-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Among the papular-pruriginous dermatoses related to human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection, two entities remain poorly differentiated leading to confusion in their diagnosis: HIV-related pruritic papular eruption (HIV-PPE or prurigo) and eosinophilic folliculitis (HIV-EF).
To establish histopathological and immunohistochemical parameters to differentiate between two conditions associated with HIV infection, the pruritic papular eruption (HIV-PPE) and eosinophilic folliculitis (HIV-EF).
Clinically typical HIV-PPE (18 cases) and HIV-EF (10 cases) cases were compared with each other in terms of the following topics: clinical and laboratory features (gender, age, CD4+ cell and eosinophil count), histopathological features (hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue staining) and immunohistochemical features (anti-CD1a, anti-CD4, anti-CD7, anti-CD8, anti-CD15, anti-CD20, anti-CD30, anti-CD68/macrophage and anti-S-100 reactions).
Among the HIV-EF patients, we found an intense perivascular and diffuse inflammatory infiltration compared with those patients with HIV-PPE. The tissue mast cell count by toluidine staining was higher in the HIV-EF patients, who also presented higher expression levels of CD15 (for eosinophils), CD4 (T helper), and CD7 (pan-T lymphocytes) than the HIV-PPE patients.
Only quantitative differences and not qualitative differences were found.
These data indicate that HIV-related PPE and EF could possibly be differentiated by histopathological and immunohistochemical findings in addition to clinical characteristics. In fact, these two inflammatory manifestations could be within the spectrum of the same disease because only quantitative, and not qualitative, differences were found.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 04/2012; 67(2):269-75. · 3.99 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus that presents tropism for epithelial cells, causing infections of the skin and mucous membranes. Replication of HPV occurs in the nuclei of squamous cells and its life cycle is directly related to the differentiation program of the host cell. To date, nearly 100 different types of HPV have been characterized and there is a large number of other types that have not been sequenced yet. Besides being responsible for benign lesions of the skin and mucous membranes, HPV is also involved in the development of various mucocutaneous tumors: Bowen's disease, non-melanoma skin cancers and genital carcinomas. This review discusses the characteristics of HPV, malignant and benign mucous and skin manifestations caused by HPV, besides the main methods of detection and typing of the virus.
Anais brasileiros de dermatologia 04/2011; 86(2):306-17.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The prevalence of skin lesions caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) is high in kidney transplant patients. Twenty recipients of kidney transplants with a diagnosis of common warts were evaluated. HPV detection was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the MY09/MY11 and RK91 primers. HPV typing was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing. The presence of HPV was identified in 10 patients (50%) and the types identified were HPV-2, 27, 29, 34 and 57.
Anais brasileiros de dermatologia 10/2010; 85(5):743-6.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Onychomycosis and tinea pedis are common superficial infections caused primarily by dermatophytes. The aim of this investigation was to study the epidemiology, etiological agents, and potential risk factors for infection based on comparison of athletes and non-athletes from a northern region of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Each group consisted of 100 male individuals with ages ranging from 18 to 40 years. After a clinical examination, samples were taken from individuals presenting signs of onychomycosis and/or tinea pedis for direct microscopic examination and culture. Among the athletes, the frequency of onychomycosis and/or tinea pedis was 32%, and for the control group, it was 20%. The athletes presented 16% of onychomycosis, 12% of tinea pedis, and 4% of onychomycosis and tinea pedis together. The distribution in the control group was 10% of onychomycosis, 7% of tinea pedis, and 3% of this association. The pathogens identified were dermatophytes (84.8%) and yeasts (15.2%), and the most commonly identified organism was Trichophyton rubrum, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale. No significant differences were found when the frequency of species distribution in the athletes and non-athlete groups was compared. Risk factors for onychomycosis in athletes included familial cases of fungal infection, contact with domestic animals, and nail trauma, while the risk factors in non-athletes included the habit of not using sandals in public bathrooms and nail trauma. For tinea pedis, the habit of not using sandals in public bathrooms was a predisposing factor in both groups, while hyperhydrosis was a risk factor only in non-athletes. This study concludes that despite the higher number of fungal infections in athletes, there is no significant difference between these groups.
Mycopathologia 09/2010; 171(3):183-9. · 1.65 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in solid organ recipients may have an adverse outcome.
We sought to describe the disease course, treatment, and outcome of allograft function in kidney transplant recipients with phaeohyphomycosis.
Seventeen patients were followed for a mean period of 25.4 months to analyze the clinical response to treatment.
There was no treatment failure or relapsing disease among 12 patients who completed treatment. Two patients were still in treatment with disease remission. One patient discontinued the study during treatment with partial remission, one died after finishing treatment with disease remission, and one was dropped from the study because contact was lost. Immunosuppressive regimens were not changed. Two of 17 patients had a significant reduction in allograft function.
The follow-up time was short and the number of patients was small.
The outcome of phaeohyphomycosis in kidney transplant recipients was favorable with minimal impact on renal allograft function.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 10/2009; 61(6):977-85. · 3.99 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We report 2 instances in which reactional borderline leprosy manifested itself as an immune reconstitution phenomenon in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We discuss the clinical, laboratory-based, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of both patients. Furthermore, we review similar reports from the literature.
Clinical Infectious Diseases 04/2008; 46(6):e56-60. · 9.15 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Armadillos have been involved in leprosy transmission and are considered a source of Mycobacterium leprae in numerous reports. Clinicians from certain areas of the USA consider contact with armadillos a risk factor for leprosy. However, there is a challenge associated with the role of wild armadillos perpetuating human leprosy in the American Continent. The presence of anti-PGL-I antibodies was investigated in wild nine-banded armadillos from leprosy-endemic areas in State of Espirito Santo, Brazil, by ELISA performed on serum samples from 47 armadillos. Positive ELISA was obtained from 5 (10.6%) armadillos. Infected armadillos may play some role in leprosy transmission, disseminating bacilli in the environment, perhaps making it more difficult to interrupt transmission and reduce the number of new leprosy cases. ELISA is an efficient tool for seroepidemiological investigations of Mycobacterium leprae in armadillos.
Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 02/2008; 41 Suppl 2:73-6. · 0.68 Impact Factor
