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Biomedical subjects

K Zouhair

Publications and source records attributed to K Zouhair.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

[Childhood cutaneous tuberculosis from Morocco: a study of 30 cases].

UNLABELLED: In Morocco, tuberculosis is still endemic. Cutaneous tuberculosis is ranged the fifth after the pleuro-pulmonary, lymphe node, urogenital and digestive tuberculosis. It mainly affects young people. Few studies of cutaneous tuberculosis are available in this age group. The aim of our study is to emphasize its epidemiological features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective study including all cases of childhood cutaneous tuberculosis observed between January 1981 and December 2004. The diagnosis was based on the confrontation of clinical, immunological, bacteriological and histological data. RESULTS: Thirty cases were collected. The mean age was 11 years. The clinical features are as follows: gumma 46.6%, scrofuloderma 36.6%, lupus vulgaris 13.3% and skin tuberculosis chancre 3.3%. The Mantoux test was positive in 67%, tuberculoid granuloma was observed in 78% and the search of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive in 13%. DISCUSSION: Gumma and scrofuloderma were the most frequent forms as in other Moroccan series. These results attest the endemicity of this affection in our country. The diagnosis relies on the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis; as this situation is rare for the cutaneous location, the diagnosis relies then on the association of clinical and paraclinical criteria.

Adolescent↗

[Precocious mediastinal lipomatosis: a rare complication of systemic corticosteroid therapy].

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid-induced lipomatosis results from hypertrophy within adipose tissue; the condition is frequently asymptomatic and its incidence is underestimated. We report a case of mediastinal lipomatosis that is rare in terms of both site and presenting symptoms. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old woman with no disease history other than obesity with a weight of 90 kg had been treated since 2002 for mixed connective tissue disease (profound lupus and dermatomyositis). She had been treated with oral corti costeroids (1 mg/kg/d). Two months after the start of treatment, she presented chest pains, resting dyspnea particularly aggravated in dorsal decubitus, chest edema in the subclavicular space and jugular turgescence. Chest x-ray revealed widening of all levels of the mediastinum. The chest CT scan showed lipomatosis throughout the entire mediastinum with no associated chest abnormalities or pericardial effusion. Rapid downward dosage adjustment ofcorticosteroids to 10 mg/d coupled with synthetic antimalarials resulted in gradual reduction of symptoms. The chest scan performed two months later short stabilization of the patient's mediastinal lipomatosis. DISCUSSION: The effects of long-term of glucocorticosteroid therapy are well-known, in particular Cushing's syndrome. Lipomatosis has been described more recently and affects different axial regions. Mediastinal localization is seen in 15% of patients treated. This presentation is less common than orbital and epidural localizations. Although often asymptomatic, as in our own report, it may present with worrying symptoms that pose real diagnostic problems. The diagnostic examinations of choice are CT scan or MRI. Regression following discontinuation or reduction of corticosteroids is inconsistent and often gradual.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

[Terbinafine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and aggravation of systemic lupus erythematosus].

BACKGROUND: There have been published reports of induction and aggravation of subacute systemic lupus erythematosus of lupus by terbinafine. We report the case of female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who, after treatment with terbinafine, presented a Stevens Johnson syndrome eruption, together with renal exacerbation of her connective tissue disease. OBSERVATION: A 25 - year-old woman was followed for 4 years for systemic lupus erythematosus was no renal involvement. The patient was stable under corticosteroids (20 mg/d) and chloroquine (200 mg/d). She was treated with terbinafine onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum. Seven days after trunk and limbs, with cheilitis affecting the mucous membrane and bilateral conjunctivitis. This rash was followed by epidermolysis involving 10% of the cutaneous area. Stevens-Johnson syndrome was diagnosed. Laboratory tests indicated massive hematuria and proteinuria, and the renal needle biopsy sample showed signs of class III lupus glomerulonephritis. The anti-histone antibodies were highly positive. The patient was treated with systemic corticosteroids (1 mg/kg/d), chloroquine was recommenced and cyclophosphamides were given in a bolus. The outcome of the patient's eruption and lupus was favorable. DISCUSSION: Although induction and worsening of lupus by terbinafine have already been reported, the present case differs through the concomitant occurrence of eruption on treatment with terbinafine and severe relapse of lupus, thus suggesting the involvement of a shared immunological mechanism.

Adult↗

[Vulvar pathology].

We evaluated the main causes of vulvar dermatoses; in 785 patients with a vulvar diseases who visited Ibn Rochd Hospital Centre, Casablanca between January 1991 and December 2002. The average age was 31 years (range 2 months to 81 years); 362 patients (41.52%) had vulvar pruritus, 273 patients (34.77%) had warts and 157 (20%) had one or more vulva ulcers. The most common infectious pathology was papillomavirus infection, found in 273 cases (34.77%), followed by vulvovaginal candidiases in 102 cases (12.99 %), syphilitic chancre in 18 cases (2.29%) and herpes genitalis in 17 cases (2.16%). The most common non-infectious pathology was vulvar dermatosis: 259 cases (32.99%); idiopathic pruritus vulvae: 61 cases (7.7%); and tumour-related conditions: 45 cases (5.6%). The frequency of infectious conditions was over 50% and these were generally sexually transmitted infections.

Academic Medical Centers↗

[Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease: 3 cases].

BACKGROUND: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease is a bilateral chronic panuveitis sometimes associated with signs of meningo-encephalic, auditory and skin and nail involvement. We report 3 cases. CASE REPORTS: The first case was a 30-year-old woman who consulted for a red eye, low visual acuity, poliosis, and diffuse alopecia which had developed over 9 months. The ophthalmology examination disclosed anterior uveitis with retinal detachment. The second patient was a 9-year-old child who developed poliosis, canities, and achromic lesions over a 2 month period. The ophthalmology examination disclosed low visual acuity, irido-corneal synechiae and pigmented deposits on the anterior lens. The third patient was a 20-year-old man who consulted for alopecia, diffuse canities, and white body hair. The ophthalmology examination disclosed low visual acuity, anterior uveitis, and a serous chorio-retinal detachment. All three patients were given general corticosteroid therapy (1 mg/kg/d). The clinical course was favorable in all cases with however one case of recurrent ocular involvement and one case of pigmentation disorders. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease was established in these three cases on the basis of the ocular and skin and nail signs. This rare disease usually occurs in young, often female, patients. The pathogenesis remains unknown. Among the three signs observed, ocular involvement is the most serious. Skin and nail signs are seen in two-thirds of cases. For rapid diagnosis and early treatment, this disease requires a multidisiplinary management associating the dermatologist and the ophthalmologist.

Adult↗

[Herpetic superinfection of pemphigus: 6 cases].

BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex infection should be searched for in patients who experience unexplained aggravation of acantholytic dermatosis. Epidermal alterations appear to play an important favoring role. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report 6 cases of Herpes simplex infections in patients with pemphigus observed at the Ibn Rochd hospital dermatology unit, Casablanca, over a 3-year period (1995-1998). RESULTS: There were 4 men and 2 women, age range 27-76 years. Superficial pemphigus was observed in 5 cases and pemphigus vulgaris in 1. In all cases, histology showed cytopathogenic Herpes simplex infection. The Herpes simplex infection appeared when the patients were given general corticosteroid therapy at doses from 1 to 1.5 mg/kg/d for 15 days to 1 month. In two cases, the corticosteroids were associated with an immunosuppressor (azathioprine, cyclophosphamide). Cure was rapid with systemic aciclovir, achieved in 5 to 20 days. Recurrence was observed in 2 cases. DISCUSSION: Herpes simplex superinfection in patients with pemphigus is classically described but uncommonly observed. In our experience, it has become more frequent over recent years since, before 1990, we observed no cases. Its prevalence may be underestimated. The diagnosis of Herpes simplex superinfection is sometimes difficult and should be suggested in case of relapse or resistance to treatment. The Herpes virus simulates most cases of pemphigus relapse, with a preferential localization on the bullous lesions. The painful nature of the eruption is highly suggestive of Herpes simplex infection as is the presence of vesicles grouped in bouquets. Both type 1 and type 2 viruses are observed. Cure is rapidly achieved with aciclovir in 5 to 15 days. Spontaneous cure has been reported in the literature as well as recurrent herpetic infection. In two cases in the literature, the Herpes eruption was fatal due to severe herpetic hepatitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Herpes simplex infection must be rapidly recognized in pemphigus patients so curative aciclovir treatment can be given early.

Acyclovir↗

[Closed spinal dysraphism. Apropos of 3 cases].

CASE REPORT: Closed spinal midline developmental defect was observed in three children, two girls aged 7 and 10 years and one boy aged 9 years. There were no similar cases in the families. The first signs appeared at approximately 6 months, 9 years and at birth. In the first two cases, developmental defects of the toes were followed a few months or a few years later by chronic ulcerations of the plantar surface of the foot. On physical examination there was a greater toe, amputation of the toes, perforating plantar ulceration, prolonged cauda equin and neurological disorders. Radiology revealed defective closure of the dorsal and/or lumbar vertebrae and lysis of the third phalanxes and magnetic resonance imaging showed diastematomyelia. The third child was born with a pilous nevus and a prolonged cauda equin. A soft subcutaneous tumor developed 3 years later over the lumbar area, increasing in size becoming quite voluminous and painful. In this case, there was no amputation of the toes or perforating plantar ulceration or neurological disorders. Radiography showed hemisacralization of L5 and spina bifida of S1. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a normal spinal cord with a tumor independent of the neural canal. Biopsy exeresis led to the diagnosis of neurofibroma. DISCUSSION: Closed spinal midline development defect occurs more readily in girls than in boys. Multiple and complex abnormalities are observed: diastematomyelia, diplomyelia, dermal fistulae, neuroenteral cysts, dysembryoplasic tumors, abnormal position of the spinal cord, and usually vertebral malformations. There are three types of clinical signs involving skin, bone and neurological manifestations. Radiological explorations should be completed with myelography and a computed tomography as well as magnetic resonance imaging to determine the extent of the malformations and possible surgical indications.

Child↗

[Tabetic arthropathy: "a forgotten disease"].

INTRODUCTION: With the current sparcity of syphilitic manifestations, the once obvious aspects of the affection have been forgotten or are little known. We report 4 cases of tabetic arthropathy admitted to the Dermatology Department Ibn Rochd University Hospital of Casablanca. OBSERVATIONS: The mean age of the patients was 50 years, all were males. The diagnosis was based on clinical, radiological, and biological criteria. There was a large contrast between the extent of the articular malformation and the indolence. The radiological aspect associated destructive and constructive lesions. The syphilis serology was positive in the articular liquid, the blood and/or the cerebro-spinal fluid. Treatment was essentially medical. DISCUSSION: Tabetic arthropathy, an exceptional affection, is one of the complications of the tabes dorsalis. Its prevention relies on the treatment of the syphilis at an early stage, before the onset of the articular and neurologic forms, the management of which remains very difficult.

Adult↗