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Skin Research and Technology : Official... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Dermoscopy; Sporotrichosis; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Male; Sporothrix; Female
PubMed: 38809586
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13775 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2024The epidemiology of psoriasis and cutaneous mycoses is scarce in Brazil. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the distribution of these diseases in...
The epidemiology of psoriasis and cutaneous mycoses is scarce in Brazil. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the distribution of these diseases in Paraná. Data was obtained from the Outpatient Information System (SIA - Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais), between 2016 and 2020. The procedures were filtered by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). A total of 201,161 outpatient procedures were registered for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The distribution concerning gender was similar (50.93% feminine; 49.07% masculine). The mean age was 51.55 years. The most frequent procedure was methotrexate dispensing (23.17%), followed by acitretin (14.29%) and adalimumab (12.55%). Adjusting to total population, the prevalence of procedures was 0.35%. Regarding cutaneous mycoses, 1,756 procedures were registered. 65% of them referred to females. White race/color was predominant (82.97%). The mean age was 37.6 years. The distribution concerning age varied according to the type of mycosis. Medical appointments (48.92%) and surgical pathology exam/biopsy (38.71%) were the most frequent procedures. The prevalence of procedures was 0.004%. This is the first epidemiological study using SIA about the population affected by psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and cutaneous mycoses in a Brazilian state. We believe that these findings allow relevant contribution to science and public policies in Brazil.
Topics: Humans; Brazil; Male; Female; Psoriasis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Adult; Dermatomycoses; Young Adult; Adolescent; Aged; Sex Distribution; Age Distribution; Child
PubMed: 38808876
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202420230828 -
Open Veterinary Journal Apr 2024Dermatophytosis is a contagious fungal infection that affects mainly cats. It poses significant challenges in veterinary medicine due to its zoonotic potential and...
BACKGROUND
Dermatophytosis is a contagious fungal infection that affects mainly cats. It poses significant challenges in veterinary medicine due to its zoonotic potential and impact on animal and public health. Rapid and reliable diagnosis is crucial for preventing the spread of the disease, guiding treatment decisions, and monitoring disease control efforts. Although there are several studies on diagnostic methods in feline dermatophytosis, the comparison between them from the same sample lacks data. The absence of a universally accepted gold standard diagnostic method highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to diagnosing feline dermatophytosis.
AIM
This study aims to assess the accuracy and efficacy of different diagnostic techniques comprehensively.
METHODS
For this, 48 samples of cats were analyzed by dermoscopy, direct hair examination, fungal culture using various media (Mycosel, Sabouraud, and Dermatophyte Test Medium), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
RESULTS
Direct examination and dermoscopy yielded unsatisfactory results. Mycosel and Sabouraud were suboptimal. DTM demonstrated superior selectivity, making it the most reliable among traditional methods. PCR was the top performer, exhibiting singular sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
CONCLUSION
The study suggests that PCR may be the preferred choice for diagnosing feline dermatophytosis in clinical practice, especially when rapid and accurate results are essential.
Topics: Cats; Animals; Cat Diseases; Tinea; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sensitivity and Specificity; Dermoscopy; Dermatomycoses
PubMed: 38808284
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i4.14 -
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii Apr 2024Superficial mycosis is one of the most common diseases worldwide; however, its epidemiology is changing over time.
INTRODUCTION
Superficial mycosis is one of the most common diseases worldwide; however, its epidemiology is changing over time.
AIM
To present the awareness of people using swimming pools about athlete's foot and onychomycosis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A total of 690 participants were subjected to an extensive survey administered via Google Documents. The questionnaire consisted of 30 online polling items and aimed to evaluate respondents' knowledge pertaining to fungal infections, encompassing aspects such as prevention strategies, disease trajectory, and therapeutic modalities. The survey sample specifically encompassed students and sports enthusiasts associated with 33 Internet groups, and data collection transpired during the period spanning 12 January to 15 March, 2018, predating the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESULTS
In the study, 85.2% of participants regularly inspected their feet, with 4.8% seeking podiatric services. While 75.2% demonstrated hygienic behaviour by changing towels after each pool visit, 41.4% acknowledged sharing nail tools. Notably, 75.7% preferred professional assistance for symptoms, with 24.3% opting for home remedies. Gender disparities were evident, with women showing significantly better hygiene practices and pool usage than men ( < 0.001). Women also exhibited a stronger tendency to disinfect grooming tools and prioritise sterility during beautician services ( < 0.001). These findings emphasise the importance of gender-specific health behaviour analysis in promoting preventive measures.
CONCLUSIONS
The study highlights onychomycosis as a significant societal concern. Pre-COVID-19, awareness among municipal swimming pool users regarding prevention, symptoms, and treatment of athlete's foot and onychomycosis was insufficient.
PubMed: 38784926
DOI: 10.5114/ada.2024.136083 -
BMC Infectious Diseases May 2024Lagenidium deciduum is an oomycete that can cause infections in mammals that present similarly to pythiosis and mucormycosis. Most of the existing case reports have...
BACKGROUND
Lagenidium deciduum is an oomycete that can cause infections in mammals that present similarly to pythiosis and mucormycosis. Most of the existing case reports have occurred in canines and have been fatal. In animals, medical therapy has not been successful, so surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment. Lagenidium sp. infections in humans are rare. There is only one case of a human Lagenidium sp. infection in the literature, and it presented as an ocular infection. The human ocular infection was resistant to medical therapy and required a penetrating keratoplasty for cure. Additional reports of effective therapy are needed to guide management of this emerging pathogen. We present the first case of a cutaneous Lagenidium deciduum infection in a human patient, which is also the first documented case of a Lagenidium deciduum infection in an immunocompromised host of any species.
CASE PRESENTATION
An 18-year-old female with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia, awaiting a haploidentical stem cell transplant, presented with erythematous cutaneous lesions on her left hip and bilateral buttocks that enlarged and blackened over several days. About 1 week later, boil-like lesions appeared on her bilateral buttocks. The skin lesions were initially presumed to be bacterial in origin, so the patient was treated with clindamycin and cefepime with little improvement. Upon further investigation, fungal cultures and skin biopsies revealed aseptate hyphae, so the patient was switched to isavuconazole and amphotericin B due to concern for mucormycosis. Phenotypic characterization and DNA sequencing were performed by the Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, which identified the causal fungal organism as Lagenidium deciduum. All of her cutaneous lesions were surgically excised, and the patient was treated with micafungin, terbinafine, doxycycline, and azithromycin. Micafungin and terbinafine were continued until she achieved engraftment post-transplant.
CONCLUSIONS
We report the first successful treatment of a human Lagenidium infection in an immunocompromised host through a combination of aggressive surgical excision and prolonged antifungal therapy during the prolonged neutropenia associated with allogeneic stem cell transplant. Prompt diagnosis and management may prevent disseminated oomycosis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Antifungal Agents; Adolescent; Lagenidium; Dermatomycoses; Immunocompromised Host
PubMed: 38778275
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09281-5 -
Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2024and , both of which are opportunistic pathogens, have been proved to be possible multidrug resistant. However, are all recurring symptoms in chronic infections related...
and , both of which are opportunistic pathogens, have been proved to be possible multidrug resistant. However, are all recurring symptoms in chronic infections related to decreasing susceptibility? Here we report a case of sporotrichosis secondary to infection. In addition, we find that the blackish-red spots under the dermoscopic view can be employed as a signal for the early identification and regression of subcutaneous fungal infection.
Topics: Sporothrix; Sporotrichosis; Humans; Mycobacterium chelonae; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Male; Coinfection
PubMed: 38764403
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2358073 -
Revista Do Instituto de Medicina... 2024Microsporum canis, one of the most widespread dermatophytes worldwide, is a zoonotic microorganism that transmits infection from reservoirs such as cats and dogs to...
Microsporum canis, one of the most widespread dermatophytes worldwide, is a zoonotic microorganism that transmits infection from reservoirs such as cats and dogs to humans. This microorganism is associated with Tinea corporis and other clinical manifestations; however, few studies have used genetic surveillance to determine and characterize the process of zoonotic transmission. In this study, we show a clear example of zoonotic transmission from a cat to an intrafamilial environment, where it caused Tinea corporis by infection with M. canis. Molecular characterization using the b-tubulin gene and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA analysis made it possible to determine that the six isolates of M. canis obtained in this study belonged to the same genetic variant or clone responsible for reservoir-reservoir or reservoir-human transmission.
Topics: Microsporum; Cats; Animals; Tinea; Cat Diseases; Zoonoses; Pets; Humans; Dogs; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; Male; Female; Dog Diseases; DNA, Fungal
PubMed: 38747851
DOI: 10.1590/S1678-9946202466030 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases May 2024Mycetoma is a serious, destructive, disfiguring chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease affecting the subcutaneous tissues that spread to involve the skin, deep...
Mycetoma is a serious, destructive, disfiguring chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease affecting the subcutaneous tissues that spread to involve the skin, deep tissues and bone. The disease predominately affects the limbs, and extrapedal mycetoma is rarely reported. The reported extrapedal ones are characterised by high morbidity and mortality. This communication reports on 420 patients with extrapedal mycetoma seen and managed at the Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC), University of Khartoum, between January 1991 and December 2021. In this descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study, the electronic records of all mycetoma-confirmed patients seen during the study period were carefully and meticulously reviewed. The confirmed patients with extrapedal mycetoma were included in this study. The study included 420 patients with extrapedal mycetoma, 298 (70.7%) had eumycetoma, and 122 (29.3%) had actinomycetoma. There were 343 male patients (81.7%) and 77 (18.3%) females, with a male-to-female ratio of 4:1. Their ages ranged between 1.5 and 95 years, with a median of 28 years. Most of the patients were students and farmers. The majority of patients were from El Gezira, North Kordofan, and the White Nile States. Mycetoma was painful in 21%, and a family history of mycetoma was recorded in 11.5% of patients. The buttocks (37.9%) and head and neck (16.9%) were affected most. Less frequently affected sites were the trunk and back (12%) each, abdominal and chest walls (4.5%) each and loin (1%). The prominent clinical presentation findings were multiple sinuses discharging grains (55%), massive swellings (46%), and lymphadenopathy (11.5%). Less commonly observed clinical findings were local hyperhidrosis (5.3%) and dilated tortuous veins close to mycetoma lesions (0.5%). The study showed that 204 patients (48.6%) had clinical improvement in terms of decreased lesion size and healing of sinuses following medical therapy. Sixty-six patients (15.7%) had no noticeable improvement. The lesion continued progressing despite treatment in 44 patients (10.5%). In the study, 118 patients were on regular follow-up, and in this group, a cure was documented in 25 patients (21.1%) with eumycetoma and 23 (19.4%) with actinomycetoma. Post-operative recurrence among eumycetoma patients was 40%, with a 1% mortality rate. The treatment outcome was unsatisfactory, characterised by a low cure rate, high recurrence (40%) and follow-up dropout (57%) rates. This emphasises the importance of early case detection and management, objective health education programmes and thorough patient counselling to urge people to seek treatment early and reduce dropouts.
Topics: Humans; Mycetoma; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Child; Young Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Child, Preschool; Aged; Infant; Aged, 80 and over; Antifungal Agents
PubMed: 38728359
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011841 -
WMJ : Official Publication of the State... May 2024In presenting this case of tick-borne illness in a patient with known disseminated blastomycosis, we aim to discuss the clinical reasoning and decision-making process...
INTRODUCTION
In presenting this case of tick-borne illness in a patient with known disseminated blastomycosis, we aim to discuss the clinical reasoning and decision-making process when treating a septic presentation in a complex patient with multiple exposures and risk factors, from identifying and addressing the most devastating differentials to selecting appropriate empiric anti-infective regimens.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present the case of a 60-year-old male with a medical history of diastolic heart failure, cirrhosis, sarcoidosis, hypertension, splenectomy, and recently diagnosed disseminated blastomycosis, who developed sepsis following a recent tick exposure.
DISCUSSION
While a review of the literature revealed a paucity of cases of coexisting fungal and tick-borne illness, each is independently well-studied. Several reported commonalities exist between and , including endemic regions and at-risk populations.
Topics: Humans; Male; Blastomycosis; Middle Aged; Anaplasmosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Animals
PubMed: 38718246
DOI: No ID Found -
WMJ : Official Publication of the State... May 2024Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis that is hyperendemic in Wisconsin. It commonly presents as a pulmonary infection and frequently...
INTRODUCTION
Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis that is hyperendemic in Wisconsin. It commonly presents as a pulmonary infection and frequently disseminates to the skin. Studies evaluating the presentation and diagnosis of blastomycosis with skin as a presenting sign have not been thoroughly evaluated, and understanding the most accurate way to diagnose this infection is important for earlier therapeutic intervention.
METHODS
This is a retrospective chart review study of a single institution. Subjects were identified through a search of ICD-9 () and ICD-10 () codes for blastomycosis in the clinical record and pathology database. Patients were included if diagnosed with cutaneous blastomycosis infection or involvement of the skin from systemic infection from January 1, 2009, to June 1, 2021.
RESULTS
Twenty patients with a diagnosis of cutaneous involvement of blastomycosis were identified; 65% (n = 13) were male. Median age of diagnosis was 55.5 years. Fifty-five percent of patients were White, 35% were Black or African American. In addition to residence in an endemic area, 50% (n = 10) had exposure risk factors. Fifty percent of patients (n = 10) initially presented with a skin concerns; 65% (n = 13) had extracutaneous involvement. Diagnosis was made by histopathology alone in 55% (n = 11), culture plus histopathology in 35% (n = 7), and culture alone in 5% (n = 1) of cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study highlighted similarities to those previously performed. Half of the patients (n = 10) who had cutaneous involvement of blastomycosis did not demonstrate clinically significant pulmonary involvement. Histopathology and culture remain critical in diagnosing cutaneous blastomycosis.
Topics: Humans; Wisconsin; Blastomycosis; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Adult; Aged; Risk Factors; Blastomyces
PubMed: 38718236
DOI: No ID Found