Zoonotic Sporotrichosis outbreak: Emerging public health threat in the Amazon State, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is the most common subcutaneous mycosis caused by Sporothrix spp. Traditionally, it is transmitted through injuries involving plant debris. However, over the past few decades, there has been an epidemic increase in human cases resulting from contact with infected animals, particularly cats, in various regions of Brazil. In this report, we report a notable increase in both human and animal cases within the Brazilian Amazon state. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: An ecological study was conducted by analyzing official records of human and animal sporotrichosis diagnosed in the state of Amazon from 2020 to 2023. Data including patient demographics, clinical manifestations, mycological examination results, and species identification through PCR confirmation were evaluated. During this period, a total of 950 human cases and 2,823 animal cases of sporotrichosis were reported at an exponential rate, since no human cases were registered in 2020. The spatial and temporal dispersion of human sporotrichosis followed that of animal cases, moving from downtown areas to the periphery. Contact with infected animals was reported in 77.7% of cases, with cats being the most commonly implicated (73.5%). Only 66.7% of individuals underwent mycological examination. Among the positive cultures for Sporothrix spp., 65.4% were identified as S. brasiliensis. All patients were treated with systemic antifungals. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights a rising incidence of sporotrichosis among animals and humans in the Brazilian Amazon region over the past four years, with S. brasiliensis being the predominant agent. Collaborative efforts involving healthcare professionals, veterinarians, and public health authorities are crucial to implement effective control measures, educate populations at risk, and promote responsible guidance for pet guardians. These measures are essential to mitigate the burden of epidemic sporotrichosis in Brazil.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Cladophialophora bantiana: a first case report in an immunocompetent patient in Latin America and a brief literature review.

We report a rare case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladophialophora bantiana in an immunocompetent patient in Amazonas, Brazil. This dematiaceous fungus has been mainly associated with life-threatening infections affecting the central nervous systems of immunosuppressed patients. We present the clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic aspects, and in vitro susceptibility test results for different antifungal drugs. A brief review of the cases reported in the literature over the past 20 years has also been discussed. According to the literature review, the present case is the first report of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to C. bantiana in an immunocompetent patient in Latin America.

Chronic tophaceous gout in patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of multifactorial etiology influenced by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. We report the case of a patient with psoriasis for more than 25 years who developed hyperuricemia and chronic tophaceous gout with unusual appearance. In psoriasis, hyperuricemia may occur by increased epidermal cell turnover, which accelerates purine metabolism and has uric acid as the product of its catabolism. The association of psoriasis with hyperuricemia can trigger the onset of gouty arthritis, and pose a greater risk of developing other inflammatory comorbidities. Therefore, it is important to periodically investigate uric acid levels in order to treat changes triggered by hyperuricemia.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to cladophialophora bantiana: a first case report in an immunocompetent patient in Latin America and a brief literature review

Abstract We report a rare case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladophialophora bantiana in an immunocompetent patient in Amazonas, Brazil. This dematiaceous fungus has been mainly associated with life-threatening infections affecting the central nervous systems of immunosuppressed patients. We present the clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic aspects, and in vitro susceptibility test results for different antifungal drugs. A brief review of the cases reported in the literature over the past 20 years has also been discussed. According to the literature review, the present case is the first report of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to C. bantiana in an immunocompetent patient in Latin America.

Chronic tophaceous gout in patients with psoriasis

Abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of multifactorial etiology influenced by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. We report the case of a patient with psoriasis for more than 25 years who developed hyperuricemia and chronic tophaceous gout with unusual appearance. In psoriasis, hyperuricemia may occur by increased epidermal cell turnover, which accelerates purine metabolism and has uric acid as the product of its catabolism. The association of psoriasis with hyperuricemia can trigger the onset of gouty arthritis, and pose a greater risk of developing other inflammatory comorbidities. Therefore, it is important to periodically investigate uric acid levels in order to treat changes triggered by hyperuricemia.

Clinical aspects of patients with pityriasis versicolor seen at a referral center for tropical dermatology in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor) is a chronic superficial mycosis caused by yeasts of the Malassezia spp. genus commensal of the keratinized layers of the skin. Under conditions not yet understood, it becomes pathogenic determining the clinical manifestations of the disease. It is a recurrent skin condition and persistent hypopigmentation may remain after treatment, causing social problems to those affected. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and epidemiological features of patients diagnosed with tinea versicolor treated at a referral center for dermatology (Alfredo da Matta Foundation). METHODS: Case-studies in which cutaneous manifestations and epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with tinea versicolor treated at Alfredo da Matta Foundation were detailed. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen patients were included in the study from January to August 2008. Most subjects were male, of mixed ethnicity and young age. Most were students who were predisposed to the development of macules. The majority had extensive injuries and past history of the disease. CONCLUSION: The results revealed a high proportion of individuals with extensive clinical manifestations and duration of the disease.

Aspectos clínicos de pacientes com pitiríase versicolor atendidos em um centro de referência em dermatologia tropical na cidade de Manaus (AM), Brasil / Clinical aspects of patients with pityriasis versicolor seen at a referral center for tropical dermatology in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

FUNDAMENTOS: A pitiríase versicolor (tinha versicolor) é uma micose superficial crônica, causada por leveduras do gênero Malassezia spp. comensais das camadas queratinizadas da pele e que, sob determinadas condições ainda não esclarecidas, se torna patogênica, determinando as manifestações clínicas da doença. É uma dermatose recidivante e, mesmo após tratamento, pode deixar hipopigmentação persistente, causando problemas sociais aos indivíduos acometidos. OBJETIVO: Descrever as características clínicas e epidemiológicas de pacientes com diagnóstico de tinha versicolor atendidos em uma unidade de referência em Dermatologia (Fundação Alfredo da Matta). MÉTODOS: Estudo de série de casos em que foram detalhadas as manifestações cutâneas e as características epidemiológicas de pacientes atendidos na Fundação Alfredo da Matta com diagnóstico de tinha versicolor. RESULTADOS: Cento e dezesseis pacientes foram incluídos no estudo no período de janeiro a agosto de 2008. A maioria dos indivíduos é do sexo masculino, de cor parda, da faixa etária jovem e formada por estudantes, que apresentavam fatores predisponentes ao surgimento das manchas. Também a maioria apresentava lesões extensas e história passada da doença. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo mostrou alta proporção de indivíduos com quadros extensos e de longa duração da doença.

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor) is a chronic superficial mycosis caused by yeasts of the Malassezia spp. genus commensal of the keratinized layers of the skin. Under conditions not yet understood, it becomes pathogenic determining the clinical manifestations of the disease. It is a recurrent skin condition and persistent hypopigmentation may remain after treatment, causing social problems to those affected. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and epidemiological features of patients diagnosed with tinea versicolor treated at a referral center for dermatology (Alfredo da Matta Foundation). METHODS: Case-studies in which cutaneous manifestations and epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with tinea versicolor treated at Alfredo da Matta Foundation were detailed. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen patients were included in the study from January to August 2008. Most subjects were male, of mixed ethnicity and young age. Most were students who were predisposed to the development of macules. The majority had extensive injuries and past history of the disease. CONCLUSION: The results revealed a high proportion of individuals with extensive clinical manifestations and duration of the disease.

Lacaziose simulando hanseníase dimorfa tuberculóide / Lacaziosis mimicking borderline tuberculoid leprosy

Lacaziose é infecção crônica causada pelo fungo Lacazia loboi, originalmente descrita por Jorge Lobo (1931) em paciente oriundo da Amazônia brasileira. Manifesta-se, sobretudo, por lesões cutâneas queloidiformes. Relata-se o caso de paciente com placa eritêmato-violácea, cuja hipótese diagnóstica inicial foi de hanseníase dimorfa tuberculóide, doença também endêmica na região amazônica. Ressalta-se a importância da inclusão de formas paucibacilares de hanseníase no diagnóstico diferencial da lacaziose.

Lacaziosis is a chronic skin infectious disease caused by the fungus Lacazia loboi, which usually results in indolent cutaneous keloid-like lesions. It was first described by Jorge Lobo, in 1931, in a patient from the Amazon region. We report a case of lacaziosis, manifested by an erythematous infiltrated plaque, causing misdiagnosis with paucibacillary leprosy, since both diseases are endemic in Amazon basin.