Multiple giant vulvar syringoma: an extraordinary report

A 26 year-old woman presented with asymptomatic multiple skin-colored eruptions affecting the vulva. She claimed that the lesions had started at the age of 15. The eruptions have been increasing in size and extent since her presentation. There was a family history of similar eruptions around the eyes of one of her sisters. Examination of the skin surface was marked by the presence of multiple, 2- to 3-cm firm, skin-colored, nodules on the labia majora (Figure 1). They were bilateral and symmetrical. One of the lesions was excised, and histopathologic serial sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Sections showed clusters of small comma-shaped ducts lined by 2 cell-thick epithelium surrounded by a fibrotic stroma. Solid strands of basophilic epithelial cells independent of ducts were documented in the dermis (Figure 2). Accordingly, a diagnosis of syrangoma was made.

Evaluation of leishmanin skin test reaction in different variants of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Introduction:

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease which has different clinical forms. The aim of this study is to compare the response to leishmanin skin test (LST) in three forms of CL including plaque type, lupoid type, and sporotrichoid type.

Materials and Methods:

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The patients enrolled in this study had three clinical forms of CL confirmed by positive smear of their lesions and then LST was performed for them. Results were categorized as negative (0-5 mm induration), positive (6-14 mm), and strongly positive (≥15 mm). The data were documented in the patients’ files and analyzed with SPSS windows software version 16 (Inc.Chicago, USA).

Results:

200 patients were enrolled in the study. In the group with plaque type, 86% had a positive LST, 13.3% were negative, and 0.7% were strongly positive. In the lupoid group, these figures were 45.8%, 8.4%, 45.8%, respectively. In the sporotrichoid group, LST was positive in 27.3%, negative in 72.7%, and none of the patients had a strongly positive reaction (P < 0.05). Discussion: The most of the positive LST were belong to plaque and lupoid groups, the most of strongly positive were belong to lupoid, and the most of negative LST were related with sporotrichoid type.

Conclusion:

It can be suggested that lupoid and sporotrichoid types of CL are parts of a continuous spectrum of the disease with an enhanced cellular immunity in lupoid form and a decreased state in sporotrichoid type.

Decreased effect of glucantime in cutaneous leishmaniasis complicated with secondary bacterial infection

Background:

Glucantime is regarded as the first-line treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL); however, failure to treatment is a problem in many cases.

Aim:

The aim was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of glucantime in CL complicated with secondary bacterial infection compared to uncomplicated lesions.

Methods:

This experimental study was performed in Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan, Iran. A total of 161 patients enrolled in the study had CL confirmed by positive smear of lesions. All the patients were treated with systemic glucantime for 3 weeks and followed for 2 months. Response to treatment was defined as loss of infiltration, reepithelization, and negative smear. Depending on the results of bacterial cultures, the lesions were divided into two groups and the efficacy of glucantime was compared.

Results:

A total of 123 patients (76.4%) were negative, and 38 patients (23.6%) were positive for secondary bacterial infection. In groups with negative bacterial culture response to treatment was 65% (80 patients) and in the other positive group, it was 31.6% (12 patients), with a difference (χ² = 13.77, P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Therapeutic effect of glucantime showed a decrease in CL lesions with secondary bacterial infection. Therefore, in the cases of unresponsiveness to treatment, the lesions should be evaluated for bacterial infection, before repeating the treatment.

Pruritus as an unusual symptom in multiple piloleiomyoma

A 30-year-old woman presented with multiple pruritic raised skin lesions at the proximal part of her left arm for the past 15 years. At the age of 15, the patient noticed red nodules accompanied with severe pruritus over the arm, which started to spread and involved the dorsal aspect of her scapula (Figure 1). They had been increasing in number during the past 15 years. There was no history of pain either spontaneously or in response to cold, tactile, or emotional stress, with no bleeding or oozing. There was no family history of similar skin lesions; however, she had a history of gynecologic problems for 10 years, and examination of her uterus showed uterine leiomyomas. The patient complained about severe pruritus. This symptom was exaggerated with sun exposure, cold, emotional stress, and rough cloths. It was so severe that it caused sleep disturbances. Clinical examination showed multiple pink and red nodules ranging from 5 mm to 20 mm over the above-described sites. The lesions were firm, smooth, not mobile, and nontender, with no pain on touch. Routine hematologic and biochemical investigations were normal. Kidney and pelvic ultrasonography showed myomatous uterus and normal kidneys. Microscopic examination of one of the nodules in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections showed proliferation of smooth muscle cells with fascicular aspect in dermis. These cells had thin, elongated eel-like nuclei with blunt edges (Figure 2 and Figure 3). The diagnosis of leiomyoma was made and the patient was referred for surgical excision. Due to the extension and site of the lesions, the plastic surgeon did not recommend surgical procedure and the patient was treated with an antihistamine (loratadine 10 mg/d).

Treatment of localized psoriasis with a topical formulation of zinc pyrithione

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a common chronic condition of the skin that is resistant to many therapies.

AIM

To test the efficacy of a topical formulation of zinc pyrithione in an emollient base compared with an emollient alone in the treatment of psoriasis.

METHODS

This was a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Patients with localized psoriasis involving less than 10% of body skin areas were enrolled in the study. They were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Group A was treated with emollient cream containing 0.25% zinc pyrithione and group B was treated with emollient cream alone twice daily for 3 months. Response to treatment was assessed using PASI scores.

RESULTS

Of 60 participants, 30 patients in group A and 30 patients in group B completed the study. The mean PASI scores before and after treatment were 3.4±1.8 and 0.9±1.3 in group A (p<0.01), and 4.3±2 and 3.9±1.3 in group B (p>0.05), and there was a significant difference between the two groups' mean PASI scores at the end of the study (p<0.01). The differences in the mean PASI scores before and after treatment were 2.4±2 and 0.4±0.1 in groups A and B, respectively (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

A topical formulation of zinc pyrithione can be used to treat localized psoriasis.

Distribution frequency of pathogenic bacteria isolated from cutaneus leishmaniasis lesions

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease characterized by single or multiple ulcerations. Secondary bacterial infections are one of the complications that can increase the tissue destruction and the resulting scar. To better determine the incidence of real secondary bacterial infections in CL, we designed the current study. This was a cross-sectional study performed in Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Centre, Isfahan, Iran. A total of 1,255 patients with confirmed CL enrolled in the study. Sterile swaps were achieved for ulcer exudates and scraping was used for non-ulcerated lesions. All samples were transferred to tryptic soy broth medium. After 24 hr of incubation at 37 degrees C they were transferred to eosin methylene blue agar (EMB) and blood agar. Laboratory tests were used to determine the species of bacteria. Among 1,255 confirmed CL patients, 274 (21.8%) had positive cultures for secondary bacterial infections. The bacteria isolated from the lesions were Staphylococcus aureus in 190 cases (69.3%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus in 63 cases (23.0%), E. coli in 10 cases (3.6%), Proteus sp. in 6 cases (2.2%), and Klebsiella sp. in 5 cases (1.9%). The results show that the overall incidence of secondary bacterial infections in the lesions of CL was 21.8%, considerably high. The incidence of secondary bacterial infections was significantly higher in ulcerated lesions compared with non-ulcerated lesions.

Electrocardiographic Changes in Patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Treated with Systemic Glucantime

Introduction: Antimonial compounds are regarded as the treatment of choice for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Systemic administration of these drugs has some side effects including cardio toxicity and electrocardiogram (EKG) changes. The objective of our study was to evaluate EKG changes in the patients with CL treated with systemic glucantime. Materials and Methods: Onehundred and thirty-one patients were enrolled in this prospective study. All of the selected patients had confirmed CL and were candidates for treatment with systemic glucantime. The patients were treated with systemic glucantime and EKG was performed before, during (weekly) and 1 month after cessation of the treatment. All of the collected data were analysed using SPSS software. Results: The most common change was prolonged QT interval that was seen in 19% of the patients. ST depression occurred in 6.1% of the patients. Minimal ST elevation occurred in 3% and inverted T was observed in 7.4% of the patients. Single premature atrial contraction (PAC) and single premature ventricular contraction (PVC) occurred in 0.7% and 2.29% of patients, respectively. Bradycardia was observed in 10.6% and left bundle branch block in 0.7% of the patients. All of these changes reversed after stopping the treatment except 1 case with left bundle branch block that lasted for 1 month after the treatment. Conclusions: Our results showed that treatment with glucantime can induce many ECG changes as QT prolongation have significant risk. We suggest that ECG monitoring should be performed in high-risk patients undergoing glucantime treatment with special attention to ECG changes mostly prolonged QT interval. Key words: Antimonial compound, Cardiac monitoring, Toxicity

Electrocardiographic changes in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis treated with systemic glucantime

INTRODUCTION

Antimonial compounds are regarded as the treatment of choice for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Systemic administration of these drugs has some side effects including cardio toxicity and electrocardiogram (EKG) changes. The objective of our study was to evaluate EKG changes in the patients with CL treated with systemic glucantime.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and thirty-one patients were enrolled in this prospective study. All of the selected patients had confirmed CL and were candidates for treatment with systemic glucantime. The patients were treated with systemic glucantime and EKG was performed before, during (weekly) and 1 month after cessation of the treatment. All of the collected data were analysed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

The most common change was prolonged QT interval that was seen in 19% of the patients. ST depression occurred in 6.1% of the patients. Minimal ST elevation occurred in 3% and inverted T was observed in 7.4% of the patients. Single premature atrial contraction (PAC) and single premature ventricular contraction (PVC) occurred in 0.7% and 2.29% of patients, respectively. Bradycardia was observed in 10.6% and left bundle branch block in 0.7% of the patients. All of these changes reversed after stopping the treatment except 1 case with left bundle branch block that lasted for 1 month after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that treatment with glucantime can induce many ECG changes as QT prolongation have significant risk. We suggest that ECG monitoring should be performed in high-risk patients undergoing glucantime treatment with special attention to ECG changes mostly prolonged QT interval.

Successful treatment of lupoid cutaneous leishmaniasis with glucantime and topical trichloroacetic acid (a case report)

Lupoid leishmaniasis is a unique form of cutaneous leishmaniasis characterized by unusual clinical features and a chronic relapsing course, mostly caused by infection with Leishmania tropica. In this clinical form, 1-2 yr after healing of the acute lesion, new papules and nodules appear at the margin of the remaining scar. Herein, we describe a case of this clinical form that was resistant to 2 courses of treatments: systemic glucantime and then a combination therapy with allopurinol and systemic glucantime. However, marked improvement was seen after a combination therapy with topical trichloroacetic acid solution (50%) and systemic glucantime, and there were no signs of recurrence after 1 yr of follow-up.

Nodular fibrosis: a rare complication of non filarial lymph edema

Lymphedema is a soft-tissue swelling that occurs following lymphatic fluid accumulation. Edema is due to insufficient lymphatic drainage that occurs because of lymphatic vessel obstruction or absence [1]. Chronic lymphedema can cause a clinical picture of tense non-pitting edema with thickened epidermis that is due to accumulation of protein and lipids in the connective tissue. In the early stages pitting edema is seen, but with progression of disease, fibrosis occurs and then edema becomes tense. Hyperplasic changes with warty epidermis and then elephantiasis become evident. The disability due to limb swelling can be severe but the overall prognosis is good [1]. Nodular fibrosis is an uncommon complication of elephantiasis [2].

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered for food in Mazandaran province, Iran, during 2005

Serum samples from 290 cattle, 400 goats and 588 sheep slaughtered for food in various areas of the Mazandaran province, Iran were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), from December 2004 to April 2005. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 30% (120/400) goats and 35% (206/588) sheep and 0% (0/290) cattle, at a dilution of 1:16 or more for goats and sheep and 1:128 or more for cattle. The highest titres observed in cattle, goats and sheep were 1:64 (0.7%), 1:128 (1%), 1:64 (2%), respectively. These results indicate that T. gondii antibodies are widespread in the animal populations and suggest that toxoplasmosis is a widely spread zoonotic infection in northern Iran.

Seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in intellectual disability children in rehabilitation centers of northern Iran

Serological studies revealed that toxoplasmosis has world wide distribution. Although the infection by Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in humans and animals, the disease is uncommon and most of the acquired infections are asymptomatic. The important aspect of this parasitic infection is the probable danger of congenital transmission and its severe effects on the fetus. There have been many reports about the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody among different groups of people in Iran; however the epidemiological data in intellectual disability (ID) persons are rare. This study was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among the inhabitants of rehabilitation centers of northern Iran. A total of 336 serum samples (161 males, 175 females) were examined for the IgG antibodies by indirect immunofluorescense technique. First of all, 1:50 titer dilution was tested, in the cases of positive result, further dilutions (1:100, 1:200, 1:400, 1:800, 1:1600, and 1:3200) were prepared and the last dilution was recorded. Among 336 sera, 77.4% showed seropositivity by IFAT. The positive rates of males and females were 77.6% (125/161) and 80% (140/175), respectively. However, there were no significant differences between sexes. Comparing the age groups, the highest seropositive rate showed in 19 or higher, and their rates had a tendency to increase with age. Prevalence of the infection in 10 rehabilitation centers was not significant either. Nevertheless, our data (77.4%) in rehabilitation centers in northern Iran suggest that infection is the same as in many other reports in normal population in this area, therefore toxoplasmosis is not a major problem in rehabilitation centers of this geographical area.

Toxocara catiinfections in stray cats in northern Iran

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to study the prevalence and intensity of infection withToxocara catiin 100 stray cats, from April to October 2004 in urban areas of Sari, northern Iran. A total of 44 cats (44%) were found to be infected withT. cati. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of infection relative to host age and weight (P = 0.000). There was also a significant difference in the intensity of infection relative to body weight and urban sites (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the prevalence of infection relative to host gender, urban sites and season (P>0.05), nor in the intensity of infection between host gender, age and season (P>0.05). The intensity of infection ranged from 1 to 32 worms per cat, with a mean of 7.30 ± 6.82.

The prevalence, intensity and viability of hydatid cysts in slaughtered animals in the Ardabil province of Northwest Iran

In a cross-sectional study, a total of 5381 slaughtered animals, namely 928 cattle, 243 buffaloes, 3765 sheep and 445 goats were inspected macroscopically for hydatid cysts in northwest Iran, with prevalence values of 38.3%, 11.9%, 74.4% and 20%, respectively, being recorded. Prevalences were higher in females compared with males, but a significant difference (P < 0.001) was only found in sheep and cattle. Most cases which were condemned were seen in the lungs of sheep (13.4%) indicating that sheep are the most important intermediate hosts for Echinococcus granulosus in this area.