Malassezia species in skin diseases

Since the taxonomic revision carried out in 1996, enlarging the genus Malassezia to comprise seven different species, a number of studies have investigated from different points of view -- mycological, molecular and immunological -- the relationships of these species with the pathologies associated with lipophilic yeasts, as well as its presence in healthy skin. From these studies, it now appears clear that Malassezia globosa is the main species associated with pityriasis versicolor, which is the only cutaneous disease in which the involvement of Malassezia is undisputed. Nevertheless, this species can also be found in normal skin, in which the predominant species is Malassezia sympodialis. In the remaining dermatological disorders related to Malassezia, the role of these yeasts is controversial. In seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and folliculitis, several studies have focused on the immunological aspects that could explain the pathogenic mechanism. In other diseases, such as confluent and reticulate papillomatosis, neonatal pustulosis, otitis and onychomycosis, the presence or significance of Malassezia is still a matter of dispute.

Orbital and periorbital cellulitis in children

The proper management of patients with orbital and periorbital cellulitis represents a distinct challenge to the clinician. A retrospective study is presented of 165 patients with the diagnosis of orbital or periorbital cellulitis admitted to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) from January 1975 through December 1980. Sinusitis, trauma, local skin inflammations, and otitis were the most common etiologies. Twenty-three of the patients had orbital cellulitis, all of which were secondary to sinusitis. There was one death in this series. No patients had permanent ocular sequelae related to orbital or periorbital cellulitis. A discussion of etiology and management is presented, with emphasis on the usefulness of computerized tomography (CT).

[Presumption diagnosis: otomycosis. A 451 patients study]

Otomycosis is a common disease. We try to analyze the causative factors for otomycosis in our environment. Our study includes 451 patients with a presumed diagnosis of otomycosis. The patients were included by ear, nose and throat specialist and general doctors; the diagnosis was confirmed in 24.43% and 16.16% respectively. The most common fungal pathogen found was Aspergillus spp. and Candida sp. The high frecuency of Aspergillus Niger may be because of the diferent ways of gathering samples. The abundance of Candida parapsilosis in the samples that came from general doctors may be because the inadequate treatment with topic antibiotics contributes fungal proliferation. We conclude that the causative factors for otomycosis could be avoided or treated. Treatment with antifungal agents is not enought to ensure complete cure, an furthermore the treatment should be aimed to restore the physiology of the external auditory cannal.

Scedosporium apiospermum otomycosis

We present a case of Scedosporium apiospermum otomycosis in an immunocompetent 62-year-old woman presumably inoculated as a child in Vietnam. She had life-long recurrent symptoms of chronic otomastoiditis and otorrhea. The organism was identified in an unexpected wound infection after a modified radical mastoidectomy done for chronic otitis media. Treatment consisted of local debridement of necrotic tissue, topical wound care, and long-term systemic antifungals.

Otitis Techniques to Improve Practice

Successful management of otitis externa requires recognition of changes in the anatomy and physiology of the external and middle ear, as well as the adequate tools and examinations to detect changes from normal. Otoscopy and methods for assessing the normalcy of the tympanum, collection of samples for cytologic evaluation or culture, and myringotomy are diagnostic techniques important in practice. Treatment tubes and intralesional triamcinolone injections are techniques that improve the response in some cases.

Early diagnosis of PI3Kδ syndrome in a 2 years old girl with recurrent otitis and enlarged spleen

Heterozygous gain of function mutations in the gene encoding p110δ subunit of PI3K have been recently associated with activated PI3K-δ syndrome (APDS), a novel combined immune deficiency characterized by recurrent sinopulmonary infections, lymphopenia, reduced class-switched memory B cells, lymphadenopathy, CMV and/or EBV viremia and EBV-related lymphoma. Here we report a dominant gain of function PIK3CD mutation (E1021K) in a patient presenting with recurrent otitis media, massive splenomegaly, and persistent EBV-viraemia. The immunological studies showed low IgA level, but normal IgM, IgG, and normal antibody response to diphtheria and tetanus toxoid vaccination. Analysis of B lymphocyte subsets revealed abnormal expansion of transitional B cells, and low percentage of switched CD27⁺IgD^- and CD27⁺IgD⁺ memory B cells. Analysis of T cell compartment unveiled prevalence of terminally differentiated cells. This study suggests that PIK3CD gain of function mutations should be suspected despite incomplete phenotype in patients with early onset splenomegaly, persistent EBV viremia and abnormal B and T cell subsets despite normal IgG levels. Currently the optimal treatment is still debated, but prompt management can hopefully diminish incidence of severe long-lasting sequelae (i.e. bronchiectasis, ear and sinus damage).

Laser therapy for refractory myringitis in children

OBJECTIVE

We present the application and initial results of a CO(2) laser technique for the treatment of medically refractory chronic granular myringitis (CGM).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective case series of 15 treated ears in 13 consecutive patients between the ages of 6 and 14 years (median age, 9.0 years) cared for in a tertiary care specialty hospital.

RESULTS

Eleven of 15 treated ears had total resolution of CGM and associated symptoms; median follow-up time was 10 months. Three ears were improved, and 1 ear remained unchanged. Three of 5 preoperative tympanic membrane perforations healed after laser treatment; 1 patient developed a postoperative, dry perforation. Hearing was not impaired in any patient tested.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary results suggest that CGM, when refractory to medical treatment, can often be treated effectively by a single laser treatment.

Paradoxical compliances in otosclerosis

Results of impedancemetry have been compared with operative findings in 1 867 cases of otosclerosis, 1 583 of which were pure otosclerosis. This comparison indicated that: (1) with present techniques, the results of impedancemetry are only of a relative value in otosclerosis; it is thus necessary to asses the various connected anatomical elements in the middle ear with extreme rigor; (2) impedancemetry data have an absolute value in all disorders of the middle ear with closed eardrum associated with otosclerosis; (3) relative impedancemetry often gives informative results when it concurs with the other elements of clinical and audiometrical diagnosis; (4) impedancemetry data are a valuable element of early diagnosis of otosclerosis before the first audiometric expression, either by a lowering of compliance or, most of all, by appearance of an on-off effect (diphasic impedance change) or by disappearance of the stapedius reflex; (5) parallel or crossed paradoxical compliances are only apparently paradoxical and are usually the sign of either an early stapedo-vestibular fixation (before its audiometric expression) or an associated factor in the middle ear, both of which may have been unnoticed; (6) the problem of compliance value in otosclerosis will be solved only when the proper stapes frequency is found and when it is possible to test this frequency. This problem is the subject of our current research.

Evidence-Based Advances in Rabbit Medicine

Rabbit medicine has been continuously evolving over time with increasing popularity and demand. Tremendous advances have been made in rabbit medicine over the past 5 years, including the use of imaging tools for otitis and dental disease management, the development of laboratory testing for encephalitozoonosis, or determination of prognosis in rabbits. Recent pharmacokinetic studies have been published, providing additional information on commonly used antibiotics and motility-enhancer drugs, as well as benzimidazole toxicosis. This article presents a review of evidence-based advances for liver lobe torsions, thymoma, and dental disease in rabbits and controversial and new future promising areas in rabbit medicine.

Training room management of medical conditions: infectious diseases

Management of infectious diseases in athletes encompasses a wide range of pathogens, clinical presentations, and treatment options. Certain athletic activities and training regimens may predispose athletes to increased risk of contracting infectious diseases, some of which may limit athletic participation and pose the threat of significant morbidity. The sports medicine physician plays an important role as a first line of defense in preventing, recognizing, and appropriately treating infectious diseases in athletes.

Intracranial and otological presentation of acute lymphocytic leukemia

The authors report a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia in hematological remission who presented with both intracranial and otological manifestations of the disease. The patient presented with clinical symptoms and computed tomographic findings consistent with otomastoiditis and a contiguous brain abscess. However, both lesions were identified at operation as leukemic infiltrates. Intracranial mass lesions and otological complications associated with leukemia are reviewed.

Pilot study of dogs with suppurative and non-suppurative Malassezia otitis: A case series

BACKGROUND

Rarely, Malassezia otitis presents as a painful, erosive otitis with an otic discharge containing Malassezia and neutrophils on cytology. There are no published reports of this type of suppurative Malassezia otitis (SMO). The role of Malassezia hypersensitivity in otitis is still unknown, and no association has been demonstrated with SMO. We compared Malassezia IgE levels, intradermal test and histology changes in SMO dogs with the more conventional Malassezia otitis (MO) presentation.

RESULTS

Three dogs (case 1, case 2 and case 3) were diagnosed with SMO, one dog (case 4) was diagnosed with unilateral MO and unilateral SMO, and one dog (case 5) was diagnosed with MO. Only one case (case 4) with SMO/MO had a positive Intradermal Allergy Test (IDAT) and elevated IgE levels for Malassezia. Histopathology findings from SMO revealed: interface dermatitis (case 1 and 3), lymphocytic dermatitis (case 2) and chronic hyperplastic eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic dermatitis (case 4). Histopathology findings from MO showed perivascular dermatitis (case 4 and 5). All the cases were treated successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

SMO presents with a distinct clinical phenotype in comparison with conventional MO. No consistent aetiology could be isolated. In these clinical cases it is possible that previous treatments could have influenced the results. More research is needed to understand the possible aetiologies and the pathogenesis of SMO.

Infections of the Ear

Infections of the ear are a common presentation to an acute care environment. In this article, the authors aim to summarize the most common presentations, and diagnostic and treatment options for typical infections of the ear. This article is geared toward the emergency physician, urgent care provider, and primary care provider who will likely be the initial evaluating and treating provider to assist them in determining what treatment modalities can be managed in a clinic and what needs to be referred for admission or specialty consultation.

Which culprit is causing your patient's otorrhea?

Otorrhea varies in appearance and can be accompanied by a multitude of symptoms. Recognition of what various combinations indicate--whether otitis externa, chronic otitis media, Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, or basal or squamous cell carcinoma--is essential. Physicians must also be familiar with the tests appropriate for confirming otorrhea's cause. Once proper diagnosis is made, effective treatment can follow.

[Video endoscopic analysis of eustachian tube function in children with middle ear pathology]

Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction play an important role in the development, persistence and recurrence of otitis media with effusion (OME) and chronic otitis. Evaluation of the type of obstruction in the cartilaginous portion of ET is important for decision concerning methods of treatment and prognosis of surgical outcome. The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of dynamic function of the pharyngeal orifice of ET in children with OME and chronic otitis by video endoscopy. Transnasal endoscopic examination of the nasopharyngeal opening of ET during swallowing was performed on 21 children - 13 with OME, 8 with chronic otitis. Video recording were made for dynamic slow-motion analysis of ET dilation and closing processes. Most cases of ET dysfunction in children were obstrucive (81%), associated with mucosal oedema and hyperplasia. Dynamic type of dysfunction is caused by the reduced movement of the tensor veli palatini. Dynamic video analysis is useful in the identify type of ET dysfunction in children. Obstructive dysfuntion need diagnostic procedures for chronic infection, nasopharyngeal reflux and alergic diseases.

[Pneumocystis carinii otitis]

BACKGROUND

Pneumocystis carinii (PC) otitis is a rare opportunistic infection of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Initially hearing loss and otalgia occur with thickening of the tympanic membrane and the bordering skin of the ear canal. Otorrhea, ear polyps, perforation of tympanic membrane, destruction of mastoidal bone, and participation of cranial nerves are observed. Diagnosis is established histologically. The treatment of the parasite is by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole combinations. The immunological situation seems to be better than in PC pneumonia. Due to the underlying immunological incompetence the infection can not be expected to limit itself. To prevent severe complications as sequestrating mastoiditis, early diagnosis and specific surgical and medical treatment are necessary.

Subacute thyroiditis. A diagnosis in otolaryngology

Subacute thyroiditis is often unrecognized and patients may be treated for pharyngitis, laryngitis, otitis media or similar disorders connected with otolaryngology. It is conceivable that these patients may seek treatment in ENT departments. The difficulties encountered in making a correct diagnosis are illustrated here on the basis of 12 consecutive cases. Eight of these patients were initially misdiagnosed resulting in useless therapy. Subacute thyroiditis is a self-limiting illness, and permanent myxoedema is rare. Nevertheless, one case with this sequela is reported.