Patología infecciosa del vestíbulo nasal / Infectious diseases of the nasal vestibule

El vestíbulo nasal corresponde a la primera porción de la fosa nasal, éste se encuentra delimitado lateralmente por los cartílagos alares y medialmente por el borde caudal del septum nasal y la columela. Las enfermedades infecciosas del vestíbulo nasal son patologías frecuentes en la práctica clínica; su diagnóstico se realiza en base a sospecha clínica y examen físico, requiriendo habitualmente solo manejo médico ambulatorio. Desde el punto de vista etiológico pueden ser virales, bacterianas y fúngicas. Las principales especies bacterianas involucradas corresponden a Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa, S. epidermidis, S. hominis y S. haemolyticus, difteroides spp y S. aureus. Su manejo es esencialmente médico con casos excepcionales requiriendo manejo quirúrgico. En la actualidad existe escasa información epidemiológica al respecto, lo que dificultad la clasificación de los dichos cuadros clínicos. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura sobre cuadros infecciosos que afectan el vestíbulo nasal para lograr sistematizar y clarificar las distintas patologías y sus tratamientos.

The nasal vestibule corresponds to the first portion of the nasal passage, limited laterally by the lateral crus and medially by the caudal edge of the nasal septum and columella. Infectious diseases of the nasal vestibule are frequent in clinical practice, diagnosis is made based on clinical suspicion and physical examination, usually requiring only ambulatory medical management. In terms of etiology, they can be viral, bacterial and fungal. The main bacterial species involved correspond: Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, S. epidermidis, S. hominis and S. haemolyticus, difteroides spp and S. aureus. Management is essentially medical and only exceptionally requires surgery. Currently, there is a lack of epidemiological information in this regard, which makes it difficult to classify these clinical conditions. A review of the literature on infectious conditions that affect the nasal vestibule was performed, to systematize and clarify the different pathologies and their management.

Feohifomicosis nasal por Curvularia spicifera en un paciente pediátrico con neutropenia y leucemia mieloide aguda / Nasal phaeohyphomycosis by Curvularia spicifera in pediatric patient with neutropenia and acute myeloid leukemia

There are very few reports of pediatric patients with infections by dematiaceous filamentous fungi. In this publication we report a case of invasive fungal infection of the nasal septum by Curvularia spicifera in a pediatric patient with acute myeloid leukemia. The patient presented with a painful scabby wound in the nasal vestibule. Culture and universal PCR were consistent with Curvularia spicifera. Early management with surgical debridement and bi-associated antifungal therapy achieved complete resolution of the lesions, with no evidence of dissemination and relapses. Clinical management of these fungal infections represents a challenge as the antifungal selection and duration of therapy is not yet well stablished.

Existen pocos reportes de infecciones por hongos dematiáceos en pediatría. Comunicamos el caso de una infección fúngica invasora del tabique nasal en un niño con una leucemia mieloide aguda, que se presentó como una lesión costrosa dolorosa en el vestíbulo nasal. Se realizó desbridamiento quirúrgico precoz y recibió tratamiento antifúngico biasociado, lográndose resolución completa de las lesiones, sin diseminación ni recaídas. El cultivo y la RPC universal fueron compatibles con Curvularia spicifera. El manejo de estas infecciones fúngicas representa un desafío, considerando que la elección del agente antifúngico y la duración de la terapia no están completamente establecidas.

Case for diagnosis

Hansen's disease is a chronic infecto-contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The bacillus prefers low-temperature areas and the nose is usually the initial site of lesions. Transmission of the bacilli occurs by nasal and oropharyngeal secretions, and through solutions of continuity of the skin and/or mucosae. Nasal manifestations are found in the later stages of the disease.

Nasal tuberculosis: a case report

We present a case of nasal tuberculosis, a rare presentation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. This report emphasizes how nasal tuberculosis can mimic other granulomatous disease and place a major challenge in its diagnosis and treatment

Mucormicosis: Una micosis emergente / Mucormycosis: An emergent mycosis

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la incidencia, frecuencia, características clínicas y evolución de los pacientes con mucormicosis atendidos en el Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires, entre los años 1982 y 2010. Durante ese período se diagnosticaron 10 casos de mucormicosis. Los tres primeros entre 1982 y 2004 y los últimos 7 entre 2005 y 2010. La incidencia y frecuencia de esta enfermedad, para el período 1980-2004 fue 0.13 pacientes/año y 0.1 casos/10 000 egresos (IC 95%: 0.00 a 0.3) respectivamente. En el período 2005-2010 la incidencia fue 0.86 pacientes/año y la frecuencia de 1.1 casos/10 000 egresos (IC 95%: 0.5 a 2.4). Hubo nueve casos de mucormicosis rinosinuso-orbitaria, siete en pacientes con diabetes mellitus, uno en una paciente con una hemopatía maligna y neutropenia, y el restante en un paciente con HIV/sida que además estaba neutropénico y con un síndrome hemofagocítico. En una paciente se realizó el diagnóstico post mortem de mucormicosis pulmonar. El diagnóstico se efectuó por la observación de filamentos cenocíticos en los diez casos. Hubo desarrollo de mucorales en los cultivos de 8/9 pacientes; cinco Rhizopus spp y tres Mucor spp. Todos los pacientes recibieron un tratamiento inicial con anfotericina B deoxicolato, que en tres de ellos fue continuado con anfotericina B liposomal, y cirugía. Tres enfermos recibieron además un tratamiento adyuvante con oxigeno hiperbárico. La mortalidad fue 30%.

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection caused by fungi of the order Mucorales. It is characterized by rapid progression and high morbidity and mortality in the absence of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. It was an infrequent disease, but in recent years, its incidence appears to have increased. The aim of this paper is to report the cases of mucormycosis diagnosed from 1982 to 2010 at the Hospital de Clinicas José de San Martín, University of Buenos Aires. We diagnosed 10 cases of mucormycosis; the first three between 1982 and 2004 and the last 7 between 2005 and 2010. The incidence from 1980 to 2004 was 0.13 patient-years and the frequency 0.1/10 000 discharges (95% CI 0.00- 0.3). In the period 2005 to 2010, the incidence was 0.86 patients per year with 1.1/10 000 discharges (95% CI 0.5-2.4). There was a pulmonary mucormycosis case (in a patient treated with corticosteroids) and nine rhinocerebral cases, two in neutropenic and seven in diabetic patients. The diagnosis was made by observation of cenocytic hyphae in 10/10 patients. Mucorales were recovered in 8/9 cultures (5 Rhizopus spp and 3 Mucor spp.). In one case diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis was made post-mortem. Nine patients were treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate (in 3 patients supplemented with liposomal amphotericin B) and surgery. Three patients underwent hyperbaric chamber. Seven patients had favorable outcome. In conclusion, mucormycosis is a rare disease, but its incidence has increased over the past five years. A good evolution of the patients is linked to early diagnosis and treatment.

Sucesso terapêutico da terbinafina em um caso de esporotricose / Successful treatment of terbinafine in a case of sporotrichosis

A esporotricose é uma infecção subaguda ou crônica, causada por fungos pertencentes ao Complexo Sporothrix. Relato do caso: esporotricose de localização nasal foi tratada com iodeto de potássio e como não se obteve sucesso, reiniciou-se o tratamento com associação de iodeto de potássio e itraconazol. Porém, ocorreu nova recidiva. As culturas dos exames micológicos foram submetidas a ensaios de atividade antifúngica in vitro para auxiliar no tratamento. A terbinafina foi o antifúngico que apresentou melhores resultados, por isso, o tratamento foi reiniciado com este antifúngico e, após dois anos do término do mesmo, não recidivou. Adicionalmente, ambas as culturas foram comparadas por RAPD, obtendo padrões de fragmentos distintos, indicando que os isolados são diferentes ou demonstrando um processo microevolutivo do microrganismo.

Sporotrichosis is a chronic subacute infection caused by fungi belonging to the Sporothrix Complex. In the present clinical case, nasal sporotrichosis was treated with potassium iodide. This was unsuccessful, and the treatment was restarted with a combination of potassium iodide and itraconazole. This however resulted in a further recurrence of the infection. The mycological cultures were tested in vitro for antifungal activity to assist in treatment. Terbinafine, an antifungal drug, produced the best results and was therefore used for the rest of the treatment course, with no recurrence after two years of its completion. In addition, both cultures were compared using RAPD and different fragment patterns were observed. This indicated that the isolates were either different or indicated a microevolutionary process of this microorganism.

Rhinocerebral zygomycosis in a diabetic patient / Zigomicose rinocerebral em paciente diabética

Rhinocerebral zygomycosis is the most frequent form of fungal infection caused by members of the Zygomycetes class. A fatal case of rhinocerebral zygomycosis caused by Rhizopus (oryzae) arrhizus with histopathological and mycological diagnosis is reported in a diabetic patient.

Zigomicose rinocerebral é a forma mais frequente das infecções fúngicas causadas por membros da classe Zygomicetes. É relatado um caso fatal de zigomicose rinocerebral por Rhizopus (oryzae) arrhizus com diagnóstico histopatológico e micológico, em paciente diabética.

Sequence of oral manifestations in rhino-maxillary mucormycosis.

Mucormycosis, caused by saprophytic fungi of the order Mucorales of the class Zygomycetes, is a rare opportunistic fungal infection, which has a rapidly progressive and fulminant course with fatal outcome. These fungi are ubiquitous, found in soil, bread molds, decaying fruits and vegetables. The most common form of mucormycosis is rhinocerebral and is usually seen in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or in immunocompromised patients. This fungus invades the arteries, leading to thrombosis that subsequently causes necrosis of hard and soft tissues. We report a case of palatal perforation by rhino-maxillary mucormycosis in an immunocompromised patient. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the clinical presentation and pathogenesis of mucormycosis and to emphasize the need for high degree of suspicion in its diagnosis and management.

Histoplasmosis in the nasal septum without pulmonary involvement in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: case report and literature review / Histoplasmose no septo nasal sem envolvimento pulmonar em um paciente com síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida: relato de caso clínico e revisão de literatura

CONTEXT: Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease caused by inhaling spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. The spores can be found in soil contaminated with bird, bat or chicken feces. Histoplasmosis occurs worldwide and is one of the most common pulmonary and systemic mycoses. CASE REPORT: We report here the case of a 37-year-old man with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and histoplasmosis in the nasal septum, without pulmonary involvement, that evolved rapidly to disseminated infection, multiple organ failure and death.

CONTEXTO: Histoplasmose é uma doença fúngica causada pela inalação de esporos do fungo Histoplasma capsulatum. Os esporos podem ser encontrados no solo contaminado com fezes de aves, morcegos ou galinhas. Histoplasmose ocorre em todo o mundo e é uma das mais comuns micoses pulmonares e sistêmicas. RELATO DE CASO: Relatamos aqui o caso de um homem de 37 anos com síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida e histoplasmose no septo nasal sem envolvimento pulmonar que evoluiu rapidamente para infecção disseminada, falência de múltiplos órgãos e morte.

Basidiobolomycosis: a rare case report.

We report a rare case of basidiobolomycosis seen in an 11-year-old girl from North-Eastern part of India. She presented with complaints of bilateral nasal block and nasal discharge for seven-eight months. CT scan of sinuses revealed polypoidal mass in all the sinuses with extradural extension. The tissue biopsy examined histopathologically and microbiologically, revealed Basidiobolus ranarum.

Mucormicosis rino-orbito-cerebral: experiencia en doce años / Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: a twelve-year experience

Introducción: La mucormicosis rino-órbito-cerebral (MROC) es una infección poco frecuente y de alta mortalidad, causada por hongos pertenecientes al orden Mucorales. Afecta excepcionalmente a individuos sanos, siendo mucho más frecuente que se produzca en sujetos inmunodeprimidos. Objetivo: Presentar la casuística de 12 años en mucormicosis del Hospital Barros Luco Trudeau. Material y método: El estudio incluye a 16 pacientes con MROC atendidos en el Hospital Barros Luco Trudeau, entre los años 1993 y 2004, detallando características clínicas de presentación de la enfermedad, procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos realizados, efectos adversos de la terapia y mortalidad. Resultados: Sólo un paciente de la serie era inmunocompetente. El síntoma más frecuente fue dolor facial y el hallazgo más frecuente al examen físico, fue la presencia de una escara negra o grisácea en la mucosa nasal. El estudio micológico directo fue positivo en 11 casos, mientras que el cultivo de hongos resultó positivo sólo en 10 pacientes. Del total de pacientes, 15 recibieron tratamiento combinado de cirugía y terapia antifúngica intravenosa (anfotericina B). Once pacientes fueron debridados por medio de una cirugía abierta (8 maxilectomías parciales y 3 totales). Cuatro pacientes fueron debridados mediante una técnica endoscópicay todos ellos necesitaron mßs de un procedimiento. Discusión y Conclusión: Se discuten las causas y el hallazgo más consistente al examen físico y la conducta del hospital ante los casos sospechosos. También se comenta la importancia de las imágenes, el compromiso orbitario, la invasión cutánea y especialmente el tratamiento médico y quirúrgico. Se destaca la sobrevida general de la serie que fue de 62,5 por ciento

Introduction: Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (MROC) is a rare, high mortality infection, produced by fungi belonging to the order Mucorales. It exceptionally affects healthy individuals, being much more prevalent in immunocompromised patients. Aim: To present the 12year experience in mucormycosis at the Barros Luco Trudeau Hospital. Material and Method: This study involves 16 MROC patients that were treatedatthe Barros Luco Trudeau Hospital between 1993 and 2004. We present detailed clinical characteristics of the disease, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed, adverse therapy effects and mortality. Results: Only one of the patients was immunocompetent. The most frequent symptom was facial pain and the most frequent finding at physical examination was a black or grayish scab on the nasal mucosa. Direct mycological study was positive in 11 cases, whereas fungal culture was positive in only 10 patients. Of all patients, 15 received combined surgical and intravenous antifungal therapy (amphotericin B). Eleven patients had debridement by open surgery (8 partial and 3 total maxillectomies). Four patients had endoscopic debridement; all of them required more than one procedure. Discussion and Conclusion: Possible causes are discussed as well as the more consistent findings at physical examination and the institution behavior when suspecting a case. In addition, imaging importance, orbital involvement, cutaneous invasion and medical and surgical treatments are discussed. The series survival rate of 62 percent is underscored

Mucormycosis causing extensive destruction of maxilla.

Mucormycosis is a rare, often fatal opportunistic infection caused by a saprophytic fungus belonging to a class of Phycomycetes. It is characterized by its unrelenting progression towards vital organs with marked propensity towards arterial wall by direct extension producing vascular thrombosis leading to ischaemic necrosis. In normal circumstances the saprophytes are not pathogenic but represent opportunist-requiring impairments in patient's resistance to disease. If not treated the disease may prove fatal. We report a case of Mucormycosis with extensive necrosis of the maxilla in a 57-year-old patient suffering from uncontrolled diabetes with ketoacidosis.

Mucormicosis rinosinusal / Rhinosinusal mucormycosis

Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 61 años, con diabetes mellitus moderadamente descompensada, sin cetoacidosis, inmunocompetente, con mucormicosis invasiva de evolución crónica, con buena respuesta al tratamiento quirúrgico y con antimicóticos, que incluyó en una primera etapa fluconazol y, posteriormente, anfotericina B. Se destaca la evolución indolente de la enfemedad y se discute la probable utilidad de los agentes azólicos. Se realiza una revisión bibliográfica de la sinusitis fúngica invasiva por Mucorales.

Entomophthoramycosis by Conidiobolus coronatus. Report of a case successfully treated with the combination of itraconazole and fluconazole

Rhinoentomophthoramycosis caused by Conidiobolus coronatus in a 61-year old woman was unsuccessfully treated during 8 years with all the antifungals available in the Brazilian market, including potassium iodide for 1 month, sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim for 2 months, amphotericin B, total dose of 1130 mg, cetoconazole, 400 mg/day for 6 months, fluconazole, 200 mg/day, for at least 2 months and, itraconazole, 400 mg/day for 2 months, followed by 200 mg/day for 4 more months. Complete clinical and mycological cure was achieved using itraconazol 400 mg/day in association with fluconazol 200 mg/day during 24 months. After cure she was submitted to plastic surgery to repair her facial deformation. Today she remains clinically and mycologically cured after 59/60 months (5 years!) without any specific antifungal. We thus suggest the use of the combination of itraconazole and fluconazole as an additional option for the treatment of this mycosis

Zigomicose nasofacial no Estado do Pará: registro de dois casos / Nasofacial zygomycosis in the state of Pará: the registration of 2 cases

São descritos dois casos de zigomicose nasofacial, procedentes de Belém, PA. O achado indica não ser tão rara, como se poderia supor, pela falta de registros, a ocorrência dessa micose na Região Norte do Brasil. Em ambos os pacientes, o tratamento pelo cetoconazol determinou involução rápida das manifestações clínicas, principalmente a obstrução nasal. Com o presente relato, sobe para cinco o número de casos da infecção referidos até agora do Estado do Pará.

Two new cases of nasofacial zygomycosis from the state of Pará, Brazil, are reported. Both cases were treated with ketoconazole and the response to the drug was considered to be good; the patients improved rapidly and the nasal obstruction was the first manifestation to disappear. As five cases have been described in recent years from the state of Pará, this form of zygomycosis can no longer be considered as a rare disease in northern Brazil.

Invasive aspergillosis of the nose and paranasal sinuses

Aspergillus is being increasingly recognised as a pathogenic entity in the nose and paranasal sinuses. In its pathologic form it may present; either as a fulminant, highly aggressive invasive disease, an aspergilloma; allergic sinusitis or; as a slowly progressive invasive aspergillosis seen in apparently healthy individuals. The progression and prognosis of the disease depends on the location, duration, immunocompetence and allergic factors. This report recounts our experience with two cases of invasive aspergillosis in non-immuno compromised patients. Its differentiation from a neoplastic lesion may prove difficult at times and repeated fungal cultures may be needed to establish a diagnosis. The main stay of treatment being surgical resection followed by antifungal chemotherapy