Sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with occupational contact dermatitis seen at a work-related dermatology service, 2000 - 2014

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Occupational dermatoses are common, especially contact dermatitis. Epidemiological studies on these dermatoses are scarce in Brazil and they are necessary as part of the public policy to protect workers' health. OBJECTIVES: To identify sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with occupational contact dermatitis seen between 2000 and 2014 at an occupational dermatology service. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional and retrospective study, based on information obtained from the service's database. RESULTS: Of 560 patients with conclusive patch test, 289 (46.9%) presented occupational dermatoses and 213 occupational contact dermatitis with predominance of the allergic type in relation to the irritative type (149:64 respectively). The odds of occupational dermatoses were higher among men and lower among patients aged 50 years or older and with higher level of education. Regarding the possibility of presenting occupational allergic contact dermatitis, only the gender variable was statistically significant. The professions most seen were cleaners, construction workers, painters, mechanics/metallurgists and cooks. The commonest allergens were nickel sulfate, potassium dichromate, cobalt chloride, carba-mix and formaldehyde. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The main limitations of this study are the fact that it was carried out in a tertiary service of occupational dermatoses and the lack of access to some allergens outside the patch test baseline series. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to identify the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with suspected occupational contact dermatitis seen at the Service, beyond the professional groups and allergens related to a high risk of occupational contact dermatitis in this population.

Evaluation of the profile of inflammatory cytokines, through immunohistochemistry, in the skin of patients with allergic contact dermatitis to nickel in the acute and chronic phases

Abstract: Background: Allergic contact dermatitis to ion nickel (Ni+2) is an inflammatory dermatosis, common in industrialized countries. It involves the activation of nickel-specific T-cells, followed by proliferation and induction of a mixed profile of both proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines, suggesting that several T-cell subtypes (helper - Th and cytotoxic - Tc) are involved. A broader understanding of the cytokine profile may lead to new therapeutic approaches. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the cytokines TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17 and IL-23 using the immunohistochemistry technique in order to try to identify their prevalence in chronic and acute eczema of patients with allergic contact dermatitis to Ni+2. Methods: We performed an immunohistochemical study for eight cytokines in 20 patients with Ni+2 allergic contact dermatitis, biopsied at the site of chronic eczema, triggered by the patient's daily contact with Ni+2, and at the site of acute eczema caused by nickel sulfate, 48 hours after applying the contact test. Results: The stained samples showed positive results for the eight cytokines studied. TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-13 and IL-17 had a higher prevalence in chronic eczema, IL-2 and IL-23 in acute eczema, and IL-10 presented a similar prevalence in both acute and chronic eczema. However, these prevalences were statistically significant only for IL-4 and IL-13. Study Limitations: Small sample size. Conclusions: In chronic and acute eczema, we observed the presence of a mixed cytokine profile of the T cell subtypes (Th/Tc), suggesting that the responses are expressed at the same time.

Efectos sobre la salud y el medio ambiente de las actividades mineras en Chile: contaminación del Estero Pupío y agua potable del pueblo de Caimanes: ¿se origina desde el tranque de relaves mineros El Mauro? / Health and environmental effects of mining activities in Chile: Pupio River and Ddinking water pollution in the town of Caimanes: does it originate from the El Mauro mining tail?

Se describe la presencia de concentraciones elevadas de mercurio en el agua potable del pueblo de Caimanes y la presencia de concentraciones muy elevadas de manganeso, mercurio, hierro, níquel y molibdeno en el estero Pupío. La evidencia sugiere que estos niveles elevados de elementos tóxicos provienen de filtraciones del tranque de relaves El Mauro en la IV Región de Chile. Se describen los efectos diferidos de la exposición crónica y prenatal a estos elementos tóxicos.

The presence of high amounts of mercury in drinking water in the town of Caimanes and presence of very high concentrations of manganese, mercury, iron, nickel and molybdenum in the Pupio river is reported. Evidence suggests that these increased concentrations of toxic elements result from the El Mauro mining tail filtrations in the IV Region of Chile. The delayed effects of chronic and prenatal exposure to these toxic agents are described.

Problemas dermatológicos de los músicos / Dermatologic problems of musicians

Se presenta una revisión acabada de las patologías dermatológicas que se pueden encontrar en aquellos individuos que tocan instrumentos musicales, tanto en forma profesional como en forma recreativa, tratando de identificar los posibles factores etiopatogénicos involucrados. Se describen, además, los clásicos síndromes asociados a cada instrumento y sus características, para así poder ofrecer a estos pacientes un enfoque terapéutico más específico.

Algunas consideraciones higienicoepidemiológicas de la industria del níquel en Cuba / Some hygienic and epidemiological considerations in the nickel industry in Cuba

Se realiza un bosquejo de la situación internacional y nacional del níquel y sus implicaciones sanitarias, así como de las condiciones tecnológicas e higiénicas de las plantas niquelíferas de Moa y Nicaro. Se analiza, además, la morbilidad laboral en ambas plantas y sus coincidencias con la literatura especializada en una serie de afecciones, excepto el cáncer nasal y el pulmonar. Se emiten conclusiones al respecto