Acute Fulminant Group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus-Associated Carditis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) is a gram-positive bacteria found in the upper respiratory tract that can cause disease with a wide gamut of symptoms ranging from pharyngitis to peritonsillar abscess, pneumonia, meningitis, and acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The primary goal of antibiotic therapy is to prevent complications of the primary infection such as ARF. ARF is defined by the revised Jones criteria.

Acral syringomas presenting as a photosensitive papular eruption.

A 43-year-old woman presented with a recurrent and remitting eruption of reddish-brown papules in the sun-exposed areas of the arms and forearms that had been present for 2 years. Results of a histopathologic examination revealed syringoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of syringomas confined to sun-exposed areas with a recurrent and remitting course over time.

In vitro age-related responses of endothelial cells to breast cancer cell addition.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine if the in vitro age of endothelial cells alters endothelial response(s) to breast cancer cells.

Method: After characterizing lower passage ("young"; passages 10-16) and higher passage ("old"; passages 30-36) bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs), fluorescently labeled MCF-7 breast cancer cells were added to confluent monolayers of young and old BPAECs.

Results: Transient gaps that peaked in size by 12 h and closed by 48h occurred between the young BPAECs, while large persistent gaps formed between the old BPAECs.

Melanoma in situ in Puerto Rico: clinical characteristics and detection patterns.

The incidence of melanoma has been increasing worldwide since the early 1960's. Melanoma in situ in the earliest stage of melanoma which has been increasingly recognized in our population. We performed a retrospective study of the cases of melanoma in situ diagnosed between 1996 and 2002.

Successful treatment of persistent melanoma in situ with 5% imiquimod cream.

Background: Five percent imiquimod cream, a topically applied immune response modifier with potent antiviral and antitumor activity, has been reported to be effective in the management of lentigo maligna and cutaneous metastases from melanoma.

Objective: We report a case in which 5% imiquimod cream was effective in the management of a persistent melanoma in situ.

Methods: Five percent imiquimod cream was applied to the affected area twice to three times a week, as tolerated.

Persistent blue nevus simulating melanoma.

We report a case of a persistent blue nevus that significantly extended beyond the scar of the original excision mimicking those clinical changes usually seen in melanoma. The histopathologic evaluation revealed a common blue nevus. The lesion was re-excised, and 10 months later a bluish macule appeared next to the surgical scar.

Granular parakeratosis.

This is a report of a 60 year-old black female patient presenting with pruritic brownish crusted plaques on both axillae of one month evolution. Histopathology revealed findings characteristic of axillary granular parakeratosis. This entity was first described by Northcutt et al in 1991.