Seroepidemiologic survey of the household contacts of leprosy patients

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Leprosy is a disabling infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of leprosy among household contacts of leprosy patients. METHODS: This study is a serological survey in household contacts of leprosy patients who had been treated or were undergoing treatment in the city of Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil, from 2006-2016, using clinical examination and screening for anti- Phenolic glycolipid-I antibodies with Mycobacterium leprae-flow serology. RESULTS: A total of 263 index cases of leprosy were identified during the study period. Of these, 53 were approached, and among their household contacts, 108 were examined. The ML-flow test was positive in 2 (1.85%) individuals, but clinical examination revealed no signs or symptoms of leprosy in them. Therefore, they were considered to have a subclinical infection. Leprosy was not confirmed in any household contacts. In this study, a lower percentage of household contacts, when compared to that in the literature, had a positive Mycobacterium leprae-flow test result. CONCLUSION: The use of Mycobacterium leprae-flow should be encouraged during the follow-up of at-risk populations, such as the household contacts of leprosy patients.

Case for diagnosis. Eyelid edema and erythematous papules disseminated on the face

Abstract Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei or acne agminata is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin, considered an intriguing entity due to its pathogenesis, which is still largely speculative. It has been linked to tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, rosacea, and other granulomatous diseases, but it is considered an independent entity.

Proteus syndrome

Abstract: Proteus syndrome is a rare syndrome characterized by disproportionate overgrowth of limbs, multiple hamartomas, and vascular malformations. The cerebriform connective tissue nevi, also called cerebriform plantar hyperplasia, are present in most patients, and is the main characteristic of the syndrome. If present, even alone, they can be considered as a pathognomonic sign. This article reports a classic case of Proteus syndrome in a 2-year-old male patient who began to show a discrete asymmetry of the right hemibody in relation to the left one after birth, which increased over the months. He also showed cerebriform plantar hyperplasia and Port-wine stains, among other alterations.

Early malignant syphilis

Abstract Early malignant syphilis is a rare and severe variant of secondary syphilis. It is clinically characterized by lesions, which can suppurate and be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as high fever, asthenia, myalgia, and torpor state. We report a diabetic patient with characteristic features of the disease showing favorable evolution of the lesions after appropriate treatment.

Lack of association between alopecia areata and HLA class I and II in a southeastern Brazilian population

Abstract: Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common disorder of unknown etiology that affects approximately 0.7% to 3.8% of patients among the general population. Currently, genetic and autoimmune factors are emphasized as etiopathogenic. Studies linking Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) to AA have suggested that immunogenetic factors may play a role in the disease's onset/development. Objectives: To investigate an association between AA and HLA class I/II in white Brazilians. Methods: Patients and control groups comprised 33 and 112 individuals, respectively. DNA extraction was performed by column method with BioPur kit. Allele's classification was undertaken using the PCR-SSO technique. HLA frequencies were obtained through direct counting and subjected to comparison by means of the chi-square test. Results: Most patients were aged over 16, with no familial history, and developed partial AA, with no recurrent episodes. Patients showed a higher frequency of HLA-B*40, HLA-B*45, HLA-B*53 and HLA-C*04 compared with controls, although P was not significant after Bonferroni correction. Regarding HLA class II, only HLA-DRB1*07 revealed statistical significance; nevertheless, it featured more prominently in controls than patients (P=0.04; Pc=0.52; OR=0.29; 95%; CI=0.07 to 1.25). P was not significant after Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: The development of AA does not seem to be associated with HLA in white Brazilians, nor with susceptibility or resistance. The studies were carried out in populations with little or no miscegenation, unlike the Brazilian population in general, which could explain the inconsistency found.

Mais um caso da síndrome da sulfona / One more case of sulfones sydrome

E apresentado o caso de um paciente que inciou tratamento de hanseníase e um mês depois apresentou febre, prurido, queda do estado geral e um quadro cutâneo de eritrodermia esfoliativa que respeitava máculas hipocrômicas no tronco anterior. Biópsias das lesöes mostraram uma dermatite epitelial regular e infiltrado linfocitário pleomórfico com intenso epidermotropismo e foliculotropismo. Em todas as biópsias foram detectados bacilos em nervos e em macrófagos. Os exames laboratoriais mostravam anemia (3.300.000 hemácias/mm3; Hb= 9,2g por cento) e leucocitose (20.800 leucócitos/mm3) com 40(por cento) de linfócitos e polimorfismo dessas células. Essas manifestaçöes foram rotuladas como pertencentes à Síndrome da Sulfona apesar de faltarem seus outros componentes. Os autores consideram que a atipia linfocitária é uma característica imprescindível da síndrome e chamam também a atençäo para o pleomorfismo linfocitário e o intenso epidermotropismo e foliculotropismo observado nos exames histopatológicos que foram realizados. Eles discutem o porque da eritrodermia respeitar as máculas hipocrômicas da hanseníase e consideram que o fato do paciente continuar exibindo o quadro eritrodérmico após a retirada da sulfona, agora sem mais o infiltrado que agredia a epiderme, seria devido a um fenômeno de autossensibilizaçäo