Cutaneous protothecosis in kidney transplant recipient

Abstract Protothecosis is a rare condition caused by the aclorophylated algae of the genus Prototheca. In humans, protothecosis, caused mainly by P. wickerhamii, manifests itself in three forms: cutaneous, articular and systemic. It can occur in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals, being much more common in the latter. We present a new case of protothecosis in Brazil in a kidney transplant recipient.

Cutaneous protothecosis - case report / Prototecose cutanea - relato de caso

Cutaneous protothecosis is a rare infection caused by achlorophyllic algae of the genus Prototheca. The lesions usually occur on exposed areas, related with trauma, in immunocompromised patients. The most common clinical presentation is a vesicobullous and ulcerative lesion with pustules and scabs, simulating bacterial, fungal or herpetic infections or eczema. The diagnosis is determined by agent identification through histopathology, culture and the carbohydrates assimilation test. The finding of morula-like spherules is characteristic of Prototheca sp. Its rarity and non-specific clinical aspect may difficult the disease diagnosis. We report a case of a diabetic patient, in chronic use of systemic corticosteroids, that developed a skin lesion after trauma to the right leg.

A prototecose cutânea é uma infecção rara causada por algas aclorofílicas do gênero Prototheca. Geralmente as lesões ocorrem em áreas expostas, relacionadas à trauma, em indivíduos imunocomprometidos. A apresentação clínica mais comum é uma lesão vesico-bolhosa e ulcerativa com pústulas e crostas, simulando piodermites, infecções fúngicas, infecções herpéticas ou eczemas. O diagnóstico é realizado pela identificação do agente através do exame histopatológico, da cultura e do teste de assimilação dos carboidratos. O achado de esférulas com aspecto de mórula são características da Prototheca sp. A raridade da doença e o aspecto clínico inespecífico dificultam o diagnóstico da doença. Relatamos um caso em paciente diabética, em uso crônico de corticoide sistêmico, que desenvolveu lesão cutânea após trauma na perna direita.

Manifestaciones cutáneas de la infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana en niños de Santiago de Chile / Skin diseases in human immunodeficiency virus positive children from Santiago, Chile

Children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may develop severe, refractary mucocutaneous manifestations that may be the initiating symptom of HIV infection. In this study we examined the skin of all HIV positive children receiving medical care in the public health care system in Santiago, Chile,. We detected mucocutaneous manifestations in 37/66 (56 percent) children from 7 months to 12 years of age. The most commonly encountered dermatologic manifestations were of infectious origin, mostly fungal (7.5 percent) and viral (7.5 percent) infections. With the increase in pediatric HIV patients worldwide, it is important to recognize skin manifestations of HIV positive children. This is the first published series of skin diseases in HIV positive children in Chile.

Los niños infectados por el virus de la inmunode-ficiencia humana, VIH, pueden presentar variadas manifestaciones mucocutáneas, muchas veces más graves y más difíciles de tratar que las de los niños sanos. Los trastornos de la piel o de las mucosas pueden proporcionar un indicador temprano de infección pediátrica por VIH. Para este estudio fueron examinados todos los niños infectados con VIH, atendidos en el sistema público de salud en Santiago de Chile. Registramos 66 niños con rango de edades entre 7 meses y 12 años. Las manifestaciones muco-cutáneas fueron encontradas en 37 (56 por ciento). Los hallazgos dermatológicos más observados fueron las enfermedades infecciosas, de las cuales las infecciones micóticas y virales fueron las más frecuentes. Con el aumento del número de pacientes pediátricos infectados por el VIH en el mundo, es muy importante reconocer las manifestaciones cutáneas, ya que pueden permitir realizar un diagnóstico precoz de la infección por VIH. Este es la primera serie clínica publicada acerca de las enfermedades de la piel en niños con infección por VIH en Chile.