Kefir as a therapeutic agent in clinical research: a scoping review.

Increasing research has been conducted on the role of probiotics in disease treatment. Kefir, a safe, low-cost probiotic fermented milk drink, has been investigated in many in vitro and animal studies, although parameters for human therapeutic dose or treatment time have not yet been determined. Here we perform a scoping review of clinical studies that have used kefir as a therapeutic agent, compiling the results for perspectives to support and direct further research. This review was based on Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, including studies on the effects of kefir-fermented milk in humans. Using the term KEFIR, the main international databases were searched for studies published in English, Spanish or Portuguese until 9 March 2022. A total of 5835 articles were identified in the four databases, with forty-four eligible for analysis. The research areas were classified as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal health/disorders, maternal/child health and paediatrics, dentistry, oncology, women's and geriatric health, and dermatology. The many study limitations hampered generalisation of the results. The small sample sizes, methodological variation and differences in kefir types, dosage and treatment duration prevented clear conclusions about its benefits for specific diseases. We suggest using a standard therapeutic dose of traditionally prepared kefir in millilitres according to body weight, making routine consumption more feasible. The studies showed that kefir is safe for people without serious illnesses.

Shave Excision Versus Elliptical Excision of Nonpigmented Intradermal Melanocytic Nevi: Comparative Assessment of Recurrence and Cosmetic Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Nonpigmented intradermal melanocytic nevi (IMN) are benign lesions often removed for cosmetic reasons. There is no consensus as to the best technique for IMN excision. OBJECTIVE: To compare cosmetic outcomes and risk of recurrence after shave excision versus elliptical excision of IMN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, patients underwent shave excision or elliptical excision with sutured closure of IMN of the face or back. Recurrence, patient satisfaction, cosmetic outcome, postoperative discomfort, scar size, discoloration, and presence of hypertrophic or keloid scars were evaluated at 3, 6, and 9 months. RESULTS: Overall, 145 nevi were removed from 45 patients (86.7% women, mean age 52.1 ± 12.5 years). The recurrence rate was 11.7%, occurring only after shave excision; 94.1% of recurrences were observed at 3-month follow-up. Shave excision was associated with less discomfort 48 hours after intervention but a greater likelihood of involved lateral and deep margins (p < .001). Scars were larger after elliptical excision and suture than after shave excision (p < .01). The mean patient satisfaction was higher in the shave excision group (p < .004). CONCLUSION: Shave excision of IMN is associated with higher rates of involved surgical margins and recurrence than elliptical excision but provides superior cosmesis and patient satisfaction.

Stromal α-Smooth Muscle Actin Positivity Is Associated With High-Risk Basal Cell Carcinomas.

ABSTRACT: The presence of myofibroblast differentiation has been proposed as an invading mechanism in basal cell carcinomas. However, small studies regarding α-smooth muscle actin positivity have led to conflicting results. This review of 100 cases examines the association between α-smooth muscle actin positivity on immunohistochemical studies and the clinical and histopathological characteristics of the tumor, including tumor size, thickness, subtype, topography, ulceration, 5-year recurrence rate, and age at diagnosis.

Characterization of individuals at high risk of developing melanoma in Latin America: bases for genetic counseling in melanoma.

PURPOSE: CDKN2A is the main high-risk melanoma-susceptibility gene, but it has been poorly assessed in Latin America. We sought to analyze CDKN2A and MC1R in patients from Latin America with familial and sporadic multiple primary melanoma (SMP) and compare the data with those for patients from Spain to establish bases for melanoma genetic counseling in Latin America. METHODS: CDKN2A and MC1R were sequenced in 186 Latin American patients from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay, and in 904 Spanish patients. Clinical and phenotypic data were obtained. RESULTS: Overall, 24 and 14% of melanoma-prone families in Latin America and Spain, respectively, had mutations in CDKN2A. Latin American families had CDKN2A mutations more frequently (P = 0.014) than Spanish ones. Of patients with SMP, 10% of those from Latin America and 8.5% of those from Spain had mutations in CDKN2A (P = 0.623). The most recurrent CDKN2A mutations were c.-34G>T and p.G101W. Latin American patients had fairer hair (P = 0.016) and skin (P < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of MC1R variants (P = 0.003) compared with Spanish patients. CONCLUSION: The inclusion criteria for genetic counseling of melanoma in Latin America may be the same criteria used in Spain, as suggested in areas with low to medium incidence, SMP with at least two melanomas, or families with at least two cases among first- or second-degree relatives.Genet Med 18 7, 727-736.

Treponema pallidum PCR with blood and cerebrospinal fluid of newborns exposed and not exposed to syphilis during pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital syphilis (CS) has severe adverse outcomes, including abortion and death. Diagnosis of CS in asymptomatic newborns remains difficult. This study aims to evaluate an in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples (BS) to identify T. pallidum DNA in newborns. METHODOLOGY: We performed an exploratory cross-sectional study that included newborns exposed to syphilis during pregnancy (SEG) and non-exposed (SNEG) newborns, between 2019 and 2020. In-house conventional PCR for T. pallidum targeting the tpp47 gene was used to analyze CSFS and dried blood spots. RESULTS: BS was obtained from 54 newborns (33 SEG/21 SNEG) and CSF from 55 newborns (33 SEG/22 SNEG). Twenty-five (71.4%) SEG newborns had reactive BS rapid plasmatic reagins (RPR), and all of them had RPR titers less than or equal to the corresponding maternal titers. All RPR CSF tests were negative. PCR for T. pallidum DNA was positive in 19/33 (57.6%) BS, and in 22/33 CSF. The only SEG newborn with clinical signs of early CS had a positive CSF PCR and a negative BS PCR. Conversely, among SNEG newborns, PCR was positive in 2/21 BS and 5/22 (22.7%) CSF. CONCLUSIONS: T. pallidum DNA was identified using our PCR tests. The exposed group did not present abnormalities that would indicate CS. This prevented conclusions regarding sensitivity and specificity. Dried spot permitted bedside collection, easy transportation, and storage. Further research is needed to evaluate and improve the accuracy of CS low-cost PCR tests, especially for limited resource settings.

EGFR inhibitors: clinical aspects, risk factors and biomarkers for acneiform eruptions and other mucosal and cutaneous adverse effects.

The frequency of the use of drugs that act on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is increasing, with the consequent onset of cutaneous toxicity, specifically acneiform eruption. The authors extensively review the topic, focusing on describing how these drugs can affect the skin and its appendages, that is, the pathophysiology that encompasses the cutaneous toxicity related to the use of EGFR inhibitors. In addition, it was possible to list the risk factors that may be associated with adverse effects of these drugs. Based on this recent knowledge, the authors expect to aid in the management of patients who are more vulnerable to toxicity, reduce morbidities, and improve the quality of life of patients undergoing treatment with EGFR inhibitors. Other issues related to the toxicity of EGFR inhibitors, such as the clinical aspects of the acneiform eruption grades, and other different types of cutaneous and mucosal reactions, are also included in the article.

Tumoral inflammatory infiltrate does not predict metastases in thin primary cutaneous melanomas.

BACKGROUND: In cutaneous melanomas in general, tumor inflammatory infiltrate (TII) can protect against distant metastases, but there is no consensus when only thin primary cutaneous melanomas (TPCM) are considered. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of TII in TPCM and the relationship between TII and the occurrence of metastases. METHODS: Case-control study including 50 patients with TPCM, 22 metastatic (MC group) and 28 non-metastatic (NMC group). The presence of TII was evaluated and, if present, qualified as mild, moderate or marked. RESULTS: The mean age was 50.7 years in the MC and 56.2 years in the NMC group (p = 0.234), and the male sex predominated in the MC group (63.6%). The average Breslow thickness was higher in the MC when compared to that observed in the NMC (respectively 0.8 vs. 0.6 mm, p = 0.012). The presence of ulceration occurred in 22.7% of the MC and 17.9% of the NMC (p = 0.732). TII was present in all 50 TPCM, being marked or moderate in 67.9% of the NMC and 54.5% in the MC group (p = 0.503). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of moderate and marked TII had an Odds Ratio (OR) of 0.57 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.18‒1.8) and adjusted OR of 0.68 (95% CI 0.13‒3.99). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: TII was present in all TPCM (with and without metastases), and it was not possible to demonstrate a protective effect of TII against the appearance of metastases.

Hospital Dermatology: analysis of dermatological consultations in a tertiary teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: In hospital settings, dermatology can offer substantial clinical support for the diagnosis and management of skin conditions, reducing morbidity and mortality. Thus, the study aimed to analyze the profile of referrals and consultations performed by the Dermatology Service of the Santa Casa de Misericordia de Porto Alegre, from August 2018 to January 2020. METHODS: This study is descriptive, quantitative, and retrospective, conducted through data collection and review of medical records and referrals. The variables included were clinical data of referrals, in-patients profiles, dermatological diagnoses, complementary exams, therapeutic conduct, and recommended follow-ups. RESULTS: A total of 1020 referrals were analyzed, which resulted in 641 consultations (328 men, 313 women). The most prevalent skin disease groups were 'Dermatitis and Eczema' (33.1%) and 'Other infectious skin diseases (21.8%), while the most frequent ICD-10 were 'Drug eruptions - L27' (9.9%) and 'Other and unspecified dermatitis - L30' (6.6%). Corticoids were the most recommended treatments (27.7%), followed by antifungals (13.1%). 'Consultation Discharge' (44%) and 'Outpatient' Dermatology follow-up (27%) were the most frequent causes for ending consultation. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Among the study limitations, the authors highlight its retrospective nature, with data analysis based on referrals and medical records, which may present inaccurate or incomplete information. In addition to this, the study may demonstrate a certain degree of subjectivity due to the review and interpretation process conducted by the researchers. However, the definition of objective criteria based on previous studies attenuates such possible bias. Furthermore, considering that the Dermatology teams are composed of a preceptor dermatologist and residents, the established diagnoses were not submitted to third-party verification, except in the cases of skin biopsies and cultures. Thus, the professional's experience and skills may have influenced the dermatological diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underlie the importance of Dermatology in hospital assistance, contributing to the management of a wide range of skin conditions.

Decrease in Health-Related Quality of Life and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome in Health Care Workers After SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the persistence of symptoms, the prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome, and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among health care workers (HCWs) 6 months after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted. All HCWs with confirmed COVID-19 from January to June 2021 were invited to participate. Health-related quality of life was evaluated in three moments: before COVID-19, after COVID-19 (on return to work), and after 6 months. Persistence of symptoms post-COVID-19 was also assessed. RESULTS: There was a worsening in all dimensions of HRQOL. After 6 months, self-rated health on EuroQol visual analog scale did not return to pre-COVID-19 values. At total, 36.2% of HCWs were diagnosed with post-COVID-19 syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant deterioration in HRQOL among HCWs who had COVID-19 and a high frequency of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Role of gut microbiota in infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Thousands of microorganisms compose the human gut microbiota, fighting pathogens in infectious diseases and inhibiting or inducing inflammation in different immunological contexts. The gut microbiome is a dynamic and complex ecosystem that helps in the proliferation, growth, and differentiation of epithelial and immune cells to maintain intestinal homeostasis. Disorders that cause alteration of this microbiota lead to an imbalance in the host's immune regulation. Growing evidence supports that the gut microbial community is associated with the development and progression of different infectious and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, understanding the interaction between intestinal microbiota and the modulation of the host's immune system is fundamental to understanding the mechanisms involved in different pathologies, as well as for the search of new treatments. Here we review the main gut bacteria capable of impacting the immune response in different pathologies and we discuss the mechanisms by which this interaction between the immune system and the microbiota can alter disease outcomes.

Consensus on the therapeutic management of atopic dermatitis ‒ Brazilian Society of Dermatology: an update on phototherapy and systemic therapy using e-Delphi technique.

This publication is an update of the "Consensus on the therapeutic management of atopic dermatitis - Brazilian Society of Dermatology" published in 2019, considering the novel, targeted-oriented systemic therapies for atopic dermatitis. The initial recommendations of the current consensus for systemic treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis were based on a recent review of scientific published data and a consensus was reached after voting. The Brazilian Society of Dermatology invited 31 experts from all regions of Brazil and 2 international experts on atopic dermatitis who fully contributed to the process. The methods included an e-Delphi study to avoid bias, a literature search and a final consensus meeting. The authors added novel approved drugs in Brazil and the indication for phototherapy and systemic therapy for AD. The therapeutical response to systemic treatment is hereby reported in a suitable form for clinical practice and is also part of this updated manuscript.

Breast carcinoma metastasis and Wolf's isotopic response.

Wolf's isotopic phenomenon occurs when a new dermatosis appears on a site that has already healed from a previous dermatological disease of another etiology. This report describes the case of a 44-year-old female patient undergoing treatment for breast carcinoma who recently had brownish erythematous lesions appearing on the scar region of previous herpes zoster on the right hemithorax. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry examination confirmed skin metastasis of breast cancer. Herpes zoster scars require attention due to the possibility of an isotopic response as a facilitating factor in some dermatoses, sometimes severe ones, such as neoplasms.

Sensitizing agents found in children and adolescents with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis: a cross-sectional study with a pediatric battery.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is the most common inflammatory skin disease in childhood and has an important impact on quality of life, especially severe cases or those that are recalcitrant to treatments. Sensitization to allergens with the potential for allergic contact dermatitis is a factor associated with cases of recalcitrant atopic dermatitis. Understanding the relationship between atopic dermatitis, allergens, and allergic contact dermatitis is essential. In Brazil, there are no studies on sensitization to allergens found in patch tests with pediatric batteries in patients with atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: To verify the main sensitizing agents, the prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis and the epidemiological and clinical profile of children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Cross-sectional, prospective study in patients between 4 and 18 years of age, with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis, treated at the Sanitary Dermatology Outpatient Clinic (RS). All patients underwent patch tests with a battery of pediatric allergens. RESULTS: The prevalence of sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis in the evaluated patients was 37.07% (20/54) and 27.7% (15/54), respectively. The most frequent allergens were: nickel sulfate (16.7%), disperse blue (5.6%), and fragrance mix I (5.6%). Nickel was associated with the female sex (p = 0.019). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Sample size and selection, absence of a control group. CONCLUSIONS: A proportion of patients with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis may be sensitized to different allergens and may even have developed allergic contact dermatitis. Recognizing this context is important in the prevention strategy and management of the disease.

Infantile hemangiomas: risk factors for complications, recurrence and unaesthetic sequelae.

BACKGROUND: Infantile hemangiomas (IH) occur in approximately 4% to 10% of the pediatric population. The identification of clinical subtypes and conditions that indicate increased risk for complications is essential for therapeutic success. OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors for complications, recurrence and unaesthetic sequelae. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of patients with infantile hemangiomas undergoing follow-up at the Dermatology Service of Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, between 2006 and 2018. RESULTS: 190 patients were included; 24% had some type of complication, ulceration being the most frequent, and 86% required treatment. On correlation, ulceration was statistically related to mixed IH (p = 0.004), segmental IH (p < 0.01) and location in the gluteal region (p = 0.001). The mean time of treatment with propranolol was 12.7 months. Patients with PHACES syndrome and segmental infantile hemangioma required longer treatment (p < 0.001 and p = 0.0407, respectively), as well as those who started treatment after five months of life (p < 0.0001). Recurrence occurred in 16.6% of the treated patients, all-female; 94% were located on the head and neck (mainly on the upper eyelid, cyrano, S3 segment, and with parotid involvement); 61% and 38.8% were of the mixed and deep subtypes, respectively. Approximately 1/3 of the patients had some unaesthetic sequelae. STUDY LIMITATIONS: As this is a retrospective study, data and photos of some patients were lost. CONCLUSIONS: Mixed and segmental hemangiomas are risk factors for ulceration and sequelae. Recurrence occurs more often in females and segmental hemangiomas. Segmental infantile hemangioma and PHACES syndrome require a longer time of treatment. Specific protocols are required for infantile hemangiomas with a high risk of recurrence.

Cutaneous Manifestations in Patients With COVID-19 Treated at a University Hospital in Southern Brazil.

Objectives The aim of this study was to ascertain whether pattern of cutaneous lesions, age, sex, ethnicity, long-term medication use, arterial oxygen saturation at the first examination, setting of care, and number of medications used to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection are associated with mortality in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and cutaneous manifestations. In addition, to evaluate the occurrence of cutaneous manifestations in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 through a review of medical records and in-person evaluation by a dermatologist. Methods This investigation consisted of two components - (A) a cross-sectional study with a retrospective review of the medical records of all patients with a positive reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 treated at Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre between March 2020 and November 2020, and (B) a prospective case series with in-person skin examination by an attending dermatologist of all patients admitted to COVID-19 wards between April 2021 and July 2021. The pattern of skin lesions and other variables were assessed. Results Information from 2968 individuals with COVID-19 was collected (2826 from the medical records and 142 from the in-person examination by a dermatologist). Of these, a total of 51 patients (1.71%) had COVID-19-related cutaneous lesions - 36 from the medical records group (1.27% of cutaneous manifestations) and 15 from the examinated group (10.56% of cutaneous manifestations). Of 51 patients, 15 (29.41%) died. There was no association between mortality and patterns of cutaneous manifestations. The variables male sex (p=0.021), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p=0.001), and use of three or more antibiotics (p=0.041) were associated with higher mortality. Conclusions The risk factors, proven by our study, for mortality in patients with COVID-19 and cutaneous manifestations were male sex, ICU stays, and use of three or more antibiotics. Using the review of medical records as a tool for evaluating cutaneous manifestations related to COVID-19, there are about 10 times fewer occurrences when compared to in-person evaluation by a dermatologist.