Malassezia colonisation on a reconstructed human epidermis: Imaging studies.

BACKGROUND: Biofilm formation represents a major microbial virulence attribute especially at epithelial surfaces such as the skin. Malassezia biofilm formation at the skin surface has not yet been addressed. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate Malassezia colonisation pattern on a reconstructed human epidermis (RhE) by imaging techniques. METHODS: Malassezia clinical isolates were previously isolated from volunteers with pityriasis versicolor and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Yeast of two strains of M furfur and M sympodialis were inoculated onto the SkinEthic™ RHE. The tissues were processed for light microscopy, wide-field fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Colonisation of the RhE surface with aggregates of Malassezia yeast entrapped in a multilayer sheet with variable amount of extracellular matrix was unveiled by imaging techniques following 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of incubation. Whenever yeast were suspended in RPMI medium supplemented with lipids, the biofilm substantially increased with a dense extracellular matrix in which the yeast cells were embedded. Slight differences were found in the biofilm architectural structure between the two tested species with an apparently higher entrapment and viscosity in M furfur biofilm. CONCLUSION: Skin isolates of M furfur and M sympodialis were capable of forming biofilm in vitro at the epidermal surface simulating in vivo conditions. Following 24 hours of incubation, without added lipids, rudimental matrix was barely visible, conversely to the reported at plastic surfaces. The amount of biofilm apparently increased progressively from 48 to 96 hours. A structural heterogeneity of biofilm between species was found.

Malassezia infections: a medical conundrum.

Malassezia yeasts have long been considered commensal fungi, unable to elicit significant damage. However, they have been associated with a diversity of cutaneous diseases, namely pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and confluent and reticulate papillomatosis. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathogenic mechanisms of these fungi, but none have been confirmed. More recently, such organisms have been increasingly isolated from bloodstream infections raising serious concern about these fungi. Given the difficulty to culture these yeasts to proceed with speciation and antimicrobial susceptibility tests, such procedures are most often not performed and the cutaneous infections are treated empirically. The recurring nature of superficial skin infections and the potential threat of systemic infections raise the need of faster and more sensitive techniques to achieve isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility profile. This article reviews and discusses the latest available data concerning Malassezia infections and recent developments about diagnostic methods, virulence mechanisms, and susceptibility testing.

Sweet's syndrome triggered by pneumococcal vaccination.

Sweet's syndrome is the most frequent category among the neutrophilic dermatosis and is diagnosed by clearly defined criteria. Vaccines are included as potential triggers of this syndrome. Nevertheless, there are few reports unveiling such association. Herein, we describe the case of a patient who developed Sweet's syndrome after pneumococcal vaccination. To our knowledge, this is the second case of Sweet's syndrome triggered by pneumococcal vaccine reported, and the first one specifically with the 13-valent conjugate vaccine.

Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Related to Ustekinumab in a Crohn's Disease Patient: First Case Report and Literature Review.

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis is a single-organ, skin-isolated small vessel vasculitis. It can be a side effect of many common drugs, including biological agents. Unlike with other drugs, leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by biological agents may have a prolonged latency period. We report the first case of ustekinumab-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis in a patient with inflammatory bowel disease.

Epidemiology and susceptibility profile to classic antifungals and over-the-counter products of Malassezia clinical isolates from a Portuguese University Hospital: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: Clinical epidemiological data about the distinct Malassezia species remain scarce. The recurrence of Malassezia-related skin diseases, despite long-term use of antifungals, raises concern about the hypothetical emergence of antifungal resistance. We aimed to assess the distribution of Malassezia species among patients from a University Hospital with pityriasis versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis and healthy volunteers, and to evaluate the susceptibility profile to classic antifungals and over-the-counter compounds, searching for clinical associations. METHODOLOGY: The enrollment of volunteers was conducted at the Dermatology Department of a University Hospital over a 3 year period. Malassezia culture isolates were identified to the species-level by sequencing. The drug susceptibility profile was assessed according to a broth microdilution assay, as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTS: A total of 86 Malassezia isolates were recovered from 182 volunteers. Malassezia sympodialis was the most frequent isolated species. We found high MIC values and a wide MIC range in the case of tested azoles, and very low terbinafine MIC values against most isolates. Previous topical corticosteroid therapy was associated with a significant increase of MIC values of fluconazole and of terbinafine. CONCLUSION: Conversely to other European studies, M. sympodialis was the most common isolated species, which might be related to geographic reasons. The impact of previous topical corticotherapy upon the antifungal susceptibility profile was hereby demonstrated. In vitro susceptibility test results suggest that terbinafine might be a valid alternative for Malassezia-related skin diseases nonresponsive to azoles.

Malassezia infections with systemic involvement: Figures and facts.

Malassezia are lipophilic and commensal yeasts capable of inducing skin disease among susceptible hosts. However, severely immunocompromised patients and preterm infants admitted to intensive care units are particularly at risk of developing Malassezia systemic infections. Patients often have central venous catheters which are usually the portal of entry for colonization and infection. In addition to the clinically non-specific findings, a delay in the laboratorial diagnosis may occur as there is often the need to add lipid supplementation to culture in order to support these organisms' growth. Herein, we report three unrelated cases of Malassezia bloodstream infection at a university hospital during a 2-year period, followed by a discussion of the clinical results and comparison with the most recently available published data on epidemiology and risk factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis, susceptibility profile and treatment.

Screening for Chlamydia infection in a sexually transmitted infection clinic: a missed opportunity?

OBJECTIVES: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) reported in Europe. We aim to evaluate the overall prevalence of CT infection and the rate of asymptomatic infection in an STI clinic over a 5-year period. We will also discuss screening strategies with reference to attendees diagnosed with an STI and their sexual partners, and attendees with a non-infectious genital dermatosis. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data for all attendees at a university hospital STI clinic over a 5-year period were reviewed. Diagnosis of CT infection was made upon polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed in first-void urine. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of CT infection was 4.0% (53/1310); the rate of asymptomatic infection was 84.9% (45/53). The prevalence of CT infection among attendees with an STI diagnosis and their sexual partners was 5.2% (50/963), whereas that among attendees with a non-infectious genital dermatosis was 0.9% (3/347; P < 0.001). Infected attendees were younger than attendees without CT infection (median age: 31 years vs. 40 years; P < 0.001). In 39.5% (17/43) of CT-infected attendees, it was possible to notify a sexual partner; CT infection was subsequently diagnosed in 58.8% (10/17) of partners. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic CT infection had a representative frequency, which was more pronounced among young attendees with an STI diagnosis and their sexual partners, to whom screening should be offered. Issues of age limits for screening and whether screening should be directed to males in non-STI clinic settings should be carefully assessed.

The importance of trichoscopy in clinical practice.

Trichoscopy corresponds to scalp and hair dermoscopy and has been increasingly used as an aid in the diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis of hair disorders. Herein, we report selected cases harbouring scalp or hair diseases, in whom trichoscopy proved to be a valuable tool in their management. A review of the recent literature on this hot topic was performed comparing the described patterns with our findings in clinically common conditions, as well as in rare hair shaft abnormalities, where trichoscopy may display pathognomonic features. In our view, trichoscopy represents a valuable link between clinical and histological diagnosis. We detailed some trichoscopic patterns, complemented with our original photographs and our insights into nondescribed patterns.

Case for diagnosis.

Ketron-Goodman disease was formerly considered a disseminated type of pagetoid reticulosis. However, according to the new classification consensus, it should be regarded as aggressive epidermotropic CD8 T-cutaneous lymphoma, cutaneous gamma/delta T-lymphoma, or tumor-stage mycosis fungoides, depending on the clinical-histological picture. This case highlights a rare and challenging presentation of Ketron-Goodman disease with an indolent presentation and evolution and good response to a low-grade treatment regimen, not fitting well into the new classification criteria.

Case for diagnosis / Caso para diagnostico

Ketron-Goodman disease was formerly considered a disseminated type of pagetoid reticulosis. However, according to the new classification consensus, it should be regarded as aggressive epidermotropic CD8 T-cutaneous lymphoma, cutaneous gamma/delta T-lymphoma, or tumor-stage mycosis fungoides, depending on the clinical-histological picture. This case highlights a rare and challenging presentation of Ketron-Goodman disease with an indolent presentation and evolution and good response to a low-grade treatment regimen, not fitting well into the new classification criteria.

A doença de Ketron-Goodman foi inicialmente considerada uma forma disseminada de reticulose pagetóide. Mas, de acordo com o atual sistema de classificação e dependendo do quadro clínico-patológico deve ser antes vista como um linfoma T CD8 agressivo epidermotrópico, linfoma T gama/delta ou micose fungóide, estadio tumoral. Pretendemos realçar esta doença rara que pode suscitar dúvidas no diagnóstico. Neste caso, a apresentação e evolução foram indolentes com boa resposta a um tratamento pouco agressivo, não se enquadrando bem nas novas propostas de classificação da doença.