Sporotrichosis: hyperendemic by zoonotic transmission, with atypical presentations, hypersensitivity reactions and greater severity

Abstract In recent decades, an alarming increase in the number of sporotrichosis cases has been reported in southern and southeastern Brazil, especially in the state of Rio de Janeiro, has been considered a long-term hyperendemic condition associated with feline transmission. According to phenotypic classifications, the Sporothrix species recovered from cats were classified as S. brasiliensis in 96.5% of the studied cases. This finding has also been demonstrated in humans, which confirms the zoonotic transmission associated with this predominant species in Brazil. The zoonotic transmission of the fungus and its important virulence in the context of the hyperendemic situation in Rio de Janeiro have changed the approach to the disease, which in its classic form was restricted to certain professional groups and very specific regions in the Brazilian territory, into a public health challenge of scientific interest. Its atypical manifestations and hypersensitivity reactions are increasingly frequent, constituting a new sporotrichosis aspect, which deserves attention from the medical community, as well as from other health professionals.

Dermatoscopic fi ndings as a complementary tool in the differential diagnosis of the etiological agent of tinea capitis

Tinea capitis is a scalp infection caused by fungi. In Brazil, the main causative agents are Microsporum canis and the Trichophyton tonsurans. Etiological diagnosis is based on suggestive clinical findings and confirmation depends on the fungus growth in culture. However, it is not always possible to perform this test due to lack of availability. We reveal the dermoscopic findings that enable distinction between the main causative agents of Tinea capitis, M. canis and T. tonsurans. The association of clinical and dermatoscopic findings in suspected Tinea capitis cases may help with the differential diagnosis of the etiological agent, making feasible the precocious, specific treatment.

Esporotricose cutâneo linfática com transmissão zoonótica / Cutaneous-lymphatic sporotrichosis with zoonotic transmission

Os autores apresentam o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, de 43 anos, com esporotricose cutâneo linfática, transmitida por seu gato que apresentava lesão na face. O caso de esporotricose humana foi notificado e o felino encaminhado para avaliação veterinária.

Treatment of superficial mycoses: review - part II / Atualizacao terapeutica das micoses superficiais: artigo de revisao parte II

Superficial fungal infections of the hair, skin and nails are a major cause of morbidity in the world. Choosing the right treatment is not always simple because of the possibility of drug interactions and side effects. The first part of the article discusses the main treatments for superficial mycoses - keratophytoses, dermatophytosis, candidiasis, with a practical approach to the most commonly-used topical and systemic drugs , referring also to their dosage and duration of use. Promising new, antifungal therapeutic alternatives are also highlighted, as well as available options on the Brazilian and world markets.

As infecções fúngicas superficiais dos cabelos, pele e unhas representam uma causa importante de morbidade no mundo. O tratamento nem sempre é simples, havendo dificuldade na escolha dos esquemas terapêuticos disponíveis na literatura, assim como suas possíveis interações medicamentosas e efeitos colaterais. A segunda parte do trabalho aborda os principais esquemas terapêuticos das micoses superficiais - ceratofitoses, dermatofitoses, candidíase -, possibilitando a consulta prática das drogas tópicas e sistêmicas mais utilizadas, sua dosagem e tempo de utilização. Novas possibilidades terapêuticas antifúngicas também são ressaltadas, assim como as apresentações disponíveis no mercado brasileiro e mundial.

Update on therapy for superficial mycoses: review article part I / Atualizacao terapeutica das micoses superficiais: artigo de revisao parte I

Superficial fungal infections of the hair, skin and nails are a major cause of morbidity in the world. Choosing the right treatment is not always simple because of the possibility of drug interactions and side effects. The first part of the article discusses the main treatments for superficial mycoses - keratophytoses, dermatophytosis, candidiasis, with a practical approach to the most commonly-used topical and systemic drugs , referring also to their dosage and duration of use. Promising new, antifungal therapeutic alternatives are also highlighted, as well as available options on the Brazilian and world markets.

As infecções fúngicas superficiais dos cabelos, pele e unhas representam uma causa importante de morbidade no mundo. O tratamento nem sempre é simples, havendo dificuldade na escolha dos esquemas terapêuticos disponíveis na literatura, assim como suas possíveis interações medicamentosas e efeitos colaterais. A primeira parte do trabalho aborda os principais esquemas terapêuticos das micoses superficiais - ceratofitoses, dermatofitoses, candidíase - possibilitando a consulta prática das drogas tópicas e sistêmicas mais utilizadas, sua dosagem e tempo de utilização. Novas possibilidades terapêuticas antifungicas também são ressaltadas, assim como as apresentações disponíneis no mercado brasileiro e mundial.

Lesões molusco-símiles em paciente com esporotricose / Molluscum-like lesions in a patient with sporotrichosis

Esporotricose é uma infecção fúngica subcutânea, adquirida por inoculação direta, causada pelo Sporothrix schenckii. Embora a apresentação clássica linfocutânea represente a maioria dos casos, as formas clínicas atípicas e graves têm aumentado em ocorrência. Esporotricose sistêmica e esporotricose cutânea disseminada são variantes raras, usualmente associadas à imunodeficiência celular ou a estados debilitantes. Relatamos o primeiro caso na literatura de lesões molusco-símiles em esporotricose cutaneomucosa múltipla. Os exames micológico direto e histopatológico apresentavam-se ricos em células leveduriformes.

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii and acquired by direct inoculation. Although the majority of cases consist of the classic lymphocutaneous presentation, the frequency of atypical and severe clinical forms of the disease has increased progressively. Systemic and disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis constitute rare variants and such cases are generally associated with cellular immunodeficiency or debilitated states. The present paper describes the first published case of molluscum-like lesions in disseminated mucocutaneous sporotrichosis. Direct mycological examination and histopathology revealed numerous yeast cells.

Clinical assessment of azithromycin dihydrate in the treatment of pediatric impetigo / Avaliação clínica de azitromicina di-hidratada no tratamento de impetigo pediátrico

The primary objective of this double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was to assess the use of azithromycin dihydrate in oral suspension form in the treatment of impetigo in children. The secondary objectives were to compare the efficacy and safety of two presentations of azithromycin dihydrate in the treatment of impetigo in children, on wound healing and on wound pruritus. After screening and obtaining informed consent of the parents or legal guardians, a total of 100 patients ranging in age from 2-8 years old and presenting impetigo were randomized to one of two groups for a 3-day treatment period using azithromycin dihydrate in oral suspension in single doses of 10mg/kg/day: Group A (manufactured by Merck S.A.), and Group B (manufactured by Pfizer). Patients returned to the study center at the end of the 3-day treatment (Visit 2) and 7 days after the Pretreatment visit (Visit 3) for efficacy assessments and safety monitoring. Pretreatment demographic data and impetigo characteristics (type, location, number of lesions, pruritus) were homogenous between treatment groups. At the end of the study, all patients in both groups presented either ?improvement? or ?cured? lesions, with the majority (72.9%) of the patients presenting ?cured? lesions. We observed a statistically significant decrease in pruritus severity at Visit 2 and Visit 3 in relation to pretreatment, with no significant between-group difference at either study visit. Reported adverse events were transient and mild-to moderate in severity in both treatment groups, with no serious adverse events reported during the study. Based on the data collected during this study, we conclude that the two presentations of azithromycin were safe and effective in the treatment of impetigo in the population evaluated.