Kátia Sheylla Malta Purim

Fungal infection of the feet in soccer players and non-athlete individuals.

This study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of mycoses affecting the feet of soccer players and to compare this results with those in non-athlete individuals of the same age and sex. Initial evaluation consisted of a dermatological examination of the foot in 22 Chinese athletes, 83 Brazilian athletes and 24 Brazilian non-athletes. Scales of plantar skin, interdigital and subungual areas of the foot were collected for mycological examination (direct and culture). Nail clippings were obtained for histopathologic analysis. Tinea pedis was diagnosed more frequently among the non-athlete individuals. None of the Chinese athletes had tinea pedis alone. However, in this group onychomycosis was frequently higher when compared to the other groups. The fungal microbiota comprised Trichophyton rubrum (40%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (36.4%) and Candida spp (20%). Candida spp was isolated only from Brazilian athletes. Results obtained with KOH wet mounts agreed with the results obtained in culture and with histopathologic examinations (50.5% vs 40.9%). The frequency of tinea pedis among soccer players was lower than the other groups in this study, possibly due to health education and professional feet care.

Fotoproteção e exercício físico

Photoprotection measures are reported as crucial procedures in the prevention of skin disorders and health and beauty maintenance. Although regular physical exercises are also recommended to attain a healthy lifestyle, sports activities expose one to increased sun radiation. The aim of this article is to review photoprotection measures as prevention for damage caused by the sun on the skin of athletes. The history of photoprotection, the effects of radiation and the risks of exposure during the practice of physical activities are reviewed. The implementation of strategies, such as selecting the time, place, clothing and accessories, in addition to the use of sunscreen, minimizes the risks resulting from ultraviolet A and B radiation (UVA and UVB) during sports outdoor practice. Among the available products in the market, preference must be given to those that provide safety, wide protection, good cosmetics, chemical stability under various heat and humidity conditions, photostability, and low cost. The athlete must be guided by health professionals on the risks inherent to the everyday and sports activities. Skin self-examination is essential for the prevention of skin disorders as it helps in early detection. The future of photoprotection in sports lies on investment on educational measures from childhood, thus reducing the cumulative sun damages. Sun exposure must take place cautiously and with a minimum of sequela, through photoprotective behavior, in order to provide a better quality of life.

Dermatofitoses podais em futebolistas

Athletes present risk of cutaneous mycosis. A study was carried out with 23 soccer players using clinical and mycological examination (direct microscopic examination and culture) and nail clipping. Eighteen (78.26%) did not present mycosis; two (8.70%) presented tinea pedis, and three (13.04%) presented onychomycosis associated to tinea pedis, mainly for Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Infected tinea pedis has produced cellulitis in one of the athletes. It is necessary to create an educative program of skin care during sports practice.

Aspectos epidemiológicos das micoses dos pés em um time chinês de futebol

As infeccoes fungicas podais podem interferir no desempenho esportivo ao provocar desconforto e dor nos atletas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalencia das infeccoes fungicas podais em um time profissional de futebol, verificando os agentes mais frequentes e os fatores predisponentes. O delineamento da pesquisa foi transversal e descritivo. A amostra foi composta de 22 homens, com idades entre 23 e 36 anos, integrantes do time de futebol profissional chines, quando de sua participacao de jogos em Curitiba (PR). Todos foram avaliados clinicamente e submetidos a exames micologicos (direto e cultura) de escamas de pele e unha dos pes e estudo histopatologico de fragmento ungueal. Os resultados encontrados foram: 12 casos (54,5%) nao apresentavam micose; cinco casos (22,72%) apresentavam onicomicose isolada e cinco casos (22,72%) apresentavam onicomicose associada a tinea pedis, tendo como principal agente isolado o Trichophyton rubrum. Os fatores predisponentes apontados pelos atletas incluiram: banho em local publico (85%), pratica de esporte (76%), uso de calcados fechados (70%), contato com animal domestico (63%) e irregularidade na higiene dos pes (50%). CONCLUSAO: A frequencia da onicomicose em atletas chineses foi maior do que na populacao em geral. O agente mais frequente foi o Trichophyton rubrum. Os habitos individuais podem contribuir para a aquisicao dessas infeccoes fungicas, alem do trauma direto pelo calcado e bola, bem como pelo contato fisico durante treinos e jogos que podem favorecer lesoes cutâneas e ungueais.Podal fungal infections can interfere in the sportive performance, since they provoke discomfort and pain in the athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of podal fungal infections in a professional soccer team, verifying the more frequent agents and the predisposing factors to that condition. The research had a transversal and descriptive outlining. The sampling was composed by twenty-two 23 to 36 years old male athletes from the professional Chinese soccer team on the occasion they participated in a game series in Curitiba (PR). All athletes were clinically assessed, and they were submitted to mycological examinations (direct and culture) of the skin and nails squamas from their feet, as well as to a histopathologic study of the ungual fragment. The results found were: twelve cases (54.5%) did not present mycosis; 5 cases (22.72%) presented isolated onychomycosis, and 5 cases (22.72%) presented onychomycosis associated to tinea pedis, having as major isolated agent the Trichophyton rubrum. The predisposing agents pointed by athletes included: bath in a public place (85%), sports practice (76%), use of closed shoes (70%), contact with pets (63%), and irregular feet hygiene (50%). CONCLUSION: The frequency of the onychomycosis in Chinese athletes was higher than in the general population. The most frequent agent found it was the Trichophyton rubrum. The individual habits may contribute to the acquisition of these fungal infections added to the direct trauma provoked by the shoe and the ball, as well as to the physical contact during the trainings and games that may favor the cutaneous and ungual injuries.

Infecções causadas por fungos demácios e suas correlações anátomo-clinicas

The Exophiala genus comprises dimorphic melanized fungi responsible for a spectrum of diseases including phaeohyphomycosis, mycetoma, chromoblastomycosis and fungemia. The E. jeanselmei species is predominant in such infections, followed by E. dermatitidis. This paper aims at reporting four cases and at discussing clinical, histologycal, mycologycal and epidemiologycal aspects for its diagnosis.

Piercings in medical students and their effects on the skin

BACKGROUND Piercings are body embellishments commonly seen in young people, however their inherent risk of infection and scarring disorders are less divulged. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of body piercings among medical students and their possible dermatologic consequences. METHODS Cross-sectional study with 58 medical students, by means of a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, technical issues related to the piercing and characteristics of the dermatologic complications. RESULTS The sample was predominantly female (86.2%), with mean age 24 ± 3 years. The placement of the first piercing occurred during adolescence (median age 15), without medical supervision (91.4%) or knowledge of parents/guardians (74%). Most piercings were made of metal alloy/stainless steel, in a dumbbell model (51.7%), inserted in the umbilical area (53.5%) or ear (41.4%), with frequent cutaneous reactions in the first six months post-piercing. Hypertrophic scarring, pain, swelling and infection (p<0.05) had significantly higher frequencies among those with navel piercings. CONCLUSION Piercing insertion occurred during adolescence. Local inflammatory and infectious reactions were common. Scarring disorders and dermatitis appeared in the long term. There is need for preventive and educational activities, starting with those in the academic environment.

Privação do sono e sonolência excessiva em médicos residentes e estudantes de medicina

OBJECTIVE to evaluate sleep quality and daytime sleepiness of residents and medical students. METHODS we applied a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to a population of residents and medical students. RESULTS hundred five residents and 101 undergraduate medical students participated. Residents presented higher mean PSQI (6.76±2.81) with poorer sleep quality when compared with undergraduates (5.90±2.39); Both had similar measures of sleepiness by ESS (p=0.280), but residents showed lower duration and lower subjective sleep quality. CONCLUSION medical students and residents presented sleep deprivation, indicating the need for preventive actions in the medical area.

Trp64Arg polymorphism of the ADRB3 gene associated with maximal fat oxidation and LDL‐C levels in non‐obese adolescents

OBJECTIVE To analyze the association between the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the ADRB3 gene, maximal fat oxidation rates and the lipid profile levels in non-obese adolescents. METHODS 72 schoolchildren, of both genders, aged between 11 and 17 years, participated in the study. The anthropometric and body composition variables, in addition to total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides, insulin, and basal glycemia, were evaluated. The sample was divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of the polymorphism: non-carriers of the Arg64 allele, i.e., homozygous (Trp64Trp: n=54), and carriers of the Arg64 allele (Trp64Arg+Arg64Arg: n=18), in which the frequency of the Arg64 allele was 15.2%. The maximal oxygen uptake and peak of oxygen uptake during exercise were obtained through the symptom-limited, submaximal treadmill test. Maximal fat oxidation was determined according to the ventilatory ratio proposed in Lusks table. RESULTS Adolescents carrying the less frequent allele (Trp64Arg and Arg64Arg) had higher LDL-c levels (p=0.031) and lower maximal fat oxidation rates (p=0.038) when compared with non-carriers (Trp64Trp). CONCLUSIONS Although the physiological processes related to lipolysis and lipid metabolism are complex, the presence of the Arg 64 allele was associated with lower rates of FATMAX during aerobic exercise, as well as with higher levels of LDL-c in adolescents.

Chromoblastomycosis: tissue modifications during itraconazole treatment

Background Histological and mycological changes during itraconazole use have not been totally established in chromoblastomycosis. Objectives To evaluate tissue modifications in chromoblastomycosis carriers under itraconazole treatment. Methods A histological retrospective study of 20 cases of chromoblastomycosis seen at the university hospital at the south of Brazil, during itraconazole 400 mg daily treatment. Patients were classified into two groups: plaque or tumor lesions, and underwent periodic evaluations every four months during three years. Hematoxylin-eosin stain was used to analyze epidermal modifications, inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis, and Fontana-Masson stain for parasite evaluation. Results Fontana-Masson stain was superior to hematoxylin-eosin stain in fungal count in the epidermis (mean difference=0.14; p<0.05). The most distinct mycosis tissue responses were registered in the dermis. Epidermal thinning, granulomatous infiltrate decrease or disappearance, fibrosis increase and quantitative/morphological changes occurred during treatment. Study limitations Patients could not be located to have their current skin condition examined. Conclusion Parasitic and tissue changes verified in this study can reflect the parasite-host dynamics under itraconazole action.

Sports injuries and skin lesions in adepts of street racing

INTRODUCTION: Street racing is a sport in expansion and has been used as leisure, sport or competitive practice.OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of sports injuries and skin lesions in athletes in street racing. Material andMETHODS: Cross-sectional study of 220 athletes in street racing with questionnaire and clinical observation. Analysis by t test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Spearman correlation.RESULTS: There was a predominance of male athletes, adults, practitioners of distance running, training on average 45 to 60 minutes, 2 to 3 times a week and have variable participation in competitions. The main injuries reported were knee pain (30.4%), ligament sprain/muscle strain (16.7%), and tendinitis (10.1%), pain in the hips (7.3%) and back pain (7%), with no significant differences between genders. There was a significant association between miles covered during training and muscle damage in men (p=0.0477, x=9.60). The athletic footwear was related to the presence of ingrown nails and nail loss in women.CONCLUSION: Men showed a higher frequency of muscle injuries and women had more skin and nail disorders.INTRODUCCION: La carrera de calle es una modalidad en expansion y ha sido utilizada como recreacion, deporte o practica competitiva.OBJETIVO: Verificar frecuencia de lesiones deportivas y cutaneas en atletas de carrera de calle. Material yMETODOS: Estudio transversal de 220 atletas de carrera de calle con cuestionario y observacion clinica. Analisis a traves de los tests t, Mann-Whitney, Qui-cuadrado y correlacion de Spearman.RESULTADOS: Predominaron atletas del sexo masculino, adultos, practicantes de carrera de larga distancia, que entrenan como promedio 45 a 60 minutos con frecuencia de 2 y 3 veces por semana y tienen participacion variable en competiciones. Las principales lesiones relatadas fueron dolor en la rodilla (30,4%), distension/estiramiento muscular (16,7%), tendinitis (10,1%), dolor en los muslos (7,3%) y dolor en la columna (7%), sin diferencias estadisticas entre los generos. Hubo asociacion significativa entre kilometros recorridos en entrenamiento y lesiones musculares en los hombres (p = 0,0477, x = 9,60). El calzado deportivo tuvo relacion con presencia de unas encarnadas y perdidas ungueales en las mujeres.CONCLUSION: Los hombres presentaron mayor frecuencia de lesiones musculares y las mujeres, de afecciones cutaneas y ungueales.