Tricomicosis (tricobacteriosis) en un infante: aspectos microbiológicos, dermatoscópicos y ultraestructurales / Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis) capitis in an infant: microbiological, dermoscopic and ultrastructural features

La tricomicosis es una infección superficial causada por Corynebacterium flavescens, que afecta por lo regular pelos axilares, en menor grado los púbicos, los escrotales e interglúteos y excepcionalmente los de la cabeza o tricomicosis capitis (TC). Esta infección se caracteriza por formación de nódulos pilosos. Clínicamente se confunde con infecciones como piedra blanca y pediculosis. El diagnóstico se realiza por microscopia y dermatoscopia de masas bacterianas y confirmado por cultivo. OBJETIVO: Presentar un caso de TC en un infante, y mostrar las características microscópicas, dermatoscópicas y ultraestructurales. CASO CLÍNICO: Niño sano de 6 meses de edad, con dermatosis que afectó los pelos de la cabeza en forma de múltiples nódulos-pilosos amarillentos. Se comprobó TC mediante fluorescencia amarilla a la luz de Wood; a la dermatoscopia se observaron cadenas blanco-amarillentas, como "rosarios de piedras cristalinas"; al examen directo se distinguieron masas bacterianas y al cultivo se identificó Corynebacterium flavescens. A la microscopia electrónica se observó infección superficial, sin perforación de los pelos. Se realizó tratamiento con aplicación de ácido fusídico por 3 semanas y se obtuvo curación clínica y microbiológica. CONCLUSIÓN: La TC es una entidad rara que se presenta en niños, y que suele confundirse con otros padecimientos del pelo como la pediculosis e infecciones micóticas.

Trichomycosis is a superficial infection caused by Corynebacterium flavescens, which regularly affects axillary, and to a a lesser extent, pubic, scrotal and intergluteal, and exceptionally, head hairs or trichomycosis capitis (TC). This condition is characterised by the formation of bacterial nodules. Clinically, it can be confused with white piedra or pediculosis. The diagnosis is made by microscopic and dermoscopic observation and confirmed by culture. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of TC in an infant and illustrate the microscopic, dermoscopic, and ultrastructural characteristics. CLINICAL CASE: A 6 month-old boy, otherwise healthy, with multiple yellowish concretions on the hairs of the head. TC was confirmed by yellow fluorescence with Wood’s light; white-yellowish beads, like "rosaries of crystalline stones" were observed on dermoscopy, direct examination showed bacterial masses, and Corynebacterium flavescens was identified by culture. A superficial infection, without perforation of the hairs, was confirmed by electron microscopy. Treatment with fusidic acid for 3 weeks achieved a clinical and microbiological cure. CONCLUSION: TC is a rare condition that affects children, and tends to be mistaken for other diseases of the hair, such as pediculosis and mycotic infections.

Detection of seasonal asymptomatic dermatophytes in Van cats

Abstract The Van cat is a domestic landrace found in the Van province of eastern Turkey. In this study, we aimed to determine the seasonal carriage of dermatophytes in Van cats without clinical lesions. A total of 264 hair specimens were collected from clinically healthy cats in and around the Van Province. Of these samples, 30.3% were obtained in spring, 30.6% in summer, 16.6% in autumn, and 22.3% in winter; 45.1% of samples were from male cats and the rest from female ones. Of the studied cats, 118 were younger than 1 year, 78 were 1–3 years old, and 68 were older than 3 years. The specimens were subjected to direct microscopic examination with 15% potassium hydroxide and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and dermatophyte test medium supplemented with cycloheximide and chloramphenicol. Dermatophyte identification was carried out based on macroscopic and microscopic colony morphology, urease activities, in vitro hair perforation test, growth at 37 °C, and pigmentation on corn meal agar. Dermatophytes were isolated from 19 (7.1%) of the 264 specimens examined. The most frequently isolated fungi were Trichophyton terrestre (4.1%), followed by Microsporum gypseum (1.1%), M. nanum (1.1%), and T. mentagrophytes (0.7%), and these fungi may represent a health risk for humans in contact with clinically healthy Van cats. M. canis was not isolated from any of the specimens. Our results show no significant (p > 0.05) association between carriage of dermatophytes and the gender of cats. The carriage rate of dermatophytes was high in spring and winter, and the only possible risk factor for infection was age of the animal.

Dermatophytes and other associated fungi in patients attending to some hospitals in Egypt

Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that infect keratinized tissues causing diseases known as dermatophytoses. Dermatophytes are classified in three genera, Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. This investigation was performed to study the prevalence of dermatomycosis among 640 patients being evaluated at the dermatology clinics at Kasr elainy, El-Husein and Said Galal hospitals in Cairo and Giza between January 2005 and December 2006. The patients were checked for various diseases. Tinea capitis was the most common clinical disease followed by tinea pedis and tinea corporis. Tinea cruris and tinea unguium were the least in occurrence. Tinea versicolor also was detected. The most susceptible persons were children below 10 years followed by those aged 31–40 years. Unicellular yeast was the most common etiological agent and T. tonsuranswas the second most frequent causative agent followed by M. canis.

Fungal agents in different anatomical sites in Public Health Services in Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil / Agentes fúngicos em diferentes sítios anatômicos nos Serviços de Saúde Pública em Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: A contribution to the regional epidemiological profile of the most common fungal agents in Public Health Services in Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, including university hospitals and polyclinics. METHODS: Clinical specimens (n = 1,496) from 1,078 patients were collected, submitted to direct mycological exam (potash or stick tape method) and cultured in specific mediums. Dermatophytic and non-dermatophytic agents were identified according to micromorphology (Ridell technique). RESULTS: The majority of the 1,496 specimens were skin (n = 985) and nail exams (n = 472). Of the 800 positive cultures, 246 (30.8 percent) corresponded to dermatophytes and 336 (42 percent) to yeasts of the genus Candida, 190 (23.7 percent) to other yeasts, 27 (3.4 percent) to non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi and one (0.1 percent) the agent of subcutaneous mycosis. Lesions considered primary occurred in greater numbers (59.5 percent) than recurrent lesions (37.4 percent), with a greater concentration of positivity occurring on the arms and legs. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities, allergies and diabetes mellitus were conditions associated with greater positivity in direct mycological exams and cultures. Positive culture was considered a definitive diagnosis of fungal infection and confirmed 47.8 percent of diagnostic hypotheses.

INTRODUÇÃO: Contribuição sobre o perfil epidemiológico regional referente aos agentes fúngicos mais freqüentes nos Serviços de Saúde Pública em Cuiabá-MT, incluindo policlínicas e hospitais universitários. MÉTODOS: Foram examinados 1.496 espécimes clínicos colhidos a partir de 1.078 pacientes, os quais foram submetidos ao exame direto (potassa e/ou fita gomada) e cultivos em meios específicos. Os agentes foram identificados segundo micromorfologia (técnica de Ridell). RESULTADOS: Os 1.496 espécimes foram relacionados na maioria a exames de pele (n = 985), e unhas (n = 472). Dos 800 cultivos positivos, 246 (30,8 por cento) corresponderam a dermatófitos, 336 (42 por cento) a leveduras do gênero Candida, 190 (23,7 por cento) a outras leveduras, 27 (3,4 por cento) a fungos filamentosos não dermatofíticos e um (0,1 por cento) a agente de micoses subcutâneas. Lesões consideradas primárias compareceram em maior número (59,5 por cento), comparadas as recidivantes (37,4 por cento). Foi observada maior positividade em membros inferiores e superiores. CONCLUSÕES: Co-morbidades, quadros alérgicos e diabetes mellitus representaram condições associadas à maior positividade em exames micológicos diretos e cultivos. O cultivo positivo foi considerado como diagnóstico definitivo de infecção fúngica, e confirmou 47,8 por cento de hipóteses diagnósticas.

Leveduras isoladas do pelame de cães sadios que vivem em regime domiciliar / Yeasts isolated from the haircoat of healthy dogs that live indoor

Potentially pathogenic yeasts from the haircoat of dogs that live indoor and visit regularly an esthetic service were collected by the carpet technique applied on the fur. The microorganisms were isolated on Sabouraud dextrose agar supplied with chloramphenicol and identified by their morphological and biochemistry characteristics. Candida albicans was identificated in 95.2% of the canine population, followed by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (4.8%). It is known that C. albicans is uncommon on health skin. By the other hand, the high frequency of this agent in this study may represent exposure and risk for opportunistic infections in dogs and other susceptible animals.

Cabelo em neurocirurgia: é necessária a tricotomia? / Hair in neurosurgical: is necessary the hair removal?

Este trabalho relata a nossa experiência que conclui ser desnecessária a tricotomia do couro cabeludo no preparo pré-operatório das craniotomias. No Hospital Nove de Julho, desde o final do ano de 1992, foi abolida a tricotomia do couro cabeludo como rotina nos procedimentos neurocirúrgicos