing factors were contact with infected pets and the administration of corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: Tinea corporis represents 3% of the dermatology consultation in a second level hospital in urban tropical zone. It is more frequent in female patients, affecting more frequently extremities; 28.5% were children. The isolated causal agents were M. canis and T. rubrum.

Systemic fungal infections in patients with human inmunodeficiency virus.

Histoplasmosis is a systemic infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. In immunocompromised patients, primary pulmonary infection can spread to the skin and meninges. Clinical manifestations appear in patients with a CD4(+) lymphocyte count of less than 150 cells/µL. Coccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. It can present as diffuse pulmonary disease or as a disseminated form primarily affecting the central nervous system, the bones, and the skin. Cryptococcosis is caused by Cryptococcus neoformans (var. neoformans and var. grubii) and Cryptococcus gattii, which are members of the Cryptococcus species complex and have 5 serotypes: A, B, C, D, and AD. It is a common opportunistic infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS, even those receiving antiretroviral therapy. Histopathologic examination and culture of samples from any suspicious lesions are essential for the correct diagnosis of systemic fungal infections in patients with HIV/AIDS.

Risk factors for immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome under combination antiretroviral therapy can be aetiology-specific.

In order to discriminate general from aetiology-specific risk factors for immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), we followed up, during six months, 99 patients with advanced HIV infection commencing antiretroviral therapy (ART) without active opportunistic infections or evident inflammation. IRIS predictors were determined by univariate analysis using clinical data from 76 ART-responding patients either completing follow-up or developing IRIS, and by multivariate analysis of inflammation, disease progression and nutrition status variables. We identified 23 primary IRIS events (30.3%). Univariate predictors for all IRIS events were higher platelet counts and lower CD4/CD8 ratio, whereas subclinical inflammation was the multivariate predictor. Platelets, alkaline phosphatase levels and %CD8 T-cells in univariate analysis also predicted mycobacteria-associated IRIS independently, remaining elevated during follow-up. Herpesvirus IRIS was predicted by platelets and inflammation. Indicators of advanced HIV disease and subclinical inflammation jointly predict IRIS, and some are specific of the underlying microbial aetiology, possibly explaining previous reports.

Disease activity during the premenopausal and postmenopausal periods in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PURPOSE: Cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian failure has been reported to be protective against flares of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We studied whether patients with SLE experience a decrease in disease activity after natural menopause. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 30 SLE patients with natural menopause who had been observed at least 2 years before and after menopause and who did not receive hormone replacement therapy or danazol. Menopause was defined as the date of the last self-reported menstrual period. Disease activity was assessed retrospectively by medical chart review using standard measures (the SLE disease activity index) during the immediate premenopausal and postmenopausal periods, and 2 (n = 30 patients), 3 (n = 19), and 4 (n = 13) years before and after menopause. We also compared the use of health services and medications. RESULTS: Patients were studied for a mean (+/- SD) of 6.4 +/- 1.7 years (premenopausal, 3.3 +/- 0.9 years; postmenopausal, 3.2 +/- 0.9 years). During the premenopausal periods, the mean disease activity score was 2.3 +/- 2.3 (range, 0 to 9 on a 0 to 105 scale), compared with 2.3 +/- 2.9 (range, 0 to 12; P = 0.37) after menopause. The maximum disease activity score was somewhat greater in the premenopausal period (7.9 +/- 6.0 [range, 0 to 22] vs. 5.8 +/- 5.1 [range, 0 to 22]; P = 0.04). The incidence rates of flares (0.56 per year vs. 0.43 per year, P = 0.20) and severe flares (0.17 per year vs. 0.12 per year, P = 0.33) were similar in the premenopausal and postmenopausal periods. Differences in disease activity scores (mean and maximum) and the number of visits to a rheumatologist's office were only significant when the fourth year before menopause was compared with the fourth year after menopause. CONCLUSIONS: Disease activity is mild during the premenopausal and postmenopausal periods in women with SLE. A modest decrease, especially in the maximum disease activity, is seen after natural menopause.