Palmo-plantar hyperkeratosis associated with HTLV-1 infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Palmoplantar hyperkeratosis is a cutaneous manifestation that had not been clearly associated with infection by the human T-cell lymphotropic virus, which is a retrovirus that in most cases does not develop clinical pathologies and its symptoms may be undetected. The skin is one of the most affected organs, however until now only seborrheic dermatitis, xerosis/ichthyosis and infective dermatitis associated with HTLV-1 have been described as cutaneous clinical manifestations of this disease. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 36-year-old male patient with serologically documented HTLV-1 infection, who presented symptoms of diarrhea, malabsorption due to Strongyloides stercoralis, and in whom a physical examination revealed an association with generalized xerosis and palmoplantar keratoderma confirmed by skin biopsy. Other infectious etiologies and malignancy were ruled out. This clinical manifestation was managed with dermal hydration, and skin care which improved the thickened skin and make it less noticeable. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience, this is the first reported case of palmoplantar keratoderma associated with a human lymphotropic virus infection. This is a skin manifestation that has not been confirmed in conjunction with HTLV-I before. This implies that palmoplantar keratoderma is a new clinical manifestation of this infection, that should be considered in the initial approach of patients in endemic areas with these dermatological characteristics.

High altitude pulmonary edema at 2640 m altitude associated with an acute Rhinovirus infection. First case in the literature.

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a multifactorial condition that may occur after ascent of high altitudes, especially in genetic predisposed individuals. Diagnosis is challenging and could lead to potentially lethal complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We present one of the few reported cases of HAPE below 3000 m of altitude, and the first to our knowledge to present with a concomitant acute Rhinovirus infection, precipitating and complicating the diagnosis and clinical course. Clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcomes are shown below.

Pioderma gangrenoso como síndrome paraneoplásico de un tumor tipo Phyllodes Borderline / Pyoderma gangrenosum as paraneoplastic syndrome of a Phylloides tumor, Borderline type

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 65 años con una masa en su seno izquierdo y una úlcera en el tobillo izquierdo. La paciente consulta por úlcera crónica sin resolución, a pesar de múltiples tratamientos. Al realizar estudio histológico de las dos lesiones, se estableció que la masa en la mama correspondía a un tumor Phyllodes Borderline y la úlcera del tobillo a un pioderma gangrenoso. El pioderma gangrenoso es generalmente secundario a otras condiciones. En este caso se estableció que era un síndrome paraneoplásico del tumor Phyllodes. Esta relación es poco frecuente, debido a que en el mundo sólo se han reportado cuatro casos con la asociación pioderma gangrenoso y tumores de mama. Ninguno de ellos en Colombia. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 207-210).

The case of a 65 year old patient with a mass in her left breast and an ulcer on the left ankle, is presented. The patient consults for a chronic ulcer unresolved despite multiple treatments. When histological study of the two lesions was performed, it was established that the breast mass corresponded to a Phyllodes Borderline tumor and the ankle ulcer to a pyoderma gangrenosum. Pyoderma gangrenosum is usually secondary to other conditions. In this case it was established that it was a paraneoplastic syndrome of Phyllodes tumor. This relationship is rare because only four cases with association of pyoderma gangrenosum and breast tumors have been reported worldwide. None of them in Colombia. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 207-210).

Síndrome metabólico en trabajadores de un hospital de nivel III de atención Estudio SIMETRA / Metabolic syndrome in workers of a level III care hospital SIMETRA study

Introducción: el síndrome metabólico (SM) se caracteriza por obesidad, hiperglucemia o diabetes, hipertensión arterial y dislipidemia. La presencia de este síndrome incrementa el riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares, con el consecuente aumento de la mortalidad. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia del SM y sus componentes en los trabajadores de un hospital de III nivel de atención, utilizando tanto los criterios de la Federación Internacional de Diabetes (IDF) como la definición unificada (armonizada). Metodología: estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en personal del Hospital Universitario de La Samaritana de Bogotá. Para 1.140 trabajadores, considerando prevalencia de 26% e IC 95%, se calculó una muestra de 235 sujetos, a quienes se les realizó encuesta personalizada, exámenes paraclínicos (perfil lipídico y glucemia) y toma de medidas antropométricas (peso, talla, perímetro de cintura y tensión arterial). Para el análisis, la muestra se distribuyó en dos grupos: Administrativo (sin formación específica en el área de salud) y Salud (con dicha formación), para determinar la posible relación entre prevalencia de SM y conocimiento previo sobre este síndrome. Resultados: se obtuvo información completa de 209 trabajadores: 83 (39.7%) en Administrativo y 126 (60.3%) en Salud; la mayoría (50.7%) con edad entre 35 y 50 años, y con predominio de mujeres (72.7%). La frecuencia de SM fue 28.7% por criterios unificados (armonizados) y 26.3% por IDF; utilizando los primeros la frecuencia fue 30.1% en el grupo Administrativo y 27.8% en el grupo Salud, diferencia sin significancia estadística. El SM fue más frecuente en mayores de 50 años (46.4%) y en los niveles educativos secundaria (42.9%) y técnico (32.5%). El análisis de frecuencia según conocimiento previo sobre SM y sus componentes no mostró diferencia estadísticamente significativa. Conclusiones: la frecuencia de SM en trabajadores de este hospital universitario es tan alta como la reportada para la población general. Los datos sugieren que aunque el personal de salud posee conocimiento básico sobre el SM no toma acciones eficaces para evitarlo.

Introduction: metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia or diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The presence of this syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, with a consequent increase in mortality. Objective: to determine the frequency of MS and its components in workers of a tertiary level of care hospital, using both the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the unified definition (harmonized). Methods: cross-sectional study made in staff of the University Hospital La Samaritana, in Bogota. For 1, 140 workers, considering a prevalence of 26% and CI 95%, a sample of 235 subjects who underwent personalized survey, laboratory tests (lipid profile and glucose) and taking of anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist perimeter and blood pressure) was calculated. For analysis, the sample was divided into 2 groups: Administrative (without specific training in the area of health) and health (with health training) to determine the possible relationship between MS prevalence and prior knowledge about this syndrome. Results: complete information was obtained from 209 workers: 83 (39.7%) in Administrative and 126 (60.3%) in Health; the majority (50.7%) aged between 35 and 50 years and female predominance(72.7%). The frequency of MS was 28.7% for unified standards (harmonized) and 26.3% for IDF; using the first, the frequency was 30.1% in the Administrative group and 27.8% in the group Health, difference not statistically significant. MS was more frequent in patients over 50 years (46.4%) and in the educational levels Secondary (42.9%) and Technical (32.5%). The frequency analysis according to prior knowledge of MS and its components showed no statistically significant difference. Conclusions: the frequency of MS in this university hospital workers is as high as that reported for the general population. The data suggest that although health staff has basic knowledge of the MS, does not take effective action to prevent it.