Dermoscopy of skin infestations and infections (entomodermoscopy) - Part I: dermatozoonoses and bacterial infections

Abstract Dermoscopy is an essential in vivo diagnostic technique in the clinical evaluation of skin tumors. Currently, the same can also be said about its implications when approaching different clinical situations in Dermatology. A growing number of reports on dermatological scenarios and diseases have been published, in which dermoscopy has been of great diagnostic help. The term ‟entomodermoscopy" was coined to describe dermoscopic findings in skin infestations and also in dermatoses of infectious etiology. In part I of this article, the main dermoscopic descriptions of zoodermatoses and bacterial infections will be addressed. In many of them, such as scabies, pediculosis, myiasis, and tungiasis, it is possible to identify the pathogen and, consequently, attain the diagnosis more quickly and use the technique to follow-up therapeutic effectiveness. In other situations that will be described, dermoscopy can allow the observation of clinical findings with greater detail, rule out differential diagnoses, and increase the level of confidence in a clinical suspicion.

Update on parasitic dermatoses

Abstract These are cutaneous diseases caused by insects, worms, protozoa, or coelenterates which may or may not have a parasitic life. In this review the main ethological agents, clinical aspects, laboratory exams, and treatments of these dermatological diseases will be studied.

Lagoquilascaríase humana: um diagnóstico a ser lembrado diante de tumoração de cabeça e pescoço: relato de caso / Human lagochilascariasis: a differential diagnosis to be remembered as it is related to head and neck tumor: a case report

A lagoquilascaríase é uma zoonose incomum decorrente do parasitismo por Lagochilascaris minor. Na Região Amazônica, o primeiro caso foi descrito em 1978, em um paciente do sexo masculino, e caracterizou-se pelo aparecimento de tumoração em região de cabeça e pescoço. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de lagoquilascaríase. Paciente do sexo feminino, 18 anos, procedente de Itaituba, área de garimpo, em Belém (PA). Relatava surgimento de nodulação cervical durante gestação, com eliminação de vermes pelo ouvido e por escarro. Foi encaminhada, em 1987, à Fundação Centro de Controle de Oncologia do Estado do Amazonas, onde biópsia evidenciou resultado de processo inflamatório granulomatoso de especificidade não estabelecida. Evoluiu 1 ano depois com massa tumoral em face lateral cervical esquerda, região submandibular e retroauricular, associada à perda ponderal, queda do estado geral e intensa astenia. Apresentava cicatriz cirúrgica prévia, eliminando secreção cremosa, purulenta e inodora. Foi instituído tratamento com tiabendazol e levamisol, com remissão da lesão e parada da eliminação de vermes por escarro e ouvido esquerdo. A lagoquilascaríase humana é uma zoonose causada por L. minor, que cursa com massa cervical e deve ser listada como diagnóstico diferencial das tumorações da cabeça e pescoço.(AU)

Lagochilascariasis is an uncommon parasitic zoonosis caused by Lagochilascaris minor. In the Amazon region, the first case was described in 1978 in a male patient, and it was characterized by the appearance of tumors in the head and neck. The aim of this study was to report a case of lagochilascariasis. An 18-yearold female patient from the city of Itaituba, a mining area in Belém do Pará, reported the emergence of cervical nodulation during pregnancy with elimination of worms in the sputum and from the ears. In 1987 she was sent to the Foundation Oncology Control Center of the state of Amazonas, where biopsy results showed a nonspecific granulomatous inflammation. A year later, it progressed to a tumor mass on the left lateral cervical aspect, in the submandibular and retroauricular region, which was associated with weight loss, poor general condition, and severe asthenia. She had a previous surgical scar that discharged a creamy, purulent and odorless secretion. Treatment was initiated with thiabendazole and levamisole, with remission of the lesion and interruption of the elimination of worms in the sputum and from the left ear. Human lagochilascariasis is an infection caused by L. minor that leads to cervical mass, and should be listed as a differential diagnosis of head and neck tumors.(AU)

Gnathostomiasis: an emerging infectious disease relevant to all dermatologists

Abstract: Gnathostomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the third larval stage of nematodes of the genus Gnathostoma. The disease is endemic in some countries around the world. In the American continent, the majority of cases is concentrated in Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru. However, due to increasing traveling either at the intercontinental or intracontinental level, the disease is seen each time more frequently in tourists. Furthermore, countries, such as Brazil, that have never been considered endemic are reporting autochthonous cases. The disease usually presents as a deep-seated or slightly superficial migratory nodule in patients with history of eating raw fish, in the form of ceviche, sushi, or sashimi. Along with the clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria include either blood or tissue eosinophilia. In most instances, these criteria are enough for the attending physician to institute therapy. Chances of finding the parasite are low, unless the biopsy is taken from a very specific area that develops after antiparasitic treatment is started. The potential of other organ involvement with more serious consequences should always be kept in mind.

Miasis foruncular por Dermatobia Hominis: un diagnóstico emergente en Chile / Foruncular myiasis due to Dermatobia Hominis: a diagnosis emerging in Chile

Las lesiones cutáneas son causa frecuente de consulta en viajeros siendo las picaduras de insectos unas de las más prevalentes. Damos a conocer un caso de paciente que presenta una lesión dolorosa en cuero cabelludo, tras viaje a la selva boliviana, refractario a tratamiento antibiótico empírico y con estudio complementario inconcluyente. Finalmente, se realizó estudio macroscópico de la costra, que determinó que se trataba de una larva de Dermatobia Hominis. Este caso demuestra la importancia de tomar en cuenta estos agentes no presentes en Chile y que son causantes de patologías dermatológicas del viajero.

Cutaneous lesions are frequent cause of consultation in travelers, being insect bites one of the most prevalent. We present a case of a patient with a painful lesion on the scalp, after a trip to the Bolivian jungle, refractory to empirical antibiotic treatment and with an inconclusive complementary study. Finally, macroscopic study of the crust was carried out, which determined that it was a larva of Dermatobia Hominis. This case demonstrates the importance of taking into account these agents not present in Chile and that are the cause of dermatological pathologies of the traveler.

Larva migrans cutánea tras un viaje al Caribe / Cutaneous larva migrans after a trip to the Caribean

Cutaneous larva migrans is a parasitic disease caused by Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma caninum larvae, which is transmitted by contact with sand infested with these parasites. Dogs and cats are the definitive hosts. This parasitic disease is endemic in the Caribbean, Africa, Australia, and Asia. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman, who developed skin lesions compatible with cutaneous larva migrans on her right foot after returning from beach vacations in the Mexican Caribbean. After clinical diagnosis, oral ivermectin was administered, with good clinical response.

La larva migrans cutánea es una parasitosis ocasionada por las larvas de Ancylostoma braziliense y Ancylostoma caninum, cuyo vehículo es la arena de playas infestadas. Los perros y gatos son los hospederos definitivos. Esta parasitosis es endémica en las costas del Caribe, África, Australia y Asia. Presentamos el caso clínico de una mujer de 27 años de edad, quien tras haber realizado un viaje al Caribe mexicano y haber estado en contacto con arena de playa, presentó unas lesiones en el pie derecho compatibles con larva migrans cutánea. El diagnóstico fue clínico. Recibió tratamiento con ivermectina oral, con buena respuesta.

Cutaneous Gnathostomiasis with Recurrent Migratory Nodule and Persistent Eosinophilia: a Case Report from China

The present study reports a human case of cutaneous gnathostomiasis with recurrent migratory nodule and persistent eosinophilia in China. A 52-year-old woman from Henan Province, central China, presented with recurrent migratory reddish swelling and subcutaneous nodule in the left upper arm and on the back for 3 months. Blood examination showed eosinophila (21.2%), and anti-sparganum antibodies were positive. Skin biopsy of the lesion and histopathological examinations revealed dermal infiltrates of eosinophils but did not show any parasites. Thus, the patient was first diagnosed as sparganosis; however, new migratory swellings occurred after treatment with praziquantel for 3 days. On further inquiring, she recalled having eaten undercooked eels and specific antibodies to the larvae of Gnathostoma spinigerum were detected. The patient was definitely diagnosed as cutaneous gnathostomiasis caused by Gnathostoma sp. and treated with albendazole (1,000 mg/day) for 15 days, and the subsequent papule and blister developed after the treatment. After 1 month, laboratory findings indicated a reduced eosinophil count (3.3%). At her final follow-up 18 months later, the patient had no further symptoms and anti-Gnathostoma antibodies became negative. Conclusively, the present study is the first report on a human case of cutaneous gnathostomiasis in Henan Province, China, based on the past history (eating undercooked eels), clinical manifestations (migratory subcutaneous nodule and persistent eosinophilia), and a serological finding (positive for specific anti-Gnathostoma antibodies).

Un caso de infección ectópica provocado por la pulga spp. en Perú / A case of ectopic infection caused by the tunga spp. in Perú

Información sobre la infeccion tungiasis, que por lo general ataca la parte distal de las extremidades inferiores, y sobre un caso diagnosticado por biopsia en un niña de 9 años, en la ciudad de Lima, Perú.

Cutaneous myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis acquired in Jamaica / Miasis cutánea causada por Dermatobia Hominis acquirida en Jamaica

The authors describe a case of cutaneous myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis in a 23-year old Italian woman who contracted the infestation during a tour in Jamaica. The infestation was located on the back and was characterized clinically by a single inflammatory nodule. To our knowledge, this is the first case of cutaneous myiasis due to Dermatobia hominis acquired in Jamaica.

Los autores describen un caso de miasis cutánea causada por Dermatobia hominis en una mujer italiana de 23 años, quien contrajo la infestación durante una gira en Jamaica. La infestación estaba localizada en la espalda y se caracterizaba clínicamente por un nódulo inflamatorio. Hasta donde sabemos, éste es el primer caso de miasis cutánea por Dermatobia hominis adquirida en Jamaica.

Tungiasis: a case report

This is a case report of a patient who developed a nodule in one foot, which upon biopsy, was diagnosed as tungiasis, a cutaneous infestation caused by a human flea. The natural life cycle, clinical and pathological expressions are discussed.

Cutaneous rhinosporidiosis.

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous disease of the mucocutaneous tissue, which clinically presents as polypoidal growths. Cutaneous lesions are infrequent and are generally associated with mucosal lesions. We present a case of cutaneous rhinosporidiosis in association with recurrent nasopharyngeal rhinosporidiosis in a 65-year-old male patient. He presented with dysphagia for solid foods and skin growth on the left side of jaw of 2 years duration. Histopathology of cutaneous and nasopharyngeal lesions revealed numerous thick walled sporangia in a vascular connective tissue along with a granulomatous inflammation confirming the diagnosis of cutaneous and nasopharyngeal rhinosporidiosis. Endoscopic removal of nasopharyngeal polyp was done and he was started on dapsone therapy.

Larva currens in a case of organophosphorous poisoning.

A 20-year-old healthy farmer consumed organophosphorous poison. On third day he developed diarrhoea and on fourth day linear serpiginous ulcers appeared on both buttocks. Clinically lesions were considered as decubitus ulcers. By stool examination and other laboratory investigations it was diagnosed as cutaneous larva currens due to Strongyloides stercoralis in a case of organophosphorus poisoning. Patient responded very well to a course of albendazole.

Miasis importada: siete casos de parasitación cutánea por larvas de la mosca dermatobia hominis / Imported myasis: 7 cases of cutaneous parasitism caused by dermatobia hominis

Myasis is the parasitism of organs and tissues of warm-blooded vertebrates by flies larvae. D hominis is a flie geographically restricted to tropical America from Mexico to northern Argentina. The adult flie, which is not hematophagous, needs to put its eggs on the abdominal surface of hematophagous arthropods which serve as carriers of future larvae which are deposited on the skin of the hosts (mammals, birds and accidentally men) when biting. Seven patients (two females) aged 7 to 35 years old, of different nationalities, recalled receiving mosquito bites, after staying in tropical American areas in the previous forty days. They presented furuncle-like lesions in exposed surfaces of the body. These lesions, 2-3 cm long, pruritic and mildly tender, broke and released a serous or serohematic fluid. Through the resulting opening, it was possible to partially observe the larva. Larvae were extracted by manual pressure (4) or surgical incision (3) and identified as D hominis larvae. Diagnosis of dermatobiasis, an imported myasis, must be based on the characteristics of lesions and the previous residence in endemic areas of America

Eritema migratorio como presentación clínica de larva migrans cutánea en la ciudad de México / Migratory Erytema as a clinical presentation of cutaneous larva migrans in Mexico City

La infección por larva migrans cutánea se presenta habitualmente como una erupción dérmica serpenginosa y pruriginosa debida a la penetración de la piel en túnel por larvas de nematelmintos. Esta parasitosis es endémica en zona tropicales, sin embargo se describen cada vez más casos en zonas urbanas. El diagnóstico de esta entidad es clínico, pero es frecuente que se confunda con enfermedades reumatológicas, infecciosas, vasculares o dermatológicas; especialmente cuando su presentación es como eritema migratorio. En este trabajo se revisa la presentación clínica y el tratamiento de 18 casos con infección por larva migrans cutánea

Leishmaniasis infantil / Leishmaniasis in the pediatric population

En el periodo comprendido entre septiembre de 1988 y septiembre de 1997, se registraron 164 casos de leishmaniasis en niños menores de 15 años atendidos en el Servicio de Dematologia del Hospital de Clinicas. El sexo masculino fue ligeramente el mas afectado, predominaron las lesiones cutaneas, ulcerosas, unicas y de localizacion cefalica. Se destacan algunos aspectos clinicos poco habituales y la respuesta terapeutica al tratamiento con pentamidina y anfotericina B. El incremento de Leishmaniasis infantil en nuestro medio obliga a tomar medidas de proteccion en area endemicas y a una educacion a la comunidad sobre los riesgos de esta ectoparasitosis, transmitida por la picadura de insectos vectores.

Cutaneous furncular myiasis in a Jamaican resident

Data are presented on a case of cutaneous furuncular myiasis in a Jamaican resident. This condition is virtually unknown in the Caribbean, but is endemic in Central and South America. The infection, which was caused by Dermatobia hominis, was acquired in Belize and was misdiagnosed and treated as infected insect bites. Cutaneous furuncular myiasis should be considered in patients with sub-acute inflammatory nodular skin lesions with a history of recent travel to endemic countries