Psoriasis induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonist therapy: a case series.

Objective: Although tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists are effective in the treatment of refractory psoriasis, some cases have suggested that psoriasis might be induced as a result of treatment prescribed mainly for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and Crohn's disease. To investigate anti-TNF-alpha induced psoriasis, we conducted a systematic analysis of the 6 cases we observed among our inflammatory patient cohort treated with anti-TNF-alpha (infliximab or etanercept).

Methods: We report 6 cases of psoriasis with onset during TNF-alpha antagonist therapy (infliximab and etanercept); characteristics and skin lesions are described.

[Methotrexate therapy in psoriasis].

Methotrexate is a good treatment for severe psoriasis. Low-dose, once a week treatment is safe if guidelines are followed. Hematologic toxicity occurs especially if other drugs are associated.

[Pigmented nodular tenosynovitis. A misdiagnosed etiology of isolated tumefaction of fingers or toes].

Background: Pigmented nodular tenosynovitis (more commonly called giant cell tumor) is a benign tumor of synovial joint or tendon sheaths.

Case Report: A 17-year-old girl had a tumefaction of the first toe. The mass was firm and painless and had been present for one year.

Tinea capitis in adults: misdiagnosis or reappearance?

Background: According to the literature, tinea capitis in adults is supposed to be rare; we have recently observed a significant increase in cases.

Methods: Epidemiological, clinical and mycological features were studied in all adult tinea capitis diagnosed over 1 year in our department.

Results: Eight cases were observed: 75% of them were women, 50% never traveled and 62.

Unusual Microsporum canis infections in adult HIV patients.

Tinea capitis in men, even if infected with HIV, is infrequent. Microsporum species nail infections are extremely rare. In most cases Microsporum canis infection is usually easy to treat with antifungal agents.

[Methotrexate and psoriasis].

Methotrexate is effective in the treatment of severe psoriasis. If recommended guidelines are strictly followed the drug, administered in low doses, is not dangerous. The main adverse effect is cumulative hepatotoxicity.

["Eosinophilia-myalgia" syndrome due to L-tryptophan containing products. Cooperative evaluation of French Regional Centers of Pharmacovigilance. Analysis of 24 cases].

By November 17, 1989, the MMWR published the 154 first reports of a syndrome consisting of myalgia and eosinophilia (EMS), occurring with the consumption of L-tryptophan containing products (L-TrpCp) and which might represent a new clinical entity. To standardize reporting over the country, the CDC of Atlanta developed the following case definition: 1) a peripheral blood total eosinophil count of more than 1 x 10(9) cells per liter 2) generalized myalgia sufficiently severe to affect a patient's ability to pursue daily activities 3) the exclusion of infections or neoplastic conditions. The FDA then, announced its intention to seek a nationwide recall of all tryptophan containing products, followed by other european countries (UK, Germany, France).

Unusual cutaneous cytomegalovirus involvement in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome presented unusual keratotic cutaneous lesions with a protracted course. Pathologic examination in both patients, cultures, and DNA hybridization techniques of skin biopsy specimens in the second patient were characteristic of cytomegalovirus cutaneous infection. Cytomegalovirus skin lesions are rarely described in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in contrast with the high frequency of ocular and visceral involvement.

[Polyradiculopathy associated with bullous pemphigoid (author's transl)].

A sensorio-motor polyradiculopathy of subacute onset and a bullous pemphigoid form of herpetiform dermatitis (Dühring-Brocq disease) developed simultaneously in a 71-year-old man. Both conditions regressed under the influence of prednisone and azathioprine. The immediate cortico-dependence of the skin condition should be noted.