Abstract Doxycycline, a second generation semi-synthetic tetracycline, widely used for the treatment of dermatological diseases for its antimicrobial effects, has shown in many clinical studies its actions as a powerful anti-inflammatory drug. Approved by the FDA as a complementary therapy in adult periodontitis, and of the papulopustular form of rosacea. In addition, other indications for inflammatory processes are described in the literature, such as calcinosis cutis, livedoid vasculitis, blistering pathologies, among others. We present a series of 10 patients with lipodermatosclerosis who presented an effective response to their pathology when receiving treatment with doxycycline for 3 months. Its therapeutic efficacy, accessibility and low association with adverse effects are highlighted.

Resumen La doxiciclina, una tetraciclina semisintética de segunda generación, ampliamente usada para el tratamiento de patologías dermatológicas por sus propiedades antimicrobianas, ha demostrado en varios estudios experimentales sus acciones como un potente fármaco antiinflamatorio, aprobado por estas características por la FDA como una terapia complementaria en la periodontitis del adulto, así como en el tratamiento de la forma papulopustulosa de la rosácea. Se describen además en la literatura otras indicaciones para procesos inflamatorios, tales como, calcinosis cutis, vasculitis livedoide, patologías ampollares, entre otras. Se presenta una serie de 10 pacientes con lipodermatoesclerosis que presentaron una respuesta eficaz a su patología al recibir tratamiento con doxiciclina durante 3 meses, destacando de esta forma su eficacia terapéutica, accesibilidad y baja asociación a efectos adversos.

A retrospective serologic study was carried out in Fortaleza, State of Ceará, Brazil, in order to detect the dengue virus activity before recognizing the epidemic of 1994. Mac-Elisa was performed by using a mixture of specific DEN-1 and DEN-2 antigens on serum samples from the Emilio Ribas Laboratory collection. Samples were obtained from 1,224 patients with exanthematic febrile disease and negative serological results for rubella. All specimens were taken during November 1993 to May 1994. The results confirmed dengue infections in Fortaleza by November 1993, approximately six months before the beginning of the epidemic, proving how misleading diagnosis of dengue infection are still troublesome, in spite of the strong dengue activity in Ceará. The authors stress the urgent necessity to implement the active surveillance system in order to prevent another extensive dengue fever epidemics in the state. Epidemiological background of the dengue activity in the State of Ceará is also described.