We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Infective Dermatitis Associated With Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1: Evaluation of 42 Cases Observed in Bahia, Brazil.
- Authors
de Oliveira, Maria de Fátima Santos Paim; Fatal, Priscila Lima; Primo, Janeusa Rita Leite; da Silva, José Lucas Sena; Batista, Everton da Silva; Farré, Lourdes; Bittencourt, Achiléa Lisboa
- Abstract
The indispensable criteria for diagnosis of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)–associated infective dermatitis are (1) presence of erythematous-scaly and crusted lesions involving ≥3 areas, including scalp and retroauricular regions; (2) recurring nature of the lesions; and (3) a finding of HTLV-1 infection.Background. Infective dermatitis associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1; IDH) is a chronic recurrent eczema affecting HTLV-1–infected children. The epidemiological and dermatological characteristics of IDH are described, and their principal diagnostic criteria are reevaluated.Methods. Forty-two patients were included: 40 patients serologically positive for HTLV-1 and 2 seronegative patients who tested positive in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays.Results. The mean age at onset of the disease was 2.6 ± 2.4 years (range, 2 months–11 years). The mean duration of breast-feeding was 24.2 months. The lesions were erythematous, scaly, and crusted, always affecting the scalp and retroauricular regions. Crusting of the nostrils was observed in 64.3% of the patients. Of the 36 patients followed up, 23 had the active disease. The age at which IDH disappeared in the others was 10–20 years.Conclusions. The onset of IDH may occur earlier than reported in the literature. The scalp and retroauricular regions are always affected, and lesions are invariably present in ≥3 areas. Crusting of the nostrils cannot be considered an obligatory factor for the diagnosis of IDH. The recurring nature of IDH was a characteristic found in all cases. Patients with classic IDH lesions who are serologically negative should be investigated by PCR. Therefore, the indispensable criteria for diagnosis are (1) presence of erythematous-scaly, exudative, and crusted lesions involving ≥3 areas, including the scalp and retroauricular regions; (2) recurring nature of the lesions; and (3) a finding of HTLV-1 infection by serology or molecular biology.
- Subjects
BRAZIL; SKIN inflammation diagnosis; HTLV-I; ECZEMA; DISEASE relapse; SERODIAGNOSIS; FOLLOW-up studies (Medicine)
- Publication
Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2012, Vol 54, Issue 12, p1714
- ISSN
1058-4838
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/cid/cis273