Lymphatic drainage map of the head and neck skin squamous cell carcinoma detected by sentinel lymph node biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin often affects the scalp and neck region and has a potential for complex lymphatic metastases. The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of lymphatic drainage that would enable better insight and prediction of lymphatic metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in relation to the anatomical localization of the primary process. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis included 64 patients who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. The biopsy was performed in patients with high-risk cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma between 2006 and 2010. RESULTS: SLNs in tumors of the forehead, temporal region, lateral cheek, and auricle were found in the cervical region at level II and parotid lymph nodes (p<0.001). In tumors of the nose, periorbital region, and postauricular tumors, SLNs were found in parotid lymph nodes (p<0.001), in tumors of the medial cheek in level I cervical lymph nodes and parotid lymph nodes (p=0.003). In tumors of the neck, SLNs were detected in the cervical region at level IV, whereas in tumors of the posterior scalp they were found in the occipital region (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of SLN biopsy in high-risk cutaneous HNSCCs show the regularity of metastasis based on which a lymphatic drainage map can be constructed and thus potential metastatic sites depending on the primary tumor localization predicted.

Species distribution patterns and epidemiological characteristics of otomycosis in Southeastern Serbia.

INTRODUCTION: Otomycosis, a superficial fungal infection of the external auditory canal (EAC), is a disease with exceptionally high prevalence. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of otomycosis, the distribution of causative species and to evaluate epidemiological characteristics of these infections. METHODOLOGY: The patients' data were collected from record book and database of mycological examinations conducted at Public Health Institute Nis, Serbia. In the period from 2014 to 2018 samples of 1287 patients with symptoms and signs of EAC infection were investigated. Standard mycological methods were used for isolation and determination of fungi. RESULTS: High prevalence of otomycosis was determined in examined patients (22.7%). However, the prevalence rates did not differ significantly in the studied period (p=0.931). The majority of patients were diagnosed with only unilateral EAC infection (82.9%). Considering all patients with otomycosis, mold infections caused by the genus Aspergillus (143/48.9%) were more frequent than Candida spp. ear infections (133/45.6%), with Aspergillus niger and Candida аlbicans being predominant causative agents. Mixed Aspergillus and Candida otomycosis was established in 16 (5.5%) patients. Otomycosis was more common in male subjects (26.8%, p=0.003) who also suffered from Aspergillus otomycosis more frequently (17.5%, p<0.001). The prevalence of these infections increases with age (p=0.005), while they do not show seasonal pattern (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Noted high prevalence of otomycosis, with both yeasts and non-dermatophyte molds acting as infectious agents which require different treatment, implies the necessity for further epidemiological monitoring of this form of superficial mycoses.

Rapid diagnosis of parasitic diseases: current scenario and future needs.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic diseases are one of the world's most devastating and prevalent infections, causing millions of morbidities and mortalities annually. In the past, many of these infections have been linked predominantly to tropical or subtropical areas. Nowadays, however, climatic and vector ecology changes, a significant increase in international travel, armed conflicts, and migration of humans and animals have influenced the transmission of some parasitic diseases from 'book pages' to reality in developed countries. It has also been noted that many patients who have never travelled to endemic areas suffer from blood-borne infections caused by protozoa. In the light of existing knowledge, this new trend can be explained by the fact that in the process of migration a large number of asymptomatic carriers become a part of the blood bank donor and transplant donor populations. Accurate and rapid diagnosis represents the crucial weapon in the fight against parasitic infections. AIMS: To review old and new approaches for rapid diagnosis of parasitic infections. SOURCES: Data for this review were obtained through searches of PubMed using combinations of the following terms: parasitological diagnostics, microscopy, lateral flow assays, immunochromatographic assays, multiplex-PCR, and transplantation. CONTENT: In this review, we provide a brief account of the advantages and limitations of rapid methods for diagnosis of parasitic diseases and focus our attention on current and future research in this area. The approximate costs associated with the use of different techniques and their applicability in endemic and non-endemic areas are also discussed. IMPLICATIONS: Microscopy remains the cornerstone of parasitological diagnostics, especially in the field and low-resource settings, and provides epidemiological assessment of parasite burden. However, increased use and availability of point-of-care tests and molecular assays in modern era allow more rapid and accurate diagnoses and increased sensitivity in the identification of parasitic infections.

The dietary modification and treatment of intestinal Candida overgrowth - a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an alternative treatment in a form of recommended diet modification during and after conventional treatment with antifungals in patients with a chronic form of intestinal Candida overgrowth (ICOG). METHODS: The study included patients with ICOG divided in two subgroups: patients treated with nystatin and recommended diet regime (study group-SG) and the patients treated only with nystatin (control group-CG). After treatment, the mycological control examination and follow-up were performed two times: the first one within ten days after the completion of antifungal treatment, and the second one three months after the treatment initialization. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients finished the study: 80 from the SG and 40 from the CG. At the first mycological control examination of SG patients stools, we noted satisfactory antifungal and symptomatic effect in 56 out of 80 (70.0%) patients and 29 out of 40 (72.5%) in CG, with no statistically significant difference. However, at the second control stool examination, significantly higher percent (85%) of cured patients was recorded after three months of the recommended diet comparing with CG-17 out of 40 (42.5%). CONCLUSION: Results of this pilot study showed that patients who adhered to diet modification during and after treatment with nystatin had better outcomes of ICOG and strongly suggest the need for diet modification in these patients which recommendation could reduce excessive prescription of antifungals.

Non-culture based assays for the detection of fungal pathogens.

Traditional, culture based methods for the diagnosis of fungal infections are still considered as gold standard, but they are time consuming and low sensitive. Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations, many researchers have focused on the development of new immunological and molecular based rapid assays that could enable early diagnosis of infection and accurate identification of fungal pathogens causing superficial and invasive infection. In this brief review, we highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of conventional diagnostic methods and possibility of non-culture based assays in diagnosis of superficial fungal infections and presented the overview on currently available immunochromatographic assays as well as availability of biomarkers detection by immunodiagnostic procedures in prompt and accurate diagnosis of invasive fungal infections. In addition, we presented diagnostic efficiency of currently available molecular panels and researches in this area.