Accuracy of direct examination and culture as compared to the anatomopathological examination for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis: a systematic review

Abstract Background: Chromoblastomycosis is a skin infection caused by dematiaceous fungi that take the form of muriform cells in the tissue. It mainly manifests as verrucous plaques on the lower limbs of rural workers in tropical countries. Objectives: The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic methods for the identification of chromoblastomycosis, considering the histopathological examination as the reference test. Methods: MEDLINE, LILACS and Scielo databases were consulted using the terms ‟chromoblastomycosis" AND ‟diagnosis". The eligibility criteria were: studies that evaluated the accuracy of tests for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis. Eleven studies were selected. Statistical analysis included the calculation of sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic methods. Results: Considering the histopathological examination as the reference test, the culture showed a sensitivity (S) of 37.5% - 90.9% and a specificity (Sp) of 100%; while direct mycological examination showed S = 50% - 91.6% and Sp of 100% . Considering the culture as the reference test, the serology (precipitation techniques) showed S of 36% - 99%; and Sp of 80% - 100%; while the intradermal test showed S of 83.3% - 100% and Sp of 99.4% - 100%. Study limitations: The small number of studies and very discrepant sensitivity results among them do not allow the calculation of summary measures through a meta-analysis. Conclusions: Direct mycological examination, culture, intradermal test and serology show sensitivity and specificity values for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis with no significant difference between the studies.

Accuracy of direct examination and culture as compared to the anatomopathological examination for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Chromoblastomycosis is a skin infection caused by dematiaceous fungi that take the form of muriform cells in the tissue. It mainly manifests as verrucous plaques on the lower limbs of rural workers in tropical countries. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic methods for the identification of chromoblastomycosis, considering the histopathological examination as the reference test. METHODS: MEDLINE, LILACS and Scielo databases were consulted using the terms "chromoblastomycosis" AND "diagnosis". The eligibility criteria were: studies that evaluated the accuracy of tests for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis. Eleven studies were selected. Statistical analysis included the calculation of sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic methods. RESULTS: Considering the histopathological examination as the reference test, the culture showed a sensitivity (S) of 37.5% - 90.9% and a specificity (Sp) of 100%; while direct mycological examination showed S =  50% - 91.6% and Sp of 100% . Considering the culture as the reference test, the serology (precipitation techniques) showed S  of 36% - 99%; and Sp  of 80% - 100%; while the intradermal test showed S  of 83.3% - 100% and Sp  of 99.4% - 100%. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The small number of studies and very discrepant sensitivity results among them do not allow the calculation of summary measures through a meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Direct mycological examination, culture, intradermal test and serology show sensitivity and specificity values ​​for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis with no significant difference between the studies.

Diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis: an historical review

Chromoblastomycosis is a skin infection caused by dematiaceous fungi, characterized by a verrucous plaque on the limbs. It mainly affects rural workers in tropical countries. The purpose of this review is to identify how the diagnostic methods used in the propaedeutic of chromoblastomycosis emerged and were developed. The MeSH terms "chromoblastomycosis" or "chromomycosis" or "verrucous dermatitis" and "diagnosis" were used to search articles indexed in MEDLINE and LILACS databases. The description of a first-time-used method in diagnosing chromoblastomycosis or modifications and innovations in an existing technique was the criteria used to deem the article eligible. The first methods described in diagnosing chromoblastomycosis were histopathological examination and culture, which characterizes and defines the disease in the early 20th century. Subsequently, they were described as direct microscopic examination, fine needle aspiration for cytology, electron microscopy, serology, molecular tests, scintigraphy, nuclear magnetic resonance and dermoscopy. Tests based on the direct identification of the fungus through biopsy, culture, or direct microscopy are the oldest and more employed methods for diagnosing chromoblastomycosis. The polymerase chain reaction was introduced in the last few decades and is a promising technique. Dermoscopy of chromoblastomycosis shows blackish red dots and white and pink areas along with scaling. Other techniques, such as serology and skin testing for delayed-type hypersensitivity, have not been incorporated into clinical practice

Alien hand syndrome in AIDS: Neuropsychological features and physiopathological considerations based on a case report.

Alien hand syndrome consists of an autonomous motor activity perceived as an involuntary yet purposeful movement, with a feeling of foreignness of the involved limb, commonly associated with a failure to recognize ownership of the limb in the absence of visual cues. A 41 year old left-handed woman, HIV positive, evolved with loss of control in the left hand. Her left hand presented extravolitional movements, as if having a will of its own, not responding to commands such as opening a door or holding an umbrella, but instead groping unneeded objects. She had talked to her hand and even fought it. In addition, other clinical presentations including recent memory loss, hemineglect and dysphoria were observed. Computed tomography revealed a hypodensity area in the right frontal-parietal region, with midline deviation. Considering clinical and epidemiological data, the diagnosis of Central Nervous System (CNS) toxoplasmosis was reached. No previous reports showing association among AIDS, toxoplasmosis and alien hand syndrome were found.

A síndrome da mãe alienígena caracteriza-se pela presença de atividade motora autônoma involuntária e aparentemente proposital de um membro, acompanhada de uma sensação de estranheza em relação ao mesmo, podendo associar-se a uma dificuldade em reconhecê-lo na ausência de pistas visuais. Uma paciente de 41 anos, HIV positiva, com dominância manual sinistra, evoluiu com perda do controle sobre a mão esquerda, que passou a ter "vontade própria", não obedecendo ao comando de, por exemplo, abrir uma porta ou pegar uma sombrinha, mas agarrando objetos, inúteis para a paciente no momento, que ela não conseguia soltar facilmente. Além disso, a paciente referia outras alterações, como perda de memória recente, heminegligência e disforia. A tomografia computadorizada mostrou área de hipodensidade em região fronto-parietal direita, com desvio de linha média. Considerando dados clínicos e epidemiológicos, foi estabelecido diagnóstico de neurotoxoplasmose. Não se encontram relatos da associação entre AIDS, neurotoxoplasmose, síndrome da mãe alienígena.