Presentación faríngea de la sífilis secundaria: a propósito de un caso / Pharyngeal presentation of secondary syphilis: a case report

RESUMEN La sífilis es una infección de transmisión sexual causada por la bacteria Treponema pallidum. En los últimos años ha habido un aumento en la incidencia de esta enfermedad debido a la creciente infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) e inmunodepresión. Conocida como "la gran imitadora" son muchos los signos y síntomas que puede simular, siendo la presentación orofaríngea infrecuente. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 31 años de edad que acude a nuestro servicio por clínica de otitis media serosa bilateral. En la exploración física se objetiva una masa en cavum y una ulceración en pared faríngea posterior que se biopsia en consultas externas siendo el resultado un intenso infiltrado inflamatorio crónico de probable origen infeccioso, por lo que se decidió tomar una nueva biopsia bajo anestesia general. El día de la intervención, el paciente refirió la aparición de un exantema eritematoso generalizado, pero de predominio palmo-plantar. Interrogado sobre sus antecedentes, el paciente reconoció conductas sexuales de riesgo y ser portador VIH, por lo que se orientó el diagnóstico hacia una probable sífilis secundaria que se confirmó posteriormente mediante serología. Las lesiones de orofaringe, la masa del cavum y el exantema remitieron con tratamiento antibiótico y corticoideo pautado. Cuando las manifestaciones de cabeza y cuello constituyen la presentación inicial de la sífilis, su diagnóstico se retrasa con frecuencia debido al desconocimiento por parte del médico de primaria, e incluso del otorrinolaringólogo, de las formas típicas de presentación en esta localización. Su diagnóstico precoz es fundamental para prevenir la extensión de la enfermedad.

ABSTRACT Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Over the last years there has been an increase of the incidence of this disease due to the growing infection by the human inmunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the inmunosupression. Known as "the great imitator", there are many signs and symptoms that can simulate, being the oropharyngeal presentation infrequent. We present the case of a 31-year-old man who came to our service for bilateral otitis media. Physical examination revealed a mass in the cavum and ulceration in the posterior pharyngeal wall that was biopsied in the outpatient clinic. The result was an intense chronic inflammatory infiltrate of probable infectious origin, so it was decided to take a new biopsy under general anesthesia. On the day of the intervention, the patient reported the appearance of a generalized erythematous rash, but predominantly on the bottoms of the feet and on the palms of the hands. Questioned about his background, the patient recognized risky sexual behavior and being an HIV carrier, so the diagnosis was oriented towards a probable secondary syphilis that was subsequently confirmed by serology. The ulcerations of the oropharynx, the mass of the cavum and the rash subsided with antibiotic treatment and corticoid regimen. When the manifestations of the head and neck are the initial presentation of syphilis, its diagnosis is often delayed due to the lack of knowledge of the physicians of the typical presentation forms in this location. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent the spread of the disease and its complications.

Oral manifestation of histoplasmosis on the palate

Abstract This case report describes an uncommon manifestation of histoplasmosis on the soft palate. The importance of appropriate treatment and follow-up in complex cases is emphasized, especially in patients with chronic diseases. Oral lesions may occur as multiple, granular and painful ulcers, as well as verrucous growths. Lesions may also be deep, with infiltrative edges and erythematous or with white areas, accompanied by local lymphadenopathy, resembling a carcinoma on clinical examination. In this sense, a fast and accurate diagnosis is essential to the success of treatment of oral histoplasmosis.

Streptococcus agalactie como agente etiológico de Doença Sexualmente Transmissível / Streptococcus agalactie involved in the etiology of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

O Streptococcus agalactie é um importante micro-organismo causador de doenças em gestantes, neonatos, idosos (maiores de 65 anos de idade), e portadores de doenças crônicas debilitantes, sendo um patógeno incomum em pacientes que não se enquadrem nestas faixas etárias ou perfil clínico (1-5), e, raramente, é descrito como agente causador de doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Descrevemos o caso de um adulto jovem hígido de 19 anos, apresentando lesões ulceradas genitais e oral, assim como corrimento uretral e ocular, sugestivas de terem sido causadas pelo Streptococcus agalactie, e adquiridas através do contato sexual (doenças sexualmente transmissíveis).

Streptococcus agalactiae is an important microorganism involved in a number of conditions in pregnant women, newborns, elderly people (over 65 years of age) and individuals with chronic disabling illnesses. This pathogen is infrequently found among patients outside this age range or clinical profile(1-5) and is rarely reported in the etiology of sexually transmitted diseases. Here we describe a case of an otherwise healthy 19 year-old male, who presented with ulcerative genital and oral lesions in association with urethral and ocular discharge, suggestive of Streptococcus agalactiae infection acquired through sexual contact.

Sequence of oral manifestations in rhino-maxillary mucormycosis.

Mucormycosis, caused by saprophytic fungi of the order Mucorales of the class Zygomycetes, is a rare opportunistic fungal infection, which has a rapidly progressive and fulminant course with fatal outcome. These fungi are ubiquitous, found in soil, bread molds, decaying fruits and vegetables. The most common form of mucormycosis is rhinocerebral and is usually seen in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or in immunocompromised patients. This fungus invades the arteries, leading to thrombosis that subsequently causes necrosis of hard and soft tissues. We report a case of palatal perforation by rhino-maxillary mucormycosis in an immunocompromised patient. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the clinical presentation and pathogenesis of mucormycosis and to emphasize the need for high degree of suspicion in its diagnosis and management.

Primary mucocutaneous histoplasmosis presents as oral ulcer .

We are reporting a rare case of primary mucocutaneous histoplasmosis. A 47-year-old male with a part-time job of rearing pigeons presented with a non-healing oral ulcer with no associated systemic symptoms. Differential diagnosis of oral ulcerative lichen planus, squamous cell carcinoma and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis was considered. Histopathology showed multiple organisms with a peripheral halo, stained strongly with Gomori methenamine silver stain.

Primary oral tuberculosis: report of two cases.

Oral lesions of tuberculosis though uncommon, are seen in both the primary and secondary stages of the disease. In secondary tuberculosis, the oral manifestations may be accompanied by lesions in the lungs, lymph nodes, or in any other part of the body and can be detected by a systemic examination. Primary oral tuberculosis may present as a diagnostic challenge for the clinician. Here we report two patients with primary tuberculosis in the oral cavity who presented to the dental department, were diagnosed and referred for medical management.

Características histopatológicas e imunohistoquímicas das lesoes cutâneas e da mucosa oral na histoplasmose disseminada de portadores da síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (AIDS) / Histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of cutaneous and oral mucosa lesions in disseminated histoplasmosis associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Biopsy specimens of the skin and oral mucosa from twenty-five patients bearing the disseminated form of histoplasmosis (H. capsulatum) associated with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) were studied by histologic and immunohistochemistry techniques. Histologically, the skin lesions showed four different patterns: diffuse macrophage, granulomatous, vasculitic with leukocytoclastic and scarce inflammatory reaction. The cell markers for macrophages, lymphocytes B and T and H. capsulatum revealed CD68, UCHL-1 and L26 associated with variable amounts of fungi.

A análise histopatológica e imunohistoquímica de 25 biópsias cutâneas e da mucosa oral de portadores da associação AIDS e histoplasmose mostrou o seguinte: 1) em 18 casos as lesões cutâneas eram múltiplas e se apresentavam sob a forma de pápulas (eritematosas, violáceas ou acastanhadas), úlceras, vesículo-pústulas e eram distribuídas por todo tegumento cutâneo; Em sete casos as lesões se localizavam na mucosa da língua, palato, úvula e eram do tipo ulcerado ou moruliforme; 2) histologicamente as lesões apresentavam quatro aspectos distintos: macrofágico difuso; granulomatoso; vasculítico com leucocitoclasia; e com escassa reação inflamatória; 3) a tipagem dos linfócitos T e B e dos macrófagos através dos anticorpos monoclonais mostrou que a resposta imunológica ao Histoplasma capsulatum é predominantemente do tipo celular nos quatro tipos histológicos; 4) o teste imunohistoquímico para o fungo nas lesões confirmou o diagnóstico morfológico de H. capsulatum.

Absence of Helicobacter pylori in oral mucosal lesions.

A prospective study was conducted in 26 patients with benign oral ulcers and oral carcinoma and 26 age and sex matched controls to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in oral mucosal biopsies. Oral mucosal biopsies were subjected to rapid urease test, campylobacter like organism (CLO) test, histopathological examination and bacteriological culture for demonstration of H pylori. Urease test was positive for H pylori in 3 (11.4%) out of 26 cases and CLO test in 2 (14%) out of 14 cases. On histology, H pylori was identified in 4 (15.38%) out of 26 cases. The spiral organism was universally absent in culture of both patients and controls. These pilot data negate the casual association of H pylori in oral mucosal lesions.