Chronic Madura foot: mycetoma and/or Actinomyces spp or actinomycosis.

A 58-year-old agricultural worker from a remote Western province farming community in Saudi Arabia presented with a 2-year history of right plantar foot soft tissue mass. According to the patient, the swelling had gradually increased in size over a few years, but it was painless and thus had not restricted him from continuing to farm until the lesion started to affect mobility. An MRI, microbiology and histopathology reported a rare infectious agent-Actinomyces spp, otherwise referred to as Madura foot. Three-dimensional CT aided in a preoperative surgical plan which included mass excision/debulking for this challenging lesion. Full eradication was not possible, and the patient required prolonged anti-infective therapy (>6 months) along with close surveillance to map resolution of infective symptoms.

Low risk for hip fracture and high risk for hip arthroplasty due to osteoarthritis among Swedish farmers.

We aimed to study the risk of hip fracture and risk of hip arthroplasty among farmers in Sweden. Our results indicate that farming, representing an occupation with high physical activity, in men is associated with a lower risk of hip fracture but an increased risk of hip arthroplasty. INTRODUCTION: The risks of hip fracture and hip arthroplasty are influenced by factors including socioeconomic status, education, urbanization, latitude of residence, and physical activity. Farming is an occupation encompassing rural living and high level of physical activity. Therefore, we aimed to study the risk of hip fracture and risk of hip arthroplasty among farmers in Sweden. METHODS: We studied the risk of hip fracture, and hip arthroplasty due to primary osteoarthritis, in all men and women aged 35 years or more in Sweden between 1987 and 2002. Documented occupations were available in 3.5 million individuals, of whom 97,136 were farmers. The effects of age, sex, income, education, location of residence, and occupation on risk of hip fracture or hip arthroplasty were examined using a modification of Poisson regression. RESULTS: A total of 4027 farmers and 93,109 individuals with other occupations sustained a hip fracture, while 5349 farmers and 63,473 others underwent a hip arthroplasty. Risk of hip fracture was higher with greater age, lower income, lower education, higher latitude, and urban area for all men and women. Compared to all other occupations, male farmers had a 20% lower age-adjusted risk of hip fracture (hazard ratio (HR) 0.80, 95%CI 0.77-0.84), an effect that was not seen in female farmers (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.91-1.01). Both male and female farmers had a higher age-adjusted risk for hip arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that farming, representing an occupation with high physical activity, in men is associated with a lower risk of hip fracture but an increased risk of hip arthroplasty.

[A case of mycotic keratitis due to Fusarium solani in Valdivia, Chile]. / Un caso de queratitis micótica por Fusarium solani en Valdivia, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Keratomycosis is one of the most prevalent ophthalmic infections, which needs a specific treatment depending on the nature of the infecting fungus. The prognosis is usually severe and depends on an early diagnosis and suitable therapy. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of keratitis due to Fusarium solani in a patient from a rural area, who, between May and October 2011, suffered a corneal trauma caused by dust particles in Valdivia, Chile. On two occasions, direct examination of eye scrapes revealed abundant septate hyphae. All cultures were positive for the same fungus, which was identified as Fusarium solani by phenotypic characterization and sequencing of ribosomal nuclear genes. The patient was initially treated with amphotericin B and afterwards successfully responded to a treatment with oral and intravenous voriconazole, although corneal opacity persisted. CONCLUSIONS: Although keratomycosis in Chile is rare, its diagnostic particularities must be taken into consideration to establish the most effective treatment. Thus, a rapid visualization of the fungus in the lesion, an efficient isolation of the etiologic agent in pure culture is essential, as well as its rapid identification, which requires the use of molecular sequencing techniques in the case of Fusarium species.

Carpal tunnel syndrome in manual tea harvesters.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to present the physiopathological and surgical aspects of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) related to manual tea harvesting based on nerve conduction studies and clinical scoring systems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical and neurophysiological scores as well as clinical and occupational variables were statistically analyzed using Boston questionnaire, modified criteria of Italian CTS study group, and modified neurophysiologic grading system of Italian CTS study group in 56 agricultural laborers who underwent surgery due to severe CTS. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was found among the clinical stages of the patients and age, working duration and duration of symptoms. There was a statistically significant relationship among neurophysiologic grades of the CTS in patients and the duration of symptoms and functional outcomes before and after surgery. CONCLUSION: We concluded that manual tea harvesting might be an occupational risk factor for work-related CTS development. Surgical treatment of CTS among manual tea harvesters revealed satisfactory results.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata in a renal transplant patient.

BACKGROUND: Phaeohyphomycosis is defined as an infection caused by melanized fungi. It predominates in tropical climate and is currently classified as superficial, allergic, central nervous system or lung infections, and disseminated. Curvularia is one of the many genres which can cause this disease. Phialophora, Alternaria and Exophiala are more commonly isolated from subcutaneous lesions. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old male, renal transplant recipient presents with an ulcer on his left leg. Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata was diagnosed based on mycological examination and histopathological findings. He was successfully treated with systemic itraconazole and surgical resection. CONCLUSION: The incidence of phaeohyphomycosis has increased in the last decades, especially in immunosuppressed individuals; nevertheless the number of cases does not allow for therapeutic controlled trials to be performed. Hence, we consider that it is important to communicate individual cases and reviews of the literature, to increase awareness of the disease, its clinical presentation and response to treatment.

Treatment of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans with a tendon graft: a case report.

A 14-year-old girl who was engaged in farming was admitted with the complaints of right elbow pain and limited range of motion in the elbow joint. Plain radiograph revealed capitellar osteochondritis dissecans. After the loose fragment was removed from the capitellum and the defect was curetted, a palmaris longus tendon graft harvested from the same hand was implanted into the capitellar defect. Elbow joint was immobilized for three weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that tendon graft was successfully adapted into defect. The range of motion was preserved and she had no pain in the elbow joint. In conclusion, we suggest that tendon autograft can be used in the treatment of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans.

Isolated large hydatid cyst in the kidney of an elderly man.

Cystic disease (CD) is a parasitic infestation by Echinococcus granulosus and occurs endemically in many countries, associated with sheep farming. Renal involvement is rare (2-4%) and is often indicative of disseminated disease. Echinococcal larvae can reach the kidneys through the bloodstream or lymph glands or through a direct route. The larvae grow slowly, and patients bearing larvae are typically asymptomatic. We report the case of a 79-year-old male with an isolated hydatid cyst in the kidney and describe its management by transperitoneal nephrectomy. Diagnosis was based on epidemiology and imaging findings, and was confirmed by histopathological and serum examinations.

Hourglass-like constriction of the musculocutaneous nerve: case report.

Hourglass-like constriction has been previously associated with the main trunk of the radial nerve, with its branch of the posterior interosseous nerve, as well as the anterior interosseous nerve, a branch of the median and axillary nerve. Here, we report a case of hourglass-like constriction of the musculocutaneous nerve lesion that showed no recognizable compressive structure.

Five years' experience at a single centre of craniocerebral injury from winnowing fan blades.

India, an agriculture-based country, relies heavily on indigenous farm machinery. In our study we present 31 patients with winnowing fan blade head injury, operated on at our centre between 2004 and 2008. The mechanism and nature of the injuries, operative methods, outcome and methods of prevention are discussed with special reference to the occurrence of this type of injury in the pediatric population.

Destructive otomastoiditis by MRSA from porcine origin.

A 63-year-old female pig farmer was referred to our department with a protracted course of otomastoiditis with destruction of the tympanic roof and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The patient underwent a cortical mastoidectomy with closure of a large dural defect. Cultures of the middle ear effusion yielded a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which upon further analysis was found to be from porcine origin. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a complicated case of otomastoiditis caused by a pig-type MRSA.

[Septic arthritis caused by erysipelotrix rhusiopathiae: case report and review of the literature]. / Kniegelenksinfekt mit Erysipelotrix rhusiopathiae: Fallbericht und Ubersicht der internationalen Fachliteratur.

A 68-year-old man presented at our department with a suspected bacterial arthritis of the left knee. All diagnostic measures confirmed this diagnosis and the detected germ was Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. After arthroscopic debridement of the left knee, intravenous and oral antibiotic treatment for a total of 6 weeks, the patient was treated by total knee arthroplasty 6 months after the first presentation. The postoperative follow-up was without any pathological findings. There are only 4 other case reports in the international literature of Erysipelotrix rhusiopathiae linked to septic arthritis in humans. This case report of an infected knee further illustrates the pathogenicity of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in humans.

Human dirofilariosis in Hungary: an emerging zoonosis in central Europe.

INTRODUCTION: In the temperate regions of Europe, mainly Italy, France, Greece, and in recent years Hungary, a specific filarioid worm, Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens, a parasite of dogs, cats and some other carnivores, transmitted by mosquitoes, has occasionally been contracted, causing dirofilariosis in humans. We report a case of dirofilariosis and review all previously observed cases in Hungary. MATERIALS, METHODS AND RESULTS: The authors present a case of human subconjunctival dirofilariosis in a 56-year-old man with mild itching and a burning sensation in his right eye. A slow-moving, whitish, thread-like worm was detected by slit-lamp examination. The worm was surgically removed and parasitological examination identified it as an immature male Dirofilaria repens. A review of Hungarian cases from 1880 to 2000 is presented, with updates of earlier reports. In addition, 16 new cases (8 men; 8 women) diagnosed between 2001 and 2006 are reviewed. The mean age of these 16 patients was 60 years; eight cases had ocular localization, seven were subcutaneous and one was diagnosed in a histopathological section of removed axillary lymph node in a patient with lymphoid leukemia. Twelve of the 16 identified Dirofilariae were females, four were males. According to their recorded histories the patients had not traveled internationally. CONCLUSION: Most of the above cases of dirofilariosis are certainly autochthonous infections. The increasing number of diagnosed cases suggests that this zoonosis is becoming more important in central Europe and that the incidence may increase with the improvement of clinical diagnosis.

Unusual presentation of human giant orf (ecthyma contagiosum).

Giant orf is a zoonotic infection that is endemic in sheep and goats. It may be transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals or contaminated objects and is typically found on the hands. We report the case of a sheep farmer with facial orf that proliferated dramatically with the formation of satellite lesions after curettage.

[Clinical and microbiological study of mycetomas at the Muñiz hospital of Buenos Aires between 1989 and 2004]. / Estudio clínico y microbiológico de los micetomas observados en el hospital de infecciosas Francisco J. Muñiz en el período 1989-2004.

This work presents clinical, microbiological and outcome data collected from 76 patients with mycetomas at the Muñiz Hospital from 1989 to 2004. Forty-nine patients were male and 27 female; the mean age was 43.4 years. The majority of the patients acquired the infection in Argentina: the most affected provinces were Santiago del Estero with 31 cases, and Chaco with 11; 8 cases came from other countries (Bolivia 6 and Paraguay 2). The mean evolution of the disease was 9.2 years. The most frequently observed sites were: feet 63 cases, ankles 3, and knees 2. Forty-eight patients had bone lesions and 5, adenomegalies. The following etiological agents were identified: Madurella grisea 29 cases, Actinomadura madurae 26, Scedosporium apiospermum 5, Nocardia brasiliensis 5, Acremonium spp. 4 (Acremonium falciforme 2, Acremonium kiliense 1, Acremonium recifei 1), Madurella mycetomatis 3, Fusarium solani 2, Nocardia asteroides 1 and Streptomyces somaliensis 1. The main drugs used in the treatments were ketoconazole and itraconazole for maduromycotic mycetomas, and cotrimoxazole associated with ciprofloxacin or amikacin for actinomycetic mycetoma. Six patients had to undergo amputation, 25 cases achieved complete clinical remission and 34 showed remarkable improvement.