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Atlas of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Clinical Aspects and Differential Diagnosis 1st Edition Mauro Romero Leal Passos (Eds.)
Atlas of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Clinical Aspects and Differential Diagnosis 1st Edition Mauro Romero Leal Passos (Eds.)
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Mauro Romero Leal Passos
Editor-in-Chief
Gutemberg Leão De Almeida Filho
Ivo Castelo Branco Coêlho · Luiz Carlos Moreira
Edilbert Pellegrini Nahn Junior · José Eleutério Junior
Associate Editors
Atlas of Sexually
Transmitted Diseases
123
Atlas of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Mauro Romero Leal Passos
Editor-in-Chief
Gutemberg Leão De Almeida Filho
Ivo Castelo Branco Coêlho • Luiz Carlos Moreira
Edilbert Pellegrini Nahn Junior • José Eleutério Junior
Associate Editors
Associate Editors
Gutemberg Leão de Almeida Filho Edilbert Pellegrini Nahn Junior
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clínica Médica - Dermatologia
Institute of Gynecology Faculdade de Medicina de Campos
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
José Eleutério Junior
Ivo Castelo Branco Coelho Motherhood and Child Departament
Tropical Medicine Nucleus (NMT ) Federal University of Ceará
Federal University of Ceará (UFC) Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
Luiz Carlos Moreira
Odontoclinic Department
Federal Fluminense University
Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Translation from the Portuguese language edition: “Atlas de DST & Diagnóstico Diferencial” by
Mauro Romero Leal Passos (ed), © Livraria e Editora Revinter LTDA, 2012. Original publication
ISBN: 978-85-372-0406-1.
In these days of Internet with facial recognition tools spreading from airports to banks and
social media with photo sharing apps, do we still need a bound paper reference book? Yes, we
do! We need a solid academic book, easy to search, with good pictures and sound practical
tips. Professor Mauro Romero Leal Passos and his team of Brazilian leading scientists have
created such a reference book. The differential diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases is an
art combining questionnaire, risk evaluation, physical examination, laboratory tests selection
as well as counseling. The physical examination is still the most important stepping stone to
proper patient management. With so many diseases with features overlapping we need a solid
reference book. We may be a few years before we can take a picture and wait few seconds for
a diagnosis to come in through Internet but before it becomes a reality I do suggest you acquire
Professor Mauro’s reference book for your practice either in dermatology, venereology, urol-
ogy, family medicine, or gynecology-obstetrics. Your management skills and your teaching
will improve, your students will gain experience faster, and, even more important, the well-
being of your patients will improve more rapidly.
Have a great reading and viewing.
Marc Steben
Québec National Public Health Institute,
Clinique A rue McGill, Montreal,
QC, Canada
v
Preface
Treating STD/genital infections should consider immediate actions and should not be trivial-
ized, for simpler the case may seem.
In latest epidemiological data published by the international literature, the syndromic
approach on STD is not supported by the medical perspective with scientific evidence and
etiologies’ epidemiology involving the main syndromes. Nevertheless, there may be good
results in specific situations in the short term.
We believe the main purpose of professionals working in any Science field is to treat other
people the way they would like to be treated.
One fact is to treat a patient with a syndromic approach methodology in a specific situation.
Another one is to consider the syndromic approach as the only STD assistance policy for the
whole country, not valuing nor implementing specialized centers of public and/or private med-
ical attention for the research and epidemiological surveillance on STD.
Considering that STD is not decreasing in the world and the naive actions-based approaches
do not reveal solid and lasting progress. On the contrary, the numbers of STD cases advanced.
In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 340 million new cases of four
curable STD per year (Trichomoniasis 172 million, Chlamydia 92 million, gonorrhea 62 mil-
lion, syphilis 12 million).
In 2008, the same WHO showed other estimates: 498.8 million of same curable STD
(Trichomoniasis 276.4 million, Chlamydia 105.7 million, gonorrhea 106.1 million, syphilis
10.6 million).
To make this situation more difficult, gonococcal strains resistant to multiple antibiotics,
including quinolone, are practically a problem all over the world. Furthermore, we all know (or
should know) that combating the antibiotics overuse is one of the main questions in the fight
against antimicrobial resistance.
STD Fact Sheet, February 2013, from CDC—Incidence, Prevalence, and Cost of Sexually
Transmitted Infections in the United States—reveals:
CDC’s estimates of STI (USA, 2008):
Is it possible to imagine what the numbers for South Africa, Brazil, China, India, Russia
would be? Just to name a few countries.
In July 9, 2014, during the “2014 STD Prevention Conference/CDC”, Atlanta, USA, pro-
fessor King K. Holmes, in a brilliant lecture entitled Progress and challengers in the evolution
of sexual health and STI prevention, wrote the first phrase in his last presentation slide: At
First: Just need more and better diagnostic and treatment.
He did not speak only to Americans; he did it to the entire world. Oddly enough, we are
lacking basic actions of medicine in STD area.
vii
viii Preface
Clinical sense, common sense, knowledge of epidemiology in this field (local and global),
and individualized service related to a specific time have to be constant in every medical assis-
tance. This is different from not seeking the better standards of medical care routinely. Guessing
should be for activities such as theatre, cinema, joking among friends.
–– Excellent anamnesis.
–– Satisfactory physical examination and complementary examinations.
–– Counseling (on health education, being available to listen).
–– Offering serology for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis markers especially anti-HBS, HBsAg and
anti-HCV.
–– Emphasizing the adherence to the treatment (supervised therapy in the query or make the
medication available at the time of the appointment).
–– Emphasizing the importance of appointment/examination/treatment of sexual partners.
–– Emphasizing the importance of periodical physical examinations (gynecological/prostate).
–– Emphasizing the importance of vaccine schemes available in the country (hepatitis A, hepa-
titis B, HPV).
–– Knowing that medications can be acquired in case they are not available to patients during
the appointment. And that the so-called generic medications do not always cost less.
–– Providing condoms (male/female).
–– Scheduling return to the medical appointment for control/review.
–– Being available or provide appointment to sexual partners.
–– Asking the patient, especially at the end of the anamnesis, the following question: Is there
something I didn’t ask or talked about that you would like to tell me?
–– Notifying the cases to public health organizations for a proper epidemiological
surveillance.
–– Claiming, demanding the best human and technical resources available for a good medical
care, whether public or private. Remember once again that our main objective is to treat
everyone the way we ourselves would like to be treated.
Notes
There may be more than one agent and/or more than one syndrome concomitantly.
Sometimes, a syndrome simulates another. For example, gonococcal ulcerated balanitis or
cervical and/or vaginal wounds causing vaginal discharge.
Preface ix
Many genital changes, even some infectious diseases, do not configure STD.
More than 20% of genital ulcers, even employing good laboratory resources, are undiag-
nosed. Several cases are autoimmune diseases/unknown origin.
In many situations, systemic diseases can cause genital repercussions, with cutaneous and
mucosal rush or genital ulcers.
Caution and good sense should be observed not to exaggerate the use of antibiotics, espe-
cially in associations.
The indiscriminate use of antibiotics is an important factor to be combated in order to
reduce the microbial resistance to drugs.
Important
–– Measures the test’s ability to properly exclude the uninfected individual. It is the maximum
concern with the tests of the population with a low prevalence of the disease, as is the case
of the family planning clinics and private clinics in general.
–– The specificity appraises the proportion of individuals uninfected with negative test.
Reflection
Finally, the items we have been pointing out and divulging for a long time are the following:
When treating (attending) a person suspected STD, perhaps it is easier or more didactic to
recommend what Not to do:
–– Provide diagnosis and treatments based on assumptions without verifying the epidemio-
logical, laboratory and clinical data, because not all there is in the genitals is sexually trans-
mitted. On the other hand, extragenital signs and symptoms can (co)exist with STD/HIV,
especially syphilis, HPV.
–– Not invite the patient to think about the attitude towards all situations involved nor provide
basic information about the problem.
–– A judge attitude (make a judgment of the patient and/or situations involving the case).
–– Ignore all emotional and existential story involved in the case.
–– Fail to make good use of the meeting with the patient to start/expand the process of health
education/prevention of other damages to the health. For example, trying to get to know the
vaccination status of the patient (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HPV, flu).
–– Avoid “being ashamed”, postpone asking other colleagues’ opinion about cases of chronic
evolution, recidivism and resistant to treatments already made, especially, but not only, in
situations where the diagnosis is not fully established. The well-being and the full recovery
of the patient is fundamental. Not the “wisdom” of the doctor.
–– Overvalue publications on cost-effectiveness. Generally, these studies are made in very dif-
ferent environments, usually public health units, where most professionals treat
STD. Although the medical practice has a broad and collective vision, it is a custom/per-
sonal assistance. At least for us, to quantify the value (and welfare) of human beings (and
their families) is a task that we are not able to perform. Neither our goal.
–– The absolute majority of the actions that have caused (and still cause) great impact to a huge
number of people start with a decision/personal attitude.
–– We can mention as mere examples: discovery of the tuberculosis Bacillus; the discovery of
penicillin; proposal of a bill requiring the Federal Government of Brazil to ensure antiretro-
viral therapy in the public health system; free vaccination scheme against HPV, since 2007,
for girls and women up to 26 years of age, and for boys, in 2014, by the Government of
Australia.
xi
Contributors
Editors
Colaboradores
xiii
xiv Contributors
Carla Aguiar Bastos, M.D. STD Sector, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ,
Brazil
Adele Schwartz Benzaken, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Surveillance, Prevention and
Control of STIs, HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, Secretariat of Health Surveillance—SVS,
Ministry of Health of Brazil, Brasília, DF, Brazil
Hugo Boechat, M.Sc. National Institute of Infectology of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation,
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Ken Borchardt, Ph.D. Center for Biomedical Laboratory Science, San Francisco, CA, USA
Vaulice Sales Café, Ph.D. Microbiology, Federal University of Ceará, CE, Brazil
Altamiro Vianna e Vilhena de Carvalho, M.D., Ph.D. Fluminense Federal University,
Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Newton Sérgio de Carvalho, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics,
Hospital das Clínicas da Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
Dennis de Carvalho Ferreira, D.D.S., R.N., M.Sc., Ph.D. Veiga de Almeida University
and Estacio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Eunice de Castro Soares, Ph.D. Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Sílvia Maria B. Cavalcanti, Ph.D. Virology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, RJ,
Brazil
Jussara Barros Cerrutti, M.D. Imperatriz Health Department, Maranhão, MA, Brazil
Maria Clara D’Araujo C.M. Chaves, M.D., M.Cs. Fluminense Federal University,
Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Cláudio Cesar Cirne-Santos, B.Sc., Ph.D. Laboratory of Molecular Virology , Fluminense
Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Cristina Mendonça Costa, M.D., Ph.D. Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Paulo da Costa Lopes, M.D., Ph.D. Institute of Gynecology, Federal University of Rio de
Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
André L. L. Curi, M.D., Ph.D. Uveitis/Aids Sector of the Ophthalmology Service,
Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Luiz Lúcio Daniel, M.D. Department of Health of the Federal District, Brasília, DF, Brazil
Geraldo Duarte, M.D., Ph.D. Tocoginecology, School of Medicine, Ribeirão Preto,
University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Silvana Khouri Duarte, M.D. Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Alícia Farinati, M.D., Ph.D. Faculty of Medicine, Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Priscilla Frauches Madureira de Faria, M.D. Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ,
Brazil
Ronaldo Soares de Farias Nucleus of Tropical Medicine—DST Ambulatory Federal
University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
Edison Natal Fedrizzi, M.D., Ph.D. Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis,
SC, Brazil
Contributors xv
Francisco Massa, M.D. Municipal Health Department of Niterói, Attention Center for
Adolescence, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Roberto Maués Dermatology, Faculdade de Medicina Souza Marques, Rio de Janeiro, RJ,
Brazil
Flávio Merly, D.D.S. Integrated Nucleus of Stomatology, University of Grande Rio, Rio de
Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Angelica Espinosa Miranda, M.D., Ph.D Department of Social Medicine, Federal
University of Espirito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
Maurício Morelli M.D. STD Sector, Fluminense Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ,
Brazil
Andréa Braga Moleri, D.D.S., M.Sc. Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
University of Grande Rio, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
João Soares Moreira, M.D., Ph.D. Hospital Evandro Chagas—Oswaldo Cruz Foundation,
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Miriam Beatriz Jordão Moreira, D.D.S., M.Cs. Faculty of Dentistry, Fluminense Federal
University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Sandra F. Moreira da Silva, M.D., M.Sc. Infectious Diseases, Federal University of
Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
Sidney Nadal, M.D., Ph.D. Emilio Ribas Infectious Diseases Institute, São Paulo, SP,
Brazil
Sérgio Mancini Nicolau, M.D., Ph.D. Gynecology, Federal University of São Paulo, São
Paulo, SP, Brazil
René Garrido Neves Dermatology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Universidade
Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Ana Carolina Vitola Pasetto, M.D. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
Hospital, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
Felipe Dinau Leal Passos, B.Sc. Medical Academic of the Faculty of Medicine of Campos,
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Mariana Dinau Leal Passos, M.D. Pérola Bylton Hospital, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Márcia Soares Pinheiro, B.Sc., Ph.D. Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Paulo Cesar Vasconcelos Quintella, M.D. Surgical Clinics of the Municipal Hospital
Raphael de Paula Souza, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Renata de Queiroz Varella, M.D., M.Sc. Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ,
Brazil
Helena Lucia Barroso dos Reis, M.D., M.Sc. Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ,
Brazil
Adelaide Rodrigues STD Sector of Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Fábio Russomano, M.D., Ph.D. Instituto Fernandes Figueira—FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro,
RJ, Brazil
Délcio Nacif Sarruf, M.D., D.D.S. Faculty of Dentistry, Fluminense Federal University,
Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Contributors xvii
The skin is the largest organ of the human body, and corre- 1.2.1 Epidermis
sponds to 15% of the body’s weight. Although there are
topographical variations, it is composed of three basic struc- The epidermis is a stratified, keratinized, not vascularized
tures layered in the following order: hypodermis (subcutane- pavement epithelium of ectodermal origin. The epidermis
ous layer), dermis and epidermis. originates the following cutaneous attachments: piloseba-
This covering tissue that bounds the individual of his ceous follicle, sudoriparous glands, hair, and nails. Its main
environment has as vital functions the protection against functions are the relative impermeability, which prevents the
external aggressions, the maintenance of fluids in the body, free movement of fluids and molecules in both directions, the
and the thermoregulation, besides playing an important sen- protection from the entry of microorganisms, as well as from
sorial role. Due to its great accessibility to inspection, unlike excessive ultraviolet radiation and low-voltage electric
the viscera, the skin becomes one of the major components power.
of the physical beauty providing self-esteem and social coex- As it is not vascularized, the epidermis depends on the
istence. Frequently, aesthetic changes cause inferiority feel- supply of nutrients through the dermis, with which estab-
ings and unthinkable social discrimination to people for the lishes a relationship of interdependence.
rest of their lives. The dermis basic element is the keratinocyte, which dur-
This inspection easiness requires the knowledge of a ing its migration towards the surface undergoes a differentia-
number of skin changes related only to aesthetics, in order to tion process, whose goal is the production of keratin. When
differentiate them from those that actually bring harm to the keratinocyte reaches the surface, it is transmuted into an
health. inviable and anucleated cell full of keratin, which will then
The cutaneous integrity is fundamental so that the skin perform the main epidermic functions.
can properly put in practice its prevention function against The epidermis is divided into four cell extracts, character-
the access of toxic agents, microorganisms and excess of ized by degrees of its keratinocytes differentiation and mor-
ultraviolet radiation to the body, impede the loss of fluids, phology. The nearest layer to the dermis is the basal layer,
and protect against excess of temperature, mechanical forces following towards the surface the spinous extract, the granu-
and low-voltage electric current. lous and finally the corneal (Fig. 1.2).
Sebaceous
gland Free nerve ending
Meissner
crepuscle
Keratinized layer
Epidermis
Sweat
gland
Dermis
Erector muscle
of the hair
Subcutaneous
adipose tissue
Grainy Extract
Prickly Extract
Basal layer
Basement membrane
1.2 Skin Structure and Function 3
1.2.1.1 Basal or Germinative Layer protective functions of the epidermis. Although it is not
As the cornea’s cells are continuously removed, the mainte- completely impermeable, it is an excellent barrier to the
nance of the epidermis depends on a permanent replacement movement of fluids, molecules and microorganisms, and
of new cells. This replacement is promoted by the keratino- any damage to its integrity harms this function extremely.
cytes mitosis of the basal layer, which are little differentiated, Its low water content is the unique and exclusive feature
and retain proliferative capacity. The basal layer is composed that raises difficulties to the establishment of microorgan-
of a single layer of cylindrical cells, with the largest axis per- isms on the surface of the skin.
pendicular to the dermoepidermal junction. In normal skin, The epidermic extracellular space is extremely imperme-
around 10% of the basal cells are in mitosis. At any given able, allowing the nutrition of all epidermic layers, except the
time this percentage could increase depending on the physi- corneal extract. A water-soluble barrier is located in the
ological (repair) or pathological (e.g., psoriasis) needs. boundary between the granulous and the corneal extract. This
barrier is probably responsible for the abrupt transformation
1.2.1.2 Spinous Extract of the viable cornified cells in not viable ones, because it dis-
It consists of several layers of polygonal keratinocytes under ables the nutritional supply to those cells located above it.
differentiation process. These are rich in cytoplasmic tonofila- The impermeable property of this region appears to be caused
ments, grouped more compactly, as the cell progresses toward by two factors: a special substance secreted at this level and
the surface. These tonofilaments are the precursors of keratin. represented by Odland bodies or lamellar bodies, and a type
of intercellular contact found only there, named zonula
1.2.1.3 Granulous Extract occludens, in which there is an intimate union between the
It consists of variables layers of flattened keratinocytes con- adjacent cytoplasmic membranes.
taining granules of keratohyalin associated with cytoplasmic There are still two other specialized types of epidermal
tonofilaments. These granules seem to contribute to the for- intercellular contact: the gap junction and the desmosome.
mation of the cytoplasmic matrix of corneal cells. The gap junction sets a free traffic corridor between the
adjacent cells and plays an important role in the differentia-
1.2.1.4 Corneal Extract tion of the epidermis as a whole; only missing in the corneal
It consists of 8–15 layers of flattened anucleated keratino- extract.
cytes. The cytoplasm is completely filled with a very resis- The demosomes are the main and most numerous types of
tant and insoluble fibrous protein called keratin. epidermal intercellular contact. They occur in all layers, pro-
As it is the final product of the keracinocyte differen- viding stability to the tissue. The hemidesmosomes occur
tiation, the corneal extract is the main responsible for the between the basal cells and the basal lamina (Fig. 1.3).
1.2.1.5 Dermoepidermic Junction and the dermis, the anchoring fibrils and microfibrills
The dermoepidermic junction corresponds to the basal mem- (Fig. 1.4).
brane in the optical microscopy. The electronic microscopy The basal lamina has the following functions: ensure the
is a complex structure comprising the cytoplasmic mem- dermoepidermic adherence, guide the migratory direction
brane of the basal cells, the lucid blade (empty space), the of keratinocytes to the surface and work as a system of
basal lamina and the most superficial portion of the papillary pores of different sizes, allowing the quick passage of small
dermis. Promoting adhesion between the basal cells and the molecules and making difficult the passage of larger
basal lamina, are the hemidesmosomes, and between this molecules.
Lucid blade
Basal blade
Anchoring braces
1.2 Skin Structure and Function 5
1.2.1.6 Other Epidermic Cellular Components by invagination of the keratinocytes. In the hair follicle ends
Non-keratinocytes cells of the epidermis are called clear the sebaceous gland duct, and in certain regions (axilla and
cells, as they require special coloring to become evident. We genital region) the duct of the apocrine sweat glands also. All
will consider the melanocyte, the Langerhans cell and the these structures are located in the deep dermis.
Merkel cell. The hair presents three cyclical and permanent stages:
anagen, catagen and telogen, corresponding respectively to
Melanocyte growth, regression and resting of the follicle. The growth
The melanocyte is a dendritic cell of neural crest origin (neuro- speed varies according to different parts of the body.
ectodermal) located between cells in the basal layer in an approx- Much more than the aesthetic and the sensorial function,
imate proportion of one melanocyte to ten keratinocytes. the hair is important for the protection from solar radiation,
Its function is the synthesis of melanin obtained by the thermal homeostasis and tissue repair, acting as true reser-
action of the enzyme tyrosinase on tyrosine. Melanin is voir of epidermal stem cells.
stored in rounded cytoplasmic structures, the melanosomes,
which are transferred to the adjacent keratinocytes via Sebaceous Gland
phagocytosis of dendritic cytoplasmic portions. Thus, the This gland originates in a protuberance of the hair follicle.
melanocyte functions as a unicellular exocrine gland. Vary in number, size, and activity in the parts of the body.
Melanin is a brown pigment with photoprotection action. Under action of testosterone becomes active from puberty.
Racial variations of skin color depends on the quantity, size Their secretion (sebum) is basically composed of liquids,
and morphology of the melanosome produced, as the melano- which, together with the lipids derived from the corneal
cytes number and the melanin quality are basically the same. layer, will form the lipid mantle, which is a factor of imper-
The exposure to ultraviolet radiation increases the pro- meability (hydrophobic) and antisepticing.
duction of melanosome and its transference to the keratino-
cytes, causing skin pigmentation and providing greater Apocrine Sebaceous Gland
protection against future exposures. White skins are more Derives from the same invagination germinal layer, which
susceptible to harmful immediate action (burning) and late gives rise to the hair follicle. It is an androgen-dependent
action (elastosis, keratosis, epitheliomas, melanomas) of this scent gland present only in the axillary, genital and periareo-
radiation. lar areas, whose secretion is metabolized by the skin sapro-
Melanocytes are still susceptible to MSH (Melanocyte phytic bacteria, producing characteristic odour that functions
Stimulating Hormone), as well as to sex hormones, to inflam- as a social and sexual attraction.
matory agents and to vitamin D produced in the epidermis.
Erector Hair Muscle
Langerhans Cell Smooth muscle positioned at the top of the dermis inside the
Is a dendritic cell situated in the basal and granulous layers, hair follicle.
containing cytoplasmic granules in the form of a racket. Also
originated in the bone marrow, performs an important Eccrine Sudoriparous Glands
immune function, presenting the antigen to dermal These glands, formed by epidermal sprouting, are distributed
lymphocytes. throughout the skin. The greater concentrations areas are
located in the palmoplantar regions. They are located in the
Merkel Cell deep dermis and flow directly on the surface of the skin.
It is found in the basal layer of the skin of the fingers, lips, Their number varies from two to four million, and its total
gums and palate, playing a mechanoreceptor sensorial mass is equivalent to a kidney’s. An individual can secrete up
function. to 10 L of sweat per day.
Its basic and vital function is the thermoregulation
1.2.1.7 Cuttaneous Attachments obtained through the sweat evaporation with the consequent
cooling of the cutaneous surface.
Pilosebaceous Follicle The composition of the secretion includes water, sodium,
Structure formed by the hair follicle, sebaceous gland, and calcium, magnesium, iodine, phosphorus, sulfur, iron, zinc,
hair erection muscle. manganese, mercury, urea, amino acids, albumin, types
IgA, IgG and IgD alfa globulins and immunoglobulins.
Hair Follicle However, the serum metabolites depuration is fully held by
The hair follicle is distributed throughout the skin except in the kidneys and is not considered a vital function of these
the palmoplantar regions. It is formed in the embryonic life glands.
6 1 The Skin and Eruptives Lesions
The dermis is a soft connective tissue, richly vascularised The great difficulty of the dermatological diagnosis arises
and innervated. The cellular elements of the normal dermis from the small number of possible clinics manifestations
are the following: fibroblasts (dermal fibres’ producers), due to a wide variety of pathological conditions. However,
mast cells, histiocytes, dendritic cells and a small number of an accurate analysis of the individual lesions, the arrange-
lymphocytes. The extracellular matrix is composed of fiber ment between them, its distribution through the integu-
proteins (collagen and elastic fibers) and the essential sub- ment associated with systemic manifestations and history,
stance (proteoglycans). are often enough to the correct diagnostic conclusion.
It is divided into papillary dermis or superficial (composed of When it does not occur, we make use of the laboratory
thin collagen fibers arranged vertically), deep or reticular (thick resources.
collagen fibers, grouped in dense bundles horizontally com- The dermatological exam training is like learning to read,
pressed), and adventitial (around vessels and attachments). and depends on basic theoretical knowledge and a lot of
The dermis performs a protection function against practice.
mechanical aggressions due to its viscoelastic property, pro- The dermatological examination routine must always
viding the resistance to tensions and pressures, and becom- obey the following anamnesis rules: patient identification
ing recomposed after these movements. Due to this vascular (full name, age or date of birth, color, marital status, birth-
power, it plays an important thermoregulatory role. It has a place, and occupation), main complaint, history of present
close relationship with the epidermis, suppressing its nutri- illness, past medical history (including drugs of regular or
tional, hormonal, nervous factors, and others. sporadic use), physiological and pathological history, family
background and social history (and also considering condi-
tions of housing, travelling, etc.).
1.2.3 Hypodermis Starting with the observation of the general state of the
patient, the examination of the skin, mucous membranes and
The subcutaneous tissue, or hypodermis, is composed of adi- nails, carried out with the patient preferably entirely naked
pocytes’ lobules, limited by septa of collagen fibers, which and under good light conditions. At first, the patient should
accommodate vessels and nerves. It performs protections be inspected at some distance, and considered the distribu-
functions against mechanical force (pressure) and loss of tion of injuries and extension of the manifestation; subse-
heat as well, besides storing calories. quently examination of the injuries in detail, the type of the
lesion, its color, shape and size, arrangement, distribution,
and finally, palpation of the consistency, temperature and
1.2.4 Nails humidity.
After the physical examination, we can retake the history
Nails are cytokeratin structures covering the distal phalan- of the present or pathological disease, and with a diagnostic
ges, originated in the nail matrix. Other nails components are suspicion already formed, treat it. The following must be
the following: eponychium, nail plate, nail bed and hypo- necessarily questioned: time and evolution of the disease,
nychium. Their main function is to protect the ends of the subjective symptoms (pruritus, pain sensitivity, etc.), drugs
fingers and toes against traumas, keeping the touch of the used, description of the initial injury, triggering or aggravat-
fingers. It also plays an important role in aesthetics of the ing factors and systemic symptoms.
hands and feet, particularly for women. Finally, we can use semiology (sensitivity test, etc.) and
It is a structure of several changes caused by local and laboratory resources, such as specific dermatology proce-
systemic diseases, sometimes assisting in the diagnosis dures (dermatoscopy, biopsy, microbiology, etc.), and the
conclusion. usual (CBC, etc.).
1.3 Dematological Diagnosis 7
(a) Keratosis
• Thickness due to the increase of the corneal layer,
dense and inelastic.
(b) Lichenification
• Increase of epidermal thickness with accentuation of
the skin grooves.
(c) Infiltration (Fig. 1.13)
• Resulting from the dermal cell infiltrate, presents
increase of the skin consistency with a decrease of its
natural groove.
(d) Esclerosis
• Increase of skin consistency, which becomes inelastic
due to collagen changes.
Fig. 1.11 Eruptive lesion of liquid content, pustule (genital herpes)
(e) Atrophy (Fig. 1.14)
• Can be epidermic, dermic, or hypodermic; it the first
one, the epidermis is thin and transparent, while in
the others there is a depression of the skin.
(f) Scar
• Residual element of a pathological process. May be
atrophic, hypertrophic, or keloidal, where grooves,
pores and hair are absent.
(a) Excoriation
• Loss of epidermis only.
(b) Erosion or Exulceration (Fig. 1.15)
• The loss of substance affects the papillary dermis.
(c) Ulceration (Fig. 1.16)
• Loss of substance besides the papillary dermis. The
characteristics of its locations and borders (regularity,
color, elevation) must be observed, as well as the base
consistency, bottom (grainy, purulent, necrotic), pain
and associated changes (varices, nodules, sensitivity,
etc.).
(d) Fissures or Rhagades (Fig. 1.17)
• Consists of the solution of the continuity of the linear
Fig. 1.17 Eruptive element, solution of continuity, fissures (after
format skin, usually around the natural holes. inflammatory process due to candidiasis
(e) Fistula (Fig. 1.18)
• Ulcerous path that drains a deep focus.
Fig. 1.15 Eruptive lesion, solution of continuity, erosion (genital Fig. 1.18 Eruptive lesion, continuity solution, fistula (lymphogranu-
herpes) loma venereum)
12 1 The Skin and Eruptives Lesions
“Oh, mother, I could not stay away any longer from you. It seemed a long
time to me.”
“Why, my child, in your letter you said you was happy and would stay two
weeks, as your uncle and cousins would not take ‘no’ for an answer and wished
we should come and live with them; and I was nearly making up my mind to
go up there for a while and see the country. Perhaps it would be agreeable to
my health.”
The mother was viewing her child critically while speaking. Noticing Nettie’s
face changing from a bright crimson hue to a pale color, and not answering
her, she said, “Has my little girl quarreled with anyone out there and come
home angry?”
“No, no mother,” answered Nettie.
“It is worse than that, mother; I will tell you all, as no true mother would
advise her child to do wrong. I will tell you all, but do not think for one
moment I was telling you an untruth when I told you I could not stay longer. I
could not under the circumstances, and it seemed a long time to leave you here
alone. Well, mama, now for my story: My cousins made a party for me last
Friday evening, as you know Friday was my birthday, and invited all the young
people in that vicinity, and among them was a rich young man, highly
esteemed for his true manliness. Cousin Warren says he has known him ever
since he can remember, as they have grown up and trudged to school together,
and says he never caught him in a lie. That is saying a good deal about him.
Well, the Monday before the party cousin went to town and I went down to a
beautiful lake on uncle’s farm to gather flowers. I sat down on the brink of the
lake and some of the flowers fell into the water. I was wondering how to get
them when the same young man spoken of came and fished them out. He
gave me his card, and the night of the party he told me the same old, old
story.”
“What did you tell him Nettie?”
“Oh, nothing in particular. The most I told him at last was if he proved true to
me in the future I was his.”
“Nettie, dear, do you really love him?”
“Yes mother, with my whole heart. But I have run away and if he really loves
me he will hunt me up,” said Nettie, her face beaming with smiles.
“Nettie,” said her mother, “pray what is the name of your admirer?”
“Paul Burton, of Pine Island. The name was given to the farm many years ago.
It is a beautiful farm enclosed by the forest, and there is a little lake on it; and
in the center pine trees are growing. I was out with cousin and he took me by
there.”
Nettie was speaking with enthusiasm and hearing her mother repeating the
name she turned and noticing her mother’s pale face said, “Mother, what ails
you? Are you sick?”
“No, Nettie, the name sounds familiar. What kind of a looking man is this Paul
Burton, and what is his age?” asked the mother.
“He is tall—about six feet—well proportioned, his eyes are dark blue, and he
has auburn hair, and is a picture to behold,” answered Nettie.
“Blue eyes and auburn hair; did his hair curl?” asked her mother.
“Yes,” answered Nettie, “and he is about twenty-two or three. He lives alone
with his mother, who is a frail, sickly woman.”
“Did you ever see her?”
“No, mother, but cousin says she is tall and dark complexioned, with black
eyes, and her given name is Margaret or Margretia, I do not know which.”
“It is the same woman and must be their son. Oh, my God! why have I come
to this?” exclaimed Mrs. Spaulding.
“Why, mother, what is the matter, and who are you referring to?” asked Nettie,
noticing her mother’s pale face.
“My child, one you never saw—and I hope you may never meet him or any of
his descendants.”
“Why, mother. His descendants should not be cruelly judged by his conduct.
You speak as though he had been guilty of some great criminal act. I do not
see what he has to do with Paul Burton, the young man I was speaking of,”
said Nettie, turning and looking out of the window.
“If I had known it would have troubled you, mother, I would not have told
you anything about him. You seemed so anxious to know why I returned so
soon I thought it proper to tell you all. The young man was supposed rich and
I was a poor girl with only my good name to sustain. I deemed it best to try
his love. If he loves me sincerely he will find me; if he does not, it is better I
should be far away. Do you not think my act justifiable, mother?”
“Yes, my child, you did what is right and proper, and I am glad you came
home, and I hope my conjecture is not true,” answered the mother
sorrowfully.
Nettie went to her mother and pressed a kiss on her pure fair brow. She had
passed through many severe trials, yet she remained beautiful—only a trifle
pale. Time made little impression upon the fair form of the once beautiful
Minnie Hilton, one of old England’s fair daughters.
“Nettie, I have a long story to tell you. It might prove a good lesson to you in
the future, as you are young and inexperienced in this world of sunshine and
shadow, and you may draw conclusion from the story.
“My child. I hope you will not have to endure the troubles and sorrows like
the lady of whom I am going to speak.”
“Oh! mama, do tell me now, as I am anxious to hear it. I am sure it is a
warning to me,” said Nettie, tapping the velvety cheek of her mother.
“Well, Nettie, many years ago in England there once stood a neat cottage
surrounded by a group of beautiful trees, and just within hearing of the big
bell in London. What a happy little home it was before the revolution broke
out in this country. England was all confusion, especially among the second
and lower classes of people. The inmates of that little cottage numbered four
—father, mother, a lovely girl of eighteen summers, and a lad of sixteen, as
honest a boy as ever lived and a kinder heart never beat today. Well, the father
had to help to fill the ranks of England’s army and came over here to fight for
King George. How noble and manly he looked in his red coat as he mounted
his coal black steed. He made a fearless and brave soldier, as many of his
comrades testified on their return home. But he who kissed his wife and
children an affectionate farewell never returned to receive their welcome
embrace of joy as did many of his fellow soldiers. As the news spread quickly
over the old domain that the battle of Bunker Hill had been fought many tears
fell for the fallen soldiers who fell in that sad fray.
“Sad was the news indeed, to hear that the father of this happy household was
no more, during the intervening term of his going away and time of his death.
The daughter of this family was the fairest in England at that time. Her fame
for beauty rang far and near. One day in summer when the commons were
robed in green, besprinkled with buttercups and daisies, this young lady for a
little pleasure rambled over the green, picking the flowers and thinking of her
father who then was far away in the battle fighting for his king, when close to
her she espied a large stray sheep of the masculine gender. He had probably
broken out from its owner’s enclosure and was wandering over the commons.
As soon as he espied the lady he came toward her with his head bent to the
ground, and the lady gave a scream and was running toward the hedge fence
of thorns; and just as the sheep was about to strike her a young man rode
rapidly between them, striking the sheep with a heavy loaded whip, which
felled him to the ground as though dead. The gentleman sprang lightly from
his horse and picked up the inanimate form of the lady, as if she was an infant,
and bore her to a cottage near by, and by the aid of spirits she soon returned
to consciousness. She had swooned with fright and had fallen, hitting her head
lightly on a rock, cutting a cruel wound which bled profusely. The young man
saw the blood and he only had thought for the fair young form as he quickly
bore it to a friendly shelter, letting his horse roam at will. The lady was too
weak to walk, so the gentleman went home and took his father’s carriage and
took her home; as he called every day for several days to see how his patient
was getting along he grew deeply in favor with the little family of the cottage.
The young lady looked for his coming and was deeply grieved when she
learned who he was, for he was the son of a baronet, a gentleman of note
among the upper classes of people. He was a lovely young man, and one
beloved by old and young throughout the community. He called often at the
cottage. None of the inmates could tell him to come no more, as he was both
manly and honest, and with each day he grew more enamored with the little
lady he had saved from a cruel death. How time flew away! Soon his father,
who was not noted for kindness, began to notice his son’s movements, and it
soon became known to him where he wandered. As his son was of age he had
him sent off to the war, as he would then get over his love passion for the little
cottager, as he called the little lady his son admired. Sad was the last meeting of
the young couple, as he came to bid her farewell. Many were the promises
given each to prove faithful until death. Then another blow was given that
household, as he in his red coat rode away leaving his promised bride to
mourn the loss of one she deeply loved. Soon after came the news of the
battle of Bunker Hill, and the father of this little cottage was no more. Deeply
mourned the inmates for the friend and father, and also for the absence of one
who seemed a true friend to all; but he was the King’s subject and had to go
and leave a lover behind him to mourn his absence, as many over our land
today have done, and how sorrowful the earth seems to the ones left behind.
“The young man went away in hopes of a speedy return, but what a sad
delusion! One year passed, then a second, and a letter came to the loved one
far over the deep that her lover was slain. How deeply that little girl mourned
for her supposed dead lover no human tongue can tell, and as time flew away
many were the changes with the inmates of that cottage. Finally in time the
mother concluded to remove her family over here to America. She wished to
view the resting place of her beloved companion, and when the shadows of
death came to her weary soul her form might lie in the same soil, beside her
husband. Cold and stormy was the day when the noble ship set sail that bore
on its bosom the widow and her children. It was the following autumn when
they landed in New York, six weeks after setting sail. The widow rented a little
cottage and made the place her future home. Her children both had grown to
manhood and womanhood, and having a good education managed to maintain
themselves respectably.”
“Oh, mama, you did not tell me whether the young lady ever heard definitely
about her lover’s death,” said Nettie, breaking in on her mother’s narrative.
“My child,” answered her mother, “she left word with some of her friends that
if any news came to them concerning him they should write to her
immediately. She received only one letter bearing news of him. It said he had
returned before the widow had left England. It was reported by the young
man’s proud family that he was dead, for they knew their son’s disposition
would be to fulfill his promise to the ‘little cottager,’ as they called his
promised bride. They were bound it never should be. At the last meeting
before he went to war he frankly told his father he should marry the girl on his
return home; he might disinherit him if he chose—he would have a few
shillings of his own and he would take his wife over to the new land he was
going to fight on. This exasperated the father to such an extent that he
brought his fist down on the table and swore an oath it never should be. The
son did seem not to heed his father’s words, as he was sure the lady would
prove faithful and he would soon return and claim her, in spite of all earthly
beings. The lady watched and waited until nearly autumn for a letter from her
loved one which never came. During that time she received news of her lover’s
death, then broken hearted, she urged her mother to leave the place which,
with each day, brought memories of the two loved ones who never would
tread o’er its well-remembered threshold. The young lady lived single eight
years. She employed the time in teaching primary school in the suburbs of the
city of New York. Time, the great healer, brought consolation to the wounded
heart. At last she accepted the hand of a young merchant. The old love was
buried beneath the new, but never forgotten. The young lady’s brother learned
the trade of a mechanic but did not like it very well, and like Washington
turned to agriculture as soon as he earned money enough to buy a farm. The
widow often went to view the grave of her beloved companion, and when her
life on earth was ended her children laid her silent form beside him she loved.”
“Why, mamma!” exclaimed Nettie, the tears trinkling down her fair cheeks, “it
was my own grandmamma, as I can just remember when papa and Uncle John
took her deceased form away and did not get back for a long time,” said
Nettie, speaking slowly.
“Why, mamma, can the young lady you have been speaking about be
yourself ?”
“Yes, my daughter, it is the same.”
Nettie was standing by her mother’s chair, stroking the fair brow of her only
parent, deeply thinking over all she had been told.
Soon she said, “Mamma, it was very sad indeed, but I do not see why it should
be a warning to me.”
CHAPTER VI.
“My child,” answered the mother sorrowfully, “you will be surprised when I
state that the young man did go home and did not try to find where we
removed to, but soon became acquainted with a lady of high standing and
married her. They came over here, bought a large tract of land somewhere in
the New England states. Your father and I met him once on board a vessel
lying in harbor. Your papa, dear soul, knew of my first love and also the name
of his predecessor, and getting an introduction to him made himself very
inquisitive, as he found he was the same person and had been married some
twelve years. You see how deceitful some people are in this world. It is a good
saying and a true one, too, that ‘sometimes you think a friend you’ve got until
trial proves you have him not.’ Thus it proved out to be to me.”
“Mamma,” answered Nettie, “I am a trusting spirit. It might not have been all
his fault. He might have been deceived, as the story circulated by the family
deceived you. Perhaps he did try to find you but could not get any clue to your
whereabouts, as money sometimes will do a great deal in the way of bribing
people.”
“Well. Nettie, time will prove all things. As it is said, ‘Right conquers might.’”
“Mamma, what is the name of the once young man you have been speaking
of ?”
The mother looked sadly up in her daughter’s fair face as she answered, “Paul
Burton; with manly form, blue eyes, and hair the color of your admirer’s.
Nettie, I am so glad you had sense enough to come home, as it is my
conjecture that this young man is the son of him I have told you of. God grant
it may not be!” said the mother fervently. “I do not wish my child to be
deceived as I have been.”
“Your father and I lived very happy through the years of our married life. No
shadows came to mar the horizon of our union until he became bankrupt
through a person we supposed our friend. Poor soul, like many others before
him he could not stand the crash in his financial affairs, and soon after died. It
was a sad blow to me as I loved him fully as well as I ever did Paul Burton, the
baronet’s son.”
“Poor mamma!” exclaimed Nettie passionately. “God must have willed it to be
so. I love this strange young man and it was very hard for me to come home
and leave him whom I loved so fondly, but my English pride bade me come
home.”
“And I hope God will deal justly by us all. We must trust to Providence and
wait and see what time will bring in the future.”
“Oh mamma dear, I cannot believe Paul is false. Oh, no, no, it cannot be!”
exclaimed Nettie passionately.
“May God be merciful to me.”
“My child. God doeth all things. We can trust to Providence and all yet may be
well. This is a world of trouble and sorrow to us poor mortals and what falls
to our lot we must endure patiently, for what is to be will be, in spite of all
human aid. I sincerely hope for the happiness of my only child,” said the
mother, pressing Nettie fondly to her breast.
Here I will leave them bemoaning their fate, and return to Paul, who, on
returning home, found his mother very ill. She gradually grew worse day by
day. All medical skill was of no avail and they could not restore her to ordinary
health. Time passed drearily at that once pleasant home. Paul, sad hearted,
went about the house as one in a dream, never speaking to any one except to
give orders to servants and inquire about his mother, whom he loved more
fondly than ever. He knew she would soon leave him, and it grieved him very
much to see her sad, pale face as she would look fondly at him and say, “I will
soon be at rest—free from all earthly trouble.”
She lingered through the fall and long dreary winter months, and as the buds
came on the trees in the following spring she breathed her last, while lying in
the arms of her affectionate son. Sad was the scene, to see the young man
fondly clasp his mother to his breast while tears fell like rain, on the sad, silent
face.
A few moments before she died she called for her son, and when he did not
come immediately she said, “Must I die and not tell him? I ought to have done
it before now. Oh, where is my boy? Will he come soon?” she asked faintly,
turning her face to the wall.
Pompey, hearing her call, went into the room in time to hear her last words.
He went to her bedside as he said, “Paul will come soon. He went down the
lane to see if the doctor is coming. I’s sent for him and he will come very fast
when he hears de news. Missus, I’s been berry kind and obedient to you, ain’t
I? I’s lived with you ever since Paul was a little chick. Anything you want me to
tell him, Missus?”
“Yes, my faithful man, you know the whole history of my life, and when I am
gone tell him not to censure his father as it was all my fault—his leaving home;
but make my sin as light as you can. There is a little tin box in the garret that
will tell him all he wishes to know.”
She nearly held out her hand to the faithful man, saying, “It’s very hard
bidding you goodbye, Pompey, and may God bless you forever!”
She whispered the last words, and as her son came into the room her eyes
brightened for a moment and she tried to speak to him but could not. Her
breath grew shorter and shorter with each moment, and soon she was no
more.
They laid her beneath the weeping willow tree and at her grave the son placed
a neat monument in memory of her who reared him to manhood. Sad and
dreary was that house to Paul. The sunshine had fled and only shadows
remained. No mother now to kiss him good night; no father to bear with him
this sorrow, and the only being he loved beside his mother was gone, he knew
not where. The only friends that deeply sympathized with him except the
servants were John Hilton’s family, especially Warren, who was there night and
day and kept Paul company through this sad affliction. When this kind
companion went home Paul could not reconcile himself to stay in the house
where once was life and joy for him.
“I cannot stay here; I must go somewhere; there is no comfort for me on this
earth. Oh, why did I live to see this trouble!”
Thus he would talk to Warren Hilton when they were alone.
“Why do you not go away from here for a while? The servants can look after
the farm, and I will run over now and then to see how they get along. You can
write me and you can hear all about them. You can go down to the city of
New York, or anywhere else you choose. Something may change for the best. I