Multibacillary leprosy mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus: case report and literature review.

Leprosy is an infectious chronic disease with a wide range of clinical and serological manifestations. We report a case of a woman presenting with a malar rash, painless oral ulcers, photosensitivity, arthritis, positive antinuclear antibodies test and leuko-lymphopenia. Our case illustrates an unusual presentation of leprosy initially diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). After the confirmation of multibacillary leprosy and multidrug therapy recommended by the World Health Organization, a good clinical response was observed. Recognition of rheumatic manifestations in leprosy is important as they may be confused with SLE. A literature review is presented to encourage clinicians to consider leprosy as a differential diagnosis. Specifically in patients with unusual rheumatic manifestations and persistent skin lesions, and when neurological symptoms are present. Leprosy has not been eradicated, so misdiagnosis can be frequent. It is necessary to increase medical practitioner awareness in order start proper treatment.

Sensibilidad y especificidad del examen directo micológico con blanco de calcoflúor para el diagnóstico de onicomicosis / Sensitivity and specificity of mycological direct examination with calcofluor white for the diagnosis of onychomycosis

INTRODUCCIÓN: La creciente importancia de la onicomicosis, no sólo por el aumento en su frecuencia sino también por el incremento de patógenos emergentes, plantea un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio comparativo, abierto, observacional y transversal de pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de onicomicosis y se comparó la utilidad diagnóstica del examen directo con KOH-negro de clorazol y el blanco de calcoflúor, tomando como estándar de oro la biopsia de la porción distal de la lámina ungueal teñida con PAS. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 165 pacientes (70% mujeres), el 79,4% fueron positivos para onicomicosis (OSDL 50,9%) en uñas de pies (89%) con 6años de evolución. Se reportó una sensibilidad: KOH-negro de clorazol 90,12% (95% CI: 81,46%-95,63%) vs blanco de calcoflúor 86,42% (95% CI:76,99%-93,01%) y una especificidad de 50% para KOH-negro de clorazol (95% CI: 38,89%-61,11%) vs 60,71% para blanco de calcoflúor (95% CI:49,45%-71,20%). Así mismo, se registró un VPP de 63,48% para KOH-negro de clorazol (95% CI: 53,99%-72,26%) y de 67,96% para blanco de calcoflúor (95% CI: 58,04%-76,81%) y un VPN de 84% (95% CI: 70,88%- 92,81%) y 82,26% (95% CI: 70,46%-90,78%), respectivamente. Comentario: El examen directo con blanco de calcoflúor resulta una buena herramienta diagnóstica debido a que es altamente sensible, requiere de poca experiencia por parte del observador, se realiza mediante un procesamiento sencillo, que consume poco tiempo y es de bajo costo

INTRODUCTION: The growing importance of onychomycosis, not only by the increase in frequency but also by the rise of emerging pathogens poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparative, open, observational, transversal, which included patients with clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis and compared the diagnostic utility of direct examination of KOH-chlorazol black and calcofluor white, on the gold standard biopsy of the distal portion of the nail plate stained with PAS. RESULTS: We included 165 patients (70% women), 79.4% were positive for onychomycosis (OSDL 50.9%) in toenails (89%) with 6 years of evolution. They reported a sensitivity: KOH-black of chlorazol 90.12% (95% CI: 81.46% -95.63%) vs86.42% calcofluor white (95% CI: 76.99% -93.01%) and aspecificity of 50% KOH-black of chlorazol (95% CI: 38.89% -61.11%) vs 60.71% for calcofluor white (95% CI: 49.45% -71.20%). Also, there was aPPV of 63.48% for chlorazol KOH-black (95% CI: 53.99% -72.26%) and 67.96% for calcofluor white (95% CI: 58.04% -76.81%) and a NPV of 84%(95% CI: 70.88% - 92.81%) and 82.26% (95% CI: 70.46% -90.78%), respectively. Comment: The direct examination with calcofluor white is a good diagnostic tool because it is highly sensitive, requires little expertise on the part of the observer, is performed by simple processing, which consumes little time and is inexpensive

Patients at risk of onychomycosis--risk factor identification and active prevention.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this workshop were to identify risk factors for onychomycosis and to reach consensus on the management of high-risk groups to allow the development of guidelines to help doctors recognize risk factors that complicate treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Previous Trichophyton rubrum infection, older age, abnormal nail morphology, immunodeficiency and genetic factors were identified as risk factors for initial infections. Risk factors for recurrence (relapse and re-infection) are largely the same. The experts agreed that the prevention of onychomycosis and its recurrence should be based on the correct treatment of tinea pedis, screening family members and adequate patient education. In addition, generic management recommendations for each high-risk group were discussed: * Immunosuppressed patients Usual dose and treatment length not appropriate Follow-up required Beware of drug interactions * Diabetics Prophylactic foot care combined with nail treatment Good opportunity for patient education, footwear, foot care, etc. Beware of drug interactions * Psoriatics and patients with abnormal nails Dermatophyte eradication does not restore normal nails * Children High failure rate possibly due to compliance problems.

Pharmacoeconomics--an aid to better decision-making.

OBJECTIVES: The first aim of this workshop was to define pharmacoeconomic concepts and terminology. Pharmacoeconomics can be defined as the branch of economics that uses cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, cost-minimization, cost-of-illness and cost-utility analyses to compare pharmaceutical products and treatment strategies. Economic evaluations provide healthcare decision-makers with valuable information, allowing optimal allocation of limited resources. However, pharmacoeconomics is based on long-term benefits, whereas physicians are typically forced to seek immediate savings. The second aim was to review pharmacoeconomic studies in the field of onychomycosis and finally to discuss future perspectives. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We discussed current pharmacoeconomic issues on the management of onychomycosis. Consensus was reached on the following issues: * Published pharmacoeconomic studies concerning onychomycosis are flawed. Future studies should be based on internationally validated principles and appropriate models. The fact that costs of different drugs, laboratory examinations and physician visits vary worldwide should be considered. Cost-benefit studies are required. * The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendations are often considered in countries other than the UK, even when not adapted to the country in question. * Generic drugs might reduce costs, but this depends on their effectiveness (bioavailability). * Sampling requests affect the economic cost (dependent on methodology, which depends on country) and physicians often trust their instincts even when tests are repeatedly negative. * The cost of adverse event management is usually considered to be 10%; this may be too high for onychomycosis, as treatments are relatively safe without severe side-effects. * Probability of recurrence for each drug should be determined. * Need for disease severity standardization, definition of diagnostic criteria and successful treatment (mycological and clinical cure).