Anaphylactic reactions to bites of the pigeon tick Argas reflexus.

Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Feb 2;

Authors: Weckesser S, Hilger C, Lentz D, Jakob T

PMID: 20123639 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Drug-induced exanthemata: a source of clinical and intellectual confusion.

Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Feb 2;

Authors: Friedmann PS, Pickard C, Ardern-Jones M, Bircher AJ

Drug rashes are a common problem occurring in patients across the whole spectrum of medical specialties. They are a source of confusion not only to the wider medical community but even among dermatologists there is lack of clarity about how to describe, classify and approach them. Common patterns of drug rash, apart from the "classical" maculo-papular eruptions (MPE), include urticarial wheals and urticaria-like rashes which it is important to distinguish, because of differences in pathogenetic mechanisms, therapeutic response and prognostic significance. The purpose of this article is to try to offer some structure both from the point of view of clinical classification and also of underlying mechanisms.

PMID: 20123640 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Groin granular parakeratosis.

Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Feb 2;

Authors: Paradisi A, Sisto T, Annessi G

PMID: 20123641 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Characteristics of psoriasis in Greece: an epidemiological study of a population in a sunny Mediterranean climate.

Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Feb 2;

Authors: Rigopoulos D, Gregoriou S, Katrinaki A, Korfitis C, Larios G, Stamou C, Mourellou O, Petridis A, Rallis E, Sotiriadis D, Katsambas AD, Antoniou C

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with important socioeconomic consequences. Data on psoriasis prevalence in Greece is scarce and circumstantially reported. The aim of this study was the recording of psoriatic patients' demographic data, clinical characteristics of the disease, and exacerbating factors. Seven hundred and eighty four patients were enrolled in 6 centres (4 in Athens and 2 in Thessaloniki) in a multicenter epidemiologic prospective study. The mean age of patients was 43.2 (standard deviation, SD 17.44) years (median 42 years), while the men: women ratio was 1.8:1. Additionally, 35% of patients reported a positive family history of psoriasis. The mean age of patients at the first episode of psoriasis was 31.3 (SD 16.39) years (median 28 years). Psoriasis vulgaris was the most common form of psoriasis in the population participating in this study. Flares of psoriasis occurred 2.6 times per year on average. The patients considered stress as the main cause for psoriasis exacerbation. Most frequent target points of psoriasis included elbows, legs, scalp and knees. The most common symptoms reported were scaling, and itching. On average, patients visited dermatologists 2.4 times per year for issues related to psoriasis. This study provides epidemiological information regarding psoriasis in Greece. Results of this survey could assist in delineation of patient profiles, and improve communication between doctors and patients.

PMID: 20123642 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Dapsone efficacy and adverse events in the management of mucous membrane pemphigoid.

Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Feb 2;

Authors: Hegarty AM, Ormond M, Sweeney M, Hodgson T

PMID: 20123643 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Telethermography: an objective method for evaluating patch test reactions.

Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Feb 2;

Authors: Laino L, Di Carlo A

Telethermography (TT) is a non-invasive imaging technique which can be used to evaluate the body's thermal gradients. It has recently been used as a diagnostic tool in many medical fields, especially in the study of the skin and other external organs. We assessed the applicability of TT in the objective evaluation of patch tests in allergic contact dermatitis, where clinical assessment is difficult, especially for atopic or brown-skinned individuals. In 34 individuals with a history of allergy to nickel sulphate (NiSO4), we applied a patch containing NiSO4 to the right side of the back and a patch containing 1% sodium-lauryl-sulphate (SLS) to the left side. As a control, we applied a patch containing an irritant (1% SLS) in a second group of 30 non-allergic individuals. A peculiar pattern was found for allergic reactions. This was characterized by a hot area that extended beyond the borders of the patch site and was oriented towards the nearest lymph-node(s), spreading as a hyperthermic line or lines. For the irritant test (SLS), the hot area was limited to the patch area, and the thermal gradients were lower. Thermography can be considered a useful complementary method for the evaluation of patch tests.

PMID: 20123644 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Localized scleroderma and zinc: a pilot study.

Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Feb 2;

Authors: Brocard A, Quereux G, Moyse D, Dreno B

Esthetic or functional repercussions in localized scleroderma may be considerable. Numerous treatments have been proposed with limited effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of high-dose zinc gluconate in the treatment of morphea. We are reporting a retrospective study of 17 patients with histologically confirmed localized scleroderma active for more than one year and whose treatment with a high potency dermocorticosteroid was a failure. The patients received 60 to 90 mg of zinc metal daily. The clinical evaluation was performed by the physician and the patient. An efficacy of 53% was obtained (5 partial remissions and 4 complete remissions) with a mean dose of 83.3 mg/day of zinc metal. Two patients (11.8%) had epigastralgia; no discontinuation of zinc gluconate for poor tolerability was noted.We conclude that high-dose zinc gluconate can therefore be a valuable alternative treatment for localized scleroderma, with good tolerability, although placebo-controlled studies are necessary to confirm our results.

PMID: 20123645 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Improvement of psoriasis in a lung cancer patient treated with erlotinib.

Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Feb 2;

Authors: Leprieur EG, Friard S, Couderc LJ

PMID: 20123646 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Isolated tongue lesions as the sole presentation of secondary syphilis.

Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Feb 2;

Authors: Torres T, Machado S, Velho G, Selores M

PMID: 20123647 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]