Cutaneous human papillomaviruses found in sun-exposed skin: Beta-papillomavirus species 2 predominates in squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: A spectrum of cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is detectable in nonmelanoma skin cancers, as well as in healthy skin, but the significance that the presence of these types of HPV DNA has for the pathogenesis of skin cancer remains unclear.

Methods: We studied 349 nonimmunosuppressed patients with skin lesions (82 with squamous cell carcinomas, 126 with basal cell carcinomas, 49 with actinic keratoses, and 92 with benign lesions). After superficial skin had been removed by tape, paired biopsy samples--from the lesion and from healthy skin from the same patient--were tested for HPV DNA.

High prevalence of cutaneous human papillomavirus DNA on the top of skin tumors but not in "Stripped" biopsies from the same tumors.

Genomes of human papillomaviruses (HPV) are common in biopsies from non-melanoma skin cancers but are also found on healthy skin and it is possible that HPV positivity in tumor biopsies by PCR may merely reflect contamination of the lesion surface. To investigate this issue, 229 immunocompetent patients were tested for HPV DNA in swab samples collected on top of skin tumors and in biopsies of the same tumors, obtained after stripping with tape to remove superficial layers. HPV DNA was detected on top of 69% (159 of 229) of the lesions, and in 12% (28 of 229) of the stripped biopsies (p<0.

An epidemic of tinea corporis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans among wrestlers in Sweden.

An epidemic of tinea corporis due to Trichophyton tonsurans among wrestlers in Sweden is described. Totally 19 patients, 14 patients from Malmö and 5 from Gothenburg, were found. The suspected source of this epidemic was from a wrestlers' team from the USA visiting Sweden in April, 1993.

Double-blind, parallel-group comparison of terbinafine and griseofulvin in the treatment of toenail onychomycosis.

Background: Griseofulvin has been used in the treatment of toenail onychomycosis with limited success. Evidence suggests that terbinafine may be more effective.

Objective: In a double-blind, parallel-group study we compared 250 mg/day terbinafine for 16 weeks with 500 mg/day griseofulvin for 52 weeks (or for shorter periods in cured patients) in patients with toenail onychomycosis.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from alkanolamineborates in metalworking fluids.

Alkanolamineborates are extensively used in coolants as corrosion inhibitors. In this paper, 3 machinists with contact allergy to alkanolamineborates are reported. To avoid false-positive test reactions due to the alkalinity of the alkanolamineborates, they should be tested when dissolved in an acidic buffer.

Chromate sensitization and elicitation from cement with iron sulfate.

For some years, iron sulfate has been added to cement manufactured in the Scandinavian countries to prevent sensitization to and elicitation from chromate in cement. Allergic contact dermatitis from chromate is reported here in 3 workers with hand dermatitis and exposure to cement containing iron sulfate. Although iron sulfate had been added to the cement, high chromate concentrations were found in many samples of cement to which these workers were exposed.

Clinical response and side-effects in the treatment of psoriasis with UV-B and -A novel dithranol formulation.

A new dithranol formulation (Dithranol-Biogram), in which the dithranol is microencapsulated by crystalline monoglycerides, has been developed. This stable formulation has pharmaceutical and cosmetic properties which overcome several draw-backs associated with conventional dithranol preparations. The clinical efficacy and side-effects of Dithranol-Biogram were compared to a conventional ex-tempore formulation in the treatment of 33 patients at a day-care centre.

Skeletal involvement in pustulosis palmo-plantaris with special reference to the sterno-costo-clavicular joints.

Skeletal scintigraphy was performed in patients with pustulosis palmo-plantaris. There was an increased isotope uptake in the sterno-costo-clavicular area in 16 of 73 patients (22%). The skeletal involvement was further studied by computer tomography showing seven characteristics (including unilaterality) typical of the disease.

Intermittent treatment of psoriasis with clobetasol propionate.

Clobetasol propionate cream, applied intermittently for 2 weeks, induced a rapid clinical and histological clearing of psoriatic infiltrates. The serum cortisol level was transiently lowered. By maintenance therapy, with the corticosteroid given only one day a week, 8 of 12 patients were kept in remission for an average period of 5 months.