Rosa María Ponce

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.

Tinea versicolor, tinea nigra, white piedra, and black piedra

Superficial mycoses are fungal infections limited to the stratum corneum and its adnexal structures. The most frequent types are dermatophytoses or tineas. Tinea versicolor involves the skin in the form of hypochromic or hyperchromic plaques, and tinea nigra affects the skin of the palms with dark plaques. White piedra and black piedra are parasitic infections of scalp hairs in the form of concretions caused by fungal growth. Diagnosis of these mycoses is made from mycologic studies, direct examination, stains, and isolation, and identification of the fungi. Treatment includes systemic antifungals, topical antifungals, and keratolytics.

Disseminated cutaneous histoplasmosis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: report of 23 cases

Disseminated cutaneous histoplasmosis is an opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We report a series of 23 cases (21 men, two women; median age 29 years) with disseminated cutaneous histoplasmosis seen at two hospital centres. Most of the patients (21/23) were classified as stage C3. The most common dermatological findings were papules, crusting plaques, nodules and ulcers, mainly located on the face and chest. Of the 23 cases, 15 (65%) had pulmonary involvement. Amphotericin B and itraconazole were the main drugs used for treatment. Treatment response was variable: four of the patients were cured, six improved and remain stable, nine patients died, and four patients were lost to follow‐up.

Palatal zygomycosis: experience of 21 cases

OBJECTIVE To present a clinical report of palatal zygomycosis, its epidemiological, mycological features, and our treatment experience. DESIGN Retrospective report. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This is a 25-year long retrospective trial of clinically and mycologically proven cases of zygomycosis. Some patients underwent a biopsy of the palatal lesion and autopsy. This study reports the treatment experience with amphotericin B alone and in combination with itraconazole and fluconazole. RESULTS Twenty-one cases (18.75%) of zygomycosis with palatal involvement were included in the study, from a total of 112 cases screened. Mean age was 36.5 years, with 18 adults and three children. The associated pre-disposing factors were: ketoacidotic diabetes (five type-1 and 15 type-2), and acute leukaemia in one patient. The clinical varieties were as follows: 19 cases of rhinocerebral (RC) involvement and two disseminated cases. Palatal ulcers occurred in 3/21 early cases (14.3%) and in 16/21 cases after the nasal involvement. All patients received amphotericin B; in four patients, it was combined with itraconazole and four with fluconazole. Clinical and mycological cure was achieved in 4/21 patients (19.04%). CONCLUSION Zygomycosis with palatal involvement occurs in around 18% of cases, usually associated with RC modalities; it has an acute and generally lethal course.

Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis): clinical and microbiological experience with 56 cases.

Background: Trichomycosis is asymptomatic bacterial infection of the axillary hairs caused by Corynebacterium sp. Objective: to bring a series of cases of trichomycosis, its clinical and microbiological experience. Materials and Methods: This report consists in a linear and observational retrospective study of 15 years of cases of trichomycosis confirmed clinically and microbiologically. Results: Fifty six confirmed cases of trichomycosis were included in this report. The majority were men 53/56 (94.6%), mean age was 32.5 years. The most commonly affected area was the axilla (92%), trichomycosis flava was the principal variant 55/56 (98.2%) and signs and symptoms associated were hyperhidrosis (87.5%), hairs’ texture change (57.1%) and odor (35.7%). Bacterial concretions were observed in all cases, and the predominant causative agent in 89.3% of all cases was Corynebacterium sp. Thirty patients were included in therapeutic portion of the study, and 28 (93.3%) of them experienced a clinical and microbiological cure. Conclusion: Trichomycosis is asymptomatic, superficial infection, which primarily affects axillary hairs.

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.

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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Treatment of cutaneous actinomycosis with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of amoxicillin/clavulanic (AMX/CLV) acid as treatment for cutaneous actinomycosis. Methods: We present a long-term follow-up study of cutaneous actinomycosis patients. Cervicofacial (CFA) and abdominal (AA) were recruited during 6 years. Diagnoses were based on clinical and microbiological characteristics; presence of granules, isolation and identification of etiological agents were carried out in each case. Patients received AMX–CLV 875/125 mg BID PO at a maximum period of 12 weeks. Results: Twenty-two cases were enrolled; the mean age was 45.2 years old. Twenty patients (91%) presented CFA and two AA (9%). All patients with CFA had dental caries, seven (35%) with periodontal disease and 10 (50%) had type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). One case of AA had history of intrauterine device and other appendicitis. Granules were observed in all the cases, the main etiological agent was Actinomyces israelii 16/22 (72.7%). Clinical and microbiological cure was achieved in 19/22 cases (86.4%), the remaining patients presented clinical improvement. The average duration of the treatment was 6.6 weeks. Side effects were recorded in 4/19 cases (18.2%), three of them presented nausea and one diarrhea. Conclusion: Treatment with AMX/CLV acid showed efficacy in the management of actinomycosis with cutaneous involvement.