Prognostic factors and outcomes in metastatic uveal melanoma treated with programmed cell death-1 or combined PD-1/cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 inhibition.

Background: Uveal melanoma (UM) is an ocular malignancy with high potential for metastatic spread. In contrast to cutaneous melanoma, immunotherapy has not yet shown convincing efficacy in patients with UM. Combined immune checkpoint blockade with checkpoint programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and checkpoint cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) inhibition has not been systematically assessed for UM to date.

Immune checkpoint blockade with concurrent electrochemotherapy in advanced melanoma: a retrospective multicenter analysis.

Growing evidence suggests that concurrent loco-regional and systemic treatment modalities may lead to synergistic anti-tumor effects in advanced melanoma. In this retrospective multicenter study, we evaluate the use of electrochemotherapy (ECT) combined with ipilimumab or PD-1 inhibition. We investigated patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who received the combination of ECT and immune checkpoint blockade for distant or cutaneous metastases within 4 weeks.

Frequency and profile of Parkinson's disease prodromi in patients with malignant melanoma.

Objective: The results of register studies suggest an association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and melanoma. We studied the frequency and profile of early markers of PD in patients with malignant melanoma.

Methods: 100 participants were enrolled in a prospective observational study, of whom 65 had a history of high-risk cutaneous (n=53) or uveal (n=12) melanoma (31 women; age, 61.

Time-dependent decrement of dermal gadolinium deposits and significant improvement of skin symptoms in a patient with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis after temporary renal failure.

Background: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) represents a rare fibrosing disorder occurring after administration of gadolinium-containing contrast agents during renal insufficiency. In order to prove the effect of gadolinium elimination on clinical signs, we identified and quantified gadolinium in skin biopsies of a 62-year-old patient with NSF with regard to improving skin lesions after recovery of renal function.

Methods: Gadolinium deposits were visualized and identified in NSF skin biopsies by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (EM) and by scanning EM.

Rice-induced anaphylaxis: IgE-mediated allergy against a 56-kDa glycoprotein.

Background: Although rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most common cereals produced and consumed around the world, there have been only a few reports on immediate hypersensitivity reactions after ingestion of rice. Few clinical studies on rice allergy in Asia have been reported concerning rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. In this case study, we identify allergens presumably responsible for anaphylaxis after ingestion of rice in a German patient.

Wine allergy in a wine-growing district: tolerance induction in a patient with allergy to grape lipid-transfer protein.

Background: : An IgE-mediated allergy against a lipid-transfer protein of grapes was the cause of repeated severe anaphylaxis in a patient after consumption of grapes, wine, and raisins.

Objective: : Although the patient was aware of her grape allergy, avoidance proved difficult and accidental anaphylaxis occurred. Furthermore, wine allergy in a wine-growing district means a non-negligible restriction of quality of life.

Molecular analysis of varicella-zoster virus strains circulating in Tanzania demonstrating the presence of genotype M1.

Based on analysis of 16,392 bp encompassing the complete open reading frames (ORFs) 1, 5, 31, 36, 37, 47, 60, 62, 67, and 68 of the genome of genotype M1 varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was found in swab samples originating from eight Tanzanian zoster patients. Moreover, sequence analysis suggests recombination events between different VZV genotypes within ORFs 1, 31, 60, and 67.

Detection of silver sulfide deposits in the skin of patients with argyria after long-term use of silver-containing drugs.

Five patients with generalized slate-gray discoloration of the skin have been diagnosed histologically as argyria in the last 35 years in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology of Rostock and Halle. Light microscopically, there was visible black pigmentation in histiocytes, fibroblasts, and multinucleated giant cells of the dermis. In the transmission electron microscope (TEM), the authors observed electron-dense deposits inside lysosomes and residual bodies of phagocytes as well as outside the cells in the connective matrix.

Novel varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E gene mutations associated with genotypes A and D.

Here, we describe the association of certain varicella-zoster virus (VZV) genotypes with unique glycoprotein E (gE) gene mutations. Within 45 analyzed VZV wild-type strains of genotypes A and D, five novel gE mutations were discovered. A statistically significant (P < 0.

Novel approach for genotyping varicella-zoster virus strains from Germany.

In this study, we present a novel genotyping scheme to classify German wild-type varicella-zoster virus (VZV) strains and to differentiate them from the Oka vaccine strain (genotype B). This approach is based on analysis of four loci in open reading frames (ORFs) 51 to 58, encompassing a total length of 1,990 bp. The new genotyping scheme produced identical clusters in phylogenetic analyses compared to full-genome sequences from well-characterized VZV strains.

Early onset pauciarticular arthritis is the major risk factor for naproxen-induced pseudoporphyria in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Pseudoporphyria (PP) is characterized by skin fragility, blistering and scarring in sun-exposed skin areas without abnormalities in porphyrin metabolism. The phenylpropionic acid derivative group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially naproxen, is known to cause PP. Naproxen is currently one of the most prescribed drugs in the therapy of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Isolation of Bartonella henselae DNA from the peripheral blood of a patient with cat scratch disease up to 4 months after the cat scratch injury.

We report the case of a girl with cervical lymphadenitis and a persistent primary lesion of cat scratch disease (CSD). Bartonella henselae DNA was isolated from plasma samples collected 3 and 4 months after the cat scratch, indicating that recurrent and long-term shedding of Bartonella DNA into peripheral blood may occur in typical CSD.

Wine anaphylaxis in a German patient: IgE-mediated allergy against a lipid transfer protein of grapes.

Background: IgE-mediated allergy to grapes has very rarely been reported in patients from the Mediterranean area. Recently, endochitinase 4 and a lipid transfer protein (LTP) have been identified as major allergens in grape-allergic patients who do not have an associated pollinosis. The purpose of this case study was to identify the allergens responsible for severe anaphylactic reactions after consumption of wine, fresh grapes and raisins in a German patient.