Pint
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Pinta is a kind of tropical treponematosis of Latin American countries. In addition to Central countries, the disease is also found in Africa (Algeria, Egypt) and Asia (India, Philippines). In countries with a cold and temperate climate, no pint occurs.
The term "pint" comes from the Spanish "stain", "draw" and is associated with a variegated clinical picture of skin lesions.
Epidemiology of pint
The source of infection is a sick person. The susceptibility of a person is very high. In families where there is a patient, as a result, more than half of family members become ill. The main way of infection is direct or indirect contact with the patient (using a bed, a towel, dishes). Favoring the infection is a poor household culture, low living conditions. The disease is observed in all age groups, most often in rural areas, especially those living near rivers and lakes, i.e. In a hot humid climate.
Causes of a pint
For a long time, because of the features of the clinical picture, really reminiscent of mycosis, pint disease was considered a fungal nature. The true causative agent was discovered in 1927 and named Treponema carateum. By its morphological properties, the pint is close to the causative agents of syphilis and yaws.
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Symptoms of a pint
Course of the disease
The incubation period is 2-3 weeks.
Primary period - up to six months.
The secondary period is up to 3 years.
Tertiary period - comes after 3 years, can last several decades.
Pinta proceeds cyclically, passing in its development several consecutive periods.
The incubation period of pints lasts about 1-3 weeks, after which the primary affect occurs in the place of the entrance gate in the form of an inflammatory nodule up to 1 cm in diameter, surrounded by a narrow bright red rim. Its appearance characterizes the initial symptoms of a pint, namely, the primary period of the disease. Usually the nodule is single, but there may be 3-4 or more. Localization of primary affect most often on the face (ears, nose, neck), less often - in open areas of the limbs. In places of primary rash, moderate itching is noted. The nodule gradually increases in size due to eccentric growth, compacted and turns into a sharply delineated small plaque, reminiscent of the inflammatory disc with a slight peeling on the surface. Sometimes around the primary lesion - the disc - there appear small daughter elements (satellites), often merging with the mother disc.
A few months later, as a result of the generalization of infection, fresh rashes - pentids - join the primary affect. They open a secondary period. Morphologically, pentids are similar to the primary erythematous-papular lesion, but are accompanied by more pronounced itching. They increase due to eccentric growth and give on the surface a small otrubevvdnoe peeling, sometimes really simulating mycotic lesion. A characteristic feature of the secondary period is the gradual development of hyperpigmentations on the initial erythematous-squamous discs with the formation of multiple pigment spots of varying size and shape. Depending on the individual characteristics of the skin, the color of these spots varies from greyish-blue to brownish-black and purple. Some spots can acquire grayish, whitish, yellow and even orange-red color. All the listed varieties of spots eventually become white. Sometimes the mucous membrane of the cheeks, the palate is involved in the process. A foul smell may come from the outbreaks. Possible nail dystrophy (subungual hyperkeratosis, onycholysis), moderate polyadenitis. In skin rashes and puncture of the lymph nodes during this period, Tr is easily detected . Carateum.
The secondary period can last 2-4 years and longer, after which the process passes into the final, the third period: the progressive depigmentation of previously hyperchromic spots (the phase of achromia) gradually develops. At the same time, peeling ceases, and the depigmented spots appear smooth, shiny, slightly atrophic (pseudovitiliginous spots). Thus, there is an extreme diversity in the color of the skin, due to the simultaneous presence of achromia and hyperpigmentation. Most noticeable changes on the face, limbs.
Pinta has a purely chronic character, can last for decades. The general condition of patients usually does not suffer.
Pint Diagnosis
Diagnosis of pints is based on the endemicity of the disease, a characteristic stage flow, a typical clinical picture, the detection of Treponema carateum in scrapings from skin and mucous membrane rashes and puncture of lymph nodes. Positive results of serological reactions to syphilis
Treatment of a pint
Treatment of pints involves the use of modern antisyphilitic drugs (penicillin preparations, antibiotics of the reserve)
How to prevent a pint?
Prevention of pints is reduced to identifying and treating patients, providing preventive treatment to people who have been in close contact with patients, improving the living standards of endemic areas, maintaining personal hygiene, and improving the sanitary culture of the population. In persons who have undergone the disease, with reinfection the process can have abortive course.