A case of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis in Brazil undiagnosed for 15 years

Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis is a rare medical condition that is caused by the inoculation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the skin of a previously sensitized individual. This clinical form of tuberculosis corresponds to 1-2% of all cases of tuberculosis and due to the paucibacillary characteristic of the lesions, patients can be misdiagnosed, accounting for the chronification of the skin infection. Herein, we report the case of a 26-year-old male farmer, presenting plaques with verrucosa and hyperkeratosis features in the left thigh and buttocks during 15 years. M. tuberculosis was identified by PCR and the patient was treated with standard anti-tuberculosis drugs, with subsequent improvement of the skin lesions.

Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma: an uncommon cutaneous tumor

Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma is a rare, benign vascular proliferation of unknown etiology. It occurs mainly in middle-aged women and usually affects the acral regions; the lesions appear as discrete, grouped, and asymptomatic violaceous papules. Histopathology shows proliferation and dilated small vessels in the papillary dermis, fibrous stroma with thickened collagen bundles, and multinucleated giant cells. To date, there are approximately 140 cases described in the indexed literature. This report presents the case of a 62-year-old woman with a typical clinical condition, who chose not undergo treatment, considering the benign character of her illness. The clinical and immunohistological aspects of this unusual dermatological entity are emphasized.

Factors associated with seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pregnant women of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between seropositivity for IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and socio-economic and environmental variables in pregnant women of Londrina, state of Paraná, Brazil. We interviewed 492 pregnant women, each of whom answered an epidemiological questionnaire, and collected blood samples for measurement of IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies by chemiluminescence. A confirmatory diagnosis of acute infection was made by an IgG avidity test. Titres of specific IgG anti-T. gondii were obtained by IFAT. Seropositivity for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies was observed in 242 women (49.2%) and, of these, six pregnant women (1.2%) showed seropositivity for IgM. Age group, level of education, per capita income, presence of a cat in the house and a habit of eating green vegetables were all factors associated with a greater chance of infection with T. gondii. This study showed that 250 (50.8%) pregnant women were susceptible to T. gondii and considered to be at high risk for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. Based on the results obtained, is critical to establish a program of health surveillance for toxoplasmosis, in order to contribute to diagnosis and early treatment during the prenatal period. It is also necessary to introduce measures to prevent the Toxoplasma infection in seronegative pregnant women.