Systemic sporotrichosis in an alcoholic patient

Abstract A 44-year-old male patient presented with nodules that evolved with inflammation, following drainage of seropurulent secretion and ulceration. The patient had a 6 year-history of alcohol addiction and reported contact with cats. At the physical examination, the patient had skin-colored and erythematous nodules, and ulcers covered with thick, blackened crusts on the face, trunk and limbs. A culture of a nodule fluid revealed growth of Sporotrix sp. He also had pulmonary involvement and therefore the disease was classified as systemic sporotrichosis, a rare form that usually affect patients infected with HIV. Chronic alcohol abuse was considered the factor of immunosuppression for the patient.

Case for diagnosis. Erythematous and pruritic papules on forearms

Abstract Gamasoidosis is a poorly known and underdiagnosed mite infestation. It is characterized by the presence of erythematous and flattened papules that are quite pruritic, and can affect any region of the body, with preference for areas of folds. This article reports a case of the disease caused by mites of the species Dermanyssus gallinae. Increasingly, the agents that cause this disease are found in urban environments, increasing the incidence of people affected by the disease. This dermatosis has a self-limiting clinical picture and the treatment is done with the use of topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines.

Erythroderma as first manifestation of squamous cell lung cancer: rare case report

Abstract Erythroderma as the first manifestation of a solid organ malignancy is rare. The underlying cancer is a challenging condition to diagnose. There are a few cases of erythroderma in cancer patients reported in the literature. We here describe the case of a 70-year-old man who presented with asthenia, weight loss, dry cough and total body erythema with desquamation over the past month. A chest computed tomography scan showed a nodular lesion, which was finally diagnosed as a squamous cell lung carcinoma. To our knowledge, as an erythroderma presentation, only 13 cases have been reported in the literature. This case report demonstrates the need to search for a neoplasm in patients presenting with erythroderma, particularly in the presence of accompanying debilitating symptoms.

Complete form of pachydermoperiostosis

Abstract Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP) or primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) is a rare hereditary disease characterized by digital clubbing, pachydermia, and periostosis. Its pathogenesis is uncertain and the diagnosis is based on clinical and radiological data. A complete form of the syndrome is reported in a male patient with disease onset in adolescence, with compatible clinical and radiological findings, presenting the three cardinal findings as well as other associated manifestations, such as hyperhidrosis and acne.

Reporte de un caso: eritema discrómico perstans en paciente con diagnóstico de virus de inmunodeficiencia humana / Case report: dyschromic erythema perstans in a patient diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus

El eritema discrómico perstans o dermatitis cenicienta, es un trastorno pigmentario de la piel poco común, de etiología desconocida. Se describe el caso de un adulto de 35 años con antecedente de VIH, quien consulta por aparición de lesiones irregulares, bien definidas café-grises localizadas en cuello, área mandibular inferior, espalda y brazos, de borde levemente eritematoso. El diagnóstico de eritema discrómico perstans se realizó con base en los hallazgos clínicos e histopatológicos.

Erythema dyschromicum perstans also known as ashy dermatosis is a rare skin pigmentary disorder of unknown etiology. We describe the case of a 35-year-old man HIV positive who presented irregular, well defined brown-gray lesions with slightly erythematous border located in neck, lower jaw, back and arms. Diagnosis of erythema dyschromicum perstans in this patient was made based on clinical and histopathological criteria.

Eritema gyratum repens idiopático: presentación de un caso en una mujer joven / Idiopathic erythema gyratum repens: presentation of a case in a young woman

El eritema gyratum repens es una dermatosis muy infrecuente incluida dentro del abanico diagnóstico de las lesiones figuradas. Aparece sobre todo en varones entre la sexta y séptima décadas de vida. Clásicamente se ha relacionado con neoplasias, sobre todo de pulmón, esófago y mama. Sin embargo, en los últimos años se ha visto que aproximadamente el 30% de los casos no son paraneoplásicos, pudiendo deberse a fármacos, enfermedades reumáticas, manifestaciones atípicas de procesos cutáneos, e incluso ser idiopáticos, por lo que es importante realizar un adecuado proceso diagnóstico para filiar la etiología, y considerar un amplio diagnóstico diferencial. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 40 años con lesiones eritematosas anulares concéntricas sugestivas de eritema gyratum repens, del tipo idiopático tras el correspondiente estudio diagnóstico.

Erythema gyratum repens is an unusual dermatosis included within the group of figurate lesions. It usually appears in men at the age of sixty or seventy. Classically it has been related to neoplasms, especially of the lung, esophagus and breast, however recently it has been seen that 30% of cases are not paraneoplastic approximately, and might be caused by drugs, rheumatologic diseases, atypical presentation of common skin diseases, and also it could be idiopathic, so it is important to carry out an adequate diagnostic process to determine the etiology, and to consider a broad differential diagnosis. We present the case of a 40-year-old woman with concentric annular erythematous lesions suggestive of idiopathic erythema gyratum repens after the diagnostic process

Use of methotrexate in an exuberant case of confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud in a teenager

Abstract Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud is a rare dermatosis with onset during puberty, more prevalent in females than in males. The pathogenesis is unknown, but some theories suggest either a keratinization or endocrine disorder. The lesions are verrucous, brownish, hyperkeratotic papules or spots that coalesce in a confluent and/or reticulated pattern. This report presents a case with extensive cutaneous involvement associated with acanthosis nigricans and good response to treatment with methotrexate.

Trichoscopy findings in dissecting cellulitis

Abstract Dissecting cellulitis is an inflammatory, chronic, and recurrent disease of the hair follicles that mainly affects young Afro-descendent men. Trichoscopy is a method of great diagnostic value for disorders of the scalp. Clinical and trichoscopic findings of dissecting cellulitis are heterogeneous and may present features common to non-cicatricial and scarring alopecia. This article presents the trichoscopic findings of dissecting cellulitis that help in the diagnosis and consequent institution of the appropriate therapy and better prognosis of the disease.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus: a clinical, laboratorial, and therapeutic overview

Abstract: Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a rare and severe autoimmune blistering disease characterized by mucocutaneous lesions associated with benign and malignant neoplasms. Diagnostic criteria include the presence of chronic mucositis and polymorphic cutaneous lesions with occult or confirmed neoplasia; histopathological analysis exhibiting intraepidermal acantholysis, necrotic keratinocytes, and vacuolar interface dermatitis; direct immunofluorescence with intercellular deposits (IgG and C3) and at the basement membrane zone (IgG); indirect immunofluorescence with intercellular deposition of IgG (substrates: monkey esophagus and simple, columnar, and transitional epithelium); and, autoreactivity to desmogleins 1 and 3, desmocollins 1, 2, and 3, desmoplakins I and II, envoplakin, periplakin, epiplakin, plectin, BP230, and α-2-macroglobulin-like protein 1. Neoplasias frequently related to paraneoplastic pemphigus include chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, carcinomas, Castleman disease, thymoma, and others. Currently, there is no standardized treatment for paraneoplastic pemphigus. Systemic corticosteroids, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immunoglobulin have been used, with variable outcomes. Reported survival rates in 1, 2, and 5 years are 49%, 41%, and 38%, respectively.

Necrolytic acral erythema in a Chinese patient with hepatitis C and hepatitis B virus coinfection

Abstract: Necrolytic acral erythema is a distinct erythema that has been described as an extrahepatic manifestation of hepatitis C virus infection. Most reported cases have been in Africa, especially Egypt. We report the first case (to the best of our knowledge) of necrolytic acral erythema in a Chinese patient with HCV and HBV coinfection. We aim to increase awareness for recognizing this condition in the Chinese population.

Evaluation of the use of tacrolimus ointment for the prevention of hypertrophic scars in experimental model

Abstract BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus, for its activity on modulation of collagen production and fibroblast activity, may have a role in the prevention of hypertrophic scars. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate macroscopic, microscopic, metabolic, laboratory effects and side effects of the use of topical tacrolimus ointment, in different concentrations, in the prevention of hypertrophic scars. METHODS: Twenty-two rabbits were submitted to the excision of 2 fragments of 1 cm of each ear, 4 cm apart, down to cartilage. The left ear of the animals was standardized as control and Vaseline applied twice a day. The right ear received tacrolimus ointment, at concentrations of 0.1% on the upper wound and 0.03% on the lower wound, also applied twice a day. Macroscopic, microscopic, laboratory criteria and the animals' weight were evaluated after 30 days of the experiment. RESULTS: Wounds treated with tacrolimus, at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.03%, when compared to control, showed a lower average degree of thickening (p = 0.048 and p <0.001, respectively). The average of scar thickness and lymphocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil concentrations are lower in the treated wounds compared to the control (p <0.001, p=0.022, p=0.007, p=0.044, respectively). The mean concentration of lymphocytes is lower in wounds treated with a higher concentration of the drug (p=0.01). STUDY LIMITATIONS: experiment lasted only 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Tacrolimus at the 2 concentrations evaluated reduced the severity of inflammatory changes and positively altered the macroscopic aspect of the scar in the short term. Its use was shown to be safe, with no evidence of systemic or local adverse effects.

Case for diagnosis. Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder

Abstract: Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder is a rare disease, with an indolent evolution and benign course. The classic presentation is a solitary nodule on the face or trunk. The disorder's rarity and clinical and histopathological characteristics, can make the diagnosis difficult. We present the case of a 36-year-old Caucasian woman with a purplish erythematous nodule, hardened, shiny, asymptomatic, on the left nasal ala, which had grown progressively for 45 days. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry panel demonstrated alterations consistent with primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. There was complete remission of the condition within 60 days of treatment with potent occlusive corticosteroids.

Erysipelatoid Carcinoma

SUMMARY Erysipelatoid Carcinoma (EC), also known as Inflammatory Metastatic Carcinoma, is a rare form of cutaneous metastasis, secondary to an internal malignancy, more often related to breast cancer. Clinically, the lesion has a well-marked, bound erythematous appearance, much like an infectious process, such as erysipelas and cellulitis, these being the most common differential diagnoses. It is characterized by an acute or subacute appearance with an erythematous plaque, sometimes hot and painful, being more often situated in the primary tumor vicinity, especially in the thorax wall in the region of a mastectomy due to breast cancer. Here we present the case of a 75-year-old patient with ductal infiltrated carcinoma for 3 years, who presented an acute erythematous and infiltrated plaque in the region of a previous mastectomy, with a final diagnosis of EC.