From Child to Old Man: A Slowly Evolving Case of Chromoblastomycosis Caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides.

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic granulomatous mycosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by traumatic inoculation with dematiaceous fungi. This disease primarily affects agricultural workers, who are mostly men. We present a case of chromoblastomycosis in a 63-year-old male farmer patient with dermatosis over 50 years of evolution, with warty, erythematous, and scaly plaques that predominate on the left hemithorax. Direct examination with potassium hydroxide (KOH) revealed numerous fumagoid cells. Amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1a) gene revealed that chromoblastomycosis was caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides. The chromoblastomycosis was treated with itraconazole and fluconazole without any improvement, and amphotericin B was administered with partial improvement.

Secondary alopecia induced by aesthetic procedures: An unrecognized potential complication.

Surgical facelifts and noninvasive techniques such as mesotherapy, hyaluronic fillers and botulinum toxin, among other procedures are widely used nowadays to reverse skin ageing and achieve rejuvenation effects. Secondary alopecia due to cosmetic procedures is a rare side effect and is poorly described in the literature. The mechanisms in which hair loss develops after an aesthetical procedure or surgical technique are not well known. The development of secondary scarring alopecia or non-scarring alopecia depends upon the interaction between different external factors, the individual host response and the extent of damage to the hair follicle anatomy. Current knowledge hints at the type of substance used, pressure to hair structures and vasculature due to the materials used, previously unknown or unaware hair disorder, and poor surgical techniques to be the main factors contributing to the development of secondary alopecia. Physicians and patients must be aware of all the substances used for the procedures and be attentive to any change in hair density or hair loss. Clinicians must have a low threshold to take biopsies if the risk of scarring alopecia may occur. Herein, we review the clinical, trichoscopic, histopathological findings and potential pathophysiological mechanisms of hair loss due to different aesthetic procedures.

Relationship of Sporotrichosis and Infected Patients with HIV-AIDS: An Actual Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection that can affect both humans and animals, caused by a species of thermo-dimorphic fungi of the genus Sporothrix. This pathology can be acquired by subcutaneous traumatic inoculation through contact with contaminated plants, soil or decomposing organic matter, and/or by inhalation of conidia. The infection can progress to chronic skin infection, or it can even spread to blood vessels, lymph, muscles, bones, and other organs, such as the lungs and nervous system. Those disseminated types are usually associated with cellular immunodeficiency and infection by inhalation, which explains why people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) get infected in such a manner. This virus changes the natural history of sporotrichosis, producing a greater fungal load. METHODS: The search was carried out in three databases: Pubmed, Scopus, and Scielo. Eligible articles were considered as those that described sporotrichosis in patients infected with HIV-AIDS, as well as case series. RESULTS: A total of 24 articles were selected, with a sum of 37 patients with sporotrichosis and HIV infection. Of these patients, 31 came from Brazil, two from the United States, one from South Africa, one from Bangladesh, and two from an unspecified region. Regarding epidemiology, a predominance of the male sex was found in 28 of the 37 cases (75.6%), while nine were female (24.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Sporotrichosis infection continues to present in a more severe and disseminated way among HIV-positive subjects with lower CD4+ counts.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Identification of Dermatophytes from Mexico and Central American Countries.

Dermatophytes are fungi included in the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton, Nannizzia, Paraphyton, Lophophyton, and Arthroderma. Molecular techniques have contributed to faster and more precise identification, allowing significant advances in phylogenetic studies. This work aimed to identify clinical isolates of dermatophytes through phenotypic (macro- and micromorphology and conidia size) and genotypic methods (sequences of ITS regions, genes of ß tubulin (BT2), and elongation factor α (Tef-1α)) and determine the phylogenetic relationships between isolates. Ninety-four dermatophyte isolates from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic were studied. The isolates presented macro- and micromorphology and conidia size described for the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Genotypic analysis classified the isolates into the genera Trichophyton (63.8%), Nannizzia (25.5%), Arthroderma (9.6%), and Epidermophyton (1.1%). The most frequent species were T. rubrum (26 isolates, 27.6%), T. interdigitale (26 isolates, 27.6%), and N. incurvata (11 isolates, 11.7%), N. gypsea and A. otae (nine isolates, 9.6%), among others. The genotypic methods clarified the taxonomic status of closely related species. For instance, the ITS and BT2 markers of T. rubrum/T. violaceum did not differ but the Tef-1α gene did. On the other hand, the three markers differed in T. equinum/T. tonsurans. Therefore, the ITS, BT2, and Tef-1α genes are useful for typing in phylogenetic analyses of dermatophytes, with Tef-1α being the most informative locus. It should be noted that isolate MM-474 was identified as T. tonsurans when using ITS and Tef-1α, but when using BT2, it was identified as T. rubrum. On the other hand, no significant difference was found when comparing the methods for constructing phylogenies, as the topologies were similar.

Primeras recomendaciones de consenso SLANH - COLABIOCLI / Primeiras Recomendações de Consenso SLANH - COLABIOCLI / (Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nefrología e Hipertensión - Confederación Latinoamericana de Bioquímica Clínica) / Informe de la tasa de filtración glomerular estimada junto a la determinación de la creatininemia en población adulta / First SLANH-COLABIOCLI Consensus Recommendations

Resumen La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) es de alta prevalencia en América Latina y en todo el mundo. Se estima que entre 10 y 20% de la población adulta es portadora de ERC y su prevalencia va en aumento. La ERC progresa en forma silenciosa. Su diagnóstico temprano y oportuno permite iniciar un tratamiento efectivo, en la mayoría de los casos, para detener la enfermedad. Desde hace mucho tiempo, el análisis de la creatininemia es la principal prueba utilizada para valorar la función renal, pero su confiabilidad es limitada. De acuerdo con las recomendaciones de las GUIAS KDOQI del año 2002 la tasa de filtración glomerular estimada (TFGe) obtenida a través de fórmulas, se estableció como una de las herramientas principales para detectar la enfermedad renal de manera precoz, ya que alerta de forma precisa al médico y al equipo de salud sobre el nivel de función renal del paciente. La detección de una TFGe disminuida (menor de 60 mL/min/1,73 m2) es clínicamente relevante, ya que permite establecer el diagnóstico de enfermedad renal en adultos. En el año 2022, en una encuesta realizada por SLANH y COLABIOCLI dirigida a los laboratorios de análisis clínicos de América Latina (n: 237), el 49% de los mismos no informaban la TFGe rutinariamente. En base a esta realidad SLANH y COLABIOCLI elaboraron estas recomendaciones de consenso en referencia al uso de la TFGe.

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high prevalence worldwide and in Latin America (10 to 20% of the adult population) and is increasing. CKD progresses silently. Opportune diagnosis and treatment are effective in most cases to improve outcomes. Serum creatinine was the main test to assess kidney function, but its reliability is limited. Through the KDOQI Guidelines 2002, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) obtained from equations was established as one of the main tools for the early detection of kidney disease in clinical practice. The detection of a decreased eGFR (less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) is clinically relevant. This cut-off level establishes the diagnosis of kidney disease in adults. In 2022 SLANH and COLABIOCLI conducted a survey among the clinical laboratories from Latin America. The survey included 237 laboratories, 49% of which did not routinely report the eGFR. Based on this situation, SLANH and COLABIOCLI have elaborated the following consensus recommendations regarding the use of eGFR.

Resumo A doença renal crônica (DRC) é altamente prevalente na América Latina e em todo o mundo. Estima-se que entre 10 e 20% da população adulta seja portadora de DRC e sua prevalência esteja aumentando. A DRC progride silenciosamente. Seu diagnóstico precoce e oportuno permite iniciar um tratamento eficaz, na maioria dos casos, para estancar a doença. Faz muito tempo, a análise da creatinina tem sido o principal teste usado para avaliar a função renal mas sua confiabilidade é limitada. De acordo com as recomendações dos GUIAS KDOQI do ano de 2002, a estimativa da taxa de filtração glomerular (eGFR), obtida por meio de fórmulas, consolidou-se como uma das principais ferramentas para a detecção precoce da doença renal, visto que alerta com precisão ao médico e ao equipe de saúde sobre o nível de função renal do paciente. A detecção de uma eGFR diminuída (inferior a 60 mL/min/1,73 m2) é clinicamente relevante, pois permite estabelecer o diagnóstico de doença renal em adultos. No ano de 2022, em pesquisa realizada pela SLANH e COLABIOCLI dirigida a laboratórios de análises clínicas da América Latina (n: 237), 49% deles não relataram rotineiramente eGFR. Com base nessa realidade, SLANH e COLABIOCLI prepararam essas recomendações de consenso sobre o uso de eGFR.

White hair in alopecia areata: Clinical forms and proposed physiopathologic mechanisms.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of nonscarring hair loss. It is believed to be a consequence of an immune-mediated stimulus, probably involving autoreactive T cells against antigens present in the hair follicle. The exact antigen is still unknown; however, some authors have proposed that melanogenesis-associated molecules might trigger autoimmunity. Although transient white hair regrowth is a common and well-known situation in AA, there are other types of white hair phenomena in this context, including permanent white hair regrowth, sparing of white hair in a patchy pattern, or sparing in a diffuse pattern, giving the appearance of the so-called overnight graying phenomena or canitis subita. In this review, we aim to describe the different clinical aspects of white hair in AA, as well as the proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in this phenomena.

Atypical Mycobacteriosis Due to Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense: Our Experince.

BACKGROUND: Members of Micobacterium. abscessus complex comprises three subspecies (M. abscessus subsp. Abscessus, M. abscessus subsp. Bolletii, and M. abscessus subsp. Massiliense) and are a rapid-growing nontuberculous mycobacteria present in different aquatic habitats and soil. It often causes a wide spectrum of infections involving pulmonary infections, surgical wound infections, and infections related to mesotherapy, catheters, hemodialysis devices, endocarditis, and disseminated infections in immunocompromised individuals. METHODS: In this article we comment on the most relevant aspects of nine patients with skin lesions caused by M. abscessus subsp. massiliense infection. Clinical characteristics, histopathology, and molecular identification were performed. RESULTS: The patients in the clinical cases presented a history of trauma, tattoos, and physical therapy techniques. The most common treatments were minocycline and clindamycin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone, cephalexin, moxifloxacin, rifampicin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The evolution of the treated patients was acceptable, except for one patient, who showed a partial improvement. M. massiliense were identified in all clinical cases using a species-specific PCR. CONCLUSION: Our series consisted of nine cases of skin biopsies recorded in different years; for this reason, we do not have all the data necessary for a complete description, in particular in four cases, causing limitations in the manuscript, especially in the therapy used and the evolution of patients due to lack of follow-up.

Global Emergence of Resistance to Fluconazole and Voriconazole in Candida parapsilosis in Tertiary Hospitals in Spain During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Candida parapsilosis is a frequent cause of candidemia worldwide. Its incidence is associated with the use of medical implants, such as central venous catheters or parenteral nutrition. This species has reduced susceptibility to echinocandins, and it is susceptible to polyenes and azoles. Multiple outbreaks caused by fluconazole-nonsusceptible strains have been reported recently. A similar trend has been observed among the C. parapsilosis isolates received in the last 2 years at the Spanish Mycology Reference Laboratory. Methods: Yeast were identified by molecular biology, and antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing protocol. The ERG11 gene was sequenced to identify resistance mechanisms, and strain typing was carried out by microsatellite analysis. Results: We examined the susceptibility profile of 1315 C. parapsilosis isolates available at our reference laboratory between 2000 and 2021, noticing an increase in the number of isolates with acquired resistance to fluconazole, and voriconazole has increased in at least 8 different Spanish hospitals in 2020-2021. From 121 recorded clones, 3 were identified as the most prevalent in Spain (clone 10 in Catalonia and clone 96 in Castilla-Leon and Madrid, whereas clone 67 was found in 2 geographically unrelated regions, Cantabria and the Balearic Islands). Conclusions: Our data suggest that concurrently with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a selection of fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates has occurred in Spain, and the expansion of specific clones has been noted across centers. Further research is needed to determine the factors that underlie the successful expansion of these clones and their potential genetic relatedness.

Frequency of Candida spp. in the Oral Cavity of Asymptomatic Preschool Mexican Children and Its Association with Nutritional Status.

Malnutrition is a public health problem in developing countries, affecting the child population, which favors the appearance of infections such as oral candidiasis. In Mexico, information on the presence of oral colonization by Candida spp. in asymptomatic children is scarce. The present study aimed to determine the presence of Candida spp. in the oral cavity of asymptomatic preschool Mexican children and its association with their nutritional status. A sample of oral mucosa was obtained using a sterile swab and then inoculated in Sabouraud dextrose agar with antibiotics, and the yeast growth was phenotypically identified. The anthropometric profile of children was performed based on the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. In addition, eating habits were investigated. The possible associations between the variables were determined through the chi-square test (IC95%, p < 0.05) (GraphPad Prism 8.0). Among the 743 assessed children (403 boys and 340 girls), the average age was 4.6 years, and the average nutritional status was normal (53.7%), followed by undernutrition (28.4%), overweight (12.4%) and obesity (5.5%). In 52 children, Candida was isolated, and the identified species were C. albicans (87.8%), C. glabrata (11.5%), C. krusei (5.8%) and C. parapsilosis (1.9%). The frequency of colonization was greater in males of six years (69.23%). There was no significant association between the colonization by Candida spp. and the nutritional status; however, a relation was observed with a high intake of simple carbohydrates.

Leprosy Caused by Mycobacterium lepromatosis.

OBJECTIVES: Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. This study reviews literature on M lepromatosis and reports on a Mexican family with this infection. METHODS: The review included all primary studies. Family history and surveys were used to uncover the infection cluster. Genome-based differential polymerase chain reactions were designed to detect etiologic agents. RESULTS: Since the discovery of M lepromatosis in 2008, 154 cases of M lepromatosis infection from 11 countries in the Americas and Asia have been reported, with most cases coming from Mexico. These cases included diffuse lepromatous leprosy (DLL) and other leprosy forms. Genomes of M lepromatosis strains have lately been sequenced, revealing 3,271,694 nucleotides and approximately 15% mismatches with M leprae. The Mexican family with leprosy involved the grandfather, mother, and 2 grandsons. The index was the oldest grandson, who manifested DLL and likely contracted the infection from his maternal grandfather approximately 13 years earlier. Family surveys diagnosed DLL in the index patient's mother and borderline leprosy in his brother; both were likely infected by the index patient. M lepromatosis was identified from archived biopsies from the index patient and his mother, while M leprae was excluded. CONCLUSIONS: M lepromatosis is a significant cause of leprosy in Mexico and requires better surveillance and control.

Epidemiology of Clinical Sporotrichosis in the Americas in the Last Ten Years.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection caused by species of the Sporothrix genus. Presently, the prevalence of sporotrichosis in the Americas is unknown, so this study aims to analyze the cases reported in the past 10 years. METHODS: An advanced search was conducted from 2012 to 2022 in English and Spanish in PUBMED, SciELO, and Cochrane, with the terms: "sporotrichosis", "lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis", "fixed sporotrichosis", "mycosis", "Sporothrix spp.", "Sporothrix complex", "S. schenckii sensu stricto", "S. schenckii sensu lato", "S. globose", "S. brasiliensis", "S. luriei". Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection caused by species of the Sporothrix genus associated with "pathogenicity" or "epidemiology". RESULTS: A total of 124 articles were found in the Americas, corresponding to 12,568 patients. Of these, 87.38% of cases were reported in South America, 11.62% in North America, and 1.00% in Central America and the Caribbean. Brazil, Peru, and Mexico had the highest number of cases. The most prevalent etiological agents were S. schenckii complex/Sporothrix spp. (52.91%), S. schenckii (42.38%), others (4.68%), and Not Determined (ND) (0.03%). The most frequent form of the disease was lymphocutaneous infection; however, the infection type was not determined in 5639 cases. Among the diagnostic methods, culture was the most used. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high occurrence of cases reported in the literature. South America is the region with the highest number of reports because of its environment (climate, inhalation of spores, etc.), zoonotic transmission (scratches and sneezes from contaminated animals), and possible traumatic inoculation due to outdoor activities (agriculture, gardening, and related occupations). Molecular diagnosis has not been sufficiently developed due to its high cost.

Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis Infection: a Report of Six Multibacillary Cases of Leprosy in the Dominican Republic.

The causative agents of leprosy are Mycobacterium leprae and M. lepromatosis. Mycobacterium lepromatosis was found in 2008 to cause diffuse lepromatous leprosy in Mexican patients. This study aimed to identify M. leprae and M. lepromatosis in paraffin-embedded skin samples from Caribbean patients with leprosy. A total of six skin samples were obtained from the Dominican Republic. All cases presented the multibacillary form; five were nodular lepromatous leprosy, and one was borderline lepromatous leprosy. All patients received multidrug therapy. Molecular identification was achieved using the M. leprae-specific repetitive element for M. leprae and the hemN gene for M. lepromatosis. Mycobacterium leprae was identified in two lepromatous leprosy cases, and one borderline lepromatous leprosy case; M. lepromatosis was found in one nodular lepromatous leprosy case. Both Mycobacterium species were present in two nodular lepromatous leprosy cases. This is the first report of M. lepromatosis in the Dominican Republic.

Onychomycosis Caused by Kloeckera apiculata: A Case Report in a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis.

We report the first case of onychomycosis caused by Kloeckera apiculata in a woman with multiple sclerosis. Video-dermoscopic examination showed a spiked pattern and distal irregular aspect. Colonies on Sabouraud agar were white, creamy, and smooth. A microscopic examination showed blastoconidia. MALDI-TOF confirmed Kloeckera apiculata as the causal agent.

Giant Parathyroid Adenoma-Associated Fracture, Not All Lytic Bone Lesions are Cancer: A Case-Based Review.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the early diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism the musculoskeletal manifestations of this disease are becoming less frequent. When this disease manifests secondary to a giant adenoma, it presents with more aggressive symptoms and can have important repercussions such as the hungry bone syndrome after parathyroidectomy. There are few reported cases of hyperparathyroidism secondary to a giant adenoma in the literature, as the presence of a brown tumor is often misinterpreted as a metastatic lesion from an unknown primary tumor. METHODS: We describe a case and performed a literature review to identify all case reports. A literature search was carried out on PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE bibliographic databases. All available studies from May 2009 to May 2021 were included. Data were tabulated, and outcomes were cumulatively analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-four cases of primary hyperparathyroidism due to giant adenoma have been described; the majority were women, with a mean age of 52 years. They presented with heterogeneous symptoms such as palpable nodules (45%), bone pain (33%), brown tumor (12.5%), asymptomatic (12.5%), metabolic profile with a mean calcemia of 13.8 mg/dL, PTH 1109 ng/L, and mean tumor weight of 47.24 g. CONCLUSION: Primary hyperparathyroidism due to giant adenoma increases the risk of developing potentially serious postoperative complications such as hungry bone syndrome. This implies the need of implementing preventive measures comprising administration of intravenous zoledronic acid and early supplementation of oral calcium to prevent complications after resection.

Cyphellophora laciniata: A new etiological agent of chromoblastomycosis.

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by traumatic inoculation of dematiaceous fungi especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Cyphellophora genus include melanized fungi reported as etiological agents of skin and nail infections. We report a 60-year-old male from the south of Mexico with a 40-year history of chromoblastomycosis caused by Cyphellophora laciniata. The isolated fungus was identified by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA. The patient was treated with itraconazole and cryosurgery with unsatisfactory results.

Fungal Invasive Co-Infection Due to Aspergillus fumigatus and Rhizopus arrhizus: A Rhino-Orbital Presentation.

Aspergillosis and mucormycosis are filamentous fungal infections occurring predominantly in immunocompromised patients. Fulminant process with rapid infiltration of the contiguous tissue is distinctive for both type of fungi. The rhinocerebral co-infection by Aspergillus and Mucorales is very rare and is usually associated in immunocompromised patients with a high mortality rate. This rare co-infection leads to difficulties in diagnosis, and therapeutic delays can result in a poor prognosis. Overall, the treatment of choice is surgical debridement and liposomal amphotericin B. This paper describes a combined aspergillosis and mucormycosis case in a diabetes mellitus type 2 patient with chronic ulcerations of the palatal and cheek. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an uncommon co-infection of Aspergillus fumigatus and Rhizopus arrhizus in a rhino-orbital presentation.

Uncommon Clinical Presentations of Sporotrichosis: A Two-Case Report.

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous endemic mycosis caused by species of the Sporothrix schenckii complex. The most common clinical form of the disease is lymphocutaneous, while the fixed cutaneous and disseminated cutaneous forms are rare. Moreover, it is more prevalent in immunocompetent individuals. In this study, we present two cases of sporotrichosis with uncommon clinical forms: fixed cutaneous (Case 1) and disseminated cutaneous (Case 2). Both cases were diagnosed in immunocompetent males from endemic regions in Mexico, who had at least 1 year of evolution without improvement in response to prior nonspecific treatments. The diagnosis of sporotrichosis caused by S. schenckii sensu stricto was established through the isolation of the pathogen and its identification through the amplification of a 331 bp fragment of the gene encoding calmodulin. In both cases, improvement was observed after treatment with potassium iodide. Cases 1 and 2 illustrate the rarity of these clinical forms in individuals residing in endemic areas; hence, it is important to ensure a high index of clinical suspicion for the diagnosis of mycosis, as the differential diagnoses vary widely.

Candida glabrata Antifungal Resistance and Virulence Factors, a Perfect Pathogenic Combination.

In recent years, a progressive increase in the incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) caused by Candida glabrata has been observed. The objective of this literature review was to study the epidemiology, drug resistance, and virulence factors associated with the C. glabrata complex. For this purpose, a systematic review (January 2001-February 2021) was conducted on the PubMed, Scielo, and Cochrane search engines with the following terms: "C. glabrata complex (C. glabrata sensu stricto, C. nivariensis, C. bracarensis)" associated with "pathogenicity" or "epidemiology" or "antibiotics resistance" or "virulence factors" with language restrictions of English and Spanish. One hundred and ninety-nine articles were found during the search. Various mechanisms of drug resistance to azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins were found for the C. glabrata complex, depending on the geographical region. Among the mechanisms found are the overexpression of drug transporters, gene mutations that alter thermotolerance, the generation of hypervirulence due to increased adhesion factors, and modifications in vital enzymes that produce cell wall proteins that prevent the activity of drugs designed for its inhibition. In addition, it was observed that the C. glabrata complex has virulence factors such as the production of proteases, phospholipases, and hemolysins, and the formation of biofilms that allows the complex to evade the host immune response and generate fungal resistance. Because of this, the C. glabrata complex possesses a perfect pathogenetic combination for the invasion of the immunocompromised host.