Lip creams with propolis special extract GH 2002 0.5% versus aciclovir 5.0% for herpes labialis (vesicular stage) : Randomized, controlled double-blind study.

A lip cream with special propolis extract GH 2002 at a concentration of 0.5% (199 patients) was tested against aciclovir 5% (198 patients) in the treatment of episodes of herpes labialis under double-blind conditions. Upon inclusion, all patients were in the vesicular phase.

A study of clinical, histopathological and direct immunofluorescence diagnosis in pemphigus group Utility of direct immunofluorescence.

Aims: To determine the diagnostic accordance between histopathological and direct immunofluorescence diagnosis of patients with autoimmune vesiculobullous skin diseases.

Background: The term pemphigus refers to a group of autoimmune blistering diseases mediated by auto-antibodies directed against desmoglein proteins. The differentiation between the various bullous diseases is important for treatment and prognosis.

Cutaneous vasculitis associated with interferon beta-1b treatment for multiple sclerosis.

We report a 38-year-old woman with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, treated with subcutaneous injections of interferon beta (IFN-beta)-1b every other day. Disseminated cutaneous lesions were observed after 3 injections. These symptoms reappeared after drug readministration.

The treatment of facial atopic dermatitis in children who are intolerant of, or dependent on, topical corticosteroids: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is most prevalent in areas of reduced skin barrier reserve, like face and neck, especially in children. Treatment with topical corticosteroids (TCS) is limited due to heightened risk of treatment-associated side-effects, thus necessitating alternative AD therapies.

Objectives: The primary study objective was to determine the efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1% in children with mild-moderate facial AD dependent on/intolerant of TCS.

Occurrence of Candida strains in cases of paronychia.

A total of 43 patients, 11 males and 32 females, with paronychia of the fingernails were examined for the presence of Candida spp. The yeast species isolated were identified using standard laboratory methods, including germ-tube production, morphology on rice agar with Tween 80, and mainly fermentation and assimilation of saccharides. In the male group, two Candida species were detected: C.

[Immunofluorescent analysis of anterior lens capsule allotransplantation for chronic corneal ulcers].

This study uses immunofluorescent analysis to find out in histologic corneal sections a possible rejection reaction in anterior lens capsule allotransplantation for chronic corneal ulcers. The experiment included control group of rabbit corneas with repeat injury to epithelium and anterior stroma as well as surgically treated group. Fluorescein-conjugated human antibodies to IgA, IgM, IgG, complement and fibrinogen were used in the study.

Effect of vaccination therapy for acne, using a staphylococci antigenic complex in combination with clindamycin.

A group of 46 patients with acne vulgaris were prescribed clindamycin in combination with a vaccination therapy using a staphylococci antigenic complex (Polystafana; Sevapharma, Czechia). Acne papulopustulosa was diagnosed in 36 patients and acne indurata in 10 patients. The clinical effect of clindamycin and Polystafana was determined on the basis of the regression of the inflammatory manifestation of acne: regression by 0-30% was considered unsuccessful, by 30-80% satisfactory, and above 80% excellent; the immunomodulation effect of the treatment was evaluated in parallel.

The frequency of Candida species in onychomycosis.

Mycological investigation of 108 nail specimens taken from a total of 41 patients examined over three years included direct microscopy and repeated cultures. A higher incidence of onychomycosis of the fingernails (75%) was observed in women while afflictions of the toenails (71%) prevailed in men. The highest prevalence of onychomycosis was found in patients between 50 and 70 years of age.

Electrophoretic karyotyping of Candida albicans strains isolated from premature infants and hospital personnel in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Electrophoretic karyotyping was used to compare DNA probes of yeasts isolated from blood of preterm neonates (n = 66) in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and from the hands of healthy hospital personnel (n = 10). The yeasts were identified as Candida albicans using standard laboratory methods. DNA was extracted from yeasts and isolation of identical DNA strains from the pairs nurse-neonate suggested that one nurse transmitted one yeast strain by her hands to three neonates.

Cutaneous candidosis in immunosuppressed patients.

One-hundred patients with candidosis of the skin, mucous membranes and nail plates (confirmed by cultivation) were examined. Topical or systemic antimycotic treatment was successful in 58 patients. After a complete evaluation, 42 patients were found to suffer from factors supporting candidosis--diabetes mellitus (12), anemia (3) and various local factors (10 patients); 27 patients showed a deficiency in cell-mediated immunity.

Incidence of Candida species isolated from human skin and nails: a survey.

Distribution of Candida species was investigated by examining 245 samples from skin lesions and nails. The isolates were identified using standard laboratory methods including germ tube test, micromorphology of colonies on rice agar, the commercial kit, saccharide assimilation and fermentation tests. Eight species of Candida were identified: C.

[Immunomodulating and therapeutic effects of the STAVA inj. preparation in acne vulgaris].

The authors administered to 20 patients with acne vulgaris (14 patients with the papulopustulous form of acne, 6 patients with the indurative or cystic form of acne) the preparation STAVA inj. After treatment they evaluated the therapeutic effect of the preparation and the state of immunity of the patient. Treatment failed in three patients with the cystic form where there was a severe deficiency of the cellular immunity component.

[Immunostimulation therapy in patients with alopecia areata].

The authors recorded decreased values of active and total E rosettes and increased values of IgM and C3 components of complement in 13 patients with alopecia areata. Direct immunofluorescence examination of skin excisions from the alopetic foci revealed immunocomplexes in hair follicles. On the basis of these examinations, excluding other causes of the disease of alopecia areata, the authors indicated the general immunostimulation therapy.

[Alopecia areata--an autoimmune disorder?].

The authors indicated examinations of actual immune states in 42 patients with alopecia areata in whom no cause of the disease was stated. The examination revealed a deficit in the cellular component of immunity and an increased level of immunoglobulin M and C3 component of complement. The examination of these patients included also the direct immunofluorescence examination of a skin excision from the alopetic focus.

[Sclerotherapy of vascular ectasias of the lower extremities].

The authors treated a group of 138 female patients with injection solutions of Aethoxysklerol Fy Kreussler (SRN). They performed both the direct method of sclerotherapy by intravascular administration of the concentrations of 0.5 and 1%, and indirect method of sclerotherapy by intracutaneous administration of the concentration of 0.

[Defects in cellular immunity in patients with dermatophytosis].

The authors examined in a group of 24 patients with epidermophytosis, refractory to general and local antimycotic treatment, persisting for 2-4 years, the immunity profile and compared the results with those in a group of healthy subjects. Epidermophytosis was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical picture, microscopic and cultivation examinations. The authors revealed in the patients with epidermophytosis a defect in the cellular immunity component, while there was no defect in the humoral component.