Spitz nevus versus malignant melanoma: spitz nevi predominate on the thighs in patients younger than 40 years of age, melanomas on the trunk in patients 40 years of age or older.

Background: To determine whether location and gender in addition to patient age might be useful in discriminating parameters between malignant melanoma (MM) and Spitz nevus (SN); 1228 cases of MM and 967 cases of SN were analyzed.

Methods: Computerized records were studied and compared as to frequency and density, and the results were statistically analyzed.

Results: Spitz nevi (SNs) were found to predominate on the thighs (32.

Laboratory acquired infection with recombinant vaccinia virus containing an immunomodulating construct.

Handling of Vaccinia virus represents a risk for laboratory-acquired infections, especially in individuals without completed vaccination. We report the case of a Vaccinia infection in a previously vaccinated researcher working with various genetically modified strains. We could confirm the infection by electron microscopy, positive cell culture, virus-specific PCR, sequence analysis, and viral neutralization test.