Clinical features, microbiological epidemiology and recommendations for management of cellulitis in extremity lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: This high volume, single center study investigated the prevalence, bacterial epidemiology, and responsiveness to antibiotic therapy of cellulitis in extremity lymphedema. METHODS: From 2003 to 2018, cellulitis events from a cohort of 420 patients with extremity lymphedema were reviewed. Demographics, lymphedema grading, symptoms, inflammatory markers, cultures and antibiotic therapy regimens were compiled from cellulitis episodes data. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for detailed analysis. RESULTS: A total of 131 separate episodes of cellulitis were recorded from 43 (81.1%) lower limb and 10 (19.9%) upper limb lymphedema patients. The prevalence and recurrence rates for cellulitis in lymphedema patients were 12.6% (53 of 420) and 56.6% (30 of 53), respectively. The most common findings were increased limb circumference (127 of 131; 96.9%) and abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP) level (86 of 113; 76.1%). Blood cultures were obtained in 79 (60.3%) incidents, with 9 (11.4%) returning positive. Streptococcus agalactiae was the most isolated bacterium (5 of 9; 55.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The cellulitis prevalence and recurrence rate in extremity lymphedema were 12.6%, and 56.6%, respectively. Strongest indicators of cellulitis were increased affected limb circumference and elevated CRP level. Empiric antibiotic therapy began with coverage for Steptococcus species before broadening to anti-Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and anti-Gram negatives if needed for effective treatment of extremity lymphedema cellulitis.

[Iliofemoral cutaneous mucormycosis with endopelvic extension in an immunocompetent child]. / Mucormycose cutanée ilio-fémorale avec extension endo-pelvienne chez un enfant immunocompétent.

Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic fungal infection with clinical polymorphism and is rapidly extensive and destructive. It is caused by fungi of the mucorales group in the environment and generally arises in the context of immunosuppression. Often difficult and late, diagnosis is based on mycological and histological examination. We report the case of a 10-year-old patient admitted for a pruritic erythematous scaly eruption located in the right inguinal area associated with satellite lymphadenopathy and lymphedema of the right lower limb. The histological study of the cutaneous biopsy revealed a granulomatous reaction with filaments. The mycological examination of the collection of the cutaneous lesion showed mucorales filaments and a stump of Absidia corymbifera was isolated. Abdomino-pelvic CT showed muscular extension with vascular and ureteral englobement. The diagnosis of cutaneous mucormycosis was made. Immunological investigations were normal. Treatment included itraconazole for 3months followed by IV amphotericin B for 1month, with favorable clinical and radiological progression. Mucormycosis is an uncommon fungal infection whose cutaneous localization is rare. It occurs exceptionally in immunocompetent patients and is clinically manifested by a vesicular and pustular rash progressing to ulceration. The diagnosis is confirmed by mycological and histological studies. Treatment consists of antifungal therapy associated with surgical excision of necrotic and infected tissue.

Ultrasonography for the monitoring of subcutaneous damage in Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Buruli ulcer).

We used ultrasonography to evaluate the nature and the extent of subcutaneous damage provoked by Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans) and to investigate the possible involvement of the tributary lymph nodes during the various stages of progression of Buruli ulcer. Nineteen patients affected by M. ulcerans infection in Benin, West Africa, were studied. Ultrasonography was performed on all subjects, except one, at the site of nonulcerated lesions and/or at perilesional site. The tributary lymph nodes were also studied in six patients. Ultrasound (US) evaluation was carried out using a 10 MHz linear probe and all lesions were compared with the homologous unaffected controlateral site. The ultrasonography showed relevant alterations at the dermo-hypodermic level, in agreement with histological specimens. In the active forms of the disease, these alterations are characterized by significant oedematous imbibition of the adipose tissue and necrosis (adiponecrosis) that leads to varying irregularities in the echogenicity of the hypodermis, which is generally thicker. In agreement with the clinical examination, the lymph nodes in six patients evaluated, despite their possible histological involvement with necrotic phenomena described in literature in M. ulcerans infection, did not display significant alterations visible by ultrasonography. The US scanning we have performed is the first use of this technique for M. ulcerans infection. We have shown that it can reveal the subcutaneous depth and the peripheral extent of the pathological process and it is particularly useful for monitoring the efficacy of or resistance to antibiotic treatment, especially in extensive ulcero-oedomatose forms. Such monitoring offers also a useful guide to the surgeon allowing the reduction or postponement of the removal of the large cutaneous areas that were carried out until recently.

[Intertrigo in patients with lower limb lymphedema. Clinical and laboratory correlation]. / Intertrigo em pacientes com linfedema de membro inferior. Correlação clínico-laboratorial.

Cutaneous lesions in the interdigital spaces are commonly seen in lymphedema patients and their prevention and suitable care is one of the cornerstones of any successful treatment, by preventing acute inflammations and additional worsening in limb volume and fibrosis. We obtained swab specimens from the interdigital area from 21 patients followed in the Lymphedema Unit of the Department of Vascular Surgery of the University of São Paulo; thirteen of them had lesions suggestive of tinea pedis. The pathological agent could be identified in 11 out of these 13 patients: fungal infection alone was responsible for seven lesions, Corynebacterium minutissimum for another two and both agents were isolated from two patients. Although two patients had evident clinical lesion of the skin, no fungal or bacterial species could be isolated. From the eight patients without interdigital lesions, Candida and Corynebacterium was found in one. We concluded that clinical examination has a high sensibility (84%) and specificity (91%) but the high prevalence of Corynebacterium minutissimum suggests that adequate treatment should follow careful laboratory examination.