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.

Nail apparatus melanoma: a diagnostic opportunity / Melanoma do aparelho ungueal: uma oportunidade diagnóstica

Malignant Melanoma is a high mortality neoplasm. The involvement of the nail apparatus is rare, with only 2 out of 3 patients seeking medical attention as the result of recent nail melanocytic lesions. This results in late diagnosis and a prognosis worse than cutaneous melanoma. We report a female, presenting with ulcerative lesions with clinical and laboratory features compatible with leishmaniasis. On return after treatment initiation a longitudinal melanonychia was observed on her first right finger. Biopsy of the nail matrix was performed. Histopathology was compatible with melanoma in situ. Longitudinal melanonychia is not a specific sign for melanoma and it is important that the dermatologist should identify the suspect lesions correctly. The incidental diagnosis of nail melanoma in situ in our case significantly impacted the patient's survival.

Melanoma Maligno é uma neoplasia de alta mortalidade, sendo raro o acometimento do aparelho ungueal. Apenas 2/3 dos pacientes procuram atendimento médico devido lesão melanocítica ungueal recente, tornando o diagnóstico tardio e com prognóstico pior que do melanoma cutâneo. Descreve-se um caso de paciente sexo feminino, apresentando lesões ulceradas com características clínico-laboratoriais compatíveis com leishmaniose tegumentar americana. No retorno após início do tratamento foi observada melanoníquia longitudinal no primeiro quirodáctilo direito. Realizada biópsia da matriz ungueal com histopatológico compatível com melanoma in situ. Melanoníquia longitudinal não é sinal específico de melanoma. A identificação das lesões suspeitas é importante tarefa dos dermatologistas. O diagnóstico incidental de melanoma ungueal in situ do caso relatado resultou em grande impacto na sobrevida da paciente.

Single lesion leprosy pacients multicentric cohort treated with single dose drug therapy: findings on three-year follow-up and public health perspective in Brazil

Single skin lesion, paucibacillary (SSL-PB) leprosy is considered and early disease manifesation. This study the clinical outcome of a cohort of 259 newly diagnosed SSL-PB treated with one dose of rifampicin, ofloxacin, minocycline (ROM) and followed-up for three-years. Patients were recruited from the North, Central West and Southeast regions in Brazil (1997-2001). The result expected with ROM therapy was disappearance or the reduction of lesion size. Manifestation that required additional intervention were considered as poor clinical outcome: type-1 reaction (T1R) with or without neuritis alone, increase in lesion size and shift from paucibacillary to multibacillary. The incidence of poor clinical outcome was calculated by person-month and with the Kaplan-Meier methods. 61.8% of the participants were females, mean age 32.2, and 67,2% had borderline tuberculoid (BT) or tuberculoid forms. T1R was the predominant event; shift from paucibacillary to multibacillaru was rare. 92.0% of the volunteers shown no events during the first year, the same occurring to 80.6% of them after 3 years of clinical monitoring. The probability of remaining event-free was highest among those 40 years old or younger. Poor outcome predominated among BT patients. Extended monitoring of SSL-PB leprosy cases under minimal therapy provided valuable case management information for reference centers.

Coorte multicêntrica de pacientes com hanseníase tratada com terapiade dose única: resultados de três anos de seguimento e perspectiva emsáude pública no Brasil / SINGLE LESION LEPROSY PACIENTS MULTICENTRIC COHORT TREATED WITH SINGLE DOSE DRUG THERAPY: FINDINGS ON THREE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP AND PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE IN BRAZIL

Single skin lesion, paucibacillary (SSL-PB) leprosy is considered an early diseasemanifestation. This study evaluated the clinical outcome of a cohort of 259 newlydiagnosed SSL-PB treated with one dose of rifampicin, ofloxacin, minocycline (ROM)and followed-up for three-years. Patients were recruited from the North, Central Westand Southeast regions in Brazil (1997-2001). The result expected with ROM therapywas disappearance or the reduction of lesion size. Manifestations that required additional intervention were considered as poor clinical outcome: type-1 reaction (T1R) with orwithout neuritis, neuritis alone, increase in lesion size and shift from paucibacillary tomultibacillary. The incidence of poor clinical outcome was calculated by personmonthand with the Kaplan-Meier methods. 61.8% of the participants were females,mean age 32.2, and 67.2% had borderline tuberculoid (BT) or tuberculoid forms. T1Rwas the predominant event; shift from paucibacillary to multibacillary was rare. 92.0%of the volunteers shown no events during the first year, the same occurring to 80.6%of them after 3 years of clinical monitoring. The probability of remaining event-freewas highest among those 40 years old or younger. Poor outcome predominated amongBT patients. Extended monitoring of SSL-PB leprosy cases under minimal therapyprovided valuable case management information for reference centers.

Lesão única paucibacilar (SSL-PB) é considerada manifestação clínica inicial dahanseníase. Este estudo avaliou resultado clínico de coorte de 259 pacientes SSL-PBrecém-diagnosticados, tratados com esquema de dose única Rifampicina, Ofloxacina,Minociclina (ROM) e acompanhados por 3 anos (1997-2001) nas regiões Norte,Centro-Oeste e Sudeste. O resultado esperado do tratamento ROM compreendedesaparecimento ou diminuição da lesão. O desfecho foi definido como qualquerevento clínico com indicação de terapia adicional: reação tipo 1 (T1R) com ou semneurite, neurite, aumento de tamanho de lesão e mudança de paucibacilar paramultibacilar. Estas manifestações foram consideradas eventos clínicos desfavoráveis,calculados por densidade de incidência (pessoa-tempo) e por Kaplan-Meier. 61,8%dos participantes eram mulheres (32,2 média idade), 67,2% borderline-tuberculoide(BT) e tuberculoide. T1R foi o desfecho predominante; mudança de paucibacilar paramultibacilar foi rara. 92,0% não apresentaram eventos desfavoráveis no primeiro anoe 80,6% ao final de três anos de monitoramento clínico. Participantes com idade d?40 anos tiveram maior probabilidade de permanecerem sem evento e evolução clínicadesfavorável predominou entre pacientes BT. Monitoramento prolongado de hanseníaselesão-única PB tratados com esquema mínimo forneceu dados importantes sobremanejo clínico para os centros de referência.

Single lesion leprosy pacients multicentric cohort treated with single dose drug therapy: findings on three year follow up and public health perspective in Brazil

Single skin lesion, paucibacillary (SSL PB) leprosy is considered an early disease manifestation. This study evaluated the clinical outcome of a cohort of 259 newly diagnosed SSL PB treated with one dose of rifampicin, ofloxacin, minocycline (ROM) and followed up three years. Patients were recruited from the North, Central West and Southeast regions in Brazil (1997-2001). The result expected with ROM therapy was disappearance or the reduction of lesion size. Manifestations that required additional intervention were considered as poor clinical outcome: type 1 reaction (T1R) with or without neuritis, neuritis alone, increase in lesion size and shift from paucibacillary to multibacillary. The incidence of poor clinical outcome was calculated by person month and with the Kaplan Meier methods. 61,8 percent of the participants were females, mean age 32.2 and 67,2 percent had borderline tuberculoid (BT) or tuberculoid forms. TIR was the predominant event; shift from paucibacillary to multibacillary was rare. 92 percent of the volunteers shown no events during the first year, the same occurring to 80,6 percent of them after 3 years of clinical monitoring. The probability of remaining event free was highest among those 40 years old or younger. Poor outcome predominated among BT patients. Extended monitoring of SSL PB leprosy cases under minimal therapy provided valuable case management information for reference centers.

Compreensão da importância do exame ocular preventivo entre hansenianos de duas Instituições de referência / Comprehension of the importance of preventive ocular exam among Hansen´s disease patients from two referral centers

Objetivo. Avaliar o conhecimento dos pacientes portadores de morbus Hansen, da necessidade da realização de exames oftalmológicos periódicos, visando à prevenção das complicações oculares relacionadas à sua patologia. Métodos. Avaliados 113 pacientes ambulatoriais com diagnóstico prévio de hanseníase, sendo 57 casos provenientes do Hospital Universitário de Brasília, e 56 pacientes provenientes da Fundação Instituto de Dermatologia Tropical e Venereologia Alfredo da Mata FUAM (centros de referência regional em dermatoses e hanseníase). Após assinatura de termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido, foram estimulados a responder questionário elaborado especificamente para este estudo. Também foram examinados os prontuários desses doentes para averiguar os dados de identificação, o nível de escolaridade, a forma clínica, e a duração da hanseníase. Resultados. Quando questionados se sabiam que sua doença pode levar ao aparecimento de complicações oculares, 24,8% dos entrevistados afirmaram que têm conhecimento dessa associação, 23% afirmaram desconhecer tal associação e 52,2% não souberam responder. Conclusões. Este estudo mostra ser inadequado o nível de compreensão dos enfermos com hansenníase com relação à sua doença quanto à possibilidade do aparecimento de complicações oculares. Enfatiza a necessidade que os profissionais de saúde envolvidos no tratamento de hanseníase informem aos pacientes, de forma clara, incisiva e objetiva, que a doença é potencialmente causadora de graves complicações oculares.

Objective. To evaluate the knowledge of Hansen disease patients on the demand of periodical ocular exams aiming at preventing eye complications related to their disease. Methods. A total of 113 outpatients with previous leprosy’s diagnostic, 57 from Hospital Universitário de Brasília and 56 from Fundação Instituto de Dermatologia Tropical e Venereologia Alfredo da Mata (both regional reference centers for dermatological diseases and leprosies), after signing an informed consent, the patients were stimulated to answer a specially elaborated questionnaire. Their records were examined to access personal information, school level, the clinic type of Hansen disease, and the length of the disease. Results. When asked if they knew that their disease could lead to the emergence of eye complications, 24.8% of the subjects answered they knew about this relationship, 23% answered there was no such association to their knowledge and 52.2% answered they did not know how to answer the question. Conclusions. This study demonstrates an inadequate level of understanding on part of the studied Hansen disease patients regarding the risk of their disease to lead to further ocular complications. It also emphasizes the necessity that all health professionals who take part in treatment of Hansen disease patients should tell them clearly and objectively their disease is potentially related to important eye complications, being such information a basic and extremely helpful procedure in preventing these problems.

Correlação clínico-laboratorial baseada em dados secundários dos casos de hanseníase atendidos no período de 01/2000 a 03/2001 na Fundação Alfredo da Matta, Manaus-AM, Brasil / Correlation between clinical and laboratorial findings of the leprosy cases followed at the "Alfredo da Matta" Dermatology Center, Manaus-AM, Brazil, from January 2000 to March 2001, based on secondary data

FUNDAMENTOS: A Organização Mundial da Saúde - OMS e o Ministério da Saúde do Brasil recomendam a adoção da classificação operacional para fins terapêuticos (multi ou paucibacilar). Discute-se a validade dessa classificação tomando como referência o resultado do exame baciloscópico. OBJETIVO: Verificar a sensibilidade e especificidade da classificação clínica operacional que leva em consideração exclusivamente o número de lesões cutâneas e daquela que considera o espessamento de troncos neurais, além do número de lesões cutâneas, relacionando-as com o resultado do exame baciloscópico. MÉTODO: Como fonte de informação foram consultados os prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico de hanseníase no período de janeiro de 2000 a março de 2001, na Fundação Alfredo da Matta, em Manaus, AM, onde estavam registrados os dados demográficos, clínicos e laboratoriais. RESULTADOS: A classificação clínica baseada exclusivamente no número de lesões cutâneas mostrou sensibilidade de 73,6 por cento e especificidade de 85,6 por cento com relação à baciloscopia. A classificação que combina o número de lesões cutâneas e de nervos espessados demonstrou sensibilidade de 75,8 por cento e especificidade de 71,8 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: A classificação clínica da hanseníase baseada no número de lesões cutâneas mostrou, neste estudo, valores de sensibilidade e especificidade similares aos descritos em estudos realizados em outros países. Quando se acrescentou à classificação outro parâmetro clínico, a presença de nervos periféricos espessados, ocorreu significativa diminuição da especificidade, sem aumento estatisticamente significativo da sensibilidade.

Queilites / Cheilitis

As autoras discutem sobre algumas formas de queilite que, por suas manifestações clínicas, freqüência e potencial de malignização, têm maior relevância tanto para o clínico geral quanto para os especialistas que lidam diretamente com lesões da mucosa oral - como os dermatologistas, otorrinolaringologistas, cirurgiões de cabeça e pescoço, dentistas e estomatologistas, entre outros