Infección cutánea por Staphylococcus lugdunensis: presentación de 16 casos

Introducción y objetivo Staphylococcus lugdunensis pertenece al grupo de los estafilococos coagulasa negativos. El objetivo del estudio es revisar las características clínicas y microbiológicas de los pacientes diagnosticados de una infección cutánea por S. lugdunensis. Material y métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo de todos los casos de infecciones cutáneas en las que se aisló S. lugdunensis diagnosticados entre 2009 y 2016 en el Servicio de Microbiología del Hospital San Jorge de Huesca. Resultados Se incluyeron 16 pacientes. La localización más frecuente fue la zona inguinoperineal (n = 6, 37, 5%) y la forma de presentación más habitual fueron las pústulas (n = 5, 31, 3%). El 87, 6% de los pacientes (n = 14) mostraron buena respuesta al tratamiento; sin embargo, 3 pacientes recurrieron. De ellos, 2 estaban en tratamiento con un anti-TNF. Conclusión S. lugdunensis debería considerarse el posible agente causal de la infección cuando se aísla tanto en piel como en tejido celular subcutáneo, especialmente en pacientes que están recibiendo tratamiento biológico. Introduction and objective Staphylococcus lugdunensis belongs to the group of coagulase-negative staphylococci. The aim of this report was to review the clinical and microbiologic features of cases of S. lugdunensis skin infections. Material and methods Observational study of all cases of skin infections in which S. lugdunensis was isolated by the microbiology department of Hospital General San Jorge in Huesca, Spain, between 2009 and 2016. Results We studied the cases of 16 patients. The most frequent site of infection was the inguinal-perineal region (n = 6, 37.5%), and pustules were the most common presentation (n = 5, 31.3%). Response to treatment was good in 87.6% of the patients (n = 14). However, infection recurred in 3 patients, 2 of whom were on anti-TNF therapy. Conclusions S. lugdunensis should be considered a possible cause of infection when it is isolated in both skin and subcutaneous tissues, especially in patients on biologic therapies

Granuloma annulare: report of 13 patients treated with photodynamic therapy

Dear Editor, Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign in?ammatory granuloma- tous skin. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been described as another therapeutic option for localized GA, with a degree of recommendation B. Therefore, we have carried out a review of all patients with GA treated with PDT in our Dermatology Unit. We performed a retrospective observational study in San Jorge Hospital (Huesca, Spain) including all patients diagnosed with GA and treated with PDT between 2007 and 2018. Diagno- sis of GA was clinical and a skin biopsy was performed if it was necessary. In all patients, methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) or aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was applied under occlusive and opa- que dressing for 3 h and illuminated with LED 635 nm (Aktilite?, Uppsala, Sweden) with a ?uence of 37 J/cm . The lesions were prepared by a soft curettage or microneedling, and some lesions did not receive any kind of prior skin preparation. Continuous variables were described using means and standard deviations. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS soft- ware (version 20.0; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Thirteen patients were included in the study (Table 1). Eleven cases (84.6%) were women and two men (15.4%), with a mean of 53 years old. Eighty-four per cent patients (n = 11) ..

Inhibition of intermediate-conductance calcium-activated K channel (KCa3.1) and fibroblast mitogenesis by a-linolenic acid and alterations of channel expression in the lysosomal storage disorders, fabry disease, and niemann pick C

The calcium/calmodulin-gated KCa3.1 channel regulates normal and abnormal mitogenesis by controlling K+-efflux, cell volume, and membrane hyperpolarization-driven calcium-entry. Recent studies suggest modulation of KCa3.1 by omega-3 fatty acids as negative modulators and impaired KCa3.1 functions in the inherited lysosomal storage disorder (LSD), Fabry disease (FD). In the first part of present study, we characterize KCa3.1 in murine and human fibroblasts and test the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on fibroblast proliferation. In the second, we study whether KCa3.1 is altered in the LSDs, FD, and Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC). Our patch-clamp and mRNA-expression studies on murine and human fibroblasts show functional expression of KCa3.1. KCa currents display the typical pharmacological fingerprint of KCa3.1: Ca2+-activation, potentiation by the positive-gating modulators, SKA-31 and SKA-121, and inhibition by TRAM-34, Senicapoc (ICA-17043), and the negative-gating modulator, 13b. Considering modulation by omega-3 fatty acids we found that a-linolenic acid (a-LA) and docosahexanenoic acid (DHA) inhibit KCa3.1 currents and strongly reduce fibroblast growth. The a-LA-rich linseed oil and ¿-LA-rich borage oil at 0.5% produce channel inhibition while a-LA/¿-LA-low oils has no anti-proliferative effect. Concerning KCa3.1 in LSD, mRNA expression studies, and patch-clamp on primary fibroblasts from FD and NPC patients reveal lower KCa3.1-gene expression and membrane expression than in control fibroblasts. In conclusion, the omega-3 fatty acid, a-LA, and a-LA/¿-LA-rich plant oils, inhibit fibroblast KCa3.1 channels and mitogenesis. Reduced fibroblast KCa3.1 functions are a feature and possible biomarker of cell dysfunction in FD and NPC and supports the concept that biased lipid metabolism is capable of negatively modulating KCa3.1 expression

Hábitos y conocimientos sobre fotoprotección y factores de riesgo para quemadura solar en corredores de maratones de montaña

Background and objectives: The incidence of skin cancer in our society is growing at an alarming rate due to overexposure to solar UV radiation in recreational and occupational settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate sun exposure and protection attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge among mountain ultramarathon runners and to assess risk factors for sunburn in this population. Material and methods: Cross-sectional survey of runners who participated in the «Gran Trail Aneto-Posets» race in Aragon, Spain. Using a validated questionnaire, we collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, running experience, sunburn in the previous summer, and sun exposure and protection behaviors. We calculated descriptive statistics and performed bivariate and multivariate analyses of associations using history of sunburn as the primary outcome. Statistical significance was set at a p level of less than 0.05. Results: We surveyed 657 runners (72.1% men) with a mean age of 39.71 years; 45.1% reported sunburn in the past year. The most common protective measures used were sunglasses (74.7%), sunscreen (sun protection factor = 15) (61.9%), a hat (52.2%), and other protective clothing (7.4%). Risk factors for sunburn were younger age, low Fitzpatrick skin type (I and II), running for three or more hours a day, and staying in the shade as a protective measure. By contrast, protective factors were use of sunscreen and seeking shade rather than sun at midday (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Sunburn is common among long-distance mountain runners, despite what appears to be adequate sun protection knowledge and behaviors. Targeted strategies are needed to improve sun protection behaviors among mountain runners

Staphylococcus lugdunensis Skin Infection: Report of 16 Cases

Introduction and objective Staphylococcus lugdunensis belongs to the group of coagulase-negative staphylococci. The aim of this report was to review the clinical and microbiologic features of cases of S. lugdunensis skin infections. Material and methods Observational study of all cases of skin infections in which S. lugdunensis was isolated by the microbiology department of Hospital General San Jorge in Huesca, Spain, between 2009 and 2016. Results We studied the cases of 16 patients. The most frequent site of infection was the inguinal-perineal region (n = 6, 37.5%), and pustules were the most common presentation (n = 5, 31.3%). Response to treatment was good in 87.6% of the patients (n = 14). However, infection recurred in 3 patients, 2 of whom were on anti-TNF therapy. Conclusions S. lugdunensis should be considered a possible cause of infection when it is isolated in both skin and subcutaneous tissues, especially in patients on biologic therapies. Introducción y objetivo Staphylococcus lugdunensis pertenece al grupo de los estafilococos coagulasa negativos. El objetivo del estudio es revisar las características clínicas y microbiológicas de los pacientes diagnosticados de una infección cutánea por S. lugdunensis. Material y métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo de todos los casos de infecciones cutáneas en las que se aisló S. lugdunensis diagnosticados entre 2009 y 2016 en el Servicio de Microbiología del Hospital San Jorge de Huesca. Resultados Se incluyeron 16 pacientes. La localización más frecuente fue la zona inguinoperineal (n = 6, 37, 5%) y la forma de presentación más habitual fueron las pústulas (n = 5, 31, 3%). El 87, 6% de los pacientes (n = 14) mostraron buena respuesta al tratamiento; sin embargo, 3 pacientes recurrieron. De ellos, 2 estaban en tratamiento con un anti-TNF. Conclusión S. lugdunensis debería considerarse el posible agente causal de la infección cuando se aísla tanto en piel como en tejido celular subcutáneo, especialmente en pacientes que están recibiendo tratamiento biológico

Granuloma annulare: report of 13 patients treated with photodynamic therapy

Dear Editor, Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign in?ammatory granuloma- tous skin. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been described as another therapeutic option for localized GA, with a degree of recommendation B. Therefore, we have carried out a review of all patients with GA treated with PDT in our Dermatology Unit. We performed a retrospective observational study in San Jorge Hospital (Huesca, Spain) including all patients diagnosed with GA and treated with PDT between 2007 and 2018. Diagno- sis of GA was clinical and a skin biopsy was performed if it was necessary. In all patients, methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) or aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was applied under occlusive and opa- que dressing for 3 h and illuminated with LED 635 nm (Aktilite?, Uppsala, Sweden) with a ?uence of 37 J/cm . The lesions were prepared by a soft curettage or microneedling, and some lesions did not receive any kind of prior skin preparation. Continuous variables were described using means and standard deviations. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS soft- ware (version 20.0; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Thirteen patients were included in the study (Table 1). Eleven cases (84.6%) were women and two men (15.4%), with a mean of 53 years old. Eighty-four per cent patients (n = 11) ..