Marked differences in Betapapillomavirus DNA and antibody prevalence between patients with psoriasis and those with atopic dermatitis.

Background: Recent studies revealed that Betapapillomavirus (betaPV) infections are highly prevalent. Skin diseases such as psoriasis, characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation, and atopic dermatitis (AD), dominated by cutaneous inflammation, might have an impact on viral life cycle and immune response induction.

Objectives: To investigate whether betaPV infection is different in psoriasis and AD.

Ultraviolet-A (UVA-1) radiation suppresses immunoglobulin production of activated B lymphocytes in vitro.

Previous studies have shown that low-dose ultraviolet-A (UVA-1) total body irradiations were capable of improving disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We hypothesized that UVA-1-induced suppression of immunoglobulin production by activated B cells in the dermal capillaries could be (partly) responsible for this effect. Our experiments with donor skin demonstrated that approximately 40% of UVA-1 could penetrate through the epidermis.

UVA-1 cold light therapy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: 61 patients treated in the Leiden University Medical Center.

Background: UVA-1 has been shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. However, its optimal therapeutic conditions are not yet fully established.

Methods: In an open prospective study we retrospectively compared the effect of 4 weeks therapy (32 patients) with the effect of the usual 3 weeks therapy (29 patients) in patients with atopic dermatitis, using a medium dose UVA-1 cold light (45 J/cm2), 5 days a week.

Efficacy of UVA-1 cold light as an adjuvant therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The assessment of the efficacy of therapy of patients with moderately active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with low doses of UVA-1 cold light.

Methods: A double blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study design was used for the examination of the efficacy of low doses of UVA-1 radiation (12 J/cm2/day for 15 days) in 12 patients.

Results: UVA-1 treatment resulted in a significant decrease of well-validated disease activity indexes [the SLE Activity Measure (SLAM) (P < 0.