British Journal of Dermatology

MIER, P.D.; VAN DEN HURK, JOSÉ J.M.A.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb06468.xpmid: 30

SUMMARYSeven distinct glycosidases (EC 3·2) have been characterized in guinea‐pig epidermis. Their properties indicate them to be of lysosomal origin. The ‘profile’ of the epidermal glycosidases is significantly different from that reported for whole skin, the activities of β‐galactosidase and β‐acetylglucosaminidase being very high and those of the remaining enzymes relatively low in epidermis.

HUSZ, S.; HAMERLINCK, F.; CORMANE, R.H.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb06469.xpmid: 127603

SUMMARYPatients with dermatoses where the antigen is a hapten, such as those with contact eczema and drug allergy, had high mean values of lymphocytes with membrane bound prealbumin detected by immunofluorescence methods.These results support the hypothesis that lymphocytes bind prealbumin. We speculate that this was haptenized prealbumin.

ABELL, E.; PRESBURY, D.G.C.; MARKS, R.; RAMNARAIN, D.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb06470.xpmid: 1191524

SUMMARYDirect immunofluorescent (IF) staining was performed on biopsy specimens from fifty‐three patients with active lichen planus. In fifteen of these cases uninvolved skin sites were also examined. Globular or cytoid body‐like deposits of immunoglobulins, mainly IgM, were detected in forty‐six of the active lesions, and in half the uninvolved skin biopsies. The deposition of fibrin in the papillary dermis and around follicular structures was seen only in the active lichen planus papules.The significance of these findings was assessed by comparison with the IF results obtained in 252 biopsies from various cutaneous disorders, stained by the same technique during the period of this study. Although the presence of immunoglobulin cytoid bodies and fibrin was found to be highly characteristic of lichen planus, these findings were not specifically diagnostic. Morphologically identical deposits were seen not infrequently in lupus erythematosus and in eczema. Active lesions of dermatitis herpetiformis, erythema multiforme and other rare dermatoses also showed these cytoid body‐like immunoglobulin deposits.

STANKLER, L.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb06471.xpmid: 1191525

SUMMARYInvestigations on thirteen consecutive adult patients with classical lichen planus revealed a significant lowering in the levels of circulating IgA and IgM. Patients with lichen planus may have an immunological defect which makes them susceptible to infection with an unknown virus.

YOSHIKAWA, KUNIHIKO; ADACHI, KENJI; HALPRIN, KENNETH M.; LEVINE, VICTOR

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb06472.xpmid: 1191526

SUMMARYThe effect of various hormones and drugs on the adenyl cyclase system of pig and human epidermal slices was studied in vitro.Adrenaline and isoproterenol in the presence of theophylline increased the epidermal cyclic AMP level 20‐fold in 5 min. Noradrenaline also stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation but to a much lesser degree. The adrenaline stimulation was marked even in the absence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, theophylline. Theophylline potentiated the effect of adrenaline at the concentration of 2–10 mM although theophylline alone did not elevate the cyclic AMP level significantly. The Km for adrenaline stimulation of the adenyl cyclase system of pig epidermis was 77·10−7 M. A β‐adrenergic antagonist, propranolol, markedly inhibited the adrenaline stimulation while α‐antagonists, phentolamine or priscoline, showed little effect. These results are in accord with the view that the epidermis possesses an active adenyl cyclase system with β‐adrenergic receptors.

ALLEN, B.R.; PARKER, SHEENA; THOMPSON, G.G.; MOORE, M.R.; DARBY, F.J.; HUNTER, J.A.A.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb06473.xpmid: 1191527

SUMMARYSeven patients undergoing treatment for cutaneous hepatic porphyria had serial measurements of their plasma uroporphyrin. In each case there was a progressive fall during treatment but even in remission the levels did not return to normal. There was a significant correlation between urinary and plasma uroporphyrin concentrations.

GRIFFITHS, W.A.D.; DUTZ, W.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb06474.xpmid: 1103933

SUMMARYA simple and almost painless technique for repeated sampling of dermal infiltrates with a dendritic broach was used in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. This technique can be used to advantage to obtain organisms and cells underneath crusted lesions and to evaluate not only the number of organisms but also the cell pattern at different depths of the lesion. It can be used repeatedly on the same lesions without appreciably disturbing the natural progress of the disease and is therefore well suited to monitor the in vivo effects of therapeutic agents on organisms. Its use in twenty‐one cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis and one case of cutaneous leprosy is described.

FOREMAN, M.I.; CLANACHAN, I.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb06475.xpmid: 1191528

SUMMARYA Study has been carried out of the penetration of nandrolone decanoate through human cadaver skin in vitro using radioactive tracer material. The radiochemical purity of the material desorbed from the dermal skin surface is very much less than that of the material absorbed into the epidermal surface. These observations are a consequence of the low level of overall penetration of the skin by the steroid. There is also a possibility that a small percentage of the steroid is being metabolized by micro‐organisms present in the skin samples.

ABELL, E.; MARKS, R.; JONES, E.WILSON

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb06476.xpmid: 1191529

SUMMARYThe histological appearances found in biopsies from fifty‐seven patients with secondary syphilis have been correlated with the clinical morphology of the eruptions. Considerable variation of histological pattern was encountered, and the frequency with which some of the classically described changes were found to be absent or inconspicuous is stressed. Of particular interest were the findings that, in nearly one‐quarter of the biopsies, plasma cell infiltration was either absent or very sparse, and that vascular damage was seen in less than half. Where present, the vessel changes were almost entirely confined to swelling of the endothelial cells. Proliferation of the endothelial cells was most uncommon.The epidermis was very frequently involved in the inflammatory process. Exocytosis, spongiosis, parakeratosis, and acanthosis were the most frequent changes. No consistent histological difference between papular and papulo‐squamous lesions could be found but macular lesions demonstrated more superficial and less intense dermal infiltration as well as less severe epidermal involvement.In late secondary lesions, the infiltrate became granulomatous, but in other respects the duration of the exanthem could not be correlated with the pathology.The differential diagnosis from pityriasis lichenoides and other inflammatory dermatoses is discussed and the value of histopathology in the diagnosis of secondary syphilis is emphasized.

GAJEWSKA, MALGORZATA

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb06477.xpmid: 127604

SUMMARYFour patients are described in whom rosacea occurred on the face, and on the scalp in patches of baldness. Histopathological examination of the specimens taken from the scalp showed changes of rosacea and basophilic degeneration of collagen. In two patients direct immunofluorescence studies were performed; in one of these the presence of IgG deposits at the dermo‐epidermal junction was demonstrated. These observations confirm the influence of external factors in the pathogenesis of rosacea.