Spectrum of skin diseases in Amerindian villages of the Upper Oyapock, French Guiana.

BACKGROUND: Due to their genetic characteristics, their isolation in rainforest areas, and their traditional way of life, Amerindian populations are likely to suffer from a specific spectrum of dermatoses. However, there are few available data on such skin disorders. Our aims were to describe all skin disorders in two Amerindian villages of French Guiana. METHODS: This retrospective study concerned all patients who consulted in the Health Centres of Camopi and Trois-Sauts between July 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018. We included all patients classified with an ICD code linked to a skin disorder. All medical records were cross-checked by two dermatologists to correct misclassifications. RESULTS: A total of 639 patients formed the study population, for 866 different skin disorders. Non-sexually transmitted infections represented 57.6% of all skin disorders, followed by eczema (11.5%) and bites/envenomations (9.1%). Bacteria were responsible for 238 skin infections, followed by fungi (141 cases) and parasites (69 cases, including 43 scabies, nine cutaneous leishmaniasis, and two tungiasis). We reported a low prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (10 cases) and an absence of skin cancers. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the absence of skin cancer in the Amerindian population of the Upper Oyapock and the important burden of infectious and animal-related diseases. Future studies should assess a possible underestimation of sexually transmitted diseases in this area. Public health policies should target neglected diseases such as cutaneous leishmaniasis, tungiasis, scabies, and envenomations. Atopic dermatitis was a significant and unexpected cause of consultations.

Double Infection in a Patient with Psoriatic Arthritis Under TNF-alpha Blockers Therapy: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Either direct or indirect tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha blockers are usually used to treat psoriatic arthritis (PA), but their use can increase susceptibility to infectious diseases. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of double skin-knee wound and lung non-tubercular infection in a patient with PA under TNF-alpha blockers therapy. About 1 year after the beginning of adalimumab, a 48-year-old smoker suffering of PA was hospitalized for the skin-knee wound. RESULTS: Clinical evaluation and biochemical markers excluded the presence of a systemic disease, and a skin infection sustained by leishmaniasis probably related to adalimumab was diagnosed (Naranjo score: 6). Adalimumab was discontinued and oral treatment with apremilast and topical treatment with meglumine antimoniate was started with a complete remission of skin wound in 2 weeks. About 7 months later when the patient was under apremilast treatment, he presented to our observation for dyspnea, cough and fever. High-Resolution Computer Tomography (HRCT) chest highlighted alveolar involvement with centrilobular small nodules, branching linear and nodular opacities. Microbiological culture of both broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and sputum documented an infection sustained by nontuberculous mycobacteria. Even if apremilast treatment probably-induced lung infection, we can't exclude that it worsened a clinical condition induced by adalimumab. Apremilast was stopped and an empirical antitubercular treatment was started. Patient's breathlessness and cough improved as confirmed also by HRCT chest. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance to consider the possibility to develop leishmaniasis and/or non-tubercular mycobacterial infection in patients treated with TNF-alpha inhibitors.

[Dirofilariasis in the head and neck region. Case report]. / A dirofilariosis ­ fonalféreg-fertozés ­ ritka esete fej-nyak sebészeti területen.

Dirofilariasis refers to an infection caused by a specific parasitic roundworm. Dirofilaria repens - transmitted by mosquito bites - accounts for most human cases. The parasite forms a subcutaneous mass called cutaneous dirofilariasis near the original site of intrusion. The incidence of human infections shows an increasing tendency. We report a case of a 35-year-old woman presenting with three-week history of a painful swelling in the temporal region. The initial diagnostic work-up revealed a roundworm embedded in the subcutaneous fat tissue and temporal muscle. Differential diagnosis included erysipelas, herpes zoster, temporal arteritis. The final diagnosis of helminthiasis was established by ultrasound examination. A multidisciplinary consultation including infectious diseases specialist suggested surgical removal of the lesion. The microbiological examination of the specimen confirmed the presence of a female Dirofilaria repens. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(45): 1844-1847.

Spatio-temporal dynamics and aetiology of proliferative leg skin lesions in wild British finches.

Proliferative leg skin lesions have been described in wild finches in Europe although there have been no large-scale studies of their aetiology or epizootiology to date. Firstly, disease surveillance, utilising public reporting of observations of live wild finches was conducted in Great Britain (GB) and showed proliferative leg skin lesions in chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) to be widespread. Seasonal variation was observed, with a peak during the winter months. Secondly, pathological investigations were performed on a sample of 39 chaffinches, four bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula), one greenfinch (Chloris chloris) and one goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) with proliferative leg skin lesions and detected Cnemidocoptes sp. mites in 91% (41/45) of affected finches and from all species examined. Fringilla coelebs papillomavirus (FcPV1) PCR was positive in 74% (23/31) of birds tested: a 394 base pair sequence was derived from 20 of these birds, from all examined species, with 100% identity to reference genomes. Both mites and FcPV1 DNA were detected in 71% (20/28) of birds tested for both pathogens. Histopathological examination of lesions did not discriminate the relative importance of mite or FcPV1 infection as their cause. Development of techniques to localise FcPV1 within lesions is required to elucidate the pathological significance of FcPV1 DNA detection.

Approach to skin and soft tissue infections in non-HIV immunocompromised hosts.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Skin and soft tissue infections are frequent contributors to morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised host. This article reviews the changing epidemiology and clinical manifestations of the most common cutaneous pathogens in non-HIV immunocompromised hosts, including patients with solid organ transplants, stem cell transplants, solid tumors, hematologic malignancies, and receiving chronic immunosuppressive therapy for inflammatory disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: Defects in the innate or adaptive immune response can predispose the immunocompromised host to certain cutaneous infections in a predictive fashion. Cutaneous lesions in patients with neutrophil defects are commonly due to bacteria, Candida, or invasive molds. Skin lesions in patients with cellular or humoral immunodeficiencies can be due to encapsulated bacteria, Nocardia, mycobacteria, endemic fungal infections, herpesviruses, or parasites. Skin lesions may reflect primary inoculation or, more commonly, disseminated infection. Tissue samples for microscopy, culture, and histopathology are critical to making an accurate diagnosis given the nonspecific and heterogeneous appearance of these skin lesions due to a blunted immune response. SUMMARY: As the population of non-HIV immunosuppressed hosts expands with advances in medical therapies, the frequency and variety of cutaneous diseases in these hosts will increase.

CD4 T-cell hyporesponsiveness induced by schistosome larvae is not dependent upon eosinophils but may involve connective tissue mast cells.

In areas endemic for schistosomiasis, people can often be in contact with contaminated water resulting in repeated exposures to infective Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. Using a murine model, repeated infections result in IL-10-dependent CD4(+) T-cell hyporesponsiveness in the skin-draining lymph nodes (sdLN), which could be caused by an abundance of eosinophils and connective tissue mast cells at the skin infection site. Here, we show that whilst the absence of eosinophils did not have a significant effect on cytokine production, MHC-II(+) cells were more numerous in the dermal cell exudate population. Nevertheless, the absence of dermal eosinophils did not lead to an increase in the responsiveness of CD4(+) T cells in the sdLN, revealing that eosinophils in repeatedly exposed skin did not impact on the development of CD4(+) T-cell hyporesponsiveness. On the other hand, the absence of connective tissue mast cells led to a reduction in dermal IL-10 and to an increase in the number of MHC-II(+) cells infiltrating the skin. There was also a small but significant alleviation of hyporesponsiveness in the sdLN, suggesting that mast cells may have a role in regulating immune responses after repeated exposures of the skin to S. mansoni cercariae.

A waterborn zoonotic helminthiase in an Italian diver: a case report of a cutaneous Sparganum infection and a review of European cases.

Many waterborne helminthes are opportunistic parasites that can travel directly from animals to man and may contain forms capable of penetrating the skin. Among these, Sparganum is the pseudophyllidean tapeworm that belongs to the genus Spirometra, which is responsible for parasitic zoonosis; it is rarely detected in Europe and is caused by the plerocercoid infective larva. Thus far, only six cases of cutaneous and ocular sparganosis have been reported in Europe; two and four cases have occurred in France and Italy, respectively. Herein, we describe a new case of sparganosis in Italy that affected a male diver who presented to the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital of Rome. The patient's skin biopsy was submitted to the Parasitology department who, in consultation with Pathology, concluded that the morphologic and microscopic findings were those of Sparganum spp. larvae. The patient recovered following a single dose of 600 mg praziquantel.

Parasitic scabies mites and associated bacteria joining forces against host complement defence.

Scabies is a ubiquitous and contagious skin disease caused by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei Epidemiological studies have identified scabies as a causative agent for secondary skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. This is an important notion, as such bacterial infections can lead to serious downstream life-threatening complications. As the complement system is the first line of host defence that confronts invading pathogens, both the mite and bacteria produce a large array of molecules that inhibit the complement cascades. It is hypothesised that scabies mite complement inhibitors may play an important role in providing a favourable micro-environment for the establishment of secondary bacterial infections. This review aims to bring together the current literature on complement inhibition by scabies mites and bacteria associated with scabies and to discuss the proposed molecular link between scabies and bacterial co-infections.

Tropical skin diseases in British military personnel.

Skin complaints are common in travellers to foreign countries and are responsible for up to 25% of medical consultations by military personnel during deployments in the tropics. They also have relatively high rates of field hospital admission, medical evacuation and referral to UK Role 4 healthcare facilities. Non-infectious tropical skin diseases include sunburn, heat rash, arthropod bites, venomous bites, contact dermatitis and phytophotodermatitis. During tropical deployments skin infections that commonly occur in military personnel may become more frequent, severe and difficult to treat. Several systemic tropical infections have cutaneous features that can be useful in making early diagnoses. Tropical skin infections such as cutaneous larva migrans, cutaneous myiasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis and leprosy do occur in British troops and require specialist clinical management. This illustrated review focuses on the most significant tropical skin diseases that have occurred in British military personnel in recent years. Clinical management of these conditions on deployments would be improved and medical evacuations could be reduced if a military dermatology 'reach-back' service (including a telemedicine facility) was available.

Dirofilaria repens infection in a ten-year-old boy from the Istria Peninsula: case report.

Dirofilariasis is a zoonotic infection caused by worms belonging to the genus Dirofilaria. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and the hosts are usually dogs. Infections in humans are rare and they usually manifest as a subcutaneous nodule or a conjunctival form. We present a 10-year-old boy with a subcutaneous nodule on his left forearm, who was admitted to the hospital. On examination, the only significant findings were high levels of eosinophils. The pediatrician suspected dirofilariasis and the boy was referred to pediatric surgery. The whole lesion was surgically removed and histopathologic examination confirmed parasitic infection by Dirofilaria repens. Although human dirofilariasis is a rare disease, the number of reported cases has recently increased worldwide. The disease mainly occurs in southern European countries, but has also been described in eastern Europe, Central Asia and Sri Lanka. Croatia is one of the endemic areas for dirofilariasis, especially in the region of the Istria Peninsula. The case presented highlights the requirement for further monitoring of endemic areas in order to establish effective preventive measures.

Frequency of presentation of bovine cutaneous pythiosis (Pythium insidiosum) in three cattle farms in Cordoba, Colombia / Frecuencia de presentación de Pythiosis Cutánea Bovina (Pythiuminsidiosum) en tres explotaciones ganaderas de Córdoba, Colombia / Freqüência de apresentação da Pitiose Cutânea Bovina (Pythiuminsidiosum) em 3 fazendas em Córdoba, Colômbia

The skin pythiosis is a chronic granulomatous, often pruriginous, rapidly progressive illness, caused by Pythium insidiosum. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of occurrence of bovine cutaneous pythiosis (Pythium insidiosum) in three farms in the department of Cordoba, Colombia. A prospective study in animals was performed, for convenience, between May and August 2011. 72 cattle with granulomatous skin lesions compatible with Pythiosis were evaluated clinical, epidemiological and histopathologically, from 187 cows belonging to three farms located in flood zones in the department of Cordoba, Colombia. The frequency of occurrence of bovine cutaneous Pythiosis in 3 cattle farms in Córdoba department, Colombia was 38,5%. It was concluded that clinical and epidemiological manifestations, macroscopic characteristics of the skin lesions and pathological findings, reported a median pythiosis presence of bovine dermal three farms located in flood zones of the department of Cordoba, Colombia.

La Pythiosis cutánea es una enfermedad crónica, granulomatosa, a menudo pruriginosa y rápidamente progresiva, causada por el Pythium insidiosum. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la frecuencia de presentación de pythiosis cutánea bovina en tres explotaciones ganaderas del departamento de Córdoba, Colombia. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo prospectivo en animales a conveniencia, entre los meses de mayo y agosto de 2011. Fueron evaluados clínica, epidemiológica e histopatológicamente 72 bovinos con lesiones cutáneas granulomatosas compatibles con Pythiosis, a partir de 187 bovinos pertenecientes a tres explotaciones ganaderas ubicadas en zonas inundables del departamento de Córdoba, Colombia. La frecuencia de la enfermedad fue de 38.5%. Se concluye que por las manifestaciones clínico-epidemiológicas, las características macroscópicas de las lesiones cutáneas y los hallazgos histopatológicos, se informa una mediana presencia de pythiosis cutánea en bovinos de tres explotaciones ganaderas ubicadas en zonas inundables del departamento de Córdoba, Colombia.

A pitiose cutânea é uma doença granulomatosa crônica, muitas vezes pruriginosa e rapidamente progressiva, causada por Pythium insidiosum. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a freqüência de ocorrência de pitiose cutânea bovina (Pythium insidiosum) em três fazendas no departamento de Córdoba, Colômbia. Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo em animais a conveniência, entre Maio e Agosto de 2011. Foram avaliados clínica, epidemiológica e histopatologicamente 72 bovinos com lesões cutâneas granulomatosas compatíveis com pitiose, a partir de 187 bovinos pertencentes a 3 fazendas localizadas em zonas inundáveis, no departamento de Córdoba, Colômbia. A freqüência de ocorrência de pitiose cutânea bovina em 3 fazendas no departamento de Córdoba, Colômbia foi de 38,5%. Concluímos que as manifestações clínicas e epidemiológicas, características macroscópicas das lesões de pele e achados patológicos, relatou uma presença mediana de pitiose bovina cutânea em 3 fazendas localizadas em zonas inundáveis no departamento de Córdoba, na Colômbia.

Common geriatric morbidity from communicable diseases in a rural hospital in Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The geriatric health, wellness and illness states in Nigeria are largely influenced by communicable diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at describing the pattern of common geriatric morbidity from communicable diseases in a rural hospital in Eastern Nigeria. METHODS: This study was a descriptive hospital-based study carried out from June 2008 to June 2010 on geriatric patients at St Vincent De Paul Hospital, Amurie-Omanze, a rural Mission General Hospital in Imo state. The data collected included age, sex and diagnoses made. RESULTS: Eight hundred and seventy two patients out of a total patient population of 9885 were 65 years and above. The geriatric patients' constituted 8.8% of total patients' population. Out of these, 530 (60.8%) had communicable diseases consisting of 235 males and 295 females with a male to female ratio of 1: 1.3. The top five communicable diseases were malaria (67.1%), skin infections (43.6%), urinary tract infections (36.0%), intestinal helminthiasis (20.6%) and gastroenteritis (17.9%). CONCLUSION: This study shows that geriatric patients suffer acute and chronic communicable diseases with the commonest being malaria, skin infections, urinary tract infections and neglected tropical disease such as ascariasis and hookworm infestation. Effective measures are needed to control the scourge of communicable diseases which are largely preventable among the elderly patients particularly in rural Nigeria.

Subcutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens in Greece: a case report.

Dirofilaria repens (formerly Dirofilaria conjunctiva) is a natural parasite of the subcutaneous tissues of dogs, cats and wild carnivores in Europe, Africa and Asia. Microfilariae are transmitted to humans by various species of mosquito. An autochthonous case of subcutaneous dirofilariasis is reported in a Greek patient from the island of Corfu. The clinical manifestation of the infection was a palpable, painless, subcutaneous nodule in the region of the groin, which 2 days before the patient consulted the doctor developed symptoms and signs of inflammation (pain, edema and redness). The entire lesion was surgically removed, and the nematode worm D. repens was identified on histological sections of biopsy material. The aim of this report was (a) to describe the microscopic morphological features of D. repens that enable identification of the parasite on histological examination and (b) to emphasize the importance of consideration of subcutaneous dirofilariasis in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous nodules with inflammatory eosinophilic infiltration in countries where the infection is endemic.

Human Dirofilaria repens infection in Serbia.

Human infection by Dirofilaria repens in Serbia has been increasing steadily. The first case was reported in 1971, presented in the form of a single subcutaneous nodule on the back of a young boy. As established by a literature search, eight additional cases were reported until mid-2001. The most frequent site of infection was subcutaneous tissue, with the exception of two cases, in which parasites were found in subconjunctiva and epididymis. Our study, conducted from 2001 to 2008, encompasses 19 new cases. Most of them (63.1%) presented as ocular or periocular infections, in which the parasite was typically found under the conjunctiva. In other cases a parasitic nodule was localized in the temporal region of the head, epididymis, testicle, abdomen, breast or arm. The diagnosis was made by morphological and histological analysis of the extracted intact worms and parasite sections from the tissue. Morphology of the filarial worms was well preserved in more than half of the cases (12/19) and there was never more than one parasite found inside the lesions. Adult worms and immature nematodes were observed in nine and seven cases, respectively. Furthermore, in two cases microfilariae were discovered inside the pseudocoelom, sections of the female reproductive tubes filled with clearly visible larval stages. Dirofilaria repens infection was diagnosed by its morphological features (17/19) or by performing polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using paraffin-embedded tissues (2/19) in the cases where the morphology was insufficient for identification and the parasites had been determined initially as Dirofilaria spp. The amplified 246 bp PCR product showed that the worms were D. repens.

Topics in pediatric dermatology.

Skin conditions of puppies and kittens are often infectious, such as ectoparasites or dermatophytosis. Hereditary and congenital skin problems are often detected at an early age. Young animals may be more prone to toxicity from medications, and labels should be read carefully for age limits. Husbandry factors, including nutrition, ectoparasites,temperature and humidity, cleaning products, and bedding, should be considered. Fleas are still a common problem despite recent improvements in flea control and can be debilitating in young animals because of blood loss.

Unusual infectious complications of dermatologic procedures.

Because dermatologic procedures disrupt skin integrity, they alter the body's protective barrier and predispose individuals to cutaneous infection. Postoperative wound infections--even with common pathogens such as S. aureus--seldom complicate dermatologic procedures; however, unusual infections have been reported to complicate excisions, biopsies, skin grafts, chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, liposuction, blepharoplasty, and injections (eg, with anesthetic solutions or botulinum toxin). Numerous environmental and patient risk factors increase the rate of postoperative wound infections, but otherwise healthy individuals undergoing relatively simple procedures are sometimes affected. Obtaining a thorough patient, history (including history of prior HSV infection or any immunocompromising factors) is crucial. Patients should be warned of potential complications, particularly when they are undergoing cosmetic procedures. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for possible wound infection in all patients that extends several months postoperatively. Manifestations of unusual postoperative infections are highly variable, and they might be secondary to bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic pathogens. Bacterial lesions are often polymicrobial, and bacterial superinfection can exacerbate other wound complications such as HSV reactivation. Most wound infections remain localized, but occasionally systemic disease occurs. For example, cutaneous diphtheria or rapidly growing mycobacteria rarely disseminate, whereas TSS results in systemic disease caused by toxin release. Some unusual postsurgical infections are self-limited, but they can still be potentially life threatening or disfiguring. Antimicrobial prophylaxis might reduce the risk of wound infection in some cases. Clinicians can better care for patients by becoming familiar with the causes and clinical manifestations of unusual dermatologic postoperative wound infections (Table 1). Following the recognition of an infectious process, appropriate diagnostic procedures allow for pathogen identification and the prompt institution of indicated therapy.