[Sporotrichoid topographic distribution and Mycobacterium marinum grown on a subdermal contraceptive implant]. / Dissémination lymphangitique et greffe sur implant contraceptif de Mycobacterium marinum.

We report a 37-year-old woman who presented a cutaneous papulonodular skin eruption with sporotrichoid topographic distribution. The diagnosis of Mycobacterium marinum infection was obtained with the bacteriological examination of a cutaneous biopsy and related to cleaning her aquarium at home. Mycobacteriological grown on a subdermal contraceptive implant had not been published before.

[Tubercular fibrosing conjunctivitis associated with facial cutaneous tuberculosis]. / Conjonctivite fibrosante tuberculeuse au cours d'une tuberculose cutanée faciale.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous conjunctivitis has been described only rarely during the course of lupus vulgaris. We report a case of hemifacial cutaneous tuberculosis, diagnosed as atypical lupus vulgaris, associated with homolateral fibrosing tuberculous conjunctivitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An 83-year-old woman presented inflammatory conjunctivitis without bullous involvement in the left eye leading to corneal neovascularisation, symblepharons and ptosis. Erythematous and atrophic papules were seen on the left side of the face. Biopsy of the skin and conjunctiva revealed a tuberculoid granulomatous infiltrate. Bacterial culture and PCR were both positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. DISCUSSION: This case illustrates the need to consider tuberculosis when faced with an atypical facial eruption and ocular involvement.

[Update on Kaposi's sarcoma]. / Actualités de la maladie de Kaposi.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a mesenchymal tumor involving blood and lymphatic vessels and induced by viral growth factors (HHV8-IL6). This article reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical spectrum (classic KS, iatrogenic immunosuppressive KS, endemic African KS, and AIDS-KS), histological features, staging criteria and treatment of KS. Unlike industrialized countries that have benefited from widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), developing countries continue to have a high incidence of AIDS-KS. Future therapeutic targets for KS are enhancement of immune function and treatment with angiogenesis inhibitors

[Complications of cosmetic skin bleaching in Africa]. / Complications de la dépigmentation cosmétique en Afrique.

Use of cosmetic products to bleach or lighten the skin is common among dark-skinned women in some sub-Saharan African countries. Long-term use of some pharmacologic compounds (e.g. hydroquinone, glucocorticoids and mercury) can cause adverse effects including dermatologic disorders such as dyschromia, exogenous ochronosis, acne and hypertrichosis, prominent striae, tinea corporis, pyoderma, erysipelas, scabies, and contact dermatitis and systemic complications such as hypertension, hypercorticism or surrenal deficiency, and mercurial nephropathy.

[Cutaneous tuberculosis overview]. / Panorama de la tuberculose cutanée.

Cutaneous tuberculosis is now uncommon in industrial countries despite the rising incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in areas with high prevalence of HIV infection. Nevertheless it is still important to know the multiple clinical manifestations of cutaneous tuberculosis and to be aware of new laboratory diagnostic methods such as polymerization chain reaction gene amplification.

[Experience of a dermatologist on an overseas military mission: Operation Licorne in Cote d'Ivoire]. / Dermatologue en opération extérieure: mission Licorne en Côte d'Ivoire.

The authors report their experience as tropical physicians and as dermatologists within the Medico-surgical group during Operation Licorne an overseas mission with the French Army near Yamussoukro in Côte d'Ivoire. Most of the major endemic diseases were encountered. Only acute infections were treated. The Buruli ulcer epidemic due to Mycobacterioum ulcerans ulcer epidemic is a scourge that mainly affects children with a high incidence of osteitis.

[Use of satellites for public health purposes in tropical areas]. / Utilisation des satellites dans le domaine de la santé publique en milieu tropical.

The epidemiological hallmark of the new millennium has been the emergence or recrudescence of transmissible diseases with high epidemic potential. Disease tracking is becoming an increasingly global task requiring implementation of more and more sophisticated control strategies and facilities for sustainable development. A promising initiative involves the use of satellite technology to monitor and forecast the spread of disease. The Health Early Warning System (HEWS) was designed based on successful application of satellite data in food programs as well as in other areas (e.g. weather, farming and fishing). The HEWS integrates data from communications, remote-sensing and positioning satellites. The purpose of this review is to present the main studies containing satellite data on public health in tropical areas. Satellite data has allowed development of more reactive epidemiological tracking networks better suited to increasing population mobility, correlation of environmental factors (vegetation index, rainfall and ocean surface color) with human, animal and insect factors in epidemiological studies and assessment of the role of such factors in the development or reappearance of disease. Satellite technology holds great promise for more efficient management of public health problems in tropical areas.

[Management of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. Outcome apropos of 326 cases treated with high-dose pentamidine isethionate]. / Thérapeutique des leishmanioses tégumentaires du Nouveau Monde. Expérience à propos de 326 cas traités par iséthionate de pentamidine à fortes doses.

The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the outcome of pentamidine isethionate treatment (4 mg/kg of Pentamidine by the intramuscular route on Days 1 and 3) of cutaneous leishmaniasis in 326 cases that occurred during an outbreak among French military personnel in French Guyana from 1998 to 1999. A great difference was found between the 205 patients treated in French Guyana (series G) and 32 patients treated at the Laveran Military Hospital in Marseille, France (series L). Failure rate, i.e. 25% in series L versus 5% in series G, was significantly correlated with the delay to treatment which was much longer in series L. Extensive rhabdomyolysis was observed in all cases tested: this side-effect has not been reported. Based on these findings and a review of the literature on pentamidine isethionate, the authors recommend prompt treatment using lower doses. Other treatment alternatives for American cutaneous leishmaniasis are also presented including two of the latest developments in the field, i.e., oral treatment using miltefosine and topical treatment using agents such as paromomycine.

[Characteristics of genetically pigmented skins]. / Particularités des peaux génétiquement pigmentées.

The analysis shows that apart from the relative hyperpigmentation of the "black" skin (genetically determined and variable according to ethnic group, age, sex and solar exposure), which determines the secondary dyschromic reactions to the majority of the dermatosis, and, except the differences of frequency of diseases related especially to geographical or epidemiologic determinisms, there is no true specificity although some entities are little or not described on "white" skin (dermatosis papulosa nigra, acral punctuated hyperkeratosis, progressive macular hypomelanosis of the trunk, acne keloidalis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, aïnhum...).

[Ainhum and pseudoainhum: clinical aspects and etiopathogenic hypotheses]. / Ainhum et pseudo-ainhum: panorama clinique et hypotheses etiopathogeniques.

Pseudoainhum is a rare acquired or congenital disorder characterized by progressive development of a fibrotic band on a finger or toe until spontaneous autoamputation occurs. Ainhum is an idiopathic disease involving the fifth toes of black people mainly in tropical zones. Based on experience in five cases and a review of the literature, the authors describe clinical features of these diseases and analyze various etiological hypotheses including infectious (mycosis, mycobacteria), traumatic (plants), vascular (andysplasia), neurological (polyneuritis), and genetic (keratodermia) mechanisms.

[Atypical acral hyperkeratosis in a black woman]. / Hyperkeratose acrale atypique sur peau noire.

This report describes the case of a 33-year-old black woman who presented atypical hyperkeratosis. Atypical features included location on the dorsum of the foot and presence of punctate pits. The lesion was classified as intermediate between keratosis punctata of the palmar creases and focal acral hyperkeratosis. The main elements of differential diagnosis are Hyperkeratosis lenticularis perstans and punctuated porokeratosis. The clinical and histological features of these lesions are discussed based on a review of the literature. Therapy including application of topical emollients is problematic.

[Clinical overview of New World tegumentary leishmaniasis]. / Panorama clinique des leishmanioses tégumentaires du Nouveau Monde.

This richly illustrated article (80 color photographs) based on the authors' experience in French Guyana documents the clinical diversity of American tegumentary leishmaniasis. Main highlights include the often outstanding aspect of lesions, the high frequency of forms not associated with ulceration or scab formation that must be recognized to achieve diagnosis in travellers returning from endemic zones, and the special prognosis of clinical forms associated with intradermic, lymphatic or hematogenous spread. The article also reviews an original diagnostic method based on culture of cutaneous biopsy specimens on specific nutrient mediums that provides isolates in a high percentage of cases (80%) and thus allows identification of offending parasite.

[Epidemiologic surveillance of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Guiana. Summary of military data collected over 10 years]. / Surveillance épidémiologique des leishmanioses tégumentaires en Guyane. Synthése de données militaires sur 10 ans.

This report describes the results of epidemiological surveillance of cutaneous leishmaniasis in French military personnel in French Guiana. Data was collected regarding microscopic diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and lesion location as well as compliance with vector control measures. Year-to-year variations in the incidence in the general population have been attributed to changes in climatic conditions. Monitoring incidence and density curves, correlation of findings with local epidemiological data, and analysis of the most recent epidemic in 1998/99 (326 cases, attack rate 3.2% men years) highlight the importance of behavioral factors. The proportion of total cases involving military personnel varied widely from 20 to 85%. Investigation consistently showed that failure to apply elementary protective measures against sandfly bites was the most determinant factor in this proportion. Strict compliance with these measures appears to reduce the risk of infection considerably.

[Skin manifestations associated with myelodysplastic syndromes]. / Manifestations cutanées des syndromes myélodysplasiques.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to describe cutaneous manifestations associated with myelodysplastic syndromes. METHODS: Data from seven patients with cutaneous vasculitis (four cases), neutrophilic dermatosis (one case), relapsing polychondritis (one case), and possible erythema elevatum diutinum (one case) in association with myelodysplastic syndrome (refractory anaemia RA, RA with excess of blasts--RAEB-, RAEB in transformation RAEBt, chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia--CMML-), and analysis of the literature were reviewed. RESULTS: The cutaneous manifestations of myelodysplastic syndrome may or may not be specific, and may reveal hemopathy transformation. The cutaneous vasculitis are the most frequent and polymorphic. The relation with neutrophilic dermatosis is more specific; they are a spectrum of diseases including pyoderma gangrenosum, Sweet's syndrome, erythema elevatum diutinum (nuclear segmentation anomalies of neutrophils both in the skin and in the blood are a biological marker of the association). Relapsing polychondritis is significantly associated with myelodysplastic syndromes. Their pathogenesis are controversial. CONCLUSION: Early biopsy of cutaneous lesions in myelodysplastic syndromes is indicated. Analysis of blood cell count (and more bone marrow biopsy in relapsing polychondritis) is indispensable in these neutrophilic cutaneous or vasculitis diseases.

[Pemphigoid and acquired hemophilia]. / Pemphigoïde et hémophilie acquise.

INTRODUCTION: The association of bullous pemphigoid and acquired haemophilia is reported. CASE-REPORT: A 74 year-old man developed a bullous pemphigoid after decreasing corticotherapy, ecchymosis and haematomas revealing a high level of acquired anti-VIII antibodies (110 Bethesda UB units; TCA 98 s). Immunosuppressive treatment (cyclosporine, prednisone, azathioprine and bolus of cyclophosphamide) did not stop the disease. Perfusion of recombinant factor VIIa, human immunoglobulins and prednisone-azathioprine association permitted clinical and biological remission. DISCUSSION: Acquired haemophilia is idiopathic half the time. It can appear in autoimmmune diseases. Mortality is high. Only 4 cases of association with bullous pemphigoid have been reported in the literature. At the haemorrhagic phase, porcine factor VIII or more recombinant activated factor VII with human immunoglobulins are necessary. Immunosuppressive treatment is used to decrease production of anti-factor VIII antibodies.