Impact of histopathological and serological assessments on early diagnosis of leprosy relapse.

This study aimed to identify laboratory factors predicting leprosy relapse (LR) after multi-drug therapy (MDT). A case-control study included 80 patients treated with MDT at a national reference center over 12 years. The Relapse Group had 40 patients who relapsed after an average of 89.

Role of histopathological, serological and molecular findings for the early diagnosis of treatment failure in leprosy.

Background: Treatment failure (TF) in leprosy following multidrug therapy (MDT) presents a significant challenge. The current World Health Organization (WHO) fixed-duration MDT regimen, based on lesion count, might not be adequate. Leprosy lacks clear-cut objective cure criteria, and the predictive value of post-MDT histopathological findings remains uncertain.

Human Skin as an Ex Vivo Model for Maintaining and Leprosy Studies.

The in vitro cultivation of has not been possible since it was described as causing leprosy, and the limitation of animal models for clinical aspects makes studies on leprosy and bacteria-human host interaction a challenge. Our aim was to standardize the ex vivo skin model (hOSEC) to maintenance and study of as an alternative animal model. Bacillary suspensions were inoculated into human skin explants and sustained in DMEM medium for 60 days.

Peculiar Histological Features of Oral Intravascular Papillary Endothelial Hyperplasia.

A 55-year-old male patient with single and well-circumscribed nodule in the lower lip. Accurate diagnosis is based only on histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical approach, which a large, organized thrombus within the dilated lumen of a poorly demarcated vein, associated with papillary projections of endothelial proliferation occupying vascular spaces. The final diagnosis was intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) associated with a thrombus.

Prediction of the occurrence of leprosy reactions based on Bayesian networks.

Introduction: Leprosy reactions (LR) are severe episodes of intense activation of the host inflammatory response of uncertain etiology, today the leading cause of permanent nerve damage in leprosy patients. Several genetic and non-genetic risk factors for LR have been described; however, there are limited attempts to combine this information to estimate the risk of a leprosy patient developing LR. Here we present an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system that can assess LR risk using clinical, demographic, and genetic data.

Association of CD209 (DC-SIGN) rs735240 SNV with paucibacillary leprosy in the Brazilian population and its functional effects.

Background: Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, is a public health problem in Brazil that affects peripheral nerves, resulting in physical disabilities. During host-pathogen interactions, the immune response determines leprosy outcomes from a localised (paucibacillary) form to a disseminated (multibacillary) form. The recognition of M.

IFN-γ Mediated Signaling Improves Fungal Clearance in Experimental Pulmonary Mucormycosis.

We established three immunocompetent murine models of pulmonary mucormycosis to determine the involvement of the adaptive immune response in host resistance in pulmonary mucormycosis, a rapidly fatal disease caused mainly by Rhizopus spp. Immunocompetent inbred (C57BL/6, BALB/c) and outbred (Swiss) strains of mice were inoculated with R. oryzae via the intratracheal route.

Murine experimental leprosy: Evaluation of immune response by analysis of peritoneal lavage cells and footpad histopathology.

This study evaluated the immune response of nude and BALB/c mice inoculated in the footpads (FP) with Mycobacterium leprae after 3, 5 and 8 months. At each timepoint peritoneal cells, peripheral blood, FP and popliteal lymph nodes (PLN) were collected. Peritoneal cell cultures were performed to measure the H O , O , NO, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF levels.

Exuberant manifestation of neurofibromatosis type 1 affecting 3 generations: delayed diagnosis and the importance of the multidisciplinary approach.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder caused by mutations of chromosome 17. The NF1 clinical diagnosis is based on pre-established criteria, including the presence of cutaneous neurofibromas, café au lait spots, and iris (Lisch) nodules. Early detection and a multidisciplinary approach are essential for the prevention of complications, including problems of function, aesthetics, and self-esteem, as well as the occurrence of malignant transformation.

Lepromatous leprosy simulating rheumatoid arthritis - Report of a neglected disease.

Brazil has the second largest number of leprosy cases in the world; nevertheless, late diagnosis is common. We report the case of a male patient with pain and numbness in both hands and feet for six years with positive rheumatoid factor and anticardiolipin under rheumatoid arthritis treatment for five years. Examination revealed diffuse cutaneous infiltration and leonine facies, characteristic features of lepromatous leprosy.

Granulomatous slack skin: a rare subtype of mycosis fungoides.

We report a case of granulomatous slack skin, a rare and indolent subtype of mycosis fungoides. It affects mainly men between the third and fourth decades. It is characterized by hardened and erithematous plaques that mainly affect flexural areas and become pedunculated after some years.

Simultaneous analysis of multiple T helper subsets in leprosy reveals distinct patterns of Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs markers expression in clinical forms and reactional events.

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Previous studies have demonstrated that the difference among clinical forms of leprosy can be associated with the immune response of patients, mainly by T helper (Th) and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Then, aiming at clarifying the immune response, the expression of cytokines related to Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs profiles were evaluated by qPCR in 87 skin biopsies from leprosy patients.

Ewing's Sarcoma Family Tumors in the Jaws: Case Report, Immunohistochemical Analysis and Literature Review.

Due to the low incidence of the Ewing's Sarcoma (ES) family tumors, the available epidemiology is likely to be unreliable, and at present, there are no standard diagnostic or clinical guidelines outlining their management. This report describes a case of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/pPNET) which initially mimicked cystic lesions, and describes a comparison between ES and ES/pPNET in the jaws by the World Health Organization classification. This review addressed 63 cases published in the English literature between 1950 and 2016.

Ofuji disease: a rare dermatosis and its challenging therapeutic approach.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) or Ofuji disease is a rare dermatosis, prone to recurrence and chronicity. The peak incidence occurs in the third decade of life and its exact etiology remains unknown. Evidence suggests that the expression of adhesion molecules and the production of cytokines activate the follicular unit, but the stimulus that triggers these changes remains unclear.

Tuberous Sclerosis with Severe Cutaneous Manifestation and Multiples Facial Angiofibromas.

Tuberous sclerosis is an extremely variable disease that can affect virtually any organ in the body. The most common findings are cutaneous manifestations, that are critical features in helping to establish diagnosis. We present a case of young man with diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis presenting multiple shagreen patches around the trunk, in the neck and genital region; large plaques with uneven surfaces on the right side of the lower back; and multiple papular lesions in his face, particularly around the nasolabial region, eyebrows and forehead.

Immunohistochemical assessment of cell populations in leprosy-spectrum lesions and reactional forms.

In situ immunophenotyping of leprosy lesions can improve our understanding of the biology of inflammatory cells during the immune response to Mycobacterium leprae antigens. In the present study, biopsies from 10 healthy controls and 70 leprosy patients were selected, 10 for each of the following conditions: clinical tuberculoid (TT), borderline tuberculoid (BT), borderline borderline (BB), borderline lepromatous (BL), lepromatous (LL), reversal reaction (R1), and erythema nodosum leprosum (R2). Qualitative and quantitative immunohistochemical analyses were performed to detect CD3, CD4, CD8, FoxP3, CD20, CD138, CD1a, CD57, CD15, CD117, CD68, and CD163.

Mycobacterium peregrinum Skin Infection: Case Report.

Background: Mycobacterium peregrinum is a rapidly growing mycobacterium (RGM) that rarely causes skin infections. The correct identification of the specific RGM infecting the skin will enhance therapeutic success.

Objective: To highlight the importance of rapid and precise identification of the Mycobacterium involved in skin infections in order to enhance therapeutic success.

Actinic comedonal plaque-variant of Favre-Racouchot syndrome: report of two cases.

The actinic comedonal plaque is characterized by papules, cysts and comedones forming a yellowish plaque in areas of chronic sun exposure skin. There are few reports in literature about this entity, considered a rare and ectopic form of Favré-Racouchot Syndrome. We report two cases of lesions located on forearms and thorax.

Cutaneous histoplasmosis as a complication after anti-TNF use--Case report.

Anti-TNF agents are effective in the treatment of psoriasis. However, they render individuals more susceptible to infections. We report an atypical case of histoplasmosis in an immunosuppressed patient due to anti- TNF therapy.

Loss of cytokeratin 10 indicates malignant transformation in actinic cheilitis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship the expression of cytokeratins (CK10 and CK13) and the cell proliferation index determined by Ki-67 of lip squamous cell carcinoma and actinic cheilitis with different degrees of dysplasia.

Materials And Methods: Forty-five paraffin-embedded actinic cheilitis with and without dysplasia and 20 lip squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using anti-human anti-CK10, anti-CK13, and anti-Ki-67 antibodies.

Results: The majority of actinic cheilitis showed immunopositivity for CK10 and CK13 with decrease or loss of expression in dysplastic areas.

Surgical treatment of type I neuritis in a teenage boy with borderline tuberculoid leprosy.

Exacerbation of the immune response against Mycobacterium leprae can lead to neuritis, which is commonly treated via immunosuppression with corticosteroids. Early neurolysis may be performed concurrently, especially in young patients with a risk of functional sequelae. We report the case of a young patient experienced intense pain in the left elbow one year after the treatment of tuberculoid-tuberculoid leprosy.