Purpura thrombopénique amégacaryocytaire acquis: Penser au lupus érythémateux systémique

L'amegacaryocytose acquise est exceptionnellement décrite au cours d'un Lupus Erythémateux Systémique (LES) à Madagascar. Nous rapportonsla première observation d'un Purpura Thrombopénique Amegacaryocytaire Acquis (PTAA) simulant un Purpura Thrombopénique Idiopathique (PTI)révélateur d'un LES. Il s'agissait d'une femme de 24 ans, sans  antécédents particuliers. Elle présentait un syndrome hémorragique avec une thrombopénie à 10 000/mm3. Le diagnostic de PTI était retenu avant l'hospitalisation. Elle avait reçu une corticothérapie mais ceci n'était pas suivi d'amélioration. A l'unité de Dermatologie, elle se plaignait d'une baisse de l'acuité visuelle. Elle était en bon état général. On retrouvait unetachycardie à 110 bpm, un érythème malaire en verspertilio typique et une pâleur cutanéo-muqueuse. Une hémorragie oculaire bilatérale était objectivée à l'examen ophtalmologique. Les examens paracliniques  montraient une thrombopénie à 31000/mm3, une anémie microcytaire à 48g/dL. Les examens immunologiques étaient non réalisés. Un LES avec atteinte cutanée et hématologique était retenu. Un bolus de corticothérapie était administrée associée à une transfusion sanguine. L'évolution était marquée par l'apparition d'un signe d'engagement cérébral faisant suspecter un neurolupus. Le scanner cérébral révélait une hémorragie  cérébrale avec une hydrocéphalie aigue traitée par un inhibiteur de 'anhydrase carbonique mais le neurolupus n'était pas écarté. L'anémie disparaissait par contre la thrombopénie s'aggravait à 16000/mm3. Lemédullogramme montrait l'absence des mégacaryocytes. L’évolution était favorable après un relais par une Sous un bolus de corticothérapie suivipar la dose de 1 mg/kg/j à dose dégressive à huit mois de suivi. Les atteintes neurologiques, ophtalmologiques et hématologiques étaientcompatible avec le diagnostic d'un LES. La persistance d'une thrombopénie doit faire suspecter une amegacaryocytose. Le myélogramme étaitindispensable pour poser le diagnosti

Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Lepromatous Leprosy Coinfection

Simultaneous occurrence of leprosy and pulmonary tuberculosis is reported infrequently in the modern era. We report a case of pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed in patient being treated with glucocorticoids for complications of leprosy (type II reaction). Physicians should recognize that the leprosy patients treated with glucocorticoid may develop tuberculosis

Misuse of Topical Corticosteroids for Cosmetic Purpose in Antananarivo, Madagascar

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from June to September 2012. We aim to evaluate the misuse of TC on the face for cosmetic purpose and the adverse effects due to its application. A questionnaire-based analysis was done among females who use topical corticosteroids on the face for cosmetic purpose. Of the 770 women questioned, 384 (49,8%) used topical corticosteroids for cosmetic purpose whose mean age was 38 years (range 16–73 years). Two hundred and sixty-one females (68%) used TC combined with handcrafted cosmetics, and 123 (32%) used TC alone. “Pandalao,” which contains salicylic acid, peppermint oil, lanolin, powder of Juanes de Vigo (mercury powder), and Vaseline, is the most handcrafted cosmetic combined with TC in our study (used by 29,4% respondents). Only one (0,26%) had obtained the TC by physician’s prescription, 234 (61%) from cosmetic retailers, 92 (23%) directly from local pharmacies, 49 (12%) from beauticians, and 15 (4%) from unspecified sources. Lightening of skin color was the main reason for using TC in 44,8% of respondents in the absence of any primary dermatosis. Pigmentation disorders (63,2%) and cutaneous atrophy (52,1%) were the most adverse effects noted

Chromoblastomycosis and sporotrichosis, two endemic but neglected fungal infections in Madagascar

International audienceChromoblastomycosis and sporotrichosis are endemic fungal infections of tropical and subtropical regions, including Madagascar. The causal fungi develop in the soil or on plants and infect humans through wounds, either directly (wounding by the plant, through thorns, for example), or through the contact of an existing wound with contaminated soil. For this reason, the lesions predominantly occur on the limbs, and these fungi principally infect people working outside with bare hands and/or feet. The subcutaneous lesions of chromoblastomycosis are initially nodular, subsequently becoming warty, tumoral, cauliflower-like and pruriginous, which promotes dissemination. The chronic nature of the infection and its progression over long periods lead to highly disabling lesions in essentially rural and agricultural populations. The lesions of sporotrichosis are also nodular, but more ulcerous, and they form an extended chain following the route of the lymph vessels. Pus, squamous or skin biopsy specimens are used for the mycological examination of these mycoses. Treatment depends on the severity and form of the lesions and is based on antifungal drugs sometimes combined with physical methods. There has been no study of these infections for more than two decades in Madagascar, despite the large numbers of cases seen by doctors in all parts of the island. The nature, diversity and distribution of the plants responsible for contamination have not been described in Madagascar. In this review, we described these two endemic mycoses in terms of their epidemiological, mycological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics, focusing particularly on Madagascar, which is one of the leading foci of these two infections worldwide

Population Genomics of Mycobacterium leprae Reveals a New Genotype in Madagascar and the Comoros

Human settlement of Madagascar traces back to the beginning of the first millennium with the arrival of Austronesians from Southeast Asia, followed by migrations from Africa and the Middle East. Remains of these different cultural, genetic, and linguistic legacies are still present in Madagascar and other islands of the Indian Ocean. The close relationship between human migration and the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, a well-documented phenomenon, is particularly evident for the causative agent of leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and molecular dating to characterize the genetic background and retrace the origin of the M. leprae strains circulating in Madagascar (n = 30) and the Comoros (n = 3), two islands where leprosy is still considered a public health problem and monitored as part of a drug resistance surveillance program. Most M. leprae strains (97%) from Madagascar and Comoros belonged to a new genotype as part of branch 1, closely related to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) type 1D, named 1D-Malagasy. Other strains belonged to the genotype 1A (3%). We sequenced 39 strains from nine other countries, which, together with previously published genomes, amounted to 242 genomes that were used for molecular dating. Specific SNP markers for the new 1D-Malagasy genotype were used to screen samples from 11 countries and revealed this genotype to be restricted to Madagascar, with the sole exception being a strain from Malawi. The overall analysis thus ruled out a possible introduction of leprosy by the Austronesian settlers and suggests a later origin from East Africa, the Middle East, or South Asia