Erysipelas after surgery for breast cancer: a real-world cohort

Erysipelas is often related to lymphedema, which can occur in up to 60% of cases, with advanced age, radiotherapy, tumor extension, surgical approach, and infections as risk factors. The aim of this study was to present and discuss a series of cases of erysipelas after breast cancer surgery treated in a private mastology clinic over the past ten years. This is a retrospective horizontal cohort study in which we selected all cases of erysipelas after breast cancer surgery from 2009 to 2019. The following were evaluated: number of patients treated with a diagnosis of breast carcinoma with axillary approach, age, surgery performed, adjuvant treatment and treatment of erysipelas, presence of lymphedema, and measurement of circumferences between both arms and associated diseases. A total of 12 cases of breast cancer were treated. In 66.66% of cases, a radical axillary lymphadenectomy was performed, and in 16.66% of cases, only a sentinel lymph node investigation was performed. The average age was 67.6 years. Erysipelas appeared, on average, 43 months after cancer diagnosis. Two deaths were reported due to severe erysipelas leading to sepsis. More studies are still needed on the subject. Of the 12 cases in this study, eight (66.66%) were associated with lymphedema. Only two (16.66%) of the patients in this group who developed erysipelas were not submitted to axillary dissection. The treatment for 50% of the participants in this research was with penicillin G benzathine. There were three relapses, and two patients died during the research period

Erysipelas in a stranded common bottlenose dolphin: first report in a South American odontocete.

Erysipelas is a zoonotic disease caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. In cetaceans, this disease has two main clinical forms: a cutaneous one, grossly characterized by rhomboid lesions, and a septicemic and often fatal form. Erysipelas is considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in captive cetaceans; however, information in free-ranging cetaceans is limited. An adult common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was found dead and in advanced autolysis in Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil, on July 19th, 2020. Upon gross examination, 80% of the body surface presented disseminated rhomboid cutaneous lesions ranging from 4 to 6 cm-width, characterized by well-defined edges and occasional ulceration, consistent with erysipelas. Additionally, anthropic-made postmortem linear cuts and partial mechanical removal of the flank musculature were noted. Skin samples were collected for histopathologic and molecular analyses. Microscopically, it was possible to observe multifocal dermatitis with vasculitis. Erysipelothrix sp. was detected by PCR. Despite previous reports of human consumption of cetacean meat in northeastern Brazil, the observed marks and advanced carcass autolysis suggested that the animal was most likely used as bait for fishing instead of human intake. This case highlights the value of postmortem examination and PCR even in poorly preserved cadavers and contributes to the understanding of the epidemiology of cutaneous erysipelas in free-ranging cetaceans (first report in an odontocete from the Southern Hemisphere). Due to the zoonotic potential of certain Erysipelothrix species (i.e., E. rhusiopathiae), active public health policies are required to inform field professionals and the general public about the health threats associated with marine mammal manipulation and consumption.

Potenciais fatores associados a maior chance de recidiva de erisipela / Posibles factores asociados a mayor probabilidad de recidiva de erisipela / Potential factors associated with increased chance of erysipelas recurrence

Resumo Objetivo Analisar os fatores relacionados à recidiva de erisipela em adultos e idosos. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com 235 adultos e idosos admitidos em um hospital com diagnóstico de erisipela entre 2012 e 2019. Investigaram-se fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos relacionados a maior chance de recidiva de erisipela no período por meio de análises uni e bivariada, com p<0,05 considerado significativo. Resultados A prevalência de recidiva de erisipela foi de 25,5% (n=60). Os fatores significativamente associados à recidiva foram insuficiência venosa (p= 0,002; OR= 2,597; IC= 1,4-4,7) e uso de penicilina (p< 0,000; OR= 7,042; IC= 2,5-19,7). Conclusão a insuficiência venosa se associa a chance duas vezes maior de recidiva de erisipela e o uso de penicilina se associa a risco sete vezes maior para sua recidiva.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar los factores relacionados con la recidiva de erisipela en adultos y adultos mayores. Métodos Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con 235 adultos y adultos mayores ingresados en un hospital con diagnóstico de erisipela entre 2012 y 2019. Se investigaron factores sociodemográficos y clínicos relacionados con una mayor probabilidad de recidiva de erisipela en el período mediante análisis uni y bivariados, con p<0,05 considerado significativo. Resultados La prevalencia de recidiva de erisipela fue del 25,5 % (n=60). Los factores significativamente asociados con la recidiva fueron insuficiencia venosa (p= 0,002; OR= 2,597; IC= 1,4-4,7) y uso de penicilina (p< 0,000; OR= 7,042; IC= 2,5-19,7). Conclusión La insuficiencia venosa está relacionada con una probabilidad dos veces mayor de recidiva de erisipela, y el uso de penicilina está relacionado con un riesgo siete veces mayor de recidiva.

Abstract Objective To analyze factors related to erysipelas recurrence in adults and older adults. Methods Retrospective cohort study with 235 adults and older adults admitted to a hospital diagnosed with erysipelas between 2012 and 2019. Sociodemographic and clinical factors related to a greater chance of erysipelas recurrence in the period were investigated through uni and bivariate analyses, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results The prevalence of erysipelas recurrence was 25.5% (n=60). Factors significantly associated with recurrence were venous insufficiency (p= 0.002; OR= 2.597; 95%CI= 1.4-4.7) and use of penicillin (p< 0.000; OR= 7.042; 95%CI= 2.5-19.7). Conclusion venous insufficiency is associated with a twice greater chance of erysipelas recurrence and the use of penicillin is associated with a seven times greater risk for its recurrence.

Erisipela em mulheres com câncer de mama seguidas em um serviço de reabilitação / Erysipelas in women with breast cancer followed in a rehabilitation service

Estudo transversal que buscou analisar a ocorrência de erisipela em mulheres com câncer de mama. Foi desenvolvido em um núcleo de reabilitação e incluídas, por conveniência, 84 mulheres com câncer de mama. Observou-se que 19% das participantes apresentaram sinais e sintomas de erisipela. Os sinais mais prevalentes foram hiperemia da pele, calor local e dor (100%). Além disso, observou-se que 75% das participantes com erisipela também apresentavam linfedema (p<0,005). Entre as mulheres com linfedema e erisipela, observou-se que 83,3% apresentavam o linfedema previamente ao primeiro episódio de erisipela. A prevalência de erisipela entre mulheres com câncer de mama em reabilitação, apontou que dentre os fatores predisponentes desta patologia houve associação com a presença de linfedema. Dados que justificam a inclusão de medidas de prevenção do linfedema, como hidratação do membro superior homolateral à cirurgia e evitar traumas nos cuidados prestados às mulheres com câncer de mama, prevenindo também a erisipela.

A cross-sectional study that analyzed the occurence of erysipelas in women with breast cancer. It was conducted in a rehabilitation center, and 84 women with breast cancer were included by convenience. It was observed that 19% of women had signs and symptoms of erysipelas. The most prevalent signs were skin hyperemia, local heat, and pain (100%). Moreover, 75% of participants with erysipelas also had lymphedema (p<0.005). Among women with lymphedema and erysipelas, 83.8% had the lymphedema before erysipelas. The prevalence of erysipelas among women with breast cancer in rehabilitation pointed that within the predisposing factors of this pathology, there was an association with the presence of lymphedema. This data justify the inclusion of prevention measures for lymphedema, such as hydration of the superior limb homolateral to the surgery and to avoid trauma in the care provided to women with breast cancer, also preventing erysipelas.

Unsuspected Stewart-Treves syndrome clinically mimicked by apparent bullous erysipelas and a systematic review of dermatological presentations of the classical Stewart-Treves syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Stewart Treves-Syndrome (STS) was first characterized as angiosarcoma in the homolateral limb of a patient with breast cancer and lymphedema. Now, other conditions represent STS. It's a rare condition. The diagnosis is easier in the presence of single or multiple purple nodules. Even though other dermatological aspects have been reported, no study has grouped its characteristics. AIM: Evaluate the dermatological characteristics of classical STS (c-STS). METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a patient with chronic lymphedema with a history of recurrent erysipelas that rapidly developed multiple papules in the superior limb. It was initially diagnosed as bullous erysipelas, but unsatisfactory evolution led to biopsy, which demonstrated an unsuspected epithelioid angiosarcoma. We have also performed a review of dermatologic aspects of c-STS using PubMed and Lilacs databases. PICTOS methodology and PRISMA flow chart were considered. The main dermatological aspects associated with c-CTS were summarized. Using a systematic evaluation from 109 articles, 29 were selected and 44 patients were described to whom we added one case. The mean time with lymphedema was 10 years. Of the patients analyzed, 97.2% were female; 95.6% were submitted to radical mastectomy; 81.2% presented with multiple lesions, 67.4% of the lesions were reported as nodules or tumors, 53.4% were purple, 33.4% were associated with an ecchymotic halo, and 33.4% were ulcerated lesions. CONCLUSION: When evaluating patients with chronic lymphedema with new dermatological abnormalities, clinical suspicion, or unfavorable evolution, the knowledge of clinical signs is important for diagnosis, and a biopsy must be considered. Papules associated with erythematous-wine color and bluish hematoma aspect must raise clinical suspicion.

Cutaneous infections in the mature patient.

Dermatologists must be familiar with the peculiarities of the micro-organisms that may affect the elderly, in order to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of infections, which may affect their skin, especially because the world population is rapidly aging. It is estimated that there will be 434 million individuals over 80 years of age in 2050. Since the elderly population is rapidly increasing and their infections are usually more severe and different from those observed in younger adults, it leads to a statistical increase of the rates regarding hospitalization and mortality caused by infectious diseases among people over 85 years. Other health issues may be involved in the older population. These include nutritional alterations, as malnutrition or obesity, which can aggravate the infections. Also the usual signs and symptoms of infection are subtle or uncharacteristic in elderly patients, and frequently, they are unable to report their symptoms, which can delay the diagnosis. Among the many infections that may affect the elderly we reviewed the most frequent and those that are different in this age group, as herpes zoster, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, bacterial skin infections, erysipelas, celullitis, impetigo, folliculitis, furunculosis and carbunculosis, secondary infections, intertrigo (body folds), fungal infection, and scabies.

Erysipelas as an aggravating factor for impaired lymphatics in saphenectomy patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate lymphoscintigraphic changes in patients who developed erysipelas after saphenous vein stripping. METHODS: Lymphoscintigraphic changes related to erysipelas were evaluated in a retrospective, cross-sectional and quantitative study of 21 saphenectomy patients. Patients with infections, those weighing over 120 kg, with chronic arterial disease or heart failure were excluded from the study. A control group was formed of 21 patients submitted to saphenectomies matched by age and gender but with no history of erysipelas. All patients underwent lymphoscintigraphy of both legs. The Fisher's Exact and χ2 tests were used for statistical analysis with an alpha error of 5% being considered acceptable. RESULTS: Associations of dermal reflux and popliteal lymph nodes with erysipelas were observed in operated patients compared to non-operated patients (P value= 0.002 and 0.03, respectively). Semiquantitative analysis showed a variation in the Kleinhans transport indexes of 0.15 to 20.5 for the entire sample. Group I showed a mean semiquantitative index of 2.42 (0.3 to 14.5), group II of 3.15 (0.225 to 15.125) and group III of 10.2 (0.15 to 38.25). The comparison of semiquantitative indexes of the groups by χ2 analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the first two groups (I and II) and group III (P value <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Erysipelas is a synergistic mechanism of injury of the lymphatic system in patients submitted to saphenectomies.

Assistência de enfermagem a um paciente com integridade da pele prejudicada relacionada à erisipela: relato de experiência / Nursing assistance to a patient with impaired skin integrity related to erysipelas: experience reporting

Erisipela é um processo infeccioso cutâneo causado por uma bactéria que se propaga pelos vasos linfáticos. Há a veemência em realizar uma orientação adequada quanto ao reconhecimento do problema, ao seguimento do tratamento e aos cuidados com a prevenção das complicações. Este é um relato de experiência de Enfermeiras residentes em Alta Complexidade de um Hospital Universitário do Nordeste do Brasil, na assistência a um paciente com integridade da pele prejudicada relacionada à erisipela. Foi realizado acompanhamento do paciente no período de maio a agosto de 2015, em que foi utilizado diferentes técnicas para tratamento e o mesmo evoluiu com cicatrização e cura da lesão. Possibilitou o crescimento técnico-científico dos profissionais assim como da abordagem da experiência para demais equipes promotoras de cuidado com o paciente. Descritores: Cuidado de Enfermagem; Erisipela; Lesão de Pele.

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Un proceso de la erisipela de Ia piei y infecciosa causada por una bacteria se propaga cola para los vasos linfáticos. Hay una vehemencia de conducta orientación adecuada para el reconocimiento por hacer problema, ao seguimiento de tratamiento y atención a la prevención de complicaciones. Esto y a enfermeras relato de experiencia residentes de alta dei hospital dei noreste de Brasil, mantenimiento universidad complejidad zumbido y zumbido con el paciente integridad de la piei relacionados con la erisipela con discapacidad. Se Ilevó a cabo la monitorización dei paciente cualquier período de mayo a agosto, 2015, estábamos en que diferentes técnicas utilizadas tratamiento párrafo e incluso evolucionamos con la formación de cicatrices y la curación de la lesión. El posible crecimiento de los profesionales científicos técnicos, así como enfoque experiencia párrafo también equipos que promueven el cuidado dei paciente.

Estudo clínico de pacientes com diagnóstico de erisipela internados no Hospital do Servidor Público Municipal no período 2014-2015 / Clinical study of patients diagnosed with erysipelas admitted in the Hospital Municipal Civil Servants in the period 2014-2015

A erisipela é uma infecção cutânea aguda de etiologia bacteriana, que se caracteriza pelo aparecimento de edema, eritema e por vezes bolhas. São infecções, cujo principal agente etiológico é o Streptococcus b hemolítico do grupo A de Lancefield; que acometem ambos os sexos, a quinta e sexta décadas de vida são as mais atingidas e, os membros inferiores e face os locais mais acometidos.Durante este estudo foi realizado uma análise retrospectiva de 42 casos de erisipela no período de 2014 a 2015, analisando os seguintes fatores: sexo, idade, topografia da lesão, fatores de risco locais e gerais, tratamento e complicações. Os resultados mostram que os homens e os obesos são mais atingidos pela doença, a faixa etária com maior incidência compreende a dos 60 aos 70 anos, e os membros inferiores são os locais preferencialmente acometidos. Nesta casuística, o trauma foi o principal fator de risco local e diabetes melitos junto com hipertensão arterial como fatores gerais. Como medicação de escolha e não havendo contra-indicação, a maioria dos casos foi tratada com penicilina cristalina e oxacilina não havendo diferença de prognóstico daqueles tratados com ceftriaxone e clindamicina (AU)

[Skin and soft tissue infections in children: consensus on diagnosis and treatment]. / Infecciones de piel y partes blandas en pediatría: consenso sobre diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Skin and soft tissue infections are a common reason for consultation in primary health care centers. Data from the local epidemiology of these infections are rare, but Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are known to be the major etiologic agents. The appearance in recent years of community-originated strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus and erythromycin-resistant pyogenes raises controversy in the choice of initial empirical treatment. This national consensus is for pediatricians, dermatologists, infectiologists and other health professionals. It is about clinical management, especially the diagnosis and treatment of community-originated skin and soft tissue infections in immunocompetent patients under the age of 19.

Infecciones de piel y partes blandas en pediatría: consenso sobre diagnóstico y tratamiento: Parte 1 / Skin and soft tissue infections in children: consensus on diagnosis and treatment

Las infecciones de piel y partes blandas son una causa frecuente de consulta en los centros de atención primaria de la salud. Los datos de la epidemiología local de estas infecciones son escasos; el Staphylococcus aureus y el Streptococcus pyogenes son los principales agentes etiológicos. La emergencia, en los últimos años, de cepas de S. aureus meticilino resistentes provenientes de la comunidad y S. pyogenes resistentes a eritromicina plantea controversias en la elección del tratamiento empírico inicial. Este consenso nacional está dirigido a médicos pediatras, de familia, dermatólogos, infectólogos y otros profesionales de la salud. Trata el manejo clínico, especialmente el diagnóstico y tratamiento, de las infecciones de piel y partes blandas de origen bacteriano provenientes de la comunidad en pacientes inmunocompetentes menores de 19 años de edad.

Skin and soft tissue infections are a common reason for consultation in primary health care centers. Data from the local epidemiology of these infections are rare, but Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are known to be the major etiologic agents. The appearance in recent years of community-originated strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus and erythromycin-resistant pyogenes raises controversy in the choice of initial empirical treatment. This national consensus is for pediatricians, dermatologists, infectologists and other health professionals. It is about clinical management, especially the diagnosis and treatment of commu-nity-originated skin and soft tissue infections in immunocompetent patients under the age of 19.

Zoonotic diseases from poultry

A wide variety of zoonotic disease risks exists in poultry. Popularity of backyard and smaller production flocks is increasing, as is public concern about global poultry disease events. This paper discusses several of the more common poultry zoonotic diseases, their prevalence and presentation in both poultry and humans.(AU)

Zoonotic diseases from poultry

A wide variety of zoonotic disease risks exists in poultry. Popularity of backyard and smaller production flocks is increasing, as is public concern about global poultry disease events. This paper discusses several of the more common poultry zoonotic diseases, their prevalence and presentation in both poultry and humans.

Erisipela e celulite / Erysipelas and cellulitis

Este artigo tem por objetivo fazer uma revisão a respeito de duas patologias de pele comuns na prática médica. Abordaremos manifestações clínicas, tratamento e principalmente o diagnóstico diferencial entre elas.

This article aims to review two commons skin diseases in medical practices. We will discuss clinical manifestations, treatment and especially the differential diagnosis.

Erysipelas in the elderly: Are the concerns and economic burden increasing? Apropos of a case.

Blistering erysipelas has been reported only rarely and may be under-diagnosed. Very often, patients presenting with erysipelas are treated by non-dermatologist primary physicians. The current growth in the elderly population may increase the economic burden resulting from this disease. Therefore, case reports highlighting possible misdiagnoses of erysipelas can contribute to greater awareness among primary care professionals and lead to earlier diagnosis and prompt treatment. This description seeks to emphasize the main risk factors and predisposing factors, in addition to some atypical features and current challenges involved in the differential diagnosis for erysipelas.

Comparative dermatology: elephantiasis nostra in verrucous form comparable to coral.

Study of a rare case of Elephantiasis Nostra in verrucous form on the dorsum of the foot of an 80 year-old male with a history of recurrent erysipelas infection. The vegetant, confluent lesions on the foot resemble Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea curvata).

Miíase associada a erisipela bolhosa / Case report: myiasis associated to bullous erysipelas

Miíase é a presença de larvas de moscas em tecidos do homem ou de outros animais vertebrados, onde se nutrem e evoluem como parasitos. Erisipela é uma celulite superficial que apresenta comprometimento do plexo linfático subjacente, cujo principal agente etiológico é Streptococcus (Rosenbach,1884) beta hemolítico do grupo A de Lancefield. Caracteriza-se por placas eritematosas acompanhadas de dor e edema. Este é o relato de um caso raro de paciente idosa internada em hospital público para tratamento de erisipela bolhosa no membro inferior esquerdo, em cujas lesões, durante a internação, foi detectada a presença de miíase. Foram retiradas várias larvas vivas com auxílio de pinça e prescrita ivermectina para erradicar possíveis larvas remanescentes. O diagnóstico precoce e o tratamento correto das lesões primárias são fundamentais para evitar a ocorrência de afecções como a miíase, cuja instalação atrasa o tratamento e pode agravar o prognóstico.

Myiasis is the presence of fly larvae in tissues of humans or other vertebrates,where they feed and develop as parasites. Erysipelas is a superficial cellulitis with involvement of underlying lymphatic plexus, characterized by erythematous plaques accompanied by pain and swelling. We report a case of an aged patient admitted to a public hospital for treatment of bullous erysipelas in the left lower limb, who developed cutaneous myiasis during hospitalization. Several larvae wereremoved with the aid of forceps and ivermectin was prescribed to eradicate possible remaining larvae. Early diagnosis and correct treatment of the lesions are essential to prevent the occurrence of diseases such as myiasis.