BACKGROUND Although Mycobacterium leprae (ML) is well characterised as the causative agent of leprosy, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying peripheral nerve damage still need further understanding. In vitro and in vivo studies have yielded insights into molecular mechanisms of ML interaction with Schwann cells (SC), indicating the regulation of genes and proteins crucial to neural plasticity. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the effect of ML on neurotrophins expression in human SC (hSC) and mice sciatic nerves to better understand their role in leprosy neuropathy, and aiming to contribute to future therapeutic approaches. METHODS We evaluated mRNA and protein expression of BDNF, NGF, NT-3, NT-4 in hSC from amputation nerve fragments, as well as in athymic nude mice, infected by ML for eight months. FINDINGS and MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our in vitro results showed a trend to decline in NGF and BDNF mRNA in ML-treated hSC, compared to controls. The immunodetection of BDNF and NT-4 was significantly downregulated in ML-treated hSC. Conversely, ML-infected mice demonstrated upregulation of NT-3, compared to non-infected animals. Our findings indicate that ML may be involved in neurotrophins regulation, suggesting that a pathogen-related imbalance of these growth factors may have a role in the neural impairment of 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. The pain was associated with paresthesias in the ulnar edge and left ulnar claw. After evaluation, the diagnosis was changed to borderline tuberculoid leprosy accompanied with neuritis of the left ulnar nerve. Early neurolysis resulted in rapid reduction of the pain and recovery of motor function.

Objetivo: Determinar a eficácia do tranilast, como terapia auxiliar no transplante autólogo de conjuntiva. Métodos: Vinte e nove pacientes foram randomizados em dois grupos: Grupo Tratado (15) e Grupo Controle (14). Trinta dias antes da cirurgia, o Grupo Tratado recebeu uma injeção subconjuntival de tranilast a 0,5%. O transplante autólogo de conjuntiva foi realizado em ambos os grupos, usando-se a cola de fibrina e a mitomicina 0,02% subconjuntival, ao final da cirurgia. Cada paciente foi examinado por 12 meses de acompanhamento. A imuno-histoquímica foi realizada, mediante um total de 100 células, a fim de que se contassem as células epiteliais positivas, para o fator de crescimento transformador beta (TGF-β), após a cirurgia do pterígio. Os sintomas subjetivos foram avaliados usando-se uma escala de cinco pontos, e a taxa de recorrência foi avaliada. Resultados: Os 2 grupos apresentaram melhora dos sintomas e com resultados clínicos similares. Quando comparado com o Grupo Controle, o Grupo Tratado falhou em mostrar uma diminuição da taxa de recorrência (p=0,59). Entretanto o número de células epiteliais expressando o TGF-β foi menor no Grupo Tratado (5 células; 95% CI=2,56-13,15; Grupo Controle, 16 células; 95% CI: 11,53-24,76, p=0,01). Complicações mínimas, mas reversíveis, ocorreram durante o estudo, incluindo glaucoma secundário ao uso de corticoide e granuloma. Conclusão: O tranilast foi efetivo em diminuir o número células epiteliais do pterígio expressando o TGF-β.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of tranilast as an adjunctive therapy in conjunctival autograft. Methods: Twenty-nine patients were randomly allocated to the Tranilast Group (n=15) or the Control Group (n=14). The Tranilast Group received a subconjunctival injection of 0.5% tranilast 30 days prior to surgery. Conjunctival autograft was performed in both groups using fibrin sealant and 0.02% subconjunctival mitomycin C at the end of the surgery. After the resection of the pterygium, immunohistochemistry was performed with 100 cells to identify epithelial cells positive for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Subjective symptoms were evaluated using a 5-point scale, and the recurrence rate was assessed. Results: Both groups showed improvements in their symptoms and similar clinical results. Compared with the Control Group, the Tranilast Group failed to show a decreased recurrence rate (p=0.59). However, the number of epithelial cells expressing TGF-β was lower in the Tranilast Group (5 cells; 95% CI: 2.56-13.15; Control Group, 16 cells, 95% CI: 11.53-24.76; p=0.01). Minimal but reversible complications, including glaucoma secondary to corticosteroids and granuloma, occurred during the study. Conclusion: Tranilast was effective in decreasing the number of pterygium epithelial cells expressing TGF-β.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o fenótipo do HLA em pacientes com contratura de Dupuytren (CD) para verificar a correlação desses alelos com os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento da CD na população brasileira. Métodos: Este foi um estudo de caso-controle de 25 pacientes com CD e 443 indivíduos saudáveis sem histórico de doenças associadas ao HLA. As tipagens classe I e classe II do HLA foram feitas utilizando o método iniciador de sequências específicas da reação em cadeia da polimerase. Resultados: O fenótipo HLA-B*18 foi observado em 32% dos pacientes e 10,5% do grupo controle. Contudo, os valores de p não permaneceram significativos após correção. Discussão: Apesar de termos observado um aumento na tendência de os pacientes com CD terem o alelo HLA-B*18, os resultados não foram estatisticamente significativos após correção. Esse alelo foi maior em pacientes de etnia italiana e/ou espanhola, locais com frequências superiores a 18% e 14%, respectivamente. São necessárias investigações adicionais com uma coorte maior de pacientes com CD para confirmar o possível papel do HLA nessa doença.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the HLA phenotype in Dupuytren's contracture (DC) patients in order to verify the correlation of these alleles with risk factors for development of DC in the Brazilian population. Methods: This was a case-controlled study of 25 DC patients and 443 healthy individuals with no history of HLA-associated diseases. HLA class I and class II typing was performed using the polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer method. Results: The HLAB*18 phenotype was observed in 32% of the patients and 10.5% of controls. However, P values did not remain significant after correction. Discussion: Although we observed an increased tendency of DC patients to possess the HLA-B*18 allele, the results were not statistically significant after correction. This allele was higher in patients of Italian and/or Spanish ethnicity, localities with frequencies higher than 18.0% and 14.0% respectively. Further investigation with a larger cohort of DC patients is required to confirm the potential role of HLA in this disease.

Lipomas são neoplasias mesenquimais benignas comuns constituídas de células gordurosas maduras que podem ou não estar envoltas por cápsula conjuntiva. A relação com o trauma já foi descrita. Aqueles envolvendo os dedos são extremamente raros, mas devem ser considerados no diagnóstico diferencial das massas benignas de tecidos moles em tal localização.

Lipomas are common benign mesenchymal tumors composed of mature fat cells that may or may not be surrounded by a thin, fibrous capsule. The link with trauma has already been described. Lipomas involving the fingers are extremely rare but must be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign soft tissue masses in this particular location.

Descrevemos um caso de hanseníase dimorfa tuberculoide associada à histoplasmose cutânea primária em um paciente que procurou nosso hospital com lesões dermatológicas e queixas articulares.

We describe a case of borderline tuberculoid leprosy associated with primary cutaneous histoplasmosis in a patient who presented at our hospital with skin lesions and joint complaints.