Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Scurvy”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

A case of vascular purpura with scurvy.

A case of vascular purpura of the lower limbs in a 67 year old man is described. A diagnosis of scurvy was made in consideration of the absence of signs of vasculitis on skin biopsy, the history of a diet extremely poor in vitamin C and the prompt resolution of clinical picture with administration of vitamin C. The authors emphasize the importance of taking into consideration scurvy in the differential diagnosis of vascular purpura: this may spare expensive investigations and a dangerous delay in appropriate therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Scurvy masquerading as leukocytoclastic vasculitis: a case report and review of the literature.

Scurvy, a disease rarely seen in modern times, results from dietary deficiency of vitamin C and is characterized in adults by hemorrhagic diathesis, hair follicle abnormalities, and osteopenia. We present a 59-year-old man with perifollicular petechiae of the extremities, a painful lower extremity hematoma, and sacral osteopenia, who was repeatedly misdiagnosed with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The patient's dietary history revealed several months of virtually no vitamin C intake. The patient rapidly improved with vitamin C replacement. We review the biochemical basis and pathophysiology of scurvy, clinical scenarios in which it occurs, clinical signs and radiologic features of the condition, and recommendations for its diagnosis and treatment.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1991

[Scurvy in trisomy 21].

We report a case of Down's syndrome in a 22-year-old woman who developed vitamin C deficiency with subsequent appearance of the characteristic joint pains and cutaneous and mucosal lesions of scurvy. A low intake of vitamin C due to peculiar eating habits and reduced absorption due to cardiac insufficiency and treatment with a platelet-aggregation inhibitor were considered to have caused the deficiency. Follicular purpura is a diagnostic skin sign of scurvy.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Compartment syndrome of the legs and scurvy].

Old people living alone and in poverty are most at risk for developing scurvy, but the diagnosis may be missed unless the physician is aware of it. A 42-year-old immigrant living in poverty was treated surgically at the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital in Montreal for a compartment syndrome of the leg. She had ecchymoses on the skin of the leg and an interstitial hematoma in both posterior compartments. Three weeks later, she was readmitted with more swelling in the leg, gingivitis, hemorrhagic folliculitis, petechiae and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Her response to vitamin C was remarkable and confirmed the diagnosis of scurvy.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Vitamin C, oral scurvy and periodontal disease.

Scurvy and periodontitis both manifest gingival bleeding but constitute separate entities. Defective collagen in scurvy reflects many symptoms emanating from deficient vitamin C physiology. The various periodontal diseases are caused by oral plaque micro-organisms, the body's reaction to which is strongly influenced by inadequate functioning of leucocytes and monocytes. Although certain infections and systemic diseases cause gingival bleeding, avitaminosis C does not cause commonly encountered periodontal disease, but will aggravate established periodontitis. Vitamin C should not be used for prophylaxis or cure of periodontitis in healthy well-nourished individuals. A patient with bleeding gingivae warrants referral to oral medicine and periodontics specialists for examination and treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Scurvy: a clinical mimic of vasculitis.

A 54-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of palpable purpura, arthralgias, and myalgias. An unusual dietary history was noted. This finding, along with follicular hyperkeratoses and corkscrew hairs, suggested scurvy, which was confirmed by results of laboratory evaluation, examination of biopsy specimens, and response to therapy. Scurvy, though unusual in developed countries, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of palpable purpura.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1984

[Infantile scurvy].

Infantile scurvy, today a rare disease, can be diagnosed either by recognition of a characteristic constellation of clinical features, or on the correct interpretation of nearly pathognomonic radiological signs. Dystrophy, recurrent infections, fever, anemia, hemorrhagic effusions, hematuria, tenderness of the legs, pseudo-paralysis and "frog position" and costochondral swelling or angulation are frequent signs. Radiologically, thickening of the epiphyseal plate ("scurvy line") and subepiphyseal rarefication , general osteoporosis and subperiostal hemorrhage are important diagnostic clues.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

[Incidence of scurvy in Hungary today].

The author reports the medical history of a 63-year-old woman. The patient collapsed on the street, and the National Ambulance Service transported her to the hospital. The clinical picture was characterized by serious anaemia and haemorrhagic diathesis. Scurvy has been identified by the measurement of low leucocyte-vitamin-C level. While in the last 20-30 years scurvy was not diagnosed in Hungary, one cannot easily recognize it. The author thinks necessary to report this case, because of its recent infrequency.

Ascorbic Acid Deficiency↗
PubMed1995

Scurvy and panniculitis: a case report.

In most western countries, scurvy has become a rare clinical entity. However, it may still be encountered in selected situations. It can mimic connective tissue disease, because of multiorgan involvement. Panniculitis has not previously been described in association with scurvy.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[Scurvy in an adult].

The case is reported of a 29-year-old previously healthy female patient who developed the typical clinical picture of scurvy eight months after changing to a diet exclusively containing cooked cereals. Serum levels of B12, folic acid, and calcium were lowered and the alkaline phosphatase was slightly raised due to the dietary lack of vitamins A, D, B12 and folic acid. No clinical signs of these deficiencies could be observed. Addition of vitamin C to this diet resulted in complete cure in a matter of days. Signs and symptoms of scurvy are discussed in the light of the recent literature. This rare disease is particularly worth considering if one of the following situations is encountered: hemorrhages in the skin, muscles, joints or mucous membranes without apparent cause; therapy-resistant ulcers of mucous membranes in elderly patients; Sicca syndrome and/or wounds exhibiting poor healing.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Scurvy and hemarthrosis.

Scurvy developed in a 56-year-old man with poor dietary intake and was associated with knee hemarthroses and synovial thickening. The synovial membrane showed interstitial hemorrhage and many large fibroblasts but little collagen and some disarray of vascular basement membrane. Hemarthroses and all knee symptoms completely resolved on a normal diet. To our knowledge, these are the first electron-microscopic studies of synovial membrane in human scurvy, and our findings support a defect in collagen synthesis as a factor in etiology.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1997

Rheumatic manifestations of scurvy. A report of two cases.

Bleeding into the muscles and joints can be the presenting manifestation of scurvy, as illustrated by two case-reports. One patient presented with hemarthrosis of the tibiotalar joint due to an insufficiency fracture and was suspected to have scurvy based on the presence of purpura and hypertrophy of the gums with loss of teeth. In the other patient, multiple hematomas in the lower limbs were found at presentation and the presence of coiled hairs suggested the diagnosis. Both patients had completely eliminated fruit and vegetables from their diet. Low levels of ascorbic acid were found in serum and urine. A full recovery was achieved in both cases under ascorbic acid supplementation.

Adult↗
PubMed1968

The effect of scurvy on glycosaminoglycans of granulation tissue and costal cartilage.

1. The effect of ascorbic acid deficiency on glycosaminoglycans of granulation tissue and cartilage of guinea pigs was investigated by determination of the changes in the glucosamine and galactosamine contents 12 days after tendonectomy. 2. In normal granulation tissue, the glucosamine and galactosamine contents rose to a peak at 5 and 10 days respectively, whereas the hydroxyproline and proline contents continued to rise throughout the 20 days after tendonectomy. 3. The galactosamine in scorbutic granulation tissue, but not in that of pair-fed controls, decreased significantly in absolute amount and relatively to glucosamine, which remained practically unchanged; the cartilage galactosamine did not decrease during the 22 days of deficiency owing to the presence of excess of preformed galactosaminoglycans, which masked the small amount of newly formed glycosaminoglycans. 4. The chemical results were confirmed by radioactivity studies in vivo of incorporation of [U-(14)C]glucose into galactosamine and glucosamine of scorbutic granulation tissue and cartilage. The incorporation of (14)C into galactosamine decreased significantly in scurvy in both tissues. 5. The results indicated in both tissues a decreased formation of galactosamine during scurvy, although an increased degradation of polymerized glycosaminoglycans could not be entirely ruled out. It is concluded that, if lack of ascorbic acid causes an impaired galactosamine formation, the most likely position for the block may be in the UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 4-epimerase reaction.

Ascorbic Acid Deficiency↗
PubMed1976

Epiphyseo-metaphyseal cupping following infantile scurvy.

A five year old girl presented with short femora, cupped distal metaphyses and flexion deformity of the knees suggesting previous epiphyseo-metaphyseal damage. The aetiology was suggested by finding a history of previous infantile scurvy with separated distal femoral epiphyses. The rarity of this complication and possible contributing factors are discussed.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1988

A protocol for the successful long-term enzyme replacement therapy of scurvy in guinea pigs.

Gulonolactone oxidase, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid, is missing from guinea pigs and certain other scurvy-prone species. Weekly intraperitoneal injections of glutaraldehyde cross-linked immunoprecipitates of this enzyme have been shown to provide guinea pigs with the capability of synthesizing their own ascorbic acid and of surviving without an exogenous source of this vitamin. This protocol, however, was successful in only a small percentage of the animals tested. The reasons for the limited therapeutic success were investigated. Apparently, the gulonolactone oxidase-treated guinea pigs fed without ascorbic acid were receiving insufficient nutrition. By supplementing these enzyme-treated animals with vitamins A, B, D and E and selenium, we successfully maintained a high proportion of guinea pigs fed without vitamin C.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A fatal case of infantile scurvy.

We report a case of infant death due to scurvy, which is very rare in Japan. We initially had little knowledge of the disease and suspected that the bleeding in the body was caused by domestic violence. The case did not fall under the category of the battered child syndrome but the death was caused by ignorance with respect to child care. In addition the parents usually locked the child alone in a room during the day and this is probably a case of neglect.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1988

Scurvy--a disease not only of historical interest.

In the 1980's scurvy is rare. The majority of patients are at the two extremes of age, being either young children or elderly persons, who have faulty diets of milk products without fresh fruits or vegetables. Such a case, a 2.5 year-old boy, is presented and discussed. Blood dyscrasias, anaemias and osteoporosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Child, Preschool↗