False Negative Results in Bartonellosis Diagnosis.

We report a fatal case of Bartonella henselae bacteremic patient. He had negative serology and PCRs from whole blood and liquid culture; only ftsZ nested PCR was positive from the blood liquid culture. The isolate had positive PCRs. When considered, bartonellosis diagnosis can be still challenging because of technical limitations.

Topical essential fatty acid oil on wounds: Local and systemic effects.

BACKGROUND: The use of medicinal plants and their derivatives is increasing, and approximately one-third of all traditional herbal medicines are intended for wound treatment. Natural products used in these treatments include vegetable oils, which are rich in essential fatty acids. Once in contact with an ulcerative surface, the oil reaches the blood and lymphatic vessels, thus eliciting systemic effects. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the local and possible systemic effects of essential fatty acids (sunflower oil) applied topically to rat wounds. METHODS: Cutaneous punch wounds (6 mm) were produced on the dorsa of 30 rats. Saline (SS), mineral oil (MO) or essential fatty acid (EFA) solutions were applied topically. Healing was evaluated after 2, 4 and 10 days (n = 5 per group) by visual and histological/morphometric examination, second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy, and cytokine and growth factor quantification in the scar tissue (real-time PCR) and in serum (ELISA). RESULTS: MO/EFA-treated animals had higher IGF-1, leptin, IL-6 and IFN-γ mRNA expression and lower serum IL-6 levels than the control (SS/MO) animals. SHG analysis showed no difference in collagen density between the animals treated with MO and EFA. CONCLUSION: EFA treatment induces topical (observed by local IGF-1, leptin, IL-6 and IFN-γ production) and systemic effects, lowering IL-6 levels in the serum. As the oil is widely used to shorten ulcer healing time, studies are needed to evaluate the treatment safety and possible undesired effects.

Topical use and systemic action of green and roasted coffee oils and ground oils in a cutaneous incision model in rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus).

INTRODUCTION: Wounds are a common health problem. Coffee is widely consumed and its oil contains essential fatty acids. We evaluated the local (skin) and systemic effects associated with the topical use of coffee oils in rats. METHODS: Punch skin wounds (6 mm) incisions were generated on the backs of 75 rats. Saline (SS), mineral oil (MO), green coffee oil (GCO), roasted coffee oil (RCO), green coffee ground oil (GCGO) or roasted coffee ground oil (RCGO) were topically applied to the wounds. Healing was evaluated by visual and histological/morphometric optical microscopy examination; second harmonics generation (SHG) microscopy, wound tissue q-PCR (values in fold-change) and blood serum (ELISA, values in pg/mL). RESULTS: RCO treated animals presented faster wound healing (0.986 vs. 0.422), higher mRNA expression of IGF-1 (2.78 vs. 1.00, p = 0.01), IL-6 (10.72 vs. 1.00, p = 0.001) and IL-23 (4.10 vs. 1.2, p = 0.05) in early stages of wound healing; higher IL-12 (3.32 vs. 1.00, p = 0.05) in the later stages; and lower serum levels of IFN-γ (11.97 vs. 196.45, p = 0.01). GCO treatment led to higher mRNA expression of IL-6 (day 2: 7.94 vs. 1.00, p = 0.001 and day 4: 6.90 vs. 1.00, p = 0.01) and IL-23 (7.93 vs. 1.20, p = 0.001) in the early stages. The RCO treatment also produced higher serum IFN-α levels throughout the experiment (day 2: 52.53 vs. 21.20; day 4: 46.98 vs.21.56; day 10: 83.61 vs. 25.69, p = 0.05) and lower levels of IL-4 (day 4: 0.9 vs.13.36, p = 0.01), adiponectin (day 10: 8,367.47 vs. 16,526.38, p = 0.001) and IFN-γ (day 4: 43.03 vs.196.45, p = 0.05). The SHG analysis showed a higher collagen density in the RCO and GCO treatments (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Topical treatment with coffee oils led to systemic actions and faster wound healing in rats. Further studies should be performed are necessary to assess the safety of topical vegetal oil use for skin lesions.

Efeitos do tratamento tópico com ácido hialurônico 0, 2% em queimadura de segundo grau: um relato de experiência / Effects of topical treatment with hyaluronic acid 0, 2% in second-degree burn: an experience report / Efectos del tratamiento tópico con ácido hialurónico 0, 2% quemadura de segundo grado: un relato de experiencia

OBJETIVO: Testar o uso tópico diário e prolongado na cicatrização de queimaduras em idoso, observando-se os parâmetros: tempo de cicatrização, presença ou ausência de cicatrizes hipertróficas e o efeito estético final resultante do tratamento. RELATO DE CASO: Trata-se de um relato de caso realizado em clínicaescola de uma Faculdade de Enfermagem do interior paulista. O estudo descreve o tratamento empregado em lesão por queimadura de segundo grau em uma paciente de 64 anos, que sofreu queimadura de espessura parcial por escaldadura. Foi realizado registro fotográfico e a avaliação da ferida. Inicialmente, a paciente recebeu o tratamento convencional com sulfadiazina de prata 1% durante sete dias. Como não houve resolução, iniciou-se o tratamento com ácido hialurônico (AH) 0,2% diariamente. Com 14 dias de tratamento, observou-se completa reepitelização. Após 27 dias do início do tratamento, a cicatriz apresentou-se com melhora de hiperpigmentação e não havia sinais de hipertrofia. Não foram observados eventos adversos locais ou sistêmicos durante o período de estudo da lesão. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados permitem concluir que a aplicação tópica de AH 0,2% em queimaduras de paciente idoso contribuiu para acelerar a cicatrização, melhorou a evolução do tratamento e o resultado estético.

OBJECTIVE: To test daily and prolonged topical use in the healing of burns in the elderly, considering the parameters: time of healing, presence or absence of hypertrophic scars and the final aesthetic effect resulting from the treatment. CASE REPORT: This is a case report carried out in the clinical school of a School of Nursing at São Paulo state. The study describes the treatment used in second-degree burn injury in a 64-year-old patient who suffered partial thickness burn by scald. Photographic recording and wound evaluation were performed. Initially, the patient received conventional treatment with 1% silver sulfadiazine for seven days. As there was no resolution, treatment with 0.2% hyaluronic acid (HA) was started daily. At 14 days of treatment, complete re-epithelization was observed. After 27 days, the scar presented with improvement of hyperpigmentation and there were no signs of hypertrophy. No local or systemic adverse events were observed during the study period of the lesion. CONCLUSION: The data allow us to conclude that the topical application of AH 0.2% in burns of elderly patients contributed to accelerate healing, improved treatment evolution and aesthetic result.