Andrés Tirado-Sánchez

Mycetoma: Experience of 482 Cases in a Single Center in Mexico

Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous disease. It is classified into eumycetoma caused by fungi and actinomycetoma due to filamentous actinomycetes. Mycetoma can be found in geographic areas in close proximity to the Tropic of Cancer. Mexico is one of the countries in which this disease is highly endemic. In this retrospective study we report epidemiologic, clinical and microbiologic data of mycetoma observed in the General Hospital of Mexico in a 33 year-period (1980 to 2013). A total of 482 cases were included which were clinical and microbiology confirmed. Four hundred and forty four cases (92.11%) were actinomycetomas and 38 cases (7.88%) were eumycetomas. Most patients were agricultural workers; there was a male predominance with a sex ratio of 3∶1. The mean age was 34.5 years old (most ranged from 21 to 40 years). The main affected localization was lower and upper limbs (70.74% and 14.52% respectively). Most of the patients came from humid tropical areas (Morelos, Guerrero and Hidalgo were the regions commonly reported). The main clinical presentation was as tumor-like soft tissue swelling with draining sinuses (97.1%). Grains were observed in all the cases. The principal causative agents for actinomycetoma were: Nocardia brasiliensis (78.21%) and Actinomadura madurae (8.7%); meanwhile, for eumycetomas: Madurella mycetomatis and Scedosporium boydii (synonym: Pseudallescheria boydii) were identified. This is a single-center, with long-follow up, cross-sectional study that allows determining the prevalence and characteristics of mycetoma in different regions of Mexico.

Efficacy of dioic acid compared with hydroquinone in the treatment of melasma

Background  Melasma is a common disorder of pigmentation characterized by relatively symmetric, brown or gray–brown patches on sun‐exposed facial areas. Hydroquinone, the most effective agent in melasma, is known to irritate the skin, and so new alternatives in the treatment of melasma are required. We sought to assess the clinical response of a new depigmenting agent in melasma.

Mucormycosis in children: a study of 22 cases in a Mexican hospital

We present a single‐centre, retrospective study (1985–2012) of 22 cases of mucormycosis in children. A total of 158 mucormycosis cases were identified, of which 22 (13.96%) were children. The mean age of the children was 10.3 years (range: 6 months–18 years), and 59% of the infections occurred in males. The rhinocerebral form was the main clinical presentation (77.27%), followed by the primary cutaneous and pulmonary patterns. The major underlying predisposing factors were diabetes mellitus in 68.18% of the patients and haematologic diseases in 27.7% of the patients. The cases were diagnosed by mycological tests, with positive cultures in 95.4% of the patients. Rhizopus arrhizus was the foremost aetiologic agent in 13/22 cases (59.1%). In 21 cultures, the aetiologic agents were identified morphologically and by molecular identification. In 10 cultures, the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA was sequenced. Clinical cure and mycological cure were achieved in 27.3% cases, which were managed with amphotericin B deoxycholate and by treatment of the underlying conditions.

Annular atrophic lichen planus

A 30‐year‐old woman presented with a 1‐year history of a pruritic eruption on the extremities, characterized by several annular plaques. The patient had been treated unsuccessfully with medium‐potency topical steroids. The lesions had an erythematous papular border with an atrophic center (width, 1–4 cm) ( Fig. 1 ). No oral, genital, or nail lesions were observed.

Porokeratosis of Mibelli of the axillae: Treatment with topical imiquimod

Porokeratosis of Mibelli is a rare genodermatosis characterized by a disorder of keratinization. None of the currently available therapies is effective in all cases and this situation exposes the patient to multiple treatment cycles. We describe the successful use of topical imiquimod 5% cream in the management of porokeratosis of Mibelli of the axillae in a 12‐year‐old girl. Treatment with imiquimod was effective, probably due to the area of application, where large hydrated skin folds are found, which helps penetration of the drug on the stratum corneum.

Efficacy and safety of adapalene gel 0.1% and 0.3% and tretinoin gel 0.05% for acne vulgaris: results of a single‐center, randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial on Mexican patients (skin type III–IV)

The efficacy of topical retinoids is well known according to several clinical studies conducted predominantly among Caucasian patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of adapalene and tretinoin among Mexican patients.

Cutaneous Disseminated and Extracutaneous Sporotrichosis: Current Status of a Complex Disease

Sporotrichosis is an implantation or inoculation mycosis caused by species of Sporothrix schenckii complex; its main manifestations are limited to skin; however, cutaneous-disseminated, disseminated (visceral) and extracutaneous variants of sporotrichosis can be associated with immunosuppression, including HIV-AIDS, chronic alcoholism or more virulent strains. The most common extracutaneous form of sporotrichosis includes pulmonary, osteoarticular and meningeal. The laboratory diagnosis requires observing yeast forms and isolating the fungus; the two main causative agents are Sporothrix schenckii (ss) and Sporothrix brasiliensis. Antibody levels and species recognition by Polimerase Chain Reaction using biological samples or cultures are also useful. The treatment of choice for most cases is amphotericin B and subsequent itraconazole for maintenance therapy.

Myxoid neurofibroma: An unusual presentation

Myxoid neurofibroma (MN) is a benign tumor of perineural cell origin, which is demonstrated with a positive immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein. The most common locations of the MN are the face, shoulders, arms, periungual and in the feet. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a trunk location is reported. MN should be included in the differential diagnosis of tumors on this location.

Cutaneous Mucormycosis: Mycological, Clinical, and Therapeutic Aspects

Cutaneous mucormycosis (CM) is caused by ubiquitous filamentous fungi belonging to the order Mucorales. It is a rare, emerging mycosis, with increasing incidence since the last two decades, only surpassed by rhinocerebral and pulmonary mucormycosis. CM can be further classified in primary and secondary clinical forms. Primary cases can be seen on immunocompetent patients, frequently due to traumatic injuries, while in immunocompromised patients (those with diabetes mellitus or hematologic malignancies), lesions can arise at catheter insertion sites or after the use of contaminated adhesive tapes. Clinical features of primary cutaneous mucormycosis (PCM) are necrosis, followed by ulceration, generally associated to good prognosis. Secondary cutaneous mucormycosis (SCM) is related to rhinocerebral and/or disseminated forms. SCM usually starts as a palpebral fistula, as an erythematous area that rapidly evolves to necrosis and ulceration, related to worse prognosis. Direct examination, cultures, skin biopsies, and molecular tests are performed to diagnose both clinical forms. Liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) in combination with surgical debridement constitutes the treatment of choice; however, for SCM, the addition of posaconazole or caspofungin is recommended.

Dermatophyte isolation in the socks of patients with tinea pedis and onychomycosis

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