ABSTRACT
Syphilis reemerged in Martinique in 2004 and initially affected 3 HIV-infected patients. By March 2008, syphilis was diagnosed for 37 men and 18 women. As of October 31, 2009, this outbreak had not yet been brought under control. It initially affected mainly men who had sex with men before it spread to heterosexual persons, minority group members, and crack cocaine users.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Syphilis/epidemiology , Adult , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Female , HIV Infections/complications , Humans , Male , Martinique/epidemiology , Sexual Behavior , Syphilis/complications , Syphilis/prevention & controlABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Melanoma blood vessel metastases are very uncommon. We report the first recorded case of intravascular metastatic melanoma of the vena saphena magna. CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old woman presented with a swelling of the upper third of her left thigh and was suspected of superficial thrombophlebitis. Two intravascular black masses were excised in the vena saphena magna. Histopathologic examination showed an endovascular metastatic melanoma positively staining for HMB45 and S-100 proteins. Acral-lentiginous melanoma of her big toe was then found. Subcutaneous lymph node and chest metastases were discovered and treatment with dacarbazine was initiated, followed by treatment with fotemustine. The patient died 21 months after the diagnosis was made. CONCLUSIONS: Only a few cases of blood vessel metastatic melanoma have been reported. We here report the first recorded case, to our knowledge, of intravascular metastatic melanoma of the vena saphena magna. Surgical exploration allowed rapid diagnosis, and histological examination confirmed the intravascular nature of a hematogenous melanoma metastasis. This case clearly illustrates the need for histologic examination of any thrombotic material.
Subject(s)
Melanoma/secondary , Neoplastic Cells, Circulating/pathology , Saphenous Vein , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Vascular Neoplasms/secondary , Aged , Combined Modality Therapy , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Melanoma/therapy , Skin Neoplasms/therapy , Vascular Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is an unusual inflammatory reaction to an opportunistic infection that occurs in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with profound immunosuppression during the reconstitution of the immune system in the initial months of highly active antiretroviral treatment. OBSERVATIONS: We describe 3 cases of leprosy occurring in patients treated with a combination of 3 antiretroviral drugs who fulfilled the criteria for IRIS. A reactional state occurred in all 3 cases. Two of the 3 patients presented an unusual ulcerous progression of the lesions not generally observed in cases of leprosy. The outcome was favorable in all 3 cases. The frequency of IRIS associated with leprosy in French Guiana and Martinique is estimated at 3 cases per 1000 HIV-positive patients receiving highly active antiretroviral treatment. CONCLUSION: Leprosy should be recognized as an IRIS-associated infection with possibility of atypical presentation.
