ABSTRACT
La Psoriasis es una enfermedad crónica de la piel, de etiología y patogenia aún desconocida. Se ha propuesto una posible asociación entre la levadura Malassezia y la exacerbación de lesiones cutáneas en pacientes con psoriasis. OBJETIVO: Determinar frecuencia y distribución de especies de Malassezia en pacientes con psoriasis y en un grupo control sano. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se evaluaron 25 pacientes con psoriasis y 55 sanos como grupo control. Se recolectó muestras de piel de 4 sitios anatómicos y se realizó un examen microscópico directo (EMD) con recuento de levaduras y cultivo en medio de Dixon modificado. Las levaduras aisladas se identificaron según características macro y micromorfológicas y pruebas bioquímicas. RESULTADOS: Un total de 396 muestras de escamas de piel de 4 sitios anatómicos obtenidas de 80 pacientes (55 sanos y 25 con psoriasis). Un 67,5% (54/80) de los pacientes presentaron un EMD positivo y la tasa de recuperación por cultivo fue 58,7% (47/80). De las 396 muestras analizadas, un 28 % (111/396) fueron positivas al EMD y un 25,2% (100/396) al cultivo. Las especies aisladas fueron: M. furfur, M. globosa, M. slooffiae y M. sympodialis. CONCLUSIONES: La presencia de Malassezia en la muestra global fue 77,5 %. El sitio anatómico más afectado fue espalda y pecho y las especies identificadas corresponden a las descritas en la literatura internacional, en sujetos sanos y con psoriasis, pero con diferente frecuencia. Se requerirán estudios adicionales para ayudar a dilucidar el posible rol de Malassezia en la exacerbación de lesiones en los pacientes con psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease of unknown etiology. A possible association between psoriasis exacerbation and Malassezia species has been proposed. AIM: To determine the frequency and distribution of Malassezia species in psoriasis patients and a healthy control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 25 psoriatic patients and 55 healthy controls were studied. In each one of them skin scrapings samples were collected, from 4 anatomical sites. KOH yeast count and culture in modified Dixon agar were done. The isolated yeasts were identified according to macroscopic, microscopic and physiologic features. RESULTS: In 80 patients (55 healthy and 25 psoriatic), a total of 396 skin scrapings samples from 4 different anatomical sites were obtained. A total of 67.5% of the patients presented a positive KOH, and the recovery rate per culture was 58.7%. Out of the 396 analyzed samples, 28% (111/396) resulted positive to microscopic examination and 25,2% (100/396) positive on culture. The isolated species were: M. furfur, M globosa, M. slooffiae y M. sympodialis. CONCLUSIONS: The global frequency of Malassezia in the studied sample was 77.5%. It was more frequently detected on the posterior trunk and chest. We found the same species reported worldwide, in healthy and psoriatic patients, but in different frequency. Further research will be needed to clarify a possible role of this yeast on the exacerbation of skin lesions in psoriatic patients.
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Humans , Psoriasis/epidemiology , Psoriasis/microbiology , Malassezia/isolation & purification , Psoriasis/pathology , Case-Control Studies , Culture Techniques , Chile/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of mortality in Chile and, among these, tumors are the second most frequent cause of death. The lOngest number of deaths occur in the Metropolitan Region. AIM: To describe the rates of mortality caused by solid tumors in the Metropolitan Region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of deaths that occurred in 1999 in the Metropolitan Region. Data from death certificates, gathered by the Ministry of Health, were used. Crude mortality rates and Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) caused by solid tumors were calculated. RESULTS: Among men, gastric cancer accounts for the higher rate of mortality, followed by lung cancer. Among women, gallbladder cancer is the most frequent cause of death, followed by breast cancer. Gastric cancer also accounts for the higher amount of PYLL among men, but among women, breast cancer outweighs gallbladder cancer in this parameter. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric cancer continues to be an important cause of mortality in Chile and there is a worrysome increase in the mortality caused by gallbladder cancer.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/mortality , Adult , Aged , Cause of Death , Chile/epidemiology , Death Certificates , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The link between economy and some public health indicators like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is widely demonstrated. AIM: To explore the relationship between some economic indicators and infant mortality in Chile between 1985 and 1999. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An ecological study, obtaining information from Demographic Annual Reports edited by the National Institute of Statistics, Health Ministry, Planning Ministry and the Central Bank. RESULTS: There is an inverse association between the Gross National Product, per capita and Real Salary Index and a direct relationship between inflation and unemployment rates with an increased infant mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in infant mortality observed in Chile depends more on socio demographic than on economical factors.
