José Fillus Neto

Histopathological findings in rabbits after experimental acute exposure to the Loxosceles intermedia (brown spider) venom

Loxoscelism, the term used to describe envenomation with brown spiders, is characterized by a dermonecrotic lesion at the bite site. In the present investigation we submitted albino rabbits to an acute experimental envenomation protocol using Loxosceles intermedia (brown spider) venom, with in order to determine the pathogenesic features of the lesion induced by this spider, which is the cause of several accidents throughout the world. Rabbits received intradermal injections of the venom and were monitored over the first 4 h, and then at 12 h and 1, 2 and 5 days after envenomation. Histological specimens from 3 rabbits per time point were collected from euthanized animals and processed for histological examination by light microscopy. Major findings observed during the first 4 h were oedema, haemorrhage, degeneration of blood vessel walls, plasma exudation, thrombosis, neutrophil accumulation in and around blood vessels with an intensive diapedesis, a diffuse collection of inflammatory cells (polymorphonuclear leucocytes) in the dermis, and subcutaneous muscular oedema. Over the following hours and up to 5 days after envenomation the changes progressed to massive neutrophil infiltration (with no other leucocytes) into the dermis and even into subcutaneous muscle tissue, destruction of blood vessels, thrombosis, haemorrhage, myonecrosis, and coagulative necrosis on the 5th day.

Como o clipping pode auxiliar o dermatologista

Onycodystrophies are common problems in dermatologic practice. About 50% of dystrophic nails have a fungal cause, so it is very important to establish a correct diagnosis before treatment. In this article we relate the usefulness of an easydoing exam, free from pain, cheap and sensible. This exam is the histopathology of the nail keratin or nail clipping.

Fenomeno de Lucio (eritema necrosante) na gestacao

The Lucios phenomenon, a type 2 reactional condition in leprosy probably mediated by immune complexes, is a severe necrotizing skin reaction that occurs mainly in patients with non-nodular lepromatous leprosy. This report presents a 27-year-old woman, in her 32nd week of pregnancy, with a one-week history of painful skin lesions in extremities, reddish-purple, sharply delineated, confluent, with bullae and occasional necrosis and ulceration. The patient also referred fever. Baciloscopy showed acid-fast bacilli and globi, and the histopathologic findings of a skin biopsy were consistent with lepromatous leprosy and Lucios phenomenon. Prednisone and multidrug therapy with rifampin, clofazimine and dapsone were given, with remission. Pregnancy has been associated with a high incidence of first diagnosis of leprosy or with an exacerbation of symptoms in patients with the established disease because hormonal alterations cause immunological imbalance, particularly between the last three months of pregnancy and the first three months of lactation, when immunosuppression is higher. Despite the recommendation not to take drugs during pregnancy, the multidrug therapy regimen must be used, since the benefits achieved with the treatment surpass the risks.

Porocarcinoma écrino: relato de quatro casos e revisão da literatura

Eccrine porocarcinoma is an extremely rare skin tumor derived from the acrosyringium. Four cases of eccrine porocarcinoma are described, two males and two females, aged from 49 to 64 years. Tumors grew in an interval of one to 20 years. Lesions ranged from 1.2 x 2 cm to 4 x 5 cm and were on limbs or face. Two patients had basal cell carcinoma in a site different from the eccrine porocarcinoma. Two biopsies were described as eccrine poroma. Malignancy was observed in all cases after wide excision. Therefore, eccrine porocarcinoma should always be considered after a biopsy compatible with eccrine poroma.

Glassy Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

BACKGROUND: Glassy cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix are poorly differentiated carcinomas composed of cells with a large, round to oval nucleus containing one or multiple prominent nucleoli, finely vacuolated eosinophilic to amphophilic cytoplasm and distinct cell borders. These cells occur in sheets and chords, with fibrovascular septae presenting a mixed inflammatory infiltrate. This neoplasm has a poor response to radiotherapy and a worse prognosis than the usual types of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. There are few reports on the cytologic and histopathologic features of this neoplasm. CASE: A 56-year-old woman presented with a large, exophytic cervical tumor. Exfoliative cytology showed clusters of cells and single cells with large, round to oval nuclei, with one or multiple nucleoli and moderate to large, finely granulated cytoplasm with distinct cell borders. The background of the smears had a polymorphous inflammatory infiltrate, necrotic debris and proteinaceous material. A high mitotic rate was observed, as were rare bizarre and atypical multinucleated cells. There was no evidence of koilocytes. These findings were highly suggestive of glassy cell carcinoma and were confirmed by the histologic and immunocytochemical findings, with positivity for cytokeratin (MNF116), vimentin and carcinoembryonic antigen and negativity for HMB-45. CONCLUSION: Glassy cell carcinoma of the cervix presents a cytologic picture that can be highly suggestive of the diagnosis in typical cases; however, in difficult cases ancillary techniques, such as immunocytochemistry, as well as histologic findings might confirm the diagnosis.

Sarcoma de Kaposi primário do pênis

Kaposis sarcoma is a vascular tumor involving the wall of lymphatic vessels. There are four types: classic, endemic, iatrogenic and HIV-associated. It is a systemic, malignant and multifactorial disease and has a variable course. The primary presentation on the penis is uncommon and is mainly observed in HIV-positive patients. In HIV-negative individuals, asymptomatic papules, nodules, plaques and verrucous lesions are found. The treatment for the classic form involves surgery, cryotherapy, electrosurgery, laser and radiation therapy. The authors present a rare case of a patient with the classic form on the penis, who was successfully treated by radiation therapy.

Avaliação quantitativa em cortes histológicos transversais do couro cabeludo

BACKGROUND - Punch-biopsy is a great tool for the diagnosis of scalp disorders, however experience is required for the dermatopathologist. Recognizing the standard structures found in normal scalp is very helpful in this aspect. OBJECTIVE - The goal of this study was to determine quantitative data considering normal structures on the scalp of white adults. METHODS - Twenty necropsies were followed by eighty 4mm-punch biopsies of clinically normal scalp. Samples were evaluated by transverse sections. RESULTS - Scalp fragments from white adults, age 21 to 78, demonstrated (medians): 16.5 (12.0-23.0) total follicles; 8.0 (6.0-9.0) follicular units; 15.0 (10.0-20.0) terminal follicles; 1.0 (0.0-2.0) vellus follicle; and 1.0 (0.0-2.5) fibrous tract. Considering the hair cycle phase: 92.2% were in anagen; 1.6% in catagen and 6.2% in telogen. CONCLUSION - Comparing the results, male samples demonstrated fewer follicular units, total and telogen follicles, and higher number of total follicles and fibrous tracts on frontal and vertex area.

Measles in children with HIV infection: report of five cases.

Patients with AIDS have a high incidence of skin problems due to the immunosuppression and malnourishment that are inherent to the progression of this disease. Clinical manifestation of these skin lesions and their severity are different in AIDS patients. We made a prospective study of five cases of measles in children with HIV infection during a community outbreak, and there were typical as well as atypical forms of the disease, including one case with negative serology. There were pulmonary complications, but none of the patients died. The anti-retroviral treatment may have contributed to the decrease in measles morbidity in these pediatric AIDS patients.

Síndrome dos cabelos anágenos frouxos associada à distrofia macular: descrição de uma família

The article describes a family with loose anagen hair syndrome (LAHS) associated with macular dystrophy. Complete dermatological and ophthalmological exams, and hair examination under optical and electron microscopy were performed in eleven index cases. Two individuals demonstrated hair findings with LAHS without ocular problems. Within the four cases with ocular problems, two sisters presented with LAHS and pigmentary dispersion on the retina with macular coloboma. Two brothers presented with LAHS and pigmentary dispersion on the retina without macular coloboma. The findings suggest that this new association is a disorder among the ectodermal dysplasia.

Paraqueratose granular: relato de seis casos em crianças

Granular parakeratosis is an alteration of keratinization that was first described in adults. It is characterized by hiperkeratotic plaques and papules in intertriginous areas. The authors describe six cases of granular parakeratosis in children. One patient had lesions on the buttocks; two children presented papules in both axillae and cervical region (presentations never described before in the literature). The remaining three patients presented with lesions in the inguinal folds. Review of the literature and discussion on the pathogenesis of this rare dermatosis are presented.