Anal mycobacterial infections / Infecções micobacterianas do ânus

Abstract Background Mycobacterial infections are a serious public health problem worldwide. Involvement of the anal canal and perineum is very rare, but constitute an important differential diagnosis with other equally serious pathologies that may affect the region, such as malignant neoplasms and Crohn's disease. Objectives To conduct a literature review on mycobacterial infections of the perianal region considering the most recent information for diagnostic and therapeutic guidance of this disease. Methods Research was performed on the PUBMED and LILACS databases with the expressions Mycobacterium, Anal, Infection and Tuberculosis. We reviewed articles referring to series of treated cases, clinical reports and literature review published since 2005. Results Information was compiled on the epidemiology of mycobacterial infections; the clinical behavior of affected individuals; diagnostic options and their validity in clinical practice; and, finally, therapeutic options. Conclusions Mycobacterial infections of the anus and perineum are rare. The most common clinical presentations are the presence of ulceration and fistulization. The diagnosis involves more than one procedure for identifying the bacilli and should consider the presence of manifestations in more than one organ. The treatment is based on pharmacological intervention. Surgery is recommended for acute complications or chronic sequelae of the disease.

Resumo Introdução Infecções micobacterianas constituem um grave problema de saúde pública a nível mundial. As manifestações anoperineais são raras, mas constituem um importante diagnóstico diferencial com outras patologias igualmente graves que podem acometer a região, como as neoplasias malignas e a doença de Crohn. Objetivos Realizar um levantamento da literatura sobre infecções micobacterianas da região anoperineal, considerando as informações mais atuais para orientação diagnóstica e terapêutica dessa enfermidade. Métodos Foi realizada pesquisa nos bancos de dados PUBMED e LILACS com as expressões Mycobacterium, Anal, Infection e Tuberculosis. Foram revisados artigos referentes a séries de casos tratados, relatos clínicos e revisão da literatura publicada a partir de 2005. Resultados Foram compiladas informações sobre a epidemiologia das infecções micobacterianas; o comportamento clínico dos indivíduos afetados; opções diagnósticas e sua validade na prática clínica; e, por fim, opções terapêuticas. Conclusões Infecções micobacterianas da região anoperineal são raras. As apresentações clínicas mais comuns são a formação de ulceras e a fistulização. O diagnóstico envolve mais de um procedimento para identificação dos bacilos, e deve considerar a presença de manifestações em mais de um órgão. O tratamento é principalmente medicamentoso, sendo a cirurgia recomendada nas complicações agudas ou sequelas crônicas da doença.

Deep cutaneous ulcers and sinus formation in an immunocompetent adult

Abstract This report describes a case of unusual deep skin ulcers with tortuous sinus tract formation in an immunocompetent woman. She was initially diagnosed with a Staphylococcus aureus skin infection and histopathologically diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum. However, culture from the deep end of ribbon gauze inserted into the subcutaneous sinus tract revealed shiny, light-yellow mucoid colonies, which were identified as Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii. She was treated with fluconazole for nine months and completely healed. Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic infection caused by variants of C. neoformans species. Cutaneous manifestations of cryptococcosis are quite divergent, rarely occurring as deep skin ulcers with sinus formation.

Infección por Serratia marcescens: una inusual causa de lesiones cutáneas / Serratia marcescens infection: an unusual cause of skin lesions

Serratia marcescens corresponde a un bacilo gram negativo, miembro de la familia Enterobacteriaceae. Este microorganismo tiene una alta capacidad de supervivencia en condiciones hostiles y ha sido implicado en infecciones del tracto respiratorio, vía urinaria, meningitis, endocarditis y sistema musculoesquelético. No obstante, es considerado una causa rara de infecciones cutáneas. Esta última tiene distintas presentaciones clínicas, la más frecuente es fascitis necrotizante seguida de celulitis. Los nódulos, las pápulas después de inyecciones de rellenos, las erupciones papulares diseminadas, las placas eritematosas, las pústulas y las úlceras son parte del amplio espectro de formas clínicas descritas en la literatura. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 50 años, con historia de compromiso del estado general, lesiones cutáneas polimorfas y fiebre. Se confirmó una infección cutánea por Serratia marcescens mediante cultivos. Se destaca el polimorfismo y la coexistencia de distintas manifestaciones en una misma paciente, incluyendo celulitis, nódulo, ulceras y necrosis cutánea y la importancia del estudio microbiológico para el adecuado tratamiento antibiótico.

Serratia marcescens corresponds to gram negative bacillus, a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family. This microorganism has a high survival capacity in hostile conditions and has been implicated in respiratory tract, urinary tract, meningitis, endocarditis and musculoskeletal system infections. However, it is considered a infrequent cause of cutaneous infections. Has different clinical presentations, the most frequent is necrotizing fasciitis followed by cellulite. Nodules, papules after filler injections, disseminated papular eruption, erythematous plaques, pustules and ulcers are part of the broad spectrum of clinical forms described in the literature. We present the case of a 50 year old patient with a history of compromised general condition, polymorphic cutaneous lesions and fever. Serratia marcescens cutaneous infection was confirmed by cultures. The polymorphism and the coexistence of different manifestations in the same patient, including cellulitis, nodule, ulcers and skin necrosis, and the importance of the microbiological study for the adequate antibiotic treatment are highlighted.

A single black ulcer in a child with acute lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract Ecthyma gangrenosum is an uncommon dermatological manifestation characterized by round, indurated ulcers with a central necrotic black eschar and surrounding erythema. This report describes the case of a 5-year-old girl, affected by acute lymphocytic leukemia, presenting with a black eschar on her right thigh. Such lesions should always be correctly identified to avoid potentially fatal bacteraemia. Furthermore, because of its similar clinical presentation, cutaneous anthrax must be ruled out.

Aspergilosis diseminada con importante afectación cutánea / Disseminated aspergillosis with significant skin involvement

La Aspergilosis es una infección micótica oportunista que afecta principalmente a pacientes inmunodeprimidos con neutropenia, en quienes produce a menudo enfermedad invasiva de curso fulminante. Las manifestaciones cutáneas de la Aspergilosis son infrecuentes, apareciendo en el 5 a 10% de los casos diseminados. Comunicamos un caso de Aspergilosis en una mujer adulta con neutropenia severa por enfermedad hematológica, con afectación pulmonar y sinusal, que presenta múltiples lesiones ulceronecróticas en piel y mucosas, con evolución fatal. Las lesiones mucocutáneas de la Aspergilosis no son específicas, obligan a varios diagnósticos diferenciales y, como en este caso, la biopsia para estudio histopatológico y micológico es necesaria para el diagnóstico.

Aspergillosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that primarily affects immunocompromised patients with neutropenia, in whom invasive disease often results in fulminant course. Cutaneous manifestations of aspergillosis are rare, occurring in 5-10% of cases scattered. We report a case of aspergillosis in an adult woman with severe neutropenia for hematologic disease, lung and sinus disease, having multiple ulceronecróticas skin lesions and mucous membranes, with fatal outcome. The mucocutaneous lesions of aspergillosis are nonspecific, forcing several differential diagnoses, and as in this case, the biopsy for histopathological and mycological study is required for diagnosis.

Comportamiento antibacteriano de partículas de cobre frente a microorganismos obtenidos de úlceras crónicas infectadas y su relación con la resistencia a antimicrobianos de uso común / Antibacterial activity of copper salts against microorganisms isolated from chronic infected wounds

Background: The antimicrobial activity of copper (Cu+2) is recognized and used as an antimicrobial agent. Aim: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of copper against microorganisms obtained from chronic cutaneous wound infections. Material and Methods: Five chemical products that contained copper particles in their composition were tested (zeolite, silica, acetate, nitrate and nanoparticle of copper). The antimicrobial activity against antibiotic resistant strains usually isolated from chronic cutaneous wound infections was determined for two of the products with better performance in copper release. Results: The minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentrations of copper acetate and nitrate were similar, fluctuating between 400-2,000 µg/ml. Conclusions: The studied copper salts show great potential to be used to control both gram positive and gram negative, antibiotic resistant bacteria isolated from wound infections.

Primary cutaneous aspergillosis and idiopathic bone marrow aplasia

Abstract: We describe the case of a 9-year-old boy with idiopathic bone marrow aplasia and severe neutropenia, who developed skin ulcers under cardiac monitoring electrodes. The diagnosis of primary cutaneous aspergillosis was made after the second biopsy and culture. Imaging investigation did not reveal internal fungal infection. The child was treated, but did not improve and died 3 months after admission. The report highlights and discusses the preventable risk of aspergillus skin infection in immunocompromised patients.

Phenotypic, molecular and antimicrobial susceptibility assessment in isolates from chronic ulcers of cured leprosy patients: a case study in Southern Brazil

BACKGROUND: One of the most stigmatizing physical sequelaeof leprosy in cured patients is the development of chronic lower extremity ulcers. The bacterial diversity present in ulcers is considered one of the factors that can delay the healing process, as well as serve as a focus for severe secondary infections. OBJECTIVE: To identify the microbiota and antimicrobial resistance profile of bacteria isolated from skin ulcers in patients cured of leprosy. METHODS: After obtaining informed consent, material was collected from ulcers of 16 patients treated at the Outpatient Public Health Dermatology Clinic of Rio Grande do Sul and Hospital Colônia Itapuã. Sampleswere collected during dressing, and the material sent to the Microbiology Laboratory of the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre for microbiological culture. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was characterized by two molecular methods, including detection of the mecA gene by PCR and SCCmecgene typing. RESULTS: Cultures revealed microorganisms in all ulcers: Gram-negative bacilli in 80%, Gram-positive cocci in 63%, and mixed microflora in 36%. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most prevalent bacteria. Assessment of the antimicrobial resistance profile was notable for the presence of MRSA. Molecular analysis of this isolate revealed presence of the mecA gene contained in a type IV staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with leprosy, laboratory culture of skin ulcers is essential for correct antibiotic selection and to control emerging pathogens, such as MRSA carrying SCCmec type IV. .

Zigomicosis cutánea primaria en paciente pediátrica inmunocomprometida / Primary zygomycosis in a pediatric inmunocompromised patient

La zigomicosis es una infección infrecuente causada por hongos oportunistas que pertenecen al orden Mucorales, cuya característica es la invasión vascular por hifas, lo que determina trombosis, infarto y necrosis tisular. En General afecta a pacientes con efermedades subyacentes, causando infecciones invasoras severas y a menudo fulminantes. Algunas condiciones de riesgo son: leucemias y linfomas con neutropenia prolongada, cetoacidosis diabética, malnutrición severa, ruptura de la integridad de la barrera cutánea y terapia inmunosupresora. Se presenta un caso de zigomicosis cutánea primaria en el antebrazo, en una paciente pedíatrica con leucemia linfobástica aguda de tipo B, con grave neutropenia y tratamiento con corticoides, y describimos los aspectos histológicos y clínicos de la lesión necrótica en la zona de punción venosa.

Cutaneous infection caused by Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum: a microbiological report / Infecção cutânea causada por Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum: relato microbiológico

We report here a rare case of cutaneous infection due to Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum. The patient presented to the clinical laboratory with a skin ulcer on his left leg. Gram-stained preparation of the purulent secretion revealed the presence of numerous rod-shaped Gram-positive organisms in the absence of any other species. The organism was grown in pure culture on sheep blood agar and was further identified as C. pseudodiphtheriticum using a commercial identification system (API-Coryne, BioMérieux, France). The infection was successfully treated with ciprofloxacin. This case emphasizes the importance of the clinical microbiology laboratory in correctly identifying Gram-positive organisms obtained in pure culture from skin ulcers.

Reportamos o isolamento de Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum de um caso de infecção cutânea. O paciente apresentou-se ao laboratório clínico com uma úlcera na perna esquerda. A coloração de Gram do material revelou a presença de bacilos Gram-positivos e ausência de outras espécies bacterianas. O organismo foi isolado em cultura pura no ágar sangue de carneiro e foi identificado como C. pseudodiphtheriticum através de um sistema de identificação comercial (API-Coryne, BioMérieux, França). A infecção foi tratada com sucesso através do uso de ciprofloxacina. Este caso reforça a importância do laboratório de microbiologia clínica na identificação de organismos Gram-positivos isolados de cultura pura de amostras de úlceras cutâneas.

Sensibilidade antimicrobiana de bactérias aeróbicas isoladas de úlceras leishmanióticas, em Corte de Pedra, BA / Antimicrobial susceptibility of aerobic bacteria isolated from leishmaniotic ulcers in Corte de Pedra, BA

Um estudo prospectivo, sobre a sensibilidade antimicrobiana da flora bacteriana em úlceras cutâneas leishmanióticas, foi realizado em pacientes portadores de leishmaniose tegumentar, em Corte de Pedra, Bahia. Foram estudados 84 pacientes, principalmente adolescentes e adultos dedicados à lavoura, apresentando lesão cutânea única. Staphylococcus aureus predominou (83 por cento) nas culturas, sendo sensível à maioria dos antibióticos testados. Flora bacteriana mista esteve presente na úlcera em 37 (44,1 por cento) pacientes. Entre as bactérias Gram-negativas isoladas, foram mais freqüentes Enterobacter sp (13,1 por cento), Proteus sp (8,3 por cento), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7,1 por cento) e Klebsiella sp (7,1 por cento), sendo sensíveis principalmente à ciprofloxacina, aminoglicosídeos, cefalosporinas de terceira geracão e carbapenêmicos.

Reação reversa com vasculites granulomatosas e lesões cutâneas necrosantes e ulcerativas / Reversal reaction with granulomatous vasculities and necrotizing cutaneous lesions

Um indivíduo com 49 anos de idade recebe o diagnóstico de Hanseníase Virchoviana sub-polar. Ele referiu, durante os prévios 11 anos, sintomas, principalmente neurológicos, característicos de hanseníase, mas este diagnóstico não foi definido nos serviços médicos que freqüentou. Após 6 meses de poliquimioterapia passou a apresentar neurites que foram tratadas como reação tipo 2. Em um último episódio apresentou febre, mal estar, mialgias e lesões necróticas e ulcerativas nos membros, nádegas, dorso, pavilhão auricular esquerdo. O aspecto clínico destas lesões era semelhante as lesões observadas no fenômeno de Lúcio e no Eritema nodoso necrosante. As biópsias mostram alterações da microvasculatura superficial, necrose epidérmica e dérmica, similares a estas reações, mas as alterações básicas são vasculites granulomatosas no derma profundo e tecido celular sub-cutâneo. Estes aspectos clínicos e histopatológicos são interpretados e discutidos como reação tipo 1 (reação reversa) com envolvimento vascular predominante.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in chronic ulcers in leprosy.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising in chronic ulcers of leprosy patients is uncommon. A retrospective analytical study of 416 biopsy specimens of chronic ulcers during 1976 - 2000 occuring on the extremity of leprosy patients was performed. Pathologic examination showed that 217 specimens (52.2%) were reported as pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PH). A total of 102 (24.5%) specimens reported as SCC, involving 100 individual patients (69 males, 31 females). SCC was localized on the lower extremity in 87 specimens (85.3%). No significant difference was observed between left and right foot using Chi-square test. The sole was the commonest site of involvement, and then the heel. SCC on the upper extremity which was much less common, presented in 15 specimens (14.7%). The tumor was localized on the palm in 10 specimens (right: 9, left: 1). SCC in chronic ulcers of leprosy patients were much more common on the lower extremity than on the upper extremity. Most of the tumors on the upper extremity were localized on the right palm. This emphasizes the need for an active policy of prevention of disability in leprosy control programs.

Ulceras leishmanióticas cutâneas com presença de Corynebacterium diphtheriae / Cutaneous leishmaniotic ulcers with Corynebacterium diphtheriae

In a prospective study to evaluate the influence of secondary bacterial infection on the evaluation of cutaneous leishmaniasis, in Corte de Pedra (Bahia), we isolated Corynebacterium diphtheriae in 7 (8.3) out of 84 patients with ulcers studied. Due to the small number of patients with the presence of the bacteria in the ulcer, we could not conclude whether Corynebacterium diphtheriae behaves only as a colonizer nor its influence on the healing of the leishmaniotic ulcer.