BCG and Kawasaki disease in Mexico and Japan.

Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki was the first to describe BCG reactivation in Kawasaki Disease (KD), and this sign is present in about 30-50% of KD patients. It is a very specific early sign of the disease and although it has been recognized for decades, its pathophysiology continues to be an enigma. Recently, Yamada et al. reported a severe BCG reaction with tuberculid in 2 Japanese KD patients. We present 2 cases with KD and severe BCG reaction, one from Japan and the other from Mexico and review the policies of administration of BCG in both countries. The BCG vaccine has a worldwide coverage of 88%. Differences in BCG strains and methods of administration may influence BCG reactions in KD. The BCG reaction in the inoculation site may represent the most useful sign in KD.

Update on cutaneous tuberculosis

Tuberculosis continues to draw special attention from health care professionals and society in general. Cutaneous tuberculosis is an infection caused by M. tuberculosis complex, M. bovis and bacillus Calmette-Guérin. Depending on individual immunity, environmental factors and the type of inoculum, it may present varied clinical and evolutionary aspects. Patients with HIV and those using immunobiological drugs are more prone to infection, which is a great concern in centers where the disease is considered endemic. This paper aims to review the current situation of cutaneous tuberculosis in light of this new scenario, highlighting the emergence of new and more specific methods of diagnosis, and the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the parasite-host interaction.

Update on cutaneous tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis continues to draw special attention from health care professionals and society in general. Cutaneous tuberculosis is an infection caused by M. tuberculosis complex, M. bovis and bacillus Calmette-Guérin. Depending on individual immunity, environmental factors and the type of inoculum, it may present varied clinical and evolutionary aspects. Patients with HIV and those using immunobiological drugs are more prone to infection, which is a great concern in centers where the disease is considered endemic. This paper aims to review the current situation of cutaneous tuberculosis in light of this new scenario, highlighting the emergence of new and more specific methods of diagnosis, and the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the parasite-host interaction.

Tuberculosis cutánea: presentación de cuatro formas clínicas / Cutaneous tuberculosis: presentation of four clinical forms

La tuberculosis cutánea es una enfermedad infecciosa crónica causada por el Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Se presenta en una variedad de formas clínicas que dependen de la vía de llegada del bacilo a la piel y del estado inmunológico del paciente. La reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (RCP) ha permitido enrolar en el grupo de la tuberculosis cutánea a entidades antes reconocidas como tuberculides. Sin embargo, en muchos casos, la RCP no está disponible en países en desarrollo, en los cuales la incidencia considerable presenta a la tuberculosis como un problema de salud pública. Se presenta cuatro pacientes con formas clínicas distintas de tuberculosis cutánea (tuberculide papulonecrótica, escrofuloderma, tuberculosis verrucosa cutis y eritema indurado de Bazin), que reciben tratamiento antituberculoso de acuerdo al esquema nacional de tratamiento con evolución favorable.

Cutaneous tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. lt comes in a variety of clinical forms depending on the route of arrival of the bacillus to the skin and the immune status of the patient. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has allowed enrolling in group TB skin entities before recognized as tuberculids; however often not available in developing countries in which the considerable incidence that tuberculosis has, it becomes a problem public health. We report 4 patients with different clinical forms of cutaneous tuberculosis (tuberculid papulonecrotic, scrofuloderma, tuberculosis verrucosa cutis and indurated erythema Bazin) receiving tuberculosis treatment according to national treatment regimen with a favorable evolution.

Tuberculosis por inoculación / Inoculation tuberculosis

Una bacterióloga sufrió un accidente por punción con una aguja con jeringa que contenía una cepa de Mycobacterium tuberculosis en un dedo de la mano. La zona de la punción se inflamó y la expresión del dedo 15 días después del accidente arrojó una gota de pus que puesta al microscopio permitió observar 3 bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes con la técnica de Ziehl-Neelsen. Se diagnosticó tuberculosis por inoculación accidental y fue tratada como tal. Se discuten las características de este caso encuadrado como tuberculosis cutánea, cuando se produce como infección exógena por inoculación directa.

A bacteriologist suffered a puncture accident while manipulating a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain, affecting a finger. The involved area swelled and a drop of pus came out after pressure on the finger 15 days afterwards. This was stained by Ziehl-Neelsen technique, and three acid-fast bacilli were observed. Tuberculosis was diagnosed, and proper treatment was started. We discuss the case, classified as cutaneous tuberculosis produced by exogenous infection through accidental direct inoculation.

Tuberculosis por inoculación / Inoculation tuberculosis

Una bacterióloga sufrió un accidente por punción con una aguja con jeringa que contenía una cepa de Mycobacterium tuberculosis en un dedo de la mano. La zona de la punción se inflamó y la expresión del dedo 15 días después del accidente arrojó una gota de pus que puesta al microscopio permitió observar 3 bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes con la técnica de Ziehl-Neelsen. Se diagnosticó tuberculosis por inoculación accidental y fue tratada como tal. Se discuten las características de este caso encuadrado como tuberculosis cutánea, cuando se produce como infección exógena por inoculación directa. (AU)

A bacteriologist suffered a puncture accident while manipulating a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain, affecting a finger. The involved area swelled and a drop of pus came out after pressure on the finger 15 days afterwards. This was stained by Ziehl-Neelsen technique, and three acid-fast bacilli were observed. Tuberculosis was diagnosed, and proper treatment was started. We discuss the case, classified as cutaneous tuberculosis produced by exogenous infection through accidental direct inoculation. (AU)

Erythrodermic psoriasis with regression after prophylaxis with isoniazid and antidepressant therapy: case report.

An 83 year old woman, exhibiting severe psoriasis, was treated conventionally (phototherapy, acitretin, and cyclosporine). After poor clinical results and significant changes in laboratory procedures, those treatments were suspended. She was then being prepared to be submitted to biological treatment, when preliminary results disclosed a 30 mm PPD. Complete improvement occurred [only] after introducing prophylactic therapy for tuberculosis and anti-depressive medication.

Psoríase eritrodérmica com regressão após profilaxia com isoniazida e terapia antidepressiva: relato de caso / Erythrodermic psoriasis with regression after prophylaxis with isoniazid and antidepressant therapy: case report

Mulher idosa apresentou psoríase em placas do tipo grave, com tendência eritrodérmica, e foi submetida a tratamento de acordo com o algoritmo consensual (fototerapia, acitretina, ciclosporina). Resultados clínicos insuficientes, recorrência e agravamento do quadro laboratorial orientaram no sentido da introdução de terapia biológica. A avaliação preliminar revelou PPD de 30mm. A resolução completa das lesões se verificou quando realizada profilaxia antituberculose e administrado antidepressivo.

An 83 year old woman, exhibiting severe psoriasis, was treated conventionally (phototherapy, acitretin, and cyclosporine). After poor clinical results and significant changes in laboratory procedures, those treatments were suspended. She was then being prepared to be submitted to biological treatment, when preliminary results disclosed a 30mm PPD. Complete improvement occurred [only] after introducing prophylactic therapy for tuberculosis and anti-depressive medication.

Cutaneous tuberculosis after mesotherapy: report of six cases.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous tuberculosis as a result of a needle injection is a rare event; it generally occurs among medical and laboratory personnel and among patients receiving percutaneous treatment. OBJECTIVE: Six patients are presented who developed cutaneous tuberculosis after mesotherapy cosmetic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One to four months after injection of an unknown product as treatment for obesity and cellulites, five women and a man developed papules, nodules and drainage of wax like material at the inoculated sites; this was interpreted clinically as a non tuberculous mycobacterium infection. Skin biopsies were taken for a histopathologic study; the biopsy and exudates were cultured to make a phenotypic identification. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme pattern analyses (PCR-restriction pattern analysis)) procedures were applied to the skin biopsies. RESULTS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis was confirmed in the culture and by PRA analysis in the paraffin-embedded biopsies. The patients had never had tuberculosis. Their thoracic X rays were normal and the size of the tuberculin reaction was 17 to 20 mm. Five patients recovered with antituberculosis treatment and the sixth spontaneously healed after the removal of the largest cutaneous module. No satellite adenopathy or recurrences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A previously undescribed mode of acquisition cutaneous tuberculosis was described. This was the second incident of a demonstrated cutaneous tuberculosis following mesotherapy in Colombia. Skin lesions induced by injections must be tested to detect mycobacterias to include M. tuberculosis.

Primary cutaneous inoculation tuberculosis in a healthcare worker as a result of a surgical accident.

In May 2004, a 48-year-old male surgeon, resident in Bucaramanga, Colombia, suffered a superficial cut with a scalpel to the lateral aspect of the mid-phalanx of the second finger of the left hand while performing a pulmonary decortication surgical procedure for tuberculous empyema with pulmonary entrapment. The injury healed normally but, approximately 2 weeks after the event, an erythematous, nonpainful papule of approximately 3 mm in diameter developed, and increased progressively to 7 mm 3 days after its initial appearance. At this time, the papule showed spontaneous secretion of a clear liquid and superficial ulceration (Fig. 1). Approximately 3 weeks after the injury, a Gram stain of the liquid was performed; it showed no bacteria but a moderate leukocyte reaction. Because of the high suspicion of possible tuberculous infection, bacilloscopy of the liquid was performed, and was positive (++) for acid-fast bacteria (Fig. 2). The liquid was cultured and grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The culture was sent to the Laboratory of Mycobacteria at the National Institute of Health, Bogota, Colombia for drug resistance testing. Susceptibility was demonstrated against streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol. During this time, the patient presented an ipsilateral painful axillary adenopathy of about 2.5 cm in diameter. The patient consulted with an infectologist, who initiated a Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS) regimen [first phase (8 weeks): daily, except Sundays, streptomycin 1 g intramuscularly, pyrazinamide 1500 mg orally, isoniazid 300 mg, and rifampicin 600 mg; second phase (18 weeks): twice weekly rifampicin 600 mg and isoniazid 500 mg], accompanied by daily pyridoxine to prevent secondary effects from isoniazid. After 3 weeks of treatment, the finger lesion had disappeared. Treatment was undertaken as described above, with the patient reporting symptoms of vertigo, nausea, epigastralgia, and mild myalgia as the adverse effects of medication. A chest x-ray was taken and reported to be normal. The axillary adenopathy disappeared approximately 6 months after the injury. Nearly 3.5 years after the incident, the patient has not presented any type of symptomatology.

Tuberculosis cutánea: rasgos clínicos, histopatológicos y epidemiológicos en un Hospital General de Trujillo, Perú / Cutaneous tuberculosis: clinical, histopathologic and epidemiologic features in a Trujillo, Perú´s general hospital

La tuberculosis continúa siendo un problema de salud pública de primer orden, a escala mundial. Las formas cutáneas de la tuberculosis son poco comunes, constituyen 1 por ciento de los casos de tuberculosis extrapulmonar e involucra entre 0,015 y 0,1 por ciento de las consultas dermatológicas. Su incidencia refleja la relación existente con la situación económica y demográfica. Objetivo: Determinar las características epidemiológicas, clínicas e histológicas de los pacientes con tuberculosis cutánea (TC) atendidos en el servicio de Dermatología del Hospital Regional Docente de Trujillo (HDRT).Pacientes y Métodos: Se consideró para la población en estudio todos los pacientes con tuberculosis cutánea atendidos, desde el 1 de enero de 1995 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2000. Para el diagnóstico de tuberculosis cutánea, se consideró los criterios clínico e histopatológico, debido a las limitaciones de las tinciones de Ziehl Neelsen o el cultivo en medio de Lowenstein Jensen. La información fue recolectada en una ficha clínica diseñada para tal fin, y se revisó las láminas correspondientes a cada caso, en el Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, cuyos datos fueron consignados también en una hoja de encuesta histopatológica. Para la determinación de las formas clínicas de tuberculosis cutánea, se usó la clasificación propuesta por Beyt y col., modificada por Savin y Tappeiner y Wolf, la misma que se basa en la vía de infección; en esta se incluye las tuberculides. Para el análisis e interpretación de la información del presente trabajo, se utilizó la estadística descriptiva, realizando el diagnóstico situacional. Se presenta tablas, gráficas, con sus respectivos promedios y desviaciones estándares. Resultados: En el lapso de 6 años, se encontró 36 pacientes con TC, de 22 868 pacientes atendidos en el HRDT, alcanzando una incidencia de 0,16 por ciento y una frecuencia mensual de 0,5 casos, entre 1995 y 2000, con un franco predominio del sexo femenino...

Tuberculosis continues being a first order public health world problem. The cutaneous forms of tuberculosis are uncommon and represent 1% of extra pulmonary tuberculosis cases and involve 0,015 to 0,1% of the dermatologic consultations.Its incidence reflects the existing relation with the local economical and demographic situation. Objective: To determine characteristics, epidemiology, clinics and histology of patients with cutaneous tuberculosis attended at the Dermatology service of Trujillo’s Teaching Regional Hospital.Patients and Methods:Patients with cutaneous tuberculosis attended from January 1995 through December 31, 2000 were considered. Criteria for cutaneous tuberculosis diagnosis were clinical and histopathological. The information was collected in a designed clinical card and histology corresponding to each case was reviewed and registered. For cutaneous tuberculosis clinical varieties determination we used the classification proposed by Beyt and collaborators and modified by Savin, Tappeiner and Wolff, classification based on the infection route, that includes tuberculids. For data analysis and interpretation we used descriptive statistics, showing the results in tables, graphs and corresponding averages.Results:Thirty-six patients with cutaneous tuberculosis were seen in six years; 22 868 patients were attended at Trujillo’s Teaching Regional Hospital at the same period with 0,16% incidence of cutaneous tuberculosis and a monthly frequency of 0,5 cases, predominating the female sex (63,9%). According to clinical varieties, erithema induratum represented 41,7%, scrofuloderm 33,3%, lupus vulgaris 11,1%, verucous cutaneous tuberculosis 5,6% and erithema nodosus 8,3%. No age was free from affectation, and the age group range between 11 and 40 years represented 72,2%. Lesions topography was mainly in inferior extremities (erithema induratum), followed by neck and thorax (scrofuloderm). Almost all lesions were unilateral, with the exception of erithema nodosus that was bilateral. There was association with other tuberculosis forms in 10 patients, 8 in lungs and 1 osteomyelitis, other with pleural tuberculosis and another with lungs and spine compromise. History of familiar tuberculosis was present in 27,8%. PPD was done in 91,7% of cases and only 84,9% were positive. There was good treatment reponse in all patients. Cutaneous tuberculosis diagnosis was done by skin biopsy in 91,7%. Granulomas with epithelioid cells was confirmed by histology in 100% of cases, giant lymphocytes in 96,6%, giant cells in 75,9%, plasma cells in 6,9% and caseous necrosis in 24,1%.Conclusion:Cutaneous tuberculosis had a frequency of 0,5% cases per month with an incidence of 0,16% at Trujillo’s Teaching Regional Hospital, with predominance of erithema induratum. The tuberculids-like erithema nodosum must be considered specific unless contrary proof is available.

[Soft-tissue infections due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria following mesotherapy. What is the price of beauty]. / Infecciones en tejidos blandos por micobacterias no tuberculosas secundarias a mesoterapia. 'Cuánto vale la belleza?

INTRODUCTION: Mesotherapy is widely used In Latin America for cosmetic purposes, particularly in obese individuals. We describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, microbiological diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients from Caracas (Venezuela) with soft tissue infection caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria following mesotherapy. METHODS: Between March 2002 and December 2003, we evaluated 49 cases of skin and soft tissue infection following mesotherapy. Specimens obtained from the lesions and 15 products used in the mesotherapy procedure were cultured for the presence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Isolated mycobacteria were identified by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the hsp65 gene. RESULTS: Infection by non-tuberculous mycobacteria was confirmed in 81.6% of the 49 cases. Mycobacterium abscessus and M. fortuitum were the most common species, but M. chelonae, M. peregrinum, M. simiae and a new species that was designated "M. cosmeticum" were also isolated. Patients were treated with species-specific antibiotic agents for 3 to 18 months. Investigation into the source of the infection revealed that 21 patients were clustered within 3 different outbreaks and two products were found to be contaminated with M. fortuitum and M. abscessus, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should be alerted to the possibility of infection by non-tuberculous mycobacteria in patients with a history of mesotherapy who develop late-onset skin and soft tissue infection, particularly if they do not respond to conventional antibiotic treatment.

Tubercúlides: revisão sobre tema polêmico / Tuberculids: revision on controversial theme

Tubercúlides representam uma forma de reação de hipersensibilidade a antígenos bacterianos liberados de um foco de infecção distante. A maioria dos pacientes é caracterizada por apresentar PPD forte reator e evidência de passado de tuberculose pulmonar e(ou) contactante. O tratamento é baseado na terapia de dessensibilização com tuberculina, drogas antituberculosas e corticóides.

Tuberculids represent a form of hypersensitivity reaction to tuberculosis antigens released from a distant focus of infection. Most of patients are characterized by displaying a markedly positive Mantoux skin test and evidence of past tuberculosis infection or contacts of patient with tuberculosis. The treatment is based on tuberculin desensitizing therapy, antituberculous drugs and corticosteroids.

[Sternal osteomyelitis and scrofuloderma due to BCG vaccination]. / Osteomielitis esternal y escrofuloderma por vacuna BCG.

BCG vaccine has been used for nearly 100 years in the prevention of tuberculosis. The case of a 13 month-old girl vaccinated as a newborn with BCG is described as presenting a sternal mass with associated periostic erosion. The mass was resected, and histopathological examination revealed a chronic inflammatory reaction with caseous granulomas, and extension to bone and skin. PCR amplifications using specific primers for Mycobacterium tuberculosis on paraffin-embedded tissue were negative. BCG vaccination at birth, the histological appearance and the absence of M. tuberculosis DNA in the resected tissue indicated that osteomyelitis and scrofuloderma were a consequence of BCG. Osteomyelitis is a rarely occurring adverse effect of BCG vaccination, more commonly seen in immunosuppressed patients. In the patient described above, no symptoms of immunodeficiency were seen, however.

Osteomielitis esternal y escrofuloderma por vacuna BCG / Sternal osteomyelitis and scrofuloderma due to BCG vaccination

La vacuna BCG se ha usado en todo el mundo desde principios del siglo XX para la prevención de la tuberculosis. Se describe el caso de una niña de 13 meses de edad, previamente sana, que consultó por una masa esternal. El estudio radiológico mostró erosión perióstica. La lesión fue resecada y en la histopatología se encontró una reacción inflamatoria crónica con granulomas caseificantes con compromiso óseo y cut neo. Se realizó una amplificación por PCR con iniciadores específicos de Mycobacterium tuberculosis del ADN obtenido a partir del tejido incluido en parafina, cuyo resultado fue negativo. Los antecedentes de vacunación con BCG, la aparición de este tipo de granulomas y la ausencia de ADN de M. tuberculosis en el tejido resecado apoyan el diagnóstico de osteomielitis esternal y escrofuloderma por BCG. La osteomielitis es una complicación infrecuente de la vacunación por BCG, que puede presentarse especialmente en pacientes inmunosuprimidos. La evolución clínica de la paciente no ha demostrado ninguna forma de inmunodeficiencia.

Tuberculose cutânea e Aids: relato de caso / Cutaneous tuberculosis and Aids: a case report

A tuberculose cutânea é uma forma de acometimento pouco comum, mas que, com o surgimento da Aids, tem demonstrado aumento, embora continue rara, mesmo nestes pacientes. Como diagnóstico, deve ser lembrada especialmente em áreas onde seja frequente o bacilo de Koch. Os autores relatam um caso de tuberculose cutânea em paciente com Aids, de 34 anos, do sexo masculino, que também apresentava neurotoxoplasmose. Durante a evoluçäo, apresentou reaçäo de hipersensibilidade ao esquema com isoniazida, rifampicina e pirazinamida, tendo sido tratado com drogas tuberculostáticas de "segunda escolha", com boa resposta terapêutica.

Tuberculides: controversias sobre etiopatogenia, ubicación nosológica y dermatosis integrantes / Tuberculid: etiopathogenic, nosologic position and integrate dermatosis

El término tuberculides propuesto por Darier en 1896 sufrió distintas interpretaciones a través de los años. Se la consideró una reacción de hipersensibilidad contra el Mycobacterium tuberculoso (o fragmentos del mismo), que había llegado a la piel por diseminación hematógena proveniente de un foco primario; en pacientes con alto grado de inmunidad, representado por una respuesta positiva a la tuberculina. Respondían favorablemente a tratamientos antituberculosos. Con posterioridad, la disminución de la tuberculosis en países del hemisferio norte, la imposibilidad de hallar al Mycobacterium tuberculoso en las lesiones cutáneas, la dificultad para detectar el foco tuberculoso primario, como las inconsistentes respuestas terapéuticas, hizo que el concepto original de tuberculide se desacreditara. Algunos autores llegaron a dudar de su existencia, mientras que otros las interpretaron como dermatosis vinculables a múltiples causas etiológicas, donde el Mycobacterium tuberculoso era sólo uno de los tantos agentes etiológicos, quizá el menos frecuente. Integraban este capítulo la tuberculide papulonecrótica, el liquen escrufuloso, el eritema indurado y el eritema nudoso tuberculoso. A partir de la década del 80, tuvo lugar un replanteo de las tuberculides, debido al advenimiento del SIDA que incrementó la incidencia de las tuberculosis sistémicas, y fundamentalmente por el descubrimiento de la técnica de la PCR, que permitió detectar ADN de Mycobacterium tuberculosos en las lesiones cutáneas, comprometiendo al bacilo de Koch como responsable etiopatogénico de las tuberculides. Se proponen distintas líneas investigativas con PCR para intentar aclarar la etiopatogenia de las tuberculides, su adecuada ubicación nosológica y cuáles deberían ser las dermatosis que las integran