Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to cladophialophora bantiana: a first case report in an immunocompetent patient in Latin America and a brief literature review

Abstract We report a rare case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladophialophora bantiana in an immunocompetent patient in Amazonas, Brazil. This dematiaceous fungus has been mainly associated with life-threatening infections affecting the central nervous systems of immunosuppressed patients. We present the clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic aspects, and in vitro susceptibility test results for different antifungal drugs. A brief review of the cases reported in the literature over the past 20 years has also been discussed. According to the literature review, the present case is the first report of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to C. bantiana in an immunocompetent patient in Latin America.

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)

Atypical crusted scabies in a patient with chronic liver disease caused by hepatitis B and D viruses

Abstract: Crusted scabies is a less common variant of scabies that is highly contagious, difficult to treat and involves infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. The classical clinical presentation includes crusted, scaly and generally non-pruritic lesions usually located on the head, neck, palmar, plantar and periungual region. It was first described in Norway in 1848 in patients with leprosy who presented with crusted lesions. In this study, we report the case of a patient with crusted scabies with florid clinical manifestations and chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B and delta virus infection.

Hiperaldosteronismo primário, como descrito por Conn. Relato decaso / Hyperaldosteronism, as described by Conn. Case report

O hiperaldosteronismo primário é causa de hipertensão arterialsecundária, com possibilidade de cura após cirurgia em 30a 75% dos casos. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um casode hipertensão arterial secundária a adenoma adrenal produtorde aldosterona. Paciente feminino, 35 anos, natural de Beruri(AM), procedente de Manaus, foi admitida com pressão arterialde 220x125mmHg associada a fraqueza muscular de membrosinferiores e câimbras. Na história patológica pregressa, havia orelato de hipertensão arterial diagnosticada há 2 anos, em tratamentocom três classes de anti-hipertensivos. Durante internaçãoem hospital geral, o quadro relatado associado à hipocalemiae alcalose metabólica sugeriram diagnóstico de hipertensão arterialsecundária a hiperaldosteronismo primário. Níveis elevadosde aldosterona plasmática, com renina suprimida e relação aldosterona-renina elevada, confirmaram o diagnóstico de hiperaldosteronismoprimário. A tomografia computadorizada deabdome evidenciou lesão tumoral com 2,3x2,0cm em glândulasuprarrenal esquerda sugestiva de adenoma adrenal. Pacientefoi submetida a adrenalectomia à esquerda com histopatologiacompatível com adenoma adrenal. Seis meses após a cirurgia,paciente evoluiu com normalização da calemia, porém mantevehipertensão arterial com necessidade de terapia anti-hipertensiva,sem novos picos hipertensivos. Se hiperaldosteronismo primáriodiagnosticado precocemente, há possibilidade de cura dahipertensão arterial secundária após adrenalectomia, reduzindo o efeito deletério da mesma sobre os sistemas cardiovascular, cerebrovasculare renal.(AU)

The primary hyperaldosteronism is a cause of secondaryhypertension, with the possibility of healing after surgery in 30to 75% of cases. The objective of this study was to report a caseof secondary hypertension to aldosterone-producing adrenaladenoma. A female patient, 35 years, from Beruri (AM), Brazil,who came to Manaus, was admitted into the emergency room withblood pressure of 220x125mmHg, associated with lower limbmuscle weakness and cramps. In the past medical history, there wasa report of hypertension diagnosed 2 years before, and she was undertreatment with three classes of antihypertensive drugs. Duringhospitalization in a general hospital, the case reported associatedto hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis suggested a diagnosis ofhypertension secondary to primary hyperaldosteronism. Elevatedlevels of plasmatic aldosterone, suppressed renin and highaldosterone-renin relation suggested primary hyperaldosteronism.The abdominal computerized tomography scan revealed a tumor of2.3x2.0cm in the left adrenal gland, suggesting adrenal adenoma.Patient underwent left adrenalectomy and histopathology wascompatible to adrenal adenoma. After 6 months of surgery, thepatient experienced normalization of kalemia but kept arterialhypertension, requiring anti-hypertensive therapy, but had no othershypertensive peaks. Early diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronismallowed the cure of hypertension after adrenalectomy, reducingdeleterious effects of high blood pressure levels on the cardiovascular,cerebrovascular and renal systems.(AU)

Cândida esofágica em paciente diabético tipo 2 ? relato de caso / Esophageal candidiasis in type 2 diabetic patients ? case report

A cândida sp. são fungos comensais dos seres humanos e consideradasflora normal do trato gastrointestinal e genitourinário.Entretanto alterações na imunidade do hospedeiro podem culminarem infecção por estes fungos, definida como candidíase.Uma causa importante do desequilíbrio imunológico são asdoençasendócrinas, principalmente o Diabetes tipo 2. Pacientesdiabéticos estão mais propensos a desenvolver formas infecciosasde candidíase, destacando o comprometimento esofágicoque muitas vezes, não é diagnosticado. O objetivo deste estudofoi relatar um caso de paciente diabético tipo 2 com processoinfeccioso importante à esclarecer decorrente de extensa cândidíaseesofágica. Paciente masculino, 55 anos, procedente deItacoatiara-AM, tabagista de longa data. Após história prévia deinternação hospitalar para tratamento de Diabetes tipo 2 descompensadae piomiosite de coxa esquerda, evoluiu com asteniainsidiosa, anorexia, mal-estar e febre diária (38,5 ºC), intermitente,vespertina, sendo diagnosticado e tratado para infecçãodo trato urinário, sem melhora. Após piora do quadro, acrescidode disfagia para sólidos e perda ponderal, foi re-internado paraelucidaçãodiagnóstica. Durante a investigação apurou-se sangueoculto nas fezes positivo, seguida de endoscopia digestivaalta mostrando várias placas elevadas esbranquiçadas linearese confluentes ocupando todo o trajeto do esôfago, compatívelcom candidíase esofágica grau III de KODSI. As sorologias paraHIV e Hepatites B e C, foram negativas. A biopsia revelou esofagiteaguda erosiva. Devemos estar atentos à possibilidade de infecção por cândida, em especial, o comprometimento esofágico,nos pacientes diabéticos descompensados que apresentemfatores de risco associados a sinais e sintomas da doença e/ouinfecciosos, sem foco definido.(AU)

Candida sp. are commensal fungi of humans and are considerednormal flora of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.However, changes in the host immunity may lead to infection bythese fungi, defined as candidiasis. A major cause of the imbalanceare immune endocrine diseases, especially type 2 diabetesmellitus. Diabetic patients are more likely to develop infectiousforms of candidiasis, in particular the esophageal involvementthat often goes undiagnosed. The aim of this study was to reporta case of a type 2 diabetic patient with an infectious processwhich is important to clarify the result of extensive esophagealcandidiasis. Male patient, 55 years, coming from Itacoatiara-AM,a longtime smoker. After a history of hospitalization for treatmentof decompensated diabetes mellitus type 2 and pyomyositis of theleft thigh, it progressed with insidious asthenia, anorexia, malaiseand intermittent evening daily fever (38.5 °C), he was diagnosedand treated for urinary tract infection with no improvement.After the condition worsened, followed by dysphagia for solidsand weight loss, he was re-admitted for diagnosis. During theinvestigation it was found positive fecal occult blood, upperendoscopy showed multiple elevated confluent whitish linearplaques occupying the entire course of the esophagus, esophagealcandidiasis compatible with grade III KODSI. Serology forHIV and Hepatitis B and C were negative. The biopsy revealed acute erosive esophagitis. We must be alert to the possibility ofinfection by Candida, in particular, esophageal involvement inpatients presenting decompensated diabetic risk factors associatedwith signs and symptoms of disease and/or infections, without adefined focus.(AU)

Granuloma faciale: a good therapeutic response with the use of topical tacrolimus

AbstractGranuloma faciale is a rare dermatosis of chronic course, benign, usually asymptomatic, first described in 1945 by Wingley. It is characterized by the appearance of well-defined, single or multiple papules, plaques and nodules, predominantly located in sun-exposed areas, especially the face. In this work we report the case of a female patient, 58 years old, evolving for ten years with multiple erythematous-brownish and asymptomatic papules on the face, whose histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of granuloma faciale. The patient was treated with topical tacrolimus, evolving with regression of lesions.

Bullous and hemorrhagic lichen sclerosus - Case report

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory disease, usually located in the genital area. The etiology of lichen sclerosus is multifactorial, with participation of genetic, autoimmune, infectious and hormonal factors. Bullous clinical form stems from hydropic degeneration of the basal membrane, constituting a less frequent variant of the disease. In this work, we report the case of a female patient, 55 years old, who in the last three years presented whitish plaques, with horny spikes, located on back and arms. Some of these lesions evolved with hemorrhagic blisters, which after histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of bullous and hemorrhagic lichen sclerosus. The patient was treated with high-potency topical corticosteroid for two months, resulting in remission of bullous and hemorrhagic lesions.

Follicular mucinosis: an important differential diagnosis of leprosy in an endemic area

Primary follicular mucinosis is a rare dermatosis characterized by the accumulation of mucin in the follicular epithelium and sebaceous glands. Clinically, it is characterized by the presence of papules or well-circumscribed and infiltrated plaques. In this paper, we report the case of a female patient, seven years old, evolving for three months with an asymptomatic, erythematous and infiltrated plaque located in the chin region. The research of thermal, pain and tactile sensitivity was inconclusive. Histological findings confirmed the diagnosis of follicular mucinosis. There was regression of the lesion with the use of medium potency topical corticosteroids for 20 days. The pathogenesis of follicular mucinosis remains unknown, being in some cases associated with lymphoproliferative disorders. In endemic areas of leprosy, isolated and infiltrated follicular mucinosis lesions should be further differentiated from leprosy.

Livedoid vasculopathy as a marker of systemic disease: report of two cases

The livedoid vasculopathy is an obstructive vascular process of etiology not yet fully known, being possibly associated with several prothrombotic events. It is clinically characterized by the presence of painful and recurring purpuric lesions, which usually suffer ulceration and evolve with formation of white atrophic scars usually located in the lower limbs. Two cases are here reported of painful ulcerated lesions on the lower limbs, in which the identification of VL enabled the diagnosis of systemic diseases.

Case for diagnosis

We report the case of a 81-year-old female patient who had a two-year history of violet-colored erythematous tumors on both legs. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations confirmed the diagnosis of primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma, leg type. This rare, cutaneous lymphoma affects predominantly elderly females. Clinically, patients present with tumoral lesions on one or both legs (worst prognosis). Diagnosis is based on clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. The strong expression of BCL2, BCL6, MUM-1 and CD20, and the positivity for Ki67 antigen confirm the diagnosis. R-CHOP chemotherapy regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) is the most widely accepted treatment.

Tuberculose peritoneal: um diagnóstico diferencial no abdômen agudo: relato de caso / Peritoneal tuberculosis: a differential diagnosis in acute abdomen: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O Amazonas é o estado com maior taxa de incidência de tuberculose (TB) no Brasil, com 82,7casos por 100.000 habitantes. O acometimento peritoneal é raro, com alta morbimortalidade, representando 0,1 a 0,7% de todos os casos. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de abdômen agudo inflamatório secundário a TB peritoneal em paciente jovem imunocompetente. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 33 anos, procedentede Manaus-AM, etilista, com história de TB familiar. Evoluindo há um mês com ascite, astenia, cefaleia, febre vespertina, sudorese noturna, perda ponderal de 10%. Deu entrada no pronto-socorro com dor abdominal suprapúbica e sinais clínicos de irritação peritoneal. Foi submetido à laparotomia exploradora, sendo encontradas diversas lesões nodulares, que foram biopsiadas. O estudo histopatológico revelou formações granulomatosas, necrose caseosa e bacilos álcool-ácidos resistentes, compatíveis com TB peritoneal. As sorologias para vírus da imunodeficiência humana e hepatites B e C foram negativas. CONCLUSÃO: A TB peritoneal é de difícil diagnóstico, devendo ser lembrada como um diagnóstico diferencial em paciente jovem, imunocompetente, com quadro de abdômen agudo inflamatório procedente de área epidemiológica de alta prevalência para TB.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Amazon is the state with the highest incidence rate of tuberculosis (TB) in Brazil with 82.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Peritoneal involvement is rare with high morbidity and mortality, accounting for 0.1% to 0.7% of all cases. The aim of this study was to report a case of acute abdomen secondary to inflammatory peritoneal TB in an immunocompetent young patient. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 33 years old, coming from Manaus, state of Amazonas, alcoholic, with family history of TB. One-month progression with ascites, asthenia, headache, afternoon fever, night sweats, weight loss of 10%. The patient was admitted to the ER with suprapubic abdominal pain and clinical signs of peritoneal irritation. He underwent exploratory laparotomy and several nodular lesions were found which were biopsied. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous formation, caseous necrosis and acid-alcohol resistant bacilli consistent with peritoneal TB. Serology for human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B and C was negative. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal TB is difficult to diagnose and should be included as a differential diagnosis in young, immunocompetent patients coming from epidemiological area of high prevalence of TB with acute abdomen with signs of inflammation.