Determinação do agente microbiano, perfil de resistência antimicrobiana e produção de biofilme em úlceras de membros inferiores em pacientes com sequelas de hanseníase e outras doenças crônicas / Determination of the microbial agent, antimicrobial resistance profile and biofilm production in lower limb ulcers in patients with leprosy sequelae and other chronic diseases

Úlceras crônicas são definidas quando o processo de reparação do tecido excede o período de 3 meses, dificultando sua cicatrização. Sua etiologia pode ser multifatorial, como a ocorrência de traumas e consequência de patologias, como hanseníase, hipertensão e diabetes. As úlceras abrigam diversos microrganismos colonizadores e residentes que podem tornar-se potenciais agravantes a sua condição clínica, visto sua capacidade de formação de biofilmes e resistência antimicrobiana, diminuindo a eficácia da terapêutica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os agentes microbianos presentes em úlceras de pacientes com doenças crônicas atendidos no ambulatório de feridas do Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, avaliar a susceptibilidade antimicrobiana destes isolados e sua capacidade de produção de biofilme, bem como comparar os resultados evidenciados por swab e biópsia e correlacionar os resultados microbiológicos com dados clínicos dos pacientes. Foram coletadas amostras de exsudato por swab e biópsia de úlceras crônicas dos participantes com doenças crônicas. As amostras foram semeadas em ágar sangue, manitol, cetrimide e MacCnkey para posterior identificação microbiana. Também foi desempenhada a determinação da susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos e capacidade de produção de biofilme dos isolados identificados por swab e biópsia. Foram identificados 47 microrganismos no total, sendo 26 (55%) isolados presentes no swab e 21 (45%) em biópsia. P. aeruginosa, P. mirabilis e S. aureus foram as bactérias comumente prevalentes em ambos os materiais de coleta, com predomínio de P. aeruginosa. Apenas 16 (36%) das bactérias demonstraram capacidade de produzir biofilme, com destaque para o grupo dos gram-positivos (92%) que também exibiram alto perfil de susceptibilidade frente linezolida e vancomicina. Meropenem foi o único fármaco a mostrar eficácia frente as cepas de P. aeruginosa presentes, enquanto o grupo das enterobactérias apresentaram menor resposta frente a amoxicilina com ácido clavulânico. Swab e biópsia apresentaram uma concordância geral de 60%, semelhante ao observado por outros estudos. Tais diferenças podem se dar devido à presença de colonizadores. A cobertura de zinco e bota de Unna foi correlacionada à ausência de sinais flogísticos de infecção. Os dados sociodemográficos mostram prevalência de indíviduos com baixa escolaridade e idade acima de 60 anos. O swab é menos invasivo e mais utilizado devido sua facilidade e baixo custo em relação a biópsia; contudo, deve ser considerado com mais cautela na análise dos resultados microbiológicos.

Chronic wounds are defined when the tissue repair process exceeds the period of 3 months, making it difficult to heal. Its etiology can be multifactorial, such as the occurrence of trauma and consequences of pathologies, such as leprosy, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Ulcers harbor several colonizing and resident microorganisms that can become potential aggravating factors for their clinical condition, given their ability to form biofilms and their antimicrobial resistance, decreasing the therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to determine the microbial agents present in ulcers of patients with chronic conditions treated at the wound clinic of the Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, to evaluate their antimicrobial susceptibility and ability to produce biofilm, as well as to compare the results evidenced by swab and biopsy and correlate the microbiological results with clinical data of the patients. Exudate samples were collected by swab and biopsy of leg ulcers from participants with chronic diseases. Samples were seeded on sheep blood agar, mannitol, cetrimide and MacConkey agar for subsequent microbial identification. The determination of antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm production capacity of isolates identified by swab and biopsy was also performed. A total of 47 microorganisms were identified, 26 (55%) of which were isolated from the swab and 21 (45%) from the biopsy. P. aeruginosa, P. mirabilis and S. aureus were the commonly prevalent bacteria in both collection materials, with predominance of P. aeruginosa. Only 16 (36%) bacteria demonstrated the ability to produce biofilm, with emphasis on the gram-positive group (92%) that also exhibited a high profile of susceptibility to linezolid and vancomycin. Meropenem was the only drug to show efficacy against the strains of P. aeruginosa present, while the group of enterobacteria showed less response against amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. Swab and biopsy showed an overall agreement of 60%, similar to that observed by other studies. Such differences may occur due to the presence of colonizers. Zinc coating and Unna boot correlated with the absence of phlogistic signs of infection. Sociodemographic data show a prevalence of individuals with low education and aged over 60 years. The swab is less invasive and more used due to its ease and low cost compared to biopsy; however, it should be considered with more caution in the analysis of microbiological results

Eficácia e eficiência das palmilhas na prevenção e reabilitação de ulceras plantares em pés neuropaticos na hanseníase e diabetes / Efficacy and efficiency of insoles in the prevention and rehabilitation of plantar ulcers in neuropathic feet in leprosy and diabetes

As neuropatias periféricas causadas pela hanseníase e diabetes podem causar perda de sensibilidade protetora, trofismo muscular e função autonômica da pele, e consequentemente deformidades em pés e desequilíbrios biomecânicos e da distribuição da pressão, gerando alto risco de desenvolvimento de úlceras plantares. Um dos meios para prevenir é o uso de palmilhas customizadas associadas ou não ao uso de calçados ortopédicos. O objetivo dessa revisão foi verificar a eficácia, eficiência das palmilhas na prevenção e reabilitação de úlceras plantares e conhecer novidades acerca do design e do material. Foram realizadas pesquisas nas plataformas PUBMED, LILACS, EMBASE e Cochrane e foram incluídos todos os modelos de artigos, livros, monografias, no total foram encontrados 17 estudos. Apesar das palmilhas serem eficazes no alívio de pressão plantar e na diminuição da incidência das ulceras plantares, neste estudo foi encontrado poucas evidências sobre inovações e durabilidade das palmilhas que levassem em conta o custo benefício e sua efetividade.

The global diabetes epidemic: what does it mean for infectious diseases in tropical countries?

Tropical countries are experiencing a substantial rise in type 2 diabetes, which is often undiagnosed or poorly controlled. Since diabetes is a risk factor for many infectious diseases, this increase probably adds to the large infectious disease burden in tropical countries. We reviewed the literature to investigate the interface between diabetes and infections in tropical countries, including the WHO-defined neglected tropical diseases. Although solid data are sparse, patients with diabetes living in tropical countries most likely face increased risks of common and health-care-associated infections, as well as infected foot ulcers, which often lead to amputation. There is strong evidence that diabetes increases the severity of some endemic infections such as tuberculosis, melioidosis, and dengue virus infection. Some HIV and antiparasitic drugs might induce diabetes, whereas helminth infections appear to afford some protection against future diabetes. But there are no or very scarce data for most tropical infections and for possible biological mechanisms underlying associations with diabetes. The rise in diabetes and other non-communicable diseases puts a heavy toll on health systems in tropical countries. On the other hand, complications common to both diabetes and some tropical infections might provide an opportunity for shared services-for example, for eye health (trachoma and onchocerciasis), ulcer care (leprosy), or renal support (schistosomiasis). More research about the interaction of diabetes and infections in tropical countries is needed, and the infectious disease burden in these countries is another reason to step up global efforts to improve prevention and care for diabetes.

Nonoperative Versus Operative Treatment of Displaced Ankle Fractures in Diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a risk factor for complications related to displaced ankle fractures. Limited literature exists comparing complication rates in nonoperative versus operative treatment of displaced ankle fractures in diabetics. No study has highlighted the natural history of nonoperative treatment of displaced ankle fractures in diabetics. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all adult ankle fractures from September 2011 through December 2014. Inclusion was limited to ambulatory adults (>18 years) with closed, displaced (widened mortise) ankle fractures with diabetes mellitus. Nonoperative treatment consisted of closed reduction and casting. Fractures were classified according to the Lauge-Hansen and AO-Weber classification systems. All operative fractures underwent open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) within 3 weeks of injury. Functional outcomes and complication rates were compared. Of 28 displaced diabetic ankle fractures, 20 were treated nonoperatively (closed reduction and casting) and 8 operatively (ORIF within 3 weeks of injury). Mean follow-up was 7 months (range 3-18 months). RESULTS: Age, insulin-dependent diabetes, and AO type B fracture rate were similar in nonoperative and operative cohorts, but fracture dislocation rate was significantly higher among operative fractures (87.5% vs 40%; P = .04). Nonoperative treatment was associated with a 21-fold increased odds of complication compared with operative treatment (75% vs 12.5%, OR 21.0, P = .004). Complication rate following unintended ORIF for persistent nonunion or malunion in nonoperatively treated patients was significantly greater compared with immediate ORIF (100% vs 12.5%, P = .005). CONCLUSION: Nonoperative treatment of displaced diabetic ankle fractures was associated with unacceptably high complication rates when compared to operative treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative series.

Fatal Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis in a patient with diabetes mellitus and Hansen's disease.

Klebsiella is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes different types of health care-associated infections including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, surgical site infections and meningitis. We report here a case of Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis in a patient with diabetes mellitus and Hansen's disease. A middle-aged man with a known case of diabetes mellitus and Hansen's disease presented with the complaints of blurred vision in the left eye and the patient was found to have cataract. Patient was operated for cataract and Intraocular lens implanted. Patient developed headache and vomiting on the 4th post-operative day. Lumbar puncture was carried out and gram stain of cerebrospinal fluid showed Gram-negative bacilli in the direct smear and culture yielded a heavy growth of K. pneumoniae. The patient was treated with antimicrobials according to the susceptibility pattern. He initially showed improvement but later on developed altered sensorium and hypotension. Patient succumbed to infection in spite of all medical attention.

Diabetic foot--what can we learn from leprosy? Legacy of Dr Paul W. Brand.

Leprosy and diabetes, though two very different conditions, may both result in severe loss of sensation in the feet, which are then a great risk of painless injury and ulceration. Seminal observations made by the late Dr Paul W. Brand, a surgeon working with leprosy patients in South India in the mid-20th century, resulted in the subsequent development of treatments to manage insensitive foot ulcers that are today entirely applicable to patients with diabetes. As a consequence of his research, the recognition of the relationship between insensitivity, repetitive pressures and skin breakdown has helped our understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of neuropathic foot lesions in diabetes: the development of the total contact cast and other casting devices to treat such lesions forms the basis of management of diabetic foot lesions with off-loading devices that are widely used in the 21st century in diabetic foot clinics around the world. Moreover, observations by Brand that the foot 'heats up before it breaks down' resulted in more recent research showing that self-skin temperature monitoring might help reduce the incidence of recurrent neuropathic foot ulcers in diabetes. In summary, Brand's understanding of 'the gift of pain' that, when lost, results in the late complications of diabetic neuropathy has guided the prevention, diagnosis and management of diabetic foot problems in the 21st century.

Primary cutaneous mucormycosis (zygomycosis) caused by Apophysomyces elegans.

A 53 year-old male diabetic presented with a month-old, painful ulcer with necrotic margins over the right thigh. Wound debridement was done twice and the ulcer showed recurrent growth of a white, cottony filamentous structure. Cutaneous mucormycosis was suspected and confirmed by histopathology and a culture isolate of Apophysomyces elegans . The patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin-B and itraconazole followed by partial thickness skin grafting, and then discharged after being prescribed posaconazole syrup for three weeks. Regular follow-up was done and during the last visit after six months following discharge, the ulcer was found to have healed well with no recurrence of the fungus.

Complete resolution of generalized lichen planus after treatment with thalidomide.

Thalidomide has gained an infamous history due to severe birth defects observed in patients who had taken the drug to control nausea during pregnancy. The medication was withdrawn from the market because of its teratogenicity, but was approved by the FDA in 1998 for the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum. However, thalidomide has been employed with success by dermatologists for a host of off-label uses including the treatment of lichen planus. Currently, no clinical trials or studies exist to evaluate the efficacy of using thalidomide to treat lichen planus, but case reports have been published in the medical literature supporting its therapeutic benefits. TNF-alpha is among the many cytokines that have been implicated in the pathogenicity of lichen planus. It is thought that thalidomide acts.

Neuropathic osteoarthropathy: diagnostic dilemmas and differential diagnosis.

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to illustrate the radiologic spectrum of imaging findings of neuropathic osteoarthropathy. Typical findings include joint destruction, disorganization, and effusion with osseous debris. A variety of other imaging findings related to neuropathic osteoarthropathy such as resorption of the ends of tubular bones and neuropathic fracture are shown. The two prevailing theories for the pathophysiology of neuropathic bone and joint disease, the neurovascular and neurotraumatic theories, are briefly described. Examples of osteoarthropathy from diverse causes are presented including syringomyelia, spinal cord injury, meningomyelocele, diabetes mellitus, congenital insensitivity to pain, steroid injections, syphilis, leprosy, and others. The discussion focuses on key imaging features with emphasis on disease patterns and differential diagnosis, which vary by skeletal location.

Bacteriological study of pus isolates from neuropathic plantar ulcers associated with acute inflammatory phase.

In this retrospective study, sensitivity of organisms cultured from ulcers of leprosy patients without and with diabetes mellitus, diabetic patients without leprosy and patients with ulcers from other causes was examined. The profile of organisms grown from these groups of patients did not differ significantly. However, there was a high prevalence of organisms like Proteus, E. coli and Enterococcus in the ulcers of leprosy patients indicating faecal contamination of the ulcers. Co-trimaxazole and tetracycline were of little value in the treatment of these ulcers. We therefore recommend that in situations where there is no culture facility, the patients be started on a course of penicillin and gentamycin. If these antibiotics fail, it would be necessary to use more advanced antibiotics like norfloxacin, amikacin and ciprofloxacin.

Healing rates of plantar ulcers in leprosy and diabetes.

Comparison was made of wound healing time in a consecutive series of leprosy and diabetic patients with plantar ulceration. In the leprosy group, 66 of 70 (94%) ulcers healed in a mean time of 42.7 (+/- 36.1) days, and in the diabetic group, 75 of 80 (94%) ulcers healed in a mean time of 39.7 (+/- 32.1) days. Analysis of all healed ulcers using a general linear model found wound depth (p < 0.03), and wound diameter (p < 0.05) significantly related to ulcer healing time. Diagnosis, healing devices (cast, splint and cut-out sandal), age and sex were not significant. In diabetic subjects a regression model including depth, diameter and age explained 36% of the variation in healing time. A meaningful regression model was not found in leprosy patients.

Angioid streaks in Uganda.

A study on the ophthalmoscopic appearance of angioid streaks and their suspected association with local and systemic diseases among ugandan Africans is presented. In all 40 eyes of 20 patients were studied and the results indicate an interesting association with certain diseases.