Content - Volume 65, Issue

The ultrastructure of treponema pallidum obtained directly from human chancres by biopsy was studied by electron microscopy. The treponemes were enveloped by a trilaminar cytoplasmic membrane and a trilaminar periplastic membrane. The central part of the periplastic membrane corresponds to the protective mucoid layer. In undamaged organisms bunches of axial filaments were seen to entwine the whole ...

T4 cells recognize antigens together with HLA class II molecules in the membrane of antigen-presenting cells (APC). The magnitude of the induced T cell response is in part dependent upon the APC´s amount of MHC-class II molecules. Langerhans´ dendritic cells (LC) express 50-100 times more HLA-DR molecules than monocytes (Mo) and blood derived dendritic cells (DC). We report here that LC are more ...

Fibronectins are important glucoproteins of mesenchymal tissue. Fibronectins are also found in the human skin, and tissue cultures demonstrate the production of soluble dimers and insoluble fibrous polymers from dermal fibroblasts. Under the influence of different glucocorticoids, inhibited production of these fibronectins from cultured human skin cells is demonstrated.

Forty-three nickel-allergic patients (40 females and 3 males) participated in this study which was designed to elucidate the correlation between quantitative in vivo and in vitro responses. All were patch-tested with various concentrations of nickel-sulphate serial-diluted in water. The lowest concentration eliciting a cutaneous reaction (indicating the severity of the allergy) was recorded for ea ...

The effects of PUVA or corticosteroid treatment on the distribution pattern of immunocompetent cells in psoriasis symptomatic skin were investigated. A total of 29 biopsies, taken before and a regular intervals during treatment, were studied in a two-stage immunoperoxidase technique using monoclonal antibodies directed against T cells, their major subsets, interdigitating cells, and Langerhans´ c ...

To evaluate the immunoregulatory mechanisms in lichen planus (LP) responding to PUVA therapy, the LP skin lesions of eight patients were biopsied before and after treatment with trioxsalen baths and UVA. The percentages of B, T, and MPS (monocyte-macrophage) cells as well as OKT-4+ (helper) and OKT-8+ (suppressor) T cells were calculated. OKT-8+ T cells were the dominating cell type in untreated L ...

Single intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide were administered 6 days before testing guinea pigs sensitized to oxazolone in order to study the effects on inflammatory cell populations in blood and dermis. Skin tests were assessed macroscopically (erythema and oedema) and microscopically (counting of the dermal inflammatory cell infiltrate). At the highest dose (300 mg/kg) the allergic con ...

Cutaneous pruritic effects of synthetic platelet activating factor (PAF-acether) and, in particular, its interference with dermal mast cells, were studied in human volunteers. Intradermal injections of 10-100 ng produced dose-dependent flare and itching responses. The cutaneous reactions were inhibited by local administration of the H1 antihistamine mepyramin. The cutaneous responses were also mar ...

Characteristic early lesions in acne vulgaris are the open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) which are well known to contain a "plug" of cornified material. Histological analysis of these lesions has indicated that their protein content, presumed in part to be keratin, may be degraded, possibly by bacterial action, though this has never been adequately demonstrated biochemically. We ...

Complaints of dry hands were evaluated in 68 patients with generalized scleroderma (GS) and 66 healthy individuals (HI) for comparison. Studies included evaporimetry of the hands and forearms as performed under physiological conditions indicating sweat gland function. Complaints of dry hands were more frequent (p less than 0.001) in GS (71%) than in HI (32%) as was the use of emollients (68% and 3 ...

Six elderly women treated with double elastic bandages for chronic venous leg ulcers presented a clinical picture beneath these bandages as seen in intertriginous candidiasis. Painful, bright red, glistening skin lesions with pustules, denuded skin and scales were seen. Cultures on Sabouraud´s agar from skin erosions and toe webs confirmed the suspicion of Candida albicans infection. Treatment wi ...

375 strains of propionibacteria isolated from pustules, comedones, and from normal skin of patients with acne vulgaris and from healthy persons have been examined for their enzymatic activity. In contrast to healthy individuals, protease and caseinase production of strains from acne patients was significantly lower. On the other hand, DNA´ase production of strains from acne lesions was increased, ...

Three patients with cholinergic urticaria were studied by biopsy and neutrophilic urticaria was observed in two. Direct immunofluorescence was negative in 1 patient, and monoclonal antibody studies identified a large population of OKM-1 antibody positive cells.

The urine of an albino woman contained small quantities of 5-S-cysteinyldopa; 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid, a melanin precursor metabolite, was lacking. The 5-S-cysteinyldopa excretion observed may reflect non-specific oxidation of dopa. Two other albino patients showed normal values for the excretion of 5-S-cysteinyldopa and of 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid.

Urinary excretion of the phaeomelanin precursor 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) and the eumelanin metabolite 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (6H5MI-2-C) was studied in black and albino mice. The urinary concentration of 5-S-CD was 31.7 ng/ml in black and 16.1 ng/ml in albino mice. The concentration of 6H5MI-2-C was 21.0 ng/ml in the urine of black mice. The compound could not be demonstrate ...

Linear IgA disease (granular type) associated with chronic active hepatitis in a sixteen-year-old male patient is described. The diagnosis was established by clinical and histopathological findings supported by immunofluorescence studies. The immunofluorescence pattern (granular IgA deposits along the basement membrane, more pronounced at tips of papillae) showed much transition in dermatitis herp ...

The relation between the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) and sarcoidosis is unclear. The Kveim test, a test for sarcoidosis, was performed in seven patients, two with complete and five with abortive forms of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. All were found to be negative. Serum levels of angiotensin converting enzyme and calcium were normal. These facts make it unlikely that MRS is a type of sarc ...

A case of a 15-year-old male with unilateral facial circumscribed hyperhidrosis is reported. No morphological anomalies of the eccrine sweat glands could be noted. The results obtained with local applications of aluminium hexachloride in 20% alcoholic solution are discussed together with the few previous cases appearing in the literature.

A patient on Captopril treatment is reported. This patient developed a dermatitis that clinically recalled a gyrate subacute lupus erythematosus and showed lichenoid features on light microscopy.

Fifteen patients with chronic urticaria were treated with ultraviolet light B (UVB) for 1-3 months during the spring 1984 and a follow-up study was performed in November 1984-January 1985. Patients with cold urticaria, cholinergic urticaria and dermographism became clearly better or got rid of their symptoms more often than those with "non-specific" chronic urticaria. The good results achieved dur ...

Thirty-eight patients were treated with PUVA for chronic eczematous dermatitis of the palms. Twenty (53%) were completely free from lesions when treatment was stopped, and 11 (29%) were improved. Patients who showed healing remained in remission for an average of greater than or equal to 11 months (range 3 weeks to greater than or equal to 36 months). When the rash recurred it was often milder tha ...

The result of topical treatment by dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) in a patient with lichen amyloidosus is reported. Itching improved within five days of therapy. Remarkable flattening of the papules was obtained within two weeks. The clinical result was confirmed by histological examination which revealed partially disappearance of amyloid deposits.

Chancroid (ulcus molle) was treated in 7 male patients with enoxacin (2 X 400 mg/die). Microbiological and clinical examinations proved complete healing in all cases after 7 to 12 days. No side effects were mentioned. Enoxacin seems to be an excellent alternative treatment for this sexually transmitted disease.