Monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance in a young patient treated with melphalan-thalidomide-prednisone.

Key Clinical Message: We report an observation of a young patient presenting with severe type 1 cryoglobulinemic vasculitis revealing a monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significant. Treatment with Melphalan-Thalidomide Prednisone improved the symptoms. Early diagnosis would prevent serious tissue damage. Abstract: Monoclonal gammopathy encompass diverse clinical forms. Only the cancerous form, multiple myeloma (MM), is treated based on specific diagnostic criteria. A new clinical entity, monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance (MGCS), warrants special attention due to its need for specific treatment. It involves patients with signs of potentially severe organ involvement that do not meet MM criteria. We present the case of a 34-year-old Malagasy woman with severe type I cryoglobulinemic vasculitis associated with noncancerous monoclonal gammopathy, showing a favorable outcome after treatment with Thalidomide. Symptoms included toe necrosis, a severe ulcer on the left calf evolving for 3 months, and stocking-like dysesthesias. Investigations revealed monoclonal gammopathy at 30.1 g/L, proteinuria at 1 g/24 h, medullary plasma cell at 6%, and circulating cryoglobulin of Ig kappa type. CRAB criteria (anemia, hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, and osteolysis) were absent. Treatment with Thalidomide, combined with corticosteroids and local care for 4 months, resulted in ulcer healing, disappearance of dysesthesias, and persistent normalization of gammaglobulin. Our case underscores the importance of specific treatment for MGCS.

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of sporotrichosis in patients seen at a reference hospital in Madagascar.

INTRODUCTION: Sporotrichosis is a subacute to chronic fungal infection of skin and subcutaneous tissues, caused by dimorphic fungi belonging to the genus Sporothrix, commonly seen in tropical and subtropical regions like Madagascar. This study describes the epidemiological, clinical, and the treatment outcomes with itraconazole for sporotrichosis. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study on patients suffering from sporotrichosis, from March 2013 to January 2019, was conducted, in the reference center for endemic mycoses. Patients with sporotrichosis who received itraconazole for at least 3 months were included in the study. Patients received itraconazole 200 mg daily for 3 to 6 months. Therapeutic responses were evaluated at months 3 and 6 after treatment. Outcomes were classified as minor response, major response, cure, and failure. RESULTS: Forty-three cases of sporotrichosis were included. The median age of patients was 40 years. Most of them (62.8%) were rural workers. Men were more frequently infected (72%). At the end of 6th month of treatment, 20 patients (46.5%) were cured and a major response to itraconazole was observed in 8 patients (18.6%). The cure rate was higher in 12 patients (27.9%) who had disease durations of less than to one year than in those who had more time of disease (18.6%) (p = 0.01). Thirteen patients (30.2%) were lost to follow up. The rate of lost to follow-up was also higher (39.5%) in patients who had sporotrichosis of less than to one year than in those who had more time of disease. CONCLUSION: The cure rate found in this study was inferior to that reported in the literature. However, it was higher in patients with early symptomatology.

Osteoarticular sporotrichosis in an immunocompetent patient.

Sporotrichosis is a frequent subcutaneous mycosis in Madagascar. Extracutaenous forms are exceptional and are usually seen in immunosuppressed hosts. We report a case of an aggressive clinical evolution of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis with osteoarticular involvement in an immunocompetent patient. Therapy with oral itraconazole 200 mg twice daily for 12 months improved the lesion. Early diagnosis of Sporothrix schenkii infection is critical to prevent complications including osteoarticular involvement, disseminated forms and death.

Quality of life in lupus erythematosus female patients with cutaneous lesions in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Background: Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects more women than men. The quality of life (QoL) of patients with lupus erythematosus and skin manifestations is impaired, but little is known about Malagasy patients. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of cutaneous lesions on the QoL of patients who present with LE. Methods: A transversal study, during 3 months, was conducted in patients who presented with LE and cutaneous lesions at the University Hospital Antananarivo. QoL was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scales. Results: The impact of cutaneous lesions on the QoL was assessed in 37 patients with LE, of whom 34 were women. The mean age of patients was 37.32 years. The mean DLQI was 5.43 ± 4.67 (range, 0-21). Of the patients, 2.7% had a very important effect (DLQI >21), 18.9% reported a great effect of skin symptoms of LE in their QoL (DLQI: 11-20), 18.9% had a moderate effect (DLQI: 6-10), 40.4% had a small effect (DLQI: 2-5), and 18.9% had no effect of cutaneous lesions on their QoL. Daily activities, symptoms, and feelings were the most altered dimensions. The alteration in patients' QOL was influenced by high monthly income, severe medical history, and localization of the cutaneous lesions on the face and neckline. No correlation was found between sex and QoL. Conclusion: This study shows that significant impairment of QoL was found in patients with LE and cutaneous manifestations, which affected their sense of well-being.

Sporotrichosis in the Highlands of Madagascar, 2013-20171.

Sporotrichosis is a saprozoonotic fungal infection found mostly in tropical and subtropical areas. Few case reports in Madagascar have been published. To document sporotrichosis epidemiology in Madagascar, we conducted a cross-sectional study. During March 2013-June 2017, we recruited from select hospitals in Madagascar patients with chronic cutaneous lesions suggestive of dermatomycosis. Sporotrichosis was diagnosed for 63 (42.5%) of 148 patients. All but 1 patient came from the central highlands, where the prevalence was 0.21 cases/100,000 inhabitants. Frequency was high (64.7%) among patients <18 years of age. Sporotrichosis was diagnosed for 73.8% of patients with arm lesions, 32.3% with leg lesions, and 15.4% with lesions at other sites. Molecular identification identified 53 Sporothrix schenckii isolates. Among the 32 patients who were followed up, response to itraconazole was complete or major for 15 and minor for 17. Overall, endemicity of sporotrichosis in Madagascar was high, concentrated in the highlands.

A Case of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Leprosy Discovered after 9 Years of Misdiagnosis.

We report a case of misdiagnosed leprosy in a 21-year-old Malagasy male, who, improperly treated, developed secondary mycobacterial resistance to fluoroquinolone. The patient contracted the infection 9 years prior to the current consultation, displaying on the right thigh a single papulonodular lesion, which progressively spread to the lower leg, back, and face. Initial administration of ciprofloxacin and prednisolone led to temporary and fluctuating improvement. Subsequent long-term self-medication with ciprofloxacin and corticosteroid did not heal the foul and nonhealing ulcers on the legs and under the right sole. Histopathological findings were compatible with lepromatous leprosy. Skin biopsy was positive for acid-fast bacilli and PCR assay confirmed the presence of a fluoroquinolone-resistant strain of Mycobacterium leprae (gyrA A91V). After 6 months of standard regimen with rifampicin, clofazimine, and dapsone, clinical outcome significantly improved. Clinical characteristics and possible epidemiological implications are discussed.