Artificial dermatitis and its complications: features of diagnosis and therapy

The article highlights the problem of artificial dermatitis (pathomimia) as a manifestation of a mental disorder. A direct correlation is shown between the severity of mental illness and the severity of injuries inflicted on the skin. It is shown that it is necessary to manage such patients with the participation of a psychiatrist and a dermatologist. Positive results of treatment of infected skin lesions using Levomekol® ointment are presented.Materials and methods. We observed 19 patients, 7 women and 12 men. All patients, even with shallow, but extensive excoriations, Levomekol® ointment was prescribed under a bandage with a superficial additional fixation with a Band-Aid bandage in order to prevent self-removal of the bandage.Results. All 19 patients had epithelialization of existing erosions and healing (the beginning of scarring) of ulcers. The healing time of self-injuries was as follows, depending on the depth of the lesion: surface erosion and excoriation‑2 days, deep excoriation – 5 days, surface ulcers: on the upper extremities and neck – 9 days, on the lower extremities‑11 days.Conclusions. 1) Psychosomatic disorders, most often encoded by dermatologists under the heading ‘artificial dermatitis (ArD)’, are one of the pressing problems of modern medicine at the intersection of psychiatry and dermatology. 2) The severity and depth of destructive manifestations of ArD on the skin directly correlates with the severity of mental disorders. 3) With deep and multiple skin injuries, already at the level of impulsive disorders, there is a high probability of secondary infection. With ulcerative defects, such infection occurs inevitably. 4) Levomekol® ointment is a drug not only with a proven antimicrobial and regenerating effect, but also with a proven possibility of use in wounds with a pronounced exudative component, with excoriations of any depth. 5) When applying Levomekol® ointment on a large surface or on deep ulcers, the possibility of systemic effects should be taken into account, according to the instructions (such effects were not recorded in the presented study).

Sarcoptes sp. Infection in Turtledoves (Geopelia striata) at Banyuwangi

This study aimed to explain the case of ectoparasite infection and the life cycle of parasites in turtledoves (Geopelia striata). Sarcoptes sp. one of the ectoparasites belonging to the phylum Arthropods, the Arachnid class, and the order Acarina.Sarcoptes sp. can infect the skin of the host through direct contact with infected animals and the environment. Sarcoptes sp. infects by forming a lump under the skin and severe infection causes a crust to form on the skin and is accompanied by itching. Physical examination was carried out by means of inspection of the infected skin area. Subsequent examinations were carried out on the dead skin cells mixed with fresh manure macroscopically and microscopically. Macroscopic examination was done by observing the condition of the skin that is discraped. Microscopic examination using native examination. Based on the negative examination, it was found that there were Sarcoptes sp. mites on an objective microscope with a 40x magnification. Geopelia striata can be infected with Sarcoptes sp. through direct contact with sick animals. The incubation period of Sarcoptes sp. after infection from infected animals was 3-6 weeks.

Ameliorative and Disinfection Effects of Ultraviolet-C Radiation on Experimentally Induced and Infected Skin Wounds: A Mice Model Study

Only ultraviolet-C (UV-C) from UV lights, which are emitted by the sun and absorbed by the atmosphere's ozone layer, does not reach the Earth's surface. UV-C is a powerful disinfection method that is commonly used to sterilize fluids, air, and surfaces. There is a little knowledge of the effects of UV-C radiation on living bodies. The purpose of this study is to examine the ameliorative effect of UV-C on skin lesions in mice that have been experimentally created and infected with Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Streptococcus sp. In total, 32 mice were used, and 4 mm skin defects were created and lesions infected with bacteria. Half of the mice in each group were treated with 254 nm UV-C twice a day for 4 days before being euthanatized. Blood samples were collected for hematological analysis, while skin samples were collected for microbiological, pathological, and immunohistochemical examinations. In addition, pathological examinations were performed on visceral organ samples. UV-C treatment caused rapid healing and complete or significant disinfection of skin lesions. Moreover, UV-C treatment reduced caspase-3 expressions in lesioned areas, according to immunochemistry. There were no pathological findings in visceral organs as a result of UV-C treatment. This study found that UV-C can be used to treat and disinfect infected skin lesions in short period and repeated doses.

Huffmanela sp. (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae: Huffmanelinae) encountered in the whitecheek shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) in the Arabian Gulf

Summary Veterinary inspection of fish caught at the western side of the Arabian Gulf off the shore of Saudi Arabia in 2017 revealed abnormal irregular zigzag black lines in the skins of 135 out of 1500 (prevalence = 9 %) whitecheek sharks (Carcharhinus dussumieri). These lesions have been noticed in the dorsal and ventral part of the head near the snout and around the eyes, as well as in the skin of the pectoral fins. The parasitological, pathological and ultramorphological aspects of the sampled fish were studied using a light microscope, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopes. Trichosomoidid-type eggs identified as Huffmanela sp. were found in the superficial layer of the skin. The mature eggs containing larvae (n = 75) were ellipsoidal or spindle-shaped, smooth-shelled, amber-brown to dark brown or even black in colour. The width of the eggs ranged from 34 to 49μm with lengths ranging from 95 to 107μm. The polar plugs of the immature eggs were slightly protruding, whereas mature eggs had clearly protruding polar plugs. The width of the polar plugs ranged from 4.5 – 9.5μm. The shells of the eggs were smooth and there was a thin layer seen near the polar areas. The infected skin exhibited desquamated epithelium, with inflammatory cell aggregations and melanophores in the debris. The underlying musculatures of the skin were free from any eggs, but showed mild pathological changes, including congestion of blood vessels, haemorrhages and oedema. The prevalence of infection showed seasonality, peaking significantly in the spring (18.18 %), with comparable prevalence rates in winter and summer (9.43 % and 8.57 %, respectively). However, infections dropped significantly during the autumn months (3.75 %). It is believed that this is the first study reporting the presence of Huffmanela sp. in whitecheek sharks at El-Jubail Province, Saudi Arabia, Arabian Gulf.

IL-17C and IL-17RE Promote Wound Closure in a Staphylococcus aureus-Based Murine Wound Infection Model

The epithelial cytokine interleukin-17C (IL-17C) mediates inflammation through the interleukin 17 receptor E (IL-17RE). Prior studies showed a detrimental role of IL-17C in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated skin diseases (e.g., psoriasis). Here, we examined the role of IL-17C/IL-17RE in wound closure in a Staphylococcus aureus wound infection model. We demonstrate that wound closure is significantly delayed in IL-17RE (Il-17re−/−)- and 17C (Il-17c−/−)-deficient mice. There was no significant difference between WT, Il-17re−/−, and Il-17c−/− mice in the absence of infection. Deficiency for IL-17RE and IL-17C did not significantly affect the elimination of bacteria. IL-17C expression was increased in the epidermis of human S. aureus-infected skin. Our results indicate that the IL-17C/IL-17RE axis contributes to the closure of infected wounds but does not contribute to the elimination of S. aureus.

Prevalence of dermatophytes in patients attending a teaching hospital in Hyderabad, South India

Dermatophytoses are a group of superficial fungal infections of keratinized tissues. Though they do not cause mortality they cause morbidity and pose a major public health problem especially in tropical countries like India. The present study is done to know the prevalence of dermatophytes and to identify the causative agents in Hyderabad area. A total of 180 samples were collected for a period of 1 year from infected skin, hair, and nails. Samples were collected under aseptic conditions and were then subjected to direct microscopy by KOH mount and culture on SDA. Dermatophytes were seen more in males (126/180). Direct microscopy by KOH mount revealed presence of fungal elements in (144/180) of samples. T.mentagrophytes was the most predominant isolate followed by T.rubrum and T.violaceum. Dermatophytic infections are worldwide in distribution with superficial mycoses being more prevalent in India where heat and moisture play an important role. Dermatophytosis has been reported throughout the year in the present study locality and an increase in prevalence of certain species was found.

Bioguided Isolation of Antibiofilm and Antibacterial Pregnane Glycosides from Caralluma quadrangula: Disarming Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) present a serious challenge because of their capability to cause biofilm resistance to commonly used antibiotics producing chronic infections and hindering the process of wound healing. In the current study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of Caralluma quadrangula extracts (MeOH, and its fractions CH2Cl2 and n-butanol) against multidrug-resistant MRSA USA300 and A. baumannii AB5057. In vitro, the MeOH extract and both fractions of C. quadrangula significantly inhibited biofilm formation and disrupted previously established biofilm by MRSA and MDRAB at all the tested concentrations (0.625, 0.313, and 0.156 mg/mL). In vivo, C. quadrangula extracts successfully decreased bacterial loads in MRSA-infected skin lesions in mice. Four pregnane glycosides and one flavone glycoside were isolated from the bioactive n-butanol fraction. The isolated compounds (Rus A–E) were tested for their biofilm inhibition and biofilm detachment activities. The results revealed that Rus C was the most active compound (IC50 = 0.139 mmole), while Rus E was the least active (IC50 = 0.818 mmole). These results support the potential use of C. quadrangula extracts or their isolated compounds for hindering the biofilm attachment and the virulence of MRSA and MDRAB and their application as a topical antimicrobial preparation for MRSA skin infections.