Tinea cruris epidemiology (São Paulo, Brazil)

In order to determine the epidemiology of tinea cruris in São Paulo, Brazil, an investigation was carried out from April 95 to March 1997. A total of 2000 individuals were studied, of whom 105 were suspected of having tinea cruris infection. Direct microscopy and/or culture were positive in 66 [62.8%] of the cases. Erythematous-scale plaques and erythematous-liquenificated plaques were the most frequently found clinical types. T. rubrum was the prevalent dermatophyte in 90% of the cases, followed by T. tonsurans (6%) and T. mentagrophytes (4%).UNIFESP, EPM, Dept Dermatol, São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, EPM, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Disciplina Biol Celular, São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, EPM, Dept Dermatol, São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, EPM, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Disciplina Biol Celular, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Oral treatment of crusted scabies with ivermectin: Report of two cases

Oral treatment with ivermectin of crusted (Norwegian) scabies in two immunosuppressed patients is reported. There was resolution of symptoms and signs of the cutaneous parasitosis on administration of 18-36 mg ivermectin (total doses) in 2- and 3-week periods of treatment, with remission periods of 3 and 4 months, respectively.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Dermatol, Div Infect & Parasit Dermatol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Dermatol, Div Infect & Parasit Dermatol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Reduced P53 staining in actinic keratosis is associated with squamous cell carcinoma: A preliminary study

Background : Actinic keratosis (AK) is a cutaneous neoplasm caused by prolonged sun exposure, and may progress into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The p53 gene plays a central role in the development of SCC, and mutations in this gene are found in 90% of SCC and up to 100% of AK cases. Objective: To identify AK cases that are highly susceptible to developing SCC. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six AK cases were classified into two groups: AK adjacent to "normal" skin and AK adjacent to SCC. The groups were compared based on epithelial atypia, inflammation, solar elastosis, histopathological AK classification and p53 protein expression. Results: Of the 56 AK cases analyzed, 23% were associated with SCC. The types of AK observed were classified as follows: common, hypertrophic , atrophic , acantholytic , pigmented and bowenoid . SCC was associated with common and hypertrophic AK, and p53 staining was observed in 78% of AK cases. The mean difference in p53 immunopositivity between common AK cases associated with SCC (17%) and not associated with SCC (45.4%) was significant (p=0.011). Conclusions: Hypertrophic and common AK are associated with SCC, and the low percentage of p53 immunopositivity in the common type indicates a greater probability of developing into SCC

Lymphoscintigraphic analysis in chromoblastomycosis

Background One of the main complications of chromoblastomycosis is lymphedema. the purpose of this study was to evaluate the lymphatic system of the limbs of patients with chromoblastomycosis using lymphoscintigraphy. It is a reliable, objective and noninvasive means of supporting the diagnosis of lymphedema.Methods Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in seven patients with chromoblastomycosis, six with lesions in the lower limb and one in the upper limb. Tc-99 m dextran was injected into the interdigital spaces of the upper or lower extremities. the qualitative parameters analyzed were the visibilization of the lymph vessels and the lymph nodes, dermal backflow, and existence of collateral vessels. All patients were treated with the association of itraconazole and cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen.Results Three out of the 14 extremities examined had lymphedema clinically, and the lymphoscintigraphy showed abnormalities in the qualitative parameters; whereas these parameters were normal in the extremities without lymphedema. During the treatment of chromoblastomycosis, a second lymphoscintigraphy exam was performed on 10 limbs and did not show any improvement of the previous lymphoscintigraphic alterations.Conclusions the qualitative lymphoscintigraphy was a reliable method to show the morphology of the lymph vessels and confirm objectively the diagnosis of lymphedema secondary to chromoblastomycosis. the association of oral itraconazol and cryotherapy did not modify the lymphatic alterations in chromoblastomycosis.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Dermatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Nucl Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Dermatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Nucl Med, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Disseminated dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum gypseum in two patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Microsporum gypseum is not a common agent of human dermatophytosis. To the best of our knowledge, this fungus has not been described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. We report a tinea corporis infection with atypical presentation caused by M. gypseum in two patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) studied at the São Paulo Hospital (São Paulo, Brazil).Universidade Federal de São Paulo,ESCOLA PAULISTA MED,DEPT MICROBIOL IMUNOL PARASITOL,DISCIPLINA BIOL CELULAR,BR-04023062 São Paulo,BRAZILUniversidade Federal de São Paulo,ESCOLA PAULISTA MED,DEPT MICROBIOL IMUNOL PARASITOL,DISCIPLINA BIOL CELULAR,BR-04023062 São Paulo,BRAZILWeb of Scienc