[Finasteride adverse effects: An update]

Finasteride is a 5-α reductase inhibitor that is widely used in the management of benign prostate hyperplasia and male pattern hair loss. It is well known that these agents improve the quality of life in men suffering from these conditions. However, they are associated with some transient and even permanent adverse effects. The aim of this article is to clarify the controversies about the safety of finasteride by analyzing the evidence available in the literature.

[Ecthyma gangrenosum caused by Staphylococcus aureus]

Ecthyma gangrenosum is an uncommon necrotizing vasculitis, in most cases secondary to sepsis by Pseudo-mona aeruginosa in immunocompromised patients. However, there have been several reports of ecthyma gangre-nosum caused by other infectious etiologies. We report an unusual case of ecthyma gangrenosum associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in a patient without the classic immunological risk factors described in the literature.

[Cutaneous mastocytosis: A case report]

INTRODUCTION

Mastocytosis represents a group of diseases characterised by an excesive accumulation of mastocytes in one or multiple tissues. It can affect only the skin, or have a systemic involvement. It has a low prevalence, and the prognosis is benign in children.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of urticaria pigmentosa as a subtype of cutaneous mastocytosis, and present a literature review focused on clinical findings, diagnosis and initial basic management.

CLINICAL CASE

A child of six months of age presenting with multiple blemishes and light brown papules located on the trunk, arms and legs. The symptoms were compatible with urticaria pigmentosa, and was confirmed by biopsy. Tests to rule out systemic involvement were requested. The patient was treated with general measures, education, and antihistamines, with favourable results.

CONCLUSIONS

Cutaneous mastocytosis is a rare disease with a good prognosis. In childhood general measures and education are usually enough to obtain favourable results. Histamine H1 antagonists are the first line drug treatment.

[Inpatient cutaneous adverse reactions to systemic antibiotics: an analytical cross-sectional retrospective study]

INTRODUCTION

The reported literature about the types of cutaneous adverse antibiotic reactions (ATB-CAR) and the responsible antimicrobial class is scarce.

AIM

to describe the clinical and histopathological profile of these reactions, and potential associations between different types of ATB-CAR and causal antibiotic class in a tertiary hospital in Chile.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional retrospective study performed at the Hospital of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

RESULTS

A total of 58 patients were included. The most common type of ATB-CAR was morbilliform (n: 37, 63.8%). The antibiotics most frequently involved were the penicillins and cephalosporins (n: 34, 69.3%). The most common histological pattern in all types of ATB-CAR was superficial perivascular dermatitis with or without spongiosis. There was significant association between urticarial, morbilliform, DRESS and PEGA types, with the use of penicillins, cephalosporins, cotrimoxazole, and lincomycin, respectively (n: 4,100%, n: 15, 40.5%, n: 2; 50%, n: 1, 50%, p < 0.05, respectively).

DISCUSSION

This is the first description of the ATB-CAR patterns in South American hospitalized patients. Both clinical and histopathological patterns of ATB-CAR are similar to other published series, however the types of causal antibiotics are different.