In vitro release of interferon-gamma from peripheral blood lymphocytes in cutaneous adverse drug reactions.

Background: Cutaneous drug reactions are common but diagnostically challenging due to phenotypic heterogeneity and simultaneous exposure to multiple drugs. These limitations prompted the development of diagnostic tests.

Aims: To evaluate the performance of an in vitro assay measuring interferon-gamma release from patients' lymphocytes in the presence of causative drugs for the diagnosis of drug reactions.

Interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) release test can detect cutaneous adverse effects to statins.

Background: An increasing number of cutaneous adverse effects are being reported as use of statins becomes more widespread. A study was undertaken to establish the relationship between statin and a cutaneous reaction by the in vitro interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) release test.

Methods: The lymphocytes of 20 patients with suspected drug-induced skin reaction were incubated with and without the drug.

RIN2 deficiency results in macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis: MACS syndrome.

Inherited disorders of elastic tissue represent a complex and heterogeneous group of diseases, characterized often by sagging skin and occasionally by life-threatening visceral complications. In the present study, we report on an autosomal-recessive disorder that we have termed MACS syndrome (macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis). The disorder was mapped to chromosome 20p11.

Effects of 5-fluorouracil on human mitogen-activated peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy individuals.

Background: The effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on activated lymphocytes was explored.

Materials And Methods: The in vitro effects of 5-FU on DNA synthesis in mitogen-activated lymphocytes from healthy volunteers were compared to those of the antimetabolites doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and 6-mercaptopurine. These effects were assessed by alterations in the phenotypic profile and the percentage of cells in various phases of the cell cycle, as well as by the secretion of T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines (ELISA).

An unusual case of DRESS syndrome.

Background: DRESS syndrome (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) is a rare but severe drug reaction.

Observations: A 27-year-old male with paranoid schizophrenia was hospitalized with all three diagnostic criteria of DRESS syndrome: cutaneous drug eruption, hematological abnormalities (presence of atypical lymphocytes on blood smear) and systemic involvement (generalized lymphadenopathy and hepatitis). On hospitalization the patient exhibited an unusual fever pattern of high temperatures in the morning hours and lower temperatures towards evening.

In vitro interferon-gamma release test in patients with drug-induced pemphigus.

Background: Drug-specific CD8+ TH1 lymphocytes have been found in the peripheral blood and involved skin of patients with drug-induced bullous exanthems.

Objectives: To determine whether the interferon-gamma release test can identify culprit drugs in pemphigus patients.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory workup for pemphigus was performed in 14 pemphigus vulgaris patients who had been exposed to drugs, and the IFN-gamma release test was conducted on their lymphocytes from heparinized venous blood cultured with medium, phytohemagglutinin and one of 32 drugs, or medium and phytohemagglutinin alone.

Chlorpyrifos exacerbating pemphigus vulgaris: a preliminary report and suggested in vitro immunologic evaluation model.

Background: There is accumulating evidence on the role of pesticides in the etiology of pemphigus vulgaris (PV).

Objective: To determine whether chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide, is involved in the immunopathology of PV.

Methods: Normal human skin biopsy specimens incubated with progressively diluted chlorpyrifos solutions were used as indirect immunofluorescence substrates for sera from two PV patients previously exposed to the agent and from healthy controls.

The effect of fish oil supplementation on cytokine production in children.

The ex vivo production of inflammatory cytokines during fish oil supplementation (n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, n-3 PUFA) is a matter of considerable controversy. Studies on human subjects have generally reported decreased lymphocyte proliferation and decreased production of IL-2, interferon-gamma, IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, but other studies showed no effect or even increased production. There are no published reports on ex vivo cytokine production in children on long-term, n-3 PUFA supplementation.