RÉSUMÉ
Dermatophilosis is one of the bacterial skin diseases of animals and man caused by Dermatophilus congolensis [D. congolensis] and was first reported by Van Saceghem, 1915 in cattle in the Belgian Congo. This disease has a worldwide distribution. The prevalence of the disease is higher in animals living in warm and humid conditions. The disease usually occurs immediately after the first heavy rain. Dermatophilosis has not yet been reported in sheep in the North of Iran. Skin scab samples were collected from 120 sheep in this region after the first rain in the middle of summer. Smears were prepared and stained by Gimsa method. Because of unique appearance of D. congolensis, a strong presumptive diagnosis was made on the direct examination of stained smears alone. However, in the absence of the bacteria in stained smears, bacterial cultures were performed by Haalstra method. Only 5 out of 120 samples confirmed D. congolensis in direct examination. Bacterial cultures from negative samples were also unsuccessful
RÉSUMÉ
During a 6 year period from September 1992 to September 1998, 165 children with a final diagnosis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura [HSP] were managed and followed in our center. There were 87 [52%] boys and 78 [48%] girls, with age ranges of 1-16 years and mean age of 7.8 years. Forty-one% of the patients had evidence of preceding upper respiratory tract infection [URl]. The main clinical features were: skin eruption in 100%, GI symptoms in 79.5%, joint problems in 59.5% and renal involvement in 26.5% of cases. Thrombocytosis in 31% and increased ESR in 55% of cases were the main significant laboratory findings. Abdominal sonography was done in 58 cases with GI symptoms, and was abnormal in 28 cases [48%]: free peritoneal fluid in 26%, thickened bowel wall in 14%, ileus in 5% and intussusception in 3%. Sixty% of the patients received prednisolone for GI problems or renal involvement. Nine% of the cases had relapse and there was no death. It was concluded that: a] There is no significant sex difference in children with HSP in this area. b] The age of children with HSP in this area is the same as those in eastern countries, but relatively higher than that reported in western countries. c] Abdominal sonography can be a helpful means of diagnosis in patients with GI manifestations of HSP before skin eruption. d] The morbidity and mortality of HSP is very low if the disease is diagnosed in its early stages and managed properly