Dermatoscopic signs in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Abstract: Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technique widely used to aid in the characterization and diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions. Recently, it has also been employed for the evaluation of non-pigmented skin tumours, and inflammatory and infectious cutaneous diseases. Although the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis is confirmed by the demonstration of amastigotes in infected skin or by the growth of promastigotes in culture medium, dermoscopy could be useful as a further diagnostic test. We report a patient with a nodular lesion located on the right cheek for almost two years. The lesion was clinically suggestive of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Dermoscopy showed yellow tears, erythema and vascular structures. The diagnosis was confirmed by the demonstration of amastigotes in a skin scraping sample.

Effect of isopod parasite, Cymothoa indica on gobiid fish, Oxyurichthys microlepis from Parangipettai coastal waters (South-east coast of India).

The present study reported for the first time on the effect of isopod parasite, Cymothoa indica infestation on Oxyurichthys microlepis an ecologically important gobiid fish from Parangipettai coastal environment (South-east coast of India). The loss of weight in host fishes (male 20.47 and female 32.84%) were observed due to parasitism. The weight of uninfested female fish was found to be higher than that of infested one. The calus like thickening developed on the gill arch and gill filaments of host fish due to the persistent irritation caused by the appendages of the parasite. The reduction of gill surface area was observed due to the attachment of the parasites. The maximum reduction noticed in the first gill arch is mainly due to the heavy pressure exerted by the parasite. Details of gross lesions observed in the branchial chamber, buccal cavity and body surface was enumerated. Heavy infestations of parasitic juveniles have the potential to kill small fingerlings. The swimming capacity of the fish was also found to be affected.

Human dirofilariasis due to dirofilaria repens in Ahvaz-Iran: a report of three cases

Zoonotic filariasis due to Dirofilaria repens is prevalent in several regions of the world and because of recent rise in the number of human infections in countries of Europe, Africa and Asia, it is considered an emerging zoonoses in these continents. In 2002 three cases of dirofilariasis were diagnosed. The first case was a 34 year old man from Ahvaz referred to dermatologist with a nodule on the right cheek. During the excisional biopsy an adult dirofilaria measured 120 mm in length with white color was removed. The second case was a 37 year old man from a village around Ahvaz city who noticed a single moveable nodule with itching, irritation and swelling, 1.5 cm in diameter on his chest. The patient pressed the nodule and a white worm with 130 mm in length was revealed. The third case was a 35 year old man from Ahvaz presented at Imam Khomeini hospital because of eye irritation with symptoms and signs of itching, swelling and redness of the right eye. Examination noticed a living worm with the length of 110 mm which removed from the subconjunctival space. The worms were examined in parasitology department and based on morphological characters and microscopical identified as Dirofilaria repens. This is the second report of subcutaneous and the first report of subconjunctival dirofilariasis from Iran

Is Demodex really non-pathogenic?

Although usually considered a non-pathogenic parasite in parasitological textbooks, Demodex folliculorum has been implicated as a causative agent for some dermatological conditions, such as rosacea-like eruptions and some types of blepharitis. Several anecdotal reports have demonstrated unequivocal tissue damage directly related to the presence of the parasite. However, this seems to be exceedingly rare, in contrast with the marked prevalence of this infestation. We have had the opportunity to observe one of such cases. A 38-year-old woman presented with rosacea-like papular lesions in her right cheek. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous dermal inflammation with a well-preserved mite phagocytized by a multinucleated giant cell. This finding may be taken as an evidence for the pathogenicity of the parasite, inasmuch as it does not explain how such a common parasite is able to produce such a rare disease.