Ultrasound Pattern of Cutis Verticis Gyrata.

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a cutaneous benign condition that usually presents symmetric or asymmetric convoluted folds and deep furrows in the scalp, which mimic the disposition of the cerebral sulci and gyri. This scalp deformation may be a worrying situation for the patients and their families. Clinically, its diagnosis may be challenging because it can mimic other cutaneous conditions. So far, the ultrasonographic pattern of CVG has not been reported. Thus, we aim to review the ultrasound findings of this entity. All patients (n = 14) presented zones with dermal and hypodermal thickening that corresponded with the elevated clinical zones, followed by folds with normal cutaneous thicknesses. There was undulation of the cutaneous layers in all cases. The scalp areas involved the frontal, parietal, and occipital regions bilaterally. The mean maximum dermal and hypodermal thicknesses and echogenicities and the color Doppler characteristics are provided. No significant dilation of the hair follicles was detected. In conclusion, CVG presents an ultrasonographic pattern that can support its diagnosis and follow-up. This can help its differential diagnosis with other scalp dermatologic conditions.

Acute lung toxicity by nitrofurantoin.

Nitrofurantoin is a synthetic derivative of imidazolinedione, used to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections. It acts by inhibiting bacterial DNA, RNA and cell wall protein synthesis. It is used prophylactically as a urinary anti-infective agent against most gram-positive organism and for long-term suppression of infections. Nitrofurantoin-associated pulmonary injuries occur in 1% of patients, presenting with dyspnoea and dry cough, and it can mimic interstitial lung disease. We present a case of an 81-year-old woman with shortness of breath and cough 3 days after initiation of nitrofurantoin. CT of the chest revealed bilateral pleural effusion and extensive pulmonary interstitial prominence, suggesting pulmonary fibrosis. According to the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale score of 6, it was determined that nitrofurantoin was the probable cause, and immediate cessation of the medication showed a marked clinical improvement and resolution after 10 days.

UV-A Irradiation Increases Scytonemin Biosynthesis in Cyanobacteria Inhabiting Halites at Salar Grande, Atacama Desert.

Microbial consortia inhabiting evaporitic salt nodules at the Atacama Desert are dominated by unculturable cyanobacteria from the genus Halothece. Halite nodules provide transparency to photosynthetically active radiation and diminish photochemically damaging UV light. Atacama cyanobacteria synthesize scytonemin, a heterocyclic dimer, lipid soluble, UV-filtering pigment (in vivo absorption maximum at 370 nm) that accumulates at the extracellular sheath. Our goal was to demonstrate if UV-A irradiations modulate scytonemin biosynthesis in ground halites containing uncultured Halothece sp. cyanobacteria. Pulverized halite nodules with endolithic colonization were incubated under continuous UV-A radiation (3.6 W/m2) for 96 h, at 67% relative humidity, mimicking their natural habitat. Scytonemin content and relative transcription levels of scyB gene (a key gene in the biosynthesis of scytonemin) were evaluated by spectrophotometry and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. After 48 h under these experimental conditions, the ratio scytonemin/chlorophyll a and the transcription of scyB gene increased to a maximal 1.7-fold value. Therefore, endolithic Halothece cyanobacteria in halites are metabolically active and UV radiation is an environmental stressor with a positive influence on scyB gene transcription and scytonemin biosynthesis. Endolithobiontic cyanobacteria in Atacama show a resilient evolutive and adaptive strategy to survive in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.

Cerebrospinal fluid neopterin as a biomarker of neuroinflammatory diseases.

The elevation of neopterin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been reported in several neuroinflammatory disorders. However, it is not expected that neopterin alone can discriminate among different neuroinflammatory etiologies. We conducted an observational retrospective and case-control study to analyze the CSF biomarkers neopterin, total proteins, and leukocytes in a large cohort of pediatric patients with neuroinflammatory disorders. CSF samples from 277 subjects were included and classified into four groups: Viral meningoencephalitis, bacterial meningitis, acquired immune-mediated disorders, and patients with no-immune diseases (control group). CSF neopterin was analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography. Microbiological diagnosis included bacterial CSF cultures and several specific real-time polymerase chain reactions. Molecular testing for multiple respiratory pathogens was also included. Antibodies against neuronal and glial proteins were tested. Canonical discriminant analysis of the three biomarkers was conducted to establish the best discriminant functions for the classification of the different clinical groups. Model validation was done by biomarker analyses in a new cohort of 95 pediatric patients. CSF neopterin displayed the highest values in the viral and bacterial infection groups. By applying canonical discriminant analysis, it was possible to classify the patients into the different groups. Validation analyses displayed good results for neuropediatric patients with no-immune diseases and for viral meningitis patients, followed by the other groups. This study provides initial evidence of a more efficient approach to promote the timely classification of patients with viral and bacterial infections and acquired autoimmune disorders. Through canonical equations, we have validated a new tool that aids in the early and differential diagnosis of these neuroinflammatory conditions.

Encephalitis with convulsive status in an immunocompetent pediatric patient caused by Bartonella henselae.

Cat scratch's disease caused by Bartonella henselae, is known to be a self-limited benign process in immunocompetent children. The association with neurologic manifestations is very uncommon especially in patient with no immunologic defects and in cases without specific treatment. A 7 years old male patient, without any immunocompromised defect, presented an atypic presentation of the cat scratch disease. The patient came to the hospital in two opportunities in a status epilepticus, in both cases the diagnosis was encephalitis by Bartonella henselae and the evolution with treatment was monitored with PCR (polymerase chain reaction) in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, as well as IFI (IgM, IgG) serology (indirect immunofluorescence). The patient had a favorable clinical and laboratory evolution for 6 months showing no recurrence of the disease.