[Current developments in dermatologic virology].

We give a survey of the latest developments in dermatovirology. The actual epidemiologic situation is described with special reference to the increasing incidences of AIDS, condylomata acuminata, mollusca contagiosa, and herpes simplex type 2. The dermatovirological progress achieved during the last few years is mostly due to improved diagnostic techniques, including electron microscopy, and to the introduction of specific virostatic agents.

[Keratoacanthoma and its clinical variants. Review of the literature and histopathologic analysis of 90 cases].

Current knowledge about the etiology and histogenesis of keratoacanthoma (KA) is first reviewed, after which the various clinical and histological patterns of this tumor are presented. The differential diagnosis, particularly against spinocellular carcinoma (SCC), and possible forms of therapy are discussed. A series of 90 KAs seen in the period 1976-1986 were investigated histopathologically with reference to the overall architecture, the epithelial differentiation, the behavior towards the adjacent tissue, and the extent and composition of the cellular infiltrate.

[Some recent results and developments in dermatovenerology].

Our own results in dermatology are highlighted, such as the oral "hairy" leukoplakia associated with AIDS, treatment with Acyclovir for herpetic infections, laser therapy for angiomas, Lyme disease, x-ray therapy in Kaposi's sarcomas, photosensitivity reactions by treatment with thiazid diuretics and follicular mucinosis associated with T-cell lymphomas (mycosis fungoides).

[Pyoderma gangraenosum with special reference to immunologic and hematologic parameters].

Clinically, the diagnosis "pyoderma gangraenosum" can easily be made on the basis of typical skin features. It has been agreed, so far, that numerous immune deficiencies may play a key role in the pathogenesis of this disease. On reviewing the recent case reports, we observe a change regarding the associated diseases in more than 50%: Whereas earlier reports refer to ulcerative colitis as the most frequent concomitant disease, we now find increasing evidence of hematologic problems in association with pyoderm gangraenosum.

[Rules for the writing of scientific papers with remarks on the art of composition and nomenclature].

Students and young scientists are often helpless when writing their first paper. The author has observed over a period of time that poor style, misuse of the German language and inappropriate dermatological terminology have crept in that should be eradicated. In this paper, an attempt is made to provide constructive advice on how to organize a manuscript and how to give it better form.

Oral acyclovir for herpes zoster: a double-blind controlled trial in normal subjects.

Sixty immunocompetent patients with herpes zoster of various dermatomes were treated 5 times a day for 5 days with either acyclovir at a dose of 400 mg or placebo. Acyclovir was shown to reduce significantly the time to full crusting (P = 0.02).

[Cowpox virus infection in a young girl].

An genuine cowpox virus was isolated in a 6-year-old girl with a circumscribed skin lesion between the thumb and forefinger. In the beginning, the lesion was a proliferating skin change, which later became ulcerative with central hemorrhagic necrosis (umbilicated pock). Electron microscopy as well as histological, biological (cell and host range) and serological methods were used to characterize the virus.

[Oral "hairy" leukoplakia--rapid electron optic diagnosis by negative staining procedures].

Using the electron microscopic technique of negative staining, viruses of the herpes group were detected in leukoplakic lesions on the tongue of a bisexual, HTLV-III-/LAV-infected male. Oral "hairy" leukoplakia was diagnosed, which was the first clinical symptom of on HTLV-III/LAV infection in this patient.

[Infantile acro-localized papulovesicular syndrome].

Papular acrodermatitis (Gianotti-Crosti syndrome) was seen in a six-year-old girl. The disease was marked by the characteristic triad of a papular-vesicular rash, lymphadenopathy and liver damage. Serological findings suggest an infection with Epstein-Barr virus as the causative factor.

[Oral hairy leukoplakia--early symptom of HTLV-III/LAV infection].

Epstein-Barr virus was demonstrated electronmicroscopically in a leucoplakic area of the tongue of a man infected with HTLV-III/LAV. Oral "hairy" leucoplakia, diagnosed from the clinical findings, histology and by electronmicroscopy, in this patients is to be interpreted as the initial sign of an HTLV-III/LAV infection.

[Heck's disease].

The clinical, microbiological, histological and electron microscopical findings in cases of oral papillomatosis (Heck's disease, focal epithelial hyperplasia), as well as differential diagnosis and therapy are presented. Electron microscopic investigations confirmed the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the lesions of Heck's disease.

[Comparative testing of Kamillosan cream and steroidal (0.25% hydrocortisone, 0.75% fluocortin butyl ester) and non-steroidal (5% bufexamac) dermatologic agents in maintenance therapy of eczematous diseases].

We report on 161 patients suffering from inflammatory dermatoses on hands, forearms, and lower legs who had been initially treated with 0.1% difluocortolone valerate. During the maintenance therapy carried out over a period of 3 to 4 weeks, we tested the efficacy of Kamillosan cream vs.

[Differential x-ray therapy of keratoacanthoma. A clinical case].

Differential radiotherapy is a way of making a diagnosis and treatment for keratoacanthoma at the same time. After having taken a punch biopsy in order to exclude basal cell carcinoma, we give an X-ray dose of 2500 r. This dose is sufficient to induce the healing of keratoacanthoma.

[Hereditary papulotranslucent acrokeratoderma].

Hereditary papulostranslucent acrokeratoderma is known as a rare genetic cutaneous disorder. Clinically it shows white translucent papules with a smooth surface affecting hands and feet, especially palms and soles, but there is no subjective discomfort. Histologic study reveals signs of focal hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, and acanthosis without any alteration of the dermis.

[Clinical variability of polyvinylpyrrolidone dermatosis].

Several pharmaceutics on the market contain polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). As the high-polymeric parts of the PVP molecules cannot be eliminated after parenteral or subcutaneous application, they accumulate in the organism. PVP residues in the dermis cause a considerable variability of skin changes, ranging from deposits nearly without reactions up to swelling, papules, granulomas and pseudotumors.

[Bullous pemphigoid in childhood].

Bullous pemphigoid is a rather rare disease in childhood. A case report is given about a seven-year-old girl suffering from juvenile bullous pemphigoid and the differential diagnosis is discussed with regard to the other bullous diseases in children. Some clues were noted in the case history of our patient concerning an effective treatment using erythromycin in bullous pemphigoid.