Effective Treatment of Cutaneous Mold Infections by Antimicrobial Blue Light That Is Potentiated by Quinine.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous mold infections commonly result from an array of traumatic injuries that involve direct inoculation of contaminated soil into wounds. Here, we explored the use of antimicrobial blue light (aBL; 405 nm wavelength) and the combination of aBL with quinine hydrochloride (aBL + Q-HCL) for the treatment of cutaneous mold infections. METHODS: Efficacy of aBL and aBL + Q-HCL in killing clinically important pathogenic molds (Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, and Fusarium oxyprorum) was investigated. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography identified and quantified endogenous porphyrins in the mold conidia. Finally, a mouse model of dermabrasion wound infected with a bioluminescent variant of A. fumigatus was developed to investigate the efficacy of aBL in treating cutaneous mold infections. RESULTS: We demonstrated that mold conidia are tolerant to aBL, but Q-HCL enhances efficacy. Transmission electron microscopy revealed intracellular damage by aBL. aBL + Q-HCL resulted in intracellular and cell wall damage. Porphyrins were observed in all mold strains, with A. fumigatus having the highest concentration. aBL and aBL + Q-HCL effectively reduced the burden of A. fumigatus within an established dermabrasion infection and limited recurrence posttreatment. CONCLUSIONS: aBL and aBL + Q-HCL may offer a novel approach for the treatment of mold infections.

Case report of cutaneous nodule caused by Gordonia bronchialis in an immunocompetent patient after receiving acupuncture.

Gordonia species were recently found to cause human infection. Most Gordonia bronchialis infections are associated with sternal wounds and foreign bodies. Here, we present a case of a firm cutaneous nodule caused by G. bronchialis on an immunocompetent patient's lower extremity after receiving acupuncture. Our present case indicates that spontaneous cutaneous infection of G. bronchialis can develop even in a healthy patient. With the popularity of complementary and alternative medicine, physicians should be aware that G. bronchialis infection can be associated with Oriental medicine similar to mycobacterial infection. Recognizing the diverse clinical features of newly emerging Gordonia species will facilitate appropriate diagnosis and management of future patients.

Esporotricosis linfocutánea. A propósito de un caso pediátrico / Lymphatic-cutaneous sporotrichosis. A pediatric case

La esporotricosis es la micosis subcutánea más frecuente en Uruguay. Es producida por hongos del complejo Sporothrix. Su reservorio son los restos vegetales y madera en descomposición. En su hábitat natural las condiciones climáticas, temperatura y humedad son variables, pero es inviable a 40°C. Afecta al hombre y animales. Es una enfermedad ocupacional y recreativa, poco frecuente en la edad pediátrica. En nuestro país el modo habitual de adquirirla es a través de arañazos de armadillos (mulitas). La forma clínica clásica y más frecuente de la esporotricosis se caracteriza por un chancro cutáneo de inoculación acompañado de una linfangitis de carácter nodular y troncular. Su evolución tiene un desarrollo subagudo y crónico. A pesar de su signología típica es muchas veces confundida con otras afecciones dermatológicas lo que retarda el diagnóstico. La presentación visceral u osteoarticular es excepcional. El diagnóstico definitivo requiere el aislamiento del hongo en cultivos a partir del sitio de infección. La resolución espontánea es poco común. El tratamiento recomendado es itraconazol administrado durante 3 a 6 meses. También puede utilizarse de manera alternativa yoduro de potasio y la terbinafina. La termoterapia local preconizada por la escuela micológica uruguaya significa muchas veces una valiosa alternativa terapéutica. El objetivo de esta comunicación es la presentación del caso clínico de un niño que cursó una esporotricosis cutáneo-linfática. La misma fue confirmada por estudio micológico y recibió tratamiento con itraconazol y termoterapia local, con buena respuesta.

Sporotrichosis is the most frequent subcutaneous mycosis in Uruguay. It is caused by fungi from the Sporothrix complex. This fungus lives in decaying plant matter, including wood. Climate, temperature and humidity vary in their natural habitat, although they cannot survive when it is hotter than 40°C. It affects both men and animals. Sporotrichosis is an occupational and recreational disease, rather unusual in children. In our country it is usually acquired through armadillo scratches. The classical and most frequent clinical presentation is characterized by a chancre following inoculation, accompanied by nodular and troncular lymphangitis. Evolution of the condition has a subacute and chronic development. In spite of its typical signs, it is often confused with other skin diseases, what delays diagnosis. Visceral or osteoarticular presentation is exceptional. Final diagnosis requires the fungus to be isolated in cultures from the site of the infection. Spontaneous resolution is rather unusual. Itraconazole during 3 to 6 months is the recommended treatment. Alternatively, potassium iodide and terbinafine may be used. Local thermotherapy, recommended by the Uruguayan mycological school often constitutes a valuable therapeutic alternative. This study aims to present the clinical case of a boy with a lymphatic-cutaneous sporotrichosis. The condition was confirmed by mycological studies and he was treated with itraconazole and local thermotherapy, the response being good.

[LSD score. A new classification system for peristomal skin lesions]. / LSD-Score. Ein neues Klassifikationssystem für peristomale Hautläsionen.

BACKGROUND: Peristomal skin lesions are frequent complications of ostomy; however, there is no generally accepted nomenclature and classification system. OBJECTIVE: An interdisciplinary German expert panel (GESS) composed of ten members, developed an innovative semiquantitative classification system for peristomal skin lesions for further stratification of ostomy therapy. This score is based on criteria which can be assessed by stomal therapists and treating physicians. RESULTS: The new peristomal skin lesion score grades three categories: lesion (L), status of ostomy (S) and disease (D). The L category describes the integrity of the skin as normal (L0), lesion with sustained integrity of skin (L1), integrity destroyed (L2) and local infection (L3). The S category rates the complexity of ostomy therapy as normal (S0), increased (S1) and high but not sufficiently effective (S2). The additional letters for categorization O. R. P. H. E. US describe anatomical pathologies of the stoma itself: ostomy stenosis (O), retraction (R), prolapse (P), hernia (H), edema (E) and unfavorable site (US). A systemic disorder is either absent (D0), irrelevant (D1) or relevant (D2). The LSD score is the basis for a management algorithm. CONCLUSION: The LSD score is comprehensive, standardized and holistic. Its straightforward use by health professionals can improve the consistency of the description of skin lesions and enhance the quality of ostomy therapy.

Tratamiento de la tiña corporis con tintura de Ajo al 20 por ciento. Hospital Celia Sánchez Manduley, 2009-2011 / Treatment of the Tinea Corporis with Garlic tint 20 percent. Hospital Celia Sanchez Manduley, 2009-2011

Introducción: Las enfermedades infecciosas originadas por hongos son, probablemente, las que más frecuentemente afectan al ser humano. La tiña del cuerpo incluye todas las infecciones por dermatófitos de la piel glabra, con exclusión de palmas, plantas e ingles. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados del tratamiento con tintura de Ajo al 20 por ciento. Método Se realizó un estudio de evaluación o prueba en los pacientes con el diagnóstico de Tiña corporis que acudieron a la consulta de Dermatología del Hospital Universitario Celia Sánchez Manduley, en el período de agosto 2009 a mayo 2011, el universo de estudio estuvo constituido por cuarenta y nueve pacientes que acudieron a la consulta y la población objeto de estudio fueron cuarenta y dos que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. La información se obtuvo de las historias clínicas de cada paciente, estudiándose las variables: respuesta al tratamiento, edad, sexo, tiempo de aplicación y afectos adversos. Resultados: Obteniendo como resultado que un por ciento elevado de pacientes con Tiña corporis tratados con tintura de Ajo al 20 por ciento curaron, siendo la edad de 1-15 años y el sexo femenino los que respondieron mejor al tratamiento en un período entre 21 y 30 días sin efectos adversos. Conclusiones: Se demostró que un por ciento elevado de pacientes con Tiña corporis tratados con tintura de Ajo al 20 por ciento curaron, siendo la edad de1-15 años y el sexo femenino los que respondieron mejor al tratamiento en un período entre 21 y 30 días sin efectos adversos(AU)

Introduction: The infectious diseases originated by funguses are, probably, those that more frequently affect the human being. The tinea corporis includes all the infections by dermatophyts of the glabrous skin, with exclusion of palms, plants and groin.Objective: to evaluate the results of the treatment with Garlic tincture to 20 percent. Method: it was performed a study of evaluation or test in the patients that were assisted in the Dermatology Consultation at Celia Sánchez Manduley University Hospital with the diagnostic of tinea corporis, in the period of August 2009 to May 2011, the universe of study was constituted by forty-nine patients that came to the consult and the population object of study were forty-two patients that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The information was obtained through the clinical records of each patient, studying the variables: answer to the treatment, age, sex, time of application and adverse affections. Results: an elevated percent of patients with tinea corporis treated with Garlic tincture to 20 percent healed, being the age of 1-15 years and the feminine sex those that answered better to the treatment in a period of 21 to 30 days without adverse reactions. Conclusions: it was evidenced that a high percent of patients with Tinea corporis treated with Garlic tincture to 20 percent healed, being the age of1-15 years and the feminine sex those that answered better to the treatment in a period between 21 and 30 days without adverse effects(EU)

Fish tank granuloma caused by Mycobacterium marinum.

INTRODUCTION: Mycobacterium marinum causes skin and soft tissue, bone and joint, and rare disseminated infections. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between treatment outcome and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. A total of 27 patients with M. marinum infections were enrolled. METHODS: Data on clinical characteristics and therapeutic methods were collected and analyzed. We also determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 7 antibiotics against 30 isolates from these patients. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients received antimycobacterial agents with or without surgical debridement. Eighteen patients were cured, 8 failed to respond to treatment, and one was lost to follow-up. The duration of clarithromycin (147 vs. 28; p = 0.0297), and rifampicin (201 vs. 91; p = 0.0266) treatment in the cured patients was longer than that in the others. Surgical debridement was performed in 10 out of the 18 cured patients, and in 1 of another group (p = 0.0417). All the 30 isolates were susceptible to clarithromycin, amikacin, and linezolid; 29 (96.7%) were susceptible to ethambutol; 28 (93.3%) were susceptible to sulfamethoxazole; and 26 (86.7%) were susceptible to rifampicin. However, only 1 (3.3%) isolate was susceptible to doxycycline. DISCUSSION: Early diagnosis of the infection and appropriate antimicrobial therapy with surgical debridement are the mainstays of successful treatment. Clarithromycin and rifampin are supposed to be more effective agents.

Utilidad del cefadroxilo en leishmaniosis tegumentaria americana con infecciones piógenas sobreagregadas / Use of cefadroxil for american tegumentary leishmaniosis with intercurrent pyogenic infections

La leishmaniosis tegumentaria americana es un problema de salud en el medio rural venezolano. Las úlceras leishmánicas tienden a infectarse secundariamente por bacterias piógenas. Se evaluaron 41 pacientes con la enfermedad que recibieron cefadroxilo oral previo a la toma de segmentos de piel del borde de las úlceras para la demostración microscópica de Leishmania spp. La mayoría de los pacientes eran adultos masculinos y provenían del medio rural del estado Miranda, con una úlcera única localizada en los miembros inferiores. El diagnóstico inmunoserológico se efectuó por leishmanina y anticuerpos fluorescentes y el de certeza por visualización de amastigotes en frotis coloreados. Los resultados inmunoserológicos fueron positivos en todos los pacientes, mientras que el parásito se observó en 51 por ciento de los frotis coloreados con Giemsa. Una semana postratamiento antimicrobiano, los pacientes presentaban mejoría de las infecciones sobreagregadas y también progreso en la visualización del parásito por disminución de la carga bacteriana. Los pacientes fueron tratados con antimoniato de meglumina intramuscular en series de 10 días, con reposo intermedio. Respondieron adecuadamente, las lesiones cicatrizaron y los nódulos satelitales acompañantes desaparecieron. Se concluye que el cefadroxilo es útil para tratar las infecciones piógenas secundarias asociadas en LTA y aumentar la sensibilidad para observar los parásitos en piel. La leishmaniosis considerada como enfermedad emergente, motiva la búsqueda de alternativas terapéuticas adecuadas

Cutaneous leishmaniosis of the New World (CLNW) is a health problem in rural areas of Venezuela. Patients with muco-cutaneous ulcers tend to present intercurrent infections of the lesions by pyogenic bacteria. After removing skin specimens from the ulcer borders for microscopic demonstration of Leishmania spp amastigotes, forty-one patients with the disease, being treated with cefadroxil per os were studied. Most of the patients came from rural Miranda state, were male adults and had one ulcer on a lower limb. Confirmatory diagnosis was made using the Montenegro test, or Leishmanin immunoserology (IFAT) and demonstration of the presence of parasites in the skin samples. All the patients were positive for the Leishmanin test, while parasites were observed in 51 percent of the skin smears colored by the Giemsa procedure. After a week of treatment with cefadroxil, bacterial infections were reduced and a decrease in bacterial load was also noted when visualizing the parasite from the skin smears. Patients were treated with intramuscular antimony meglumine for 10-day periods with an intervening rest period. All patients responded adequately to the meglumine antileishmania treatment; the lesions healed and accompanying tributary lymph nodes disappeared. Conclusion: Cefadroxil is a suitable antibiotic for treating intercurrent pyogenic infections in cases of tegumentary leishmaniosis. Since leishmaniosis is considered an emerging disease, a search for appropriate, alternative therapies is required

Psoriasis en la infancia / Psoriasis in childhood

La psoriasis es una enfermedad crónica inflamatoria de la piel que afecta a un 2-3% de la población general. Aproximadamente, en uno de cada tres pacientes comienza en la edad infantil, y supone el 4% de todas las enfermedades de la piel del niño. La cara y las zonas de los pliegues se ven afectadas con frecuencia, y además son áreas especialmente sensibles a los efectos adversos de los corticoides tópicos. Los inhibidores de la calcineurina tópicos suponen una opción eficaz y segura en el tratamiento de la psoriasis invertida en niños(AU)

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects 2% to 3% of the population. Approximately one-third of the patients note its onset during childhood, and it accounts for 4%of the cutaneous disorders in children. The face and intertriginous areas are often involved, and they are particularly sensitive to the adverse effects of steroid use. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are an effective and safe option for the treatment of inverse psoriasis in children(AU)

Presente y futuro de la terapia biológica en Dermatología / Present and future of biologic therapy in dermatology

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Evaluation and treatment of itching in HIV-infected patients.

Itching is a common complaint among patients infected with HIV and may cause significant morbidity and embarrassment. Although idiopathic HIV-pruritus has been described, it is probably less common than was previously thought. In most patients, a careful history and physical examination will show that a dermatosis accounts for their pruritus. Dry skin, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, pruritic papular eruption, staphylococcal folliculitis and prurigo nodularis are frequently encountered in these patients. These common dermatoses, drug eruptions, several rarer conditions and systemic causes of itching should be excluded before diagnosing idiopathic HIV-pruritus. Treatment should be directed to the underlying skin problem and may be supplemented with sedating antihistamines. Phototherapy is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for many pruritic dermatoses as well as for idiopathic pruritus.

Eficacia de la monoterapia con piperacilina/tazobactám en infecciones de piel y partes blandas / Effectiveness of monotherapy with piperacillin/tazobactam in skin and soft tissue infections

Introducción. Se evaluaron la eficacia clínica por intención de tratar y la seguridad de piperacilina/tazobactám (monoterapia) en las infecciones de piel y partes blandas, así como los efectos secundarios ocasionados por dicho fármaco. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó un estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo, observacional, en el que se incluyeron 160 pacientes con infección de piel y partes blandas, procedentes de los 15 centros participantes. Tras estandarizar los criterios diagnósticos, los pacientes fueron sometidos al protocolo de inclusión y se administró el fármaco indicado, por vía intravenosa, a dosis de 4/0,5 g cada 8 h. Se realizó control bacteriológico al inicio y al final del tratamiento. Resultados. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 57,3 años, con un porcentaje de varones afectados del 60,7 por ciento. La mayor parte de las infecciones fueron extrahospitalarias, y la diabetes fue el factor predisponente en más de la mitad de casos. El 43,8 por ciento de los procesos fue catalogado como grave. Se aisló el microorganismo responsable de la infección en el 59,3 por ciento de los casos, siendo la mayor parte monomicrobianas. Se suspendió el protocolo en 18 casos (11,2 por ciento) y aparecieron 8 casos de reacciones adversas relacionadas con el fármaco. La evaluación clínica indicó una respuesta favorable del 88,8 por ciento a la monoterapia con piperacilina/tazobactám, y la erradicación o presunta erradicación bacteriana alcanzó el 63,8 por ciento de pacientes. Conclusiones. En nuestra experiencia, la eficacia de piperacilina/tazobactám permite utilizar este antibiótico de forma empírica en monoterapia en infecciones graves de piel y partes blandas (AU)

[UV-therapy in HIV-infected patients]. / UV-Therapie bei HIV-Patienten.

We examined the prevalence of HIV-associated cutaneous disorders as well as the frequency and efficiency of UV-radiation in HIV-infected patients by evaluating the clinical records of 1310 patients seen between and 1994 and 1996. 41 patients were treated with UVB-radiation and 4 patients with UVA1-radiation, while three patients received PUVA-therapy. UV-radiation proved to be efficient and safe in the treatment of pruritic papular eruption, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Although some in vitro studies and studies with transgenic mice have suggested a negative impact of UV radiation on the immunosystem of HIV-positive patients, no progression of the HIV infection due to phototherapy has been proven.

[Atypical cutaneous mycobacterium diseases. Results of a national survey]. / Les mycobactérioses cutanées atypiques. Résultats d'une enquête nationale.

We report the results of a retrospective inquiry concerning atypical cutaneous mycobacterioses in France over the last 5 years. Ninety-two cases were observed, contracted from aquariums (50 p. 100), in swimming pools (4.4 p. 100) and as a result of mesotherapy (15.2 p. 100); 66.3 p. 100 of the patients had no other pathology; 17.4 p. 100 were immunodepressed. Bacteriological examination was positive in 44.7 p. 100 of the cases; swabbing, scratching and punturing were better than biopsy to obtain a bacteriological culture. Mycobacteria were identified in 59.8 p. 100 of the cultures. In order of frequency, the pathogens were Mycobacterium marinum (from aquariums), M. chelonae (from iatrogenic lesions) and M. avium-intracellulare (in immunodepression). M. fortuitum, M. ulcerans, M. flavescens, M. haemophilum and M. kansasii were rare. The formation of epithelial giant-cell granulomas was observed in patients without any other pathology. Non-specific infiltration was found in patients with immunodepression and bacteriological examination was often positive in those with non-specific infiltrates. The treatment of atypical cutaneous mycobacterioses is always difficult; third generation tetracyclines and antibacterial combinations are often prescribed, but the results of in vitro tests are not reproducible in vivo. New antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, quinolones, ansamycin and clofazimine, are currently being tested.