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- $Unique_ID{BRK04110}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Pinta}
- $Subject{Pinta Mal del Pinto Carate Azul Tina lota Empeines}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 133:
- Pinta
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible that the main title of the article (Pinta) is not the name
- you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate names
- and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- Mal del Pinto
- Carate
- Azul
- Tina
- lota
- Empeines
-
- General Discussion
-
- ** REMINDER **
- The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
- educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
- purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
- contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
- section.
-
-
- Pinta is an infectious disease caused by a microorganism closely related
- to that which causes venereal syphilis. It is transmitted nonsexually,
- however, and is characterized by rashes and discolorations of the skin. It is
- common in the hot lowlands of South and Central America, but is rare in the
- United States. It responds well to antimicrobial therapy.
-
- Symptoms
-
- The earliest lesions in Pinta are small papules (bumps) which occur at the
- site of entry of the pathogenic microorganism. Within several months, these
- lesions develop into small, reddish or purplish, scaly areas known as
- pintids. They occur most often on the face, hands, and feet. Over the
- course of several years, slate blue, coffee colored, red, or violet patches
- of skin appear on the face, hands, feet, and bony prominences. These colored
- patches may eventually become bleached and white (vitiligoid). The skin on
- the soles of the feet and the palms may become somewhat thickened.
-
- The lesions are susceptible to secondary infection by other organisms.
- Otherwise, the prognosis is good.
-
- Causes
-
- Pinta is caused by a spirochete (a kind of microorganism) known as treponema
- carateum. This organism is closely related and morphologically
- indistinguishable from the organisms that cause venereal syphilis, yaws, and
- bejel (endemic syphilis). It is transmitted by physical, nonsexual contact.
-
- Affected Population
-
- Pinta affects persons living in the tropical lowlands of South and Central
- America, such as Mexico and Colombia.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- The treponematoses (pinta, yaws, bejel (endemic syphilis), and venereal
- syphilis) are all caused by identical looking treponemas. They differ,
- however, in distribution, mode of transmission, and clinical characteristics.
- (Information on these and other tropical diseases can be found in this
- database.)
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- The lesions of Pinta resolve after treatment with antimicrobial drugs such as
- benzathine penicillin G.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- September 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
- keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
- accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
- the most current information about this disorder.
-
- Resources
-
- For more information on Pinta, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- 1600 Clifton Road, NE
- Atlanta, GA 30333
- (404) 639-3211
-
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- 9000 Rockville Pike
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 496-5717
-
- References
-
- THE MERCK MANUAL 15th ed: R. Berkow, et al: eds; Merck, Sharp & Dohme
- Research Laboratories, 1987. P. 132.
-
- CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th ed.: James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
- Smith, Jr., Eds.: W. B. Saunders Co., 1988. P. 1723.
-
-