Dermatology

Sato, A.; Anton-Lamprecht, I.; Schnyder, U.W.

doi: 10.1159/000250762pmid: 428610

RNA and protein synthesis of dyskeratotic cells in Darier’s disease was studied by autoradiography after in vitro incubation with ³H-uridine, ³H-leucine and ³H-histidine. These three isotopes were incorporated in cells constituting the basis and wall of the lacuna, while they did not accumulate in isolated acantholytic and dyskeratotic cells in the lacuna, corps ronds and grains.

Girard, J.; Unkovic, J.; Delahayes, J.; Lafille, C.

doi: 10.1159/000250763pmid: N/A

Phototoxicity of bergamot oil in solar simulating radiation (SSR ≥ 290 nm) and in long ultraviolet radiation (LUV ≥ 320 nm) has been compared by studying photoaugmentation of erythema in the guinea pig after 24 h and pigmentary photoaugmentation in man on the 8th day. The results show that a close relationship exists between guinea pig and human responses, with both radiations used, and that man seems to be slightly more sensitive to phototoxic effects of bergamot oil than the guinea pig. This difference of sensitivity necessarily implies the participation of U VA (320–400 nm) in the phototoxic reaction of bergamot oil with solar radiation. This UVA participation is particularly obvious in the guinea pig; in man, the results are less clear and a certain synergy of UVB rays (290–320 nm) may be involved in the phototoxic UVA-induced reaction of bergamot oil. Despite these slight differences, the erythematous reaction in the guinea pig appears to be a remarkable experimental model to show out potential phototoxic reactions of products containing psoralens in man.

Kansky, A.; Arzenšek, J.

doi: 10.1159/000250764pmid: 155015

17 patients with palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) were detected among 48 investigated members of the clan O. 5 of these 17 patients had a well-expressed hyperkeratosis on their knees. In one family hyperkeratosis of the knees was inherited as a dominant feature, but in two other families it was not. The observation was made that the expressivity of the disease was fading: while there were 15 PPK patients among the 25 investigated members in the generations II and III, there were only 2 patients among 22 members in the generations IV and V. In addition to PPK incontinentia pigmenti was diagnosed in two instances and pollex duplex in one. The question of the identity of PPK of Greither’s type is shortly discussed.

Füllhaas, J.; Vischer, W.A.; Brügger, P.; Rufli, T.

doi: 10.1159/000250765pmid: 155016

During the first 4 months of 1977, 95 different strains of gonococcus were isolated in the out-patient department of the Dermatology Clinic of the University of Basel. These were systemically tested for sensitivity to penicillin G, spectinomycin, thiamphenicol, doxycycline and rifampicin. The MIC values and the diameter of the zones of inhibition were determined. Tests for β-lactamase production were made. A correlation in the degree of sensitivity was observed between the following antibiotics: penicillin G/rifampicin; penicillin G/thiamphenicol; penicillin G/doxycycline; thiamphenicol/doxycycline; thiamphenicol/rifampicin; doxycycline/rifampicin. The size of the inoculum had little influence on the activity of the substances, except for that of penicillin G against the β-lactamase-positive reference strains. No β-lactamase-producing strains were detected amongst the clinical isolates. In the case of penicillin G, there was a correlation between the minimum inhibitory concentration and the inhibition-zone diameter.

Bäurle, G.; Hornstein, O.P.

doi: 10.1159/000250766pmid: 428612

A 49-year-old female patient with a history of fever episodes, muscular weakness, Raynaud’s phenomenon, cardiac insufficiency and increasing cutaneous calcinosis over a period of 4 years is reported. Based upon clinical as well as histological and immunological findings, the disease is diagnosed as mixed connective tissue disease with generalized cutaneous calcinosis in an extent yet unpublished, to our knowledge, in this ‘overlap syndrome’. The pathogenesis of cutaneous calcinosis is discussed with particular reference to the phenomenon of calciphylaxis, and some therapeutic implications are considered.

Westermark, Per; Henriksson, Tor-Göran

doi: 10.1159/000250767pmid: 428613

3 patients are described, in whom chronic swelling of the external genitals occurred after recurrent infections. The histological findings were identical to those seen in cheilitis granulomatosa, the dermal component of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. The authors suppose that the disease of the 3 patients is a genital counterpart to cheilitis granulomatosa, and the name vulvitis or posthitis granulomatosa is suggested.

Bork, K.; Korting, G.W.

doi: 10.1159/000250768pmid: N/A

The secondary symptomatic forms of livedo reticularis can follow cerebro-vascular incidents with consecutive hemiplegia; this is rarely known. A further patient is described who developed an asymmetrical livedo reticularis on the hemiplegic half of the body. The reason of the hemiplegia was an intracerebral hemorrhage.

Price, Norman M.

doi: 10.1159/000250769pmid: 428615

A comparative study of topical 5-fluorouracil (5FU) alone and 5FU with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) therapy in the treatment of actinic keratoses of the upper limbs is described. 5 out of 10 patients had better results with a combination of the two medications, while there was no difference in the results in 4 of the patients. Complications in the form of contact dermatitis to DNCB was experienced in 5 patients. Therapy of actinic keratoses of the upper limbs is recommended for a 6- to 8-week period with 5FU alone because of the difficulties associated with DNCB usage.

Larsen, Schultz; Heydenreich, G.; Christiansen, J.V.

doi: 10.1159/000250770pmid: 155017

After cobalt-60 therapy 3 patients developed open and closed comedones in the face corresponding to the treatment fields. Biopsies showed extensive dermal elastotic material. It is suggested that the elastotic fibres may contribute to a change in the supporting function of the dermis and a secondary sebum retention and comedo formation.

Vollum, Dorothy I.; Sparkes, C.G.

doi: 10.1159/000250771pmid: 372027

A comparative trial between betamethasone valerate and halcinonide has shown the former to be superior, thus contradicting the results from other trials. It is thought that the discrepancy is due to differences in the nature of the preparations used in the various studies. It is suggested that note is made of the base used in trials before final conclusions about the efficicacy of steroids are made.