Chromoblastomycosis in Kerala, India.

BACKGROUND: We are reporting 35 new cases of Chromoblastomycosis from Central Kerala. A majority of the cases from India are reported from the Sub Himalayan belt and South India. The disease scenario in India and abroad is briefly reviewed. AIMS: To study chromoblastomycosis in Central Kerala including the demographic and clinico- investigative profile. METHODS: This report is a retrospective record analysis of 35 cases of chromoblastomycosis who presented to the Dermatology Outpatient department of our tertiary center from January 2003 to July 2010 after obtaining Institutional Review Board approval. RESULTS: The disease was found to be more common among male agriculturists. The majority of cases were from the central districts of Kerala in and around the Western Ghats. The lower extremity (60%) was more affected with 40% of the subjects remembering a prior history of trauma. Sclerotic bodies were demonstrable in scrapings from black dots in 42.8%. The characteristic mixed mycotic granuloma was demonstrable in 77.1% of cases. The most common species isolated was Fonsecaea pedrosoi. CONCLUSIONS: Chromoblastomycosis is very common in Central Kerala. The disease mainly affects male agriculturists especially those employed in rubber plantations. The most common organism is F. pedrosoi.

[Prospects for leprosy treatment via complexation of rifampicin witH iodide and horse-radish root].

A model of leprosy was used to study the therapeutic effect of horse-radish root (HRR) containing peroxidase in combination with rifampicin (RFP) and potassium iodide (PI) as compared to routine combined therapy with RFP and diaminodiphenylsulfonum. Therapy with HRR and iodide showed the best antimicrobial effect than the routine combined therapy. A combination of RFP, HRR, and PI increased the activity of neutrophilic myeliperoxidase produced an anti-inflammatory activity and caused no persistent anemia or toxic effect on the murine liver.

Rhinoentomophthoromycosis.

A sixty year old patient presented with a slowly progressive swelling of the nose, of one year duration, suggesting a clinical diagnosis of subcutaneous zygomycosis. On investigation, the tissue fungal culture grew Conidiobolus coronatus, confirming the diagnosis as rhinoentomophthoromycosis. He was treated with a combination of oral fluconazole and oral potassium iodide for a total period of 5 months. His symptoms subsided completely. Serial CT scanning of paranasal sinuses showed the gradual resolution of the swelling, in response to the treatment. Early detection of the disease and combination therapy gave rapid and good results. This is the first case of its kind to be reported from Kerala, the southern state of India.

Esporotricose: aspectos clínico-laboratoriais e epidemiológicos observados no Instituto de Infectologia Emlíio Ribas em 12 anos (1989-2000)

A Esporotricose é a doença causada pelo fungo Sporothrix schenchkii, usualmente adquirido por inoculação em atividade profissional ou de lazer, causando uma doença geralmente restrita ao tecido subcutâneo e raramente disseminada para outros órgãos como gânglios linfáticos, pulmões, etc. Apresentamos estudo dos casos atendidos no Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas em 12 anos (1989-2000). Foram obtidos 11 casos de esporotricose, sem diferença significativa entre os sexos e com predomínio dos indivíduos com idade acima dos 30 anos e da forma clínica subcutânea fixa. Os fatores predisponentes associados foram a atividade profissional (lavradores e florista), residência na zona rural e a co-infecção pelo HIV. o principal diagnóstico diferencial foi eito com a Leishmaniose Cutâneo-Mucosa. Os casos foram tratados com Anfotericina B, Iodeto de Potássio ou Itraconazol, sendo que para estes dosi últimos houve necessidade de retratamento com Anfotericina B.