Tricomicosis (tricobacteriosis) en un infante: aspectos microbiológicos, dermatoscópicos y ultraestructurales / Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis) capitis in an infant: microbiological, dermoscopic and ultrastructural features

La tricomicosis es una infección superficial causada por Corynebacterium flavescens, que afecta por lo regular pelos axilares, en menor grado los púbicos, los escrotales e interglúteos y excepcionalmente los de la cabeza o tricomicosis capitis (TC). Esta infección se caracteriza por formación de nódulos pilosos. Clínicamente se confunde con infecciones como piedra blanca y pediculosis. El diagnóstico se realiza por microscopia y dermatoscopia de masas bacterianas y confirmado por cultivo. OBJETIVO: Presentar un caso de TC en un infante, y mostrar las características microscópicas, dermatoscópicas y ultraestructurales. CASO CLÍNICO: Niño sano de 6 meses de edad, con dermatosis que afectó los pelos de la cabeza en forma de múltiples nódulos-pilosos amarillentos. Se comprobó TC mediante fluorescencia amarilla a la luz de Wood; a la dermatoscopia se observaron cadenas blanco-amarillentas, como "rosarios de piedras cristalinas"; al examen directo se distinguieron masas bacterianas y al cultivo se identificó Corynebacterium flavescens. A la microscopia electrónica se observó infección superficial, sin perforación de los pelos. Se realizó tratamiento con aplicación de ácido fusídico por 3 semanas y se obtuvo curación clínica y microbiológica. CONCLUSIÓN: La TC es una entidad rara que se presenta en niños, y que suele confundirse con otros padecimientos del pelo como la pediculosis e infecciones micóticas.

Trichomycosis is a superficial infection caused by Corynebacterium flavescens, which regularly affects axillary, and to a a lesser extent, pubic, scrotal and intergluteal, and exceptionally, head hairs or trichomycosis capitis (TC). This condition is characterised by the formation of bacterial nodules. Clinically, it can be confused with white piedra or pediculosis. The diagnosis is made by microscopic and dermoscopic observation and confirmed by culture. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of TC in an infant and illustrate the microscopic, dermoscopic, and ultrastructural characteristics. CLINICAL CASE: A 6 month-old boy, otherwise healthy, with multiple yellowish concretions on the hairs of the head. TC was confirmed by yellow fluorescence with Wood’s light; white-yellowish beads, like "rosaries of crystalline stones" were observed on dermoscopy, direct examination showed bacterial masses, and Corynebacterium flavescens was identified by culture. A superficial infection, without perforation of the hairs, was confirmed by electron microscopy. Treatment with fusidic acid for 3 weeks achieved a clinical and microbiological cure. CONCLUSION: TC is a rare condition that affects children, and tends to be mistaken for other diseases of the hair, such as pediculosis and mycotic infections.

Use of silicon for skin and hair care: an approach of chemical forms available and efficacy

Abstract Silicon is the second most abundant element on Earth, and the third most abundant trace element in human body. It is present in water, plant and animal sources. On the skin, it is suggested that silicon is important for optimal collagen synthesis and activation of hydroxylating enzymes, improving skin strength and elasticity. Regarding hair benefits, it was suggested that a higher silicon content in the hair results in a lower rate of hair loss and increased brightness. For these beneficial effects, there is growing interest in scientific studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of using dietary supplements containing silicon. Its use aims at increasing blood levels of this element and improving the skin and its annexes appearance. There are different forms of silicon supplements available and the most important consideration to be made in order to select the best option is related to safety and bioavailability. Silicon supplements are widely used, though there is wide variation in silicon bioavailability, ranging from values below 1% up to values close to 50%, depending on the chemical form. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the scientific literature related to the different chemical forms of silicon supplements available and the limitations and recent progress in this field. According to reported studies, among the different chemical forms available, the orthosilicic acid (OSA) presents the higher bioavailability, whereas the others forms have absorption inversely proportional to the degree of polymerization. However, clinical studies evaluating safety and efficacy are still lacking.

Hair cosmetics.

The hair cosmetic industry has undergone a revolutionary change over the last two decades. The focus has dramatically veered from merely cleaning to repair, increasing the tensile strength, reducing oxidative damage, and stimulating growth. Newer shorter procedures to make hair look naturally more lustrous, smooth, and manageable have evolved. Specialized grooming products have been formulated to cleanse, calm, and condition the hair, and are tailored for different hair-types, for example, dry, dry-damaged, oily, colored, and gray hair. Other products are formulated to alter the color or structure of the hair shaft, for example, hair dyes, perming/relaxing. Hair sprays and waxes/gels, can alter the 'lift' of the hair-shaft. Although dermatologists are experts in managing scalp and hair diseases, the esthetic applications of newer cosmetic therapies still remain elusive. This article attempts to fill the lacunae in our knowledge of hair cosmetics and esthetic procedures relevant in today's rapidly changing beauty-enhancing industry, with special emphasis on the Indian scenario for chemical and 'natural' hair products.

Moniletrix: relato de caso / Monilethrix: a case report

Descriçäo de um caso de moniletrix, doença rara, de herança autossômica dominante, caracterizada por ressecamento, fragilidade e escassez dos cabelos, com dilataçöes fusiformes da haste capilar, separados por segmentos atróficos estreitos

Queratoacantoma centrífugo gigante tratado con 5-fluorouracilo intralesional / Large keratoacanthoma treated with intralesional 5-fluorouracil

El queratoacantoma es un tumor originado en los folículos pilosebáceos, de crecimiento rápido, situado en las áreas expuestas de la piel, principalmente cara y dorso de manos. Se consideran tres tipos clínicos y diversas variantes clínicas. No obstante su comportamiento benigno, debe ser tratado. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 87 años, con un queratoacantoma centrífugo gigante en dorso de mano, en el cual se ensayó el uso del 5-fluorouracilo intralesional, obteniéndose buenos resultados sin efectos secundarios