Histone deacetylase inhibitors induce apoptosis with minimal viral reactivation in cells infected with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) latently infects tumor cells in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). The purpose of this study was to determine whether histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDAI) could induce apoptosis, with minimal viral replication, in cells latently infected with KSHV. Four HDAI (depsipeptide, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, MS-275, and trichostatin A) were studied in two PEL B cell lines (BCBL-1, BC-3).

Dermatomyositis with the features of inclusion body myositis associated with carcinoma of the bladder.

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a unique category of inflammatory myopathy. It is characterized histologically by the presence of muscle fibres with rimmed vacuoles and abnormal intracellular accumulations of proteins. We report here a 62-year-old patient with bladder carcinoma, where the signs of IBM overlapped with clinical features of dermatomyositis (DM).

Chronic staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), not previously recorded as a chronic disease, persisted for 2 years in a 50-year-old woman with epilepsy and cerebellar ataxia. Lesions initially suggestive of erythema multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis evolved over 2 years into those typical for SSSS, with extensive erosions and subcorneal blisters, showing an epidermal split at the granular cell layer. Exfoliatin A-producing phage I-III Staphylococcus aureus, previously linked only to acute mild adult cases of SSSS, was cultured from purulent discharge in the patient's eyes, ears and open skin lesions.

Botulinum toxin therapy for palmar hyperhidrosis.

Background: Severe palmar hyperhidrosis is a chronic disease, resistant to conventional therapy. Botulinum toxin inhibits sweat production by blocking release of acetylcholine from presynaptic membranes.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the short- and long-term effectiveness of botulinum toxin therapy in treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

The mysterious case of the premenstrual purple chin.

Recurrent episodes of a "purple chin" in an adolescent girl eluded definitive diagnosis for three years. The condition occurred premenstrually, but results of extensive tests failed to reveal any abnormal hormonal sensitivity. A diagnosis of factitial purpura was eventually established.

Detection of streptococcal class I M protein in psoriasis by confocal immunofluorescent microscopy.

Epidemiological evidence implicates Streptococcus pyogenes (group A) infection as a common triggering stimulus for psoriasis. Unequivocal demonstration of streptococcal antigens in psoriatic skin has been difficult due to cross-reactive antigens in both normal human tissue and group A streptococci, which complicate immunohistological analysis. In this study cryostat sections of involved psoriatic skin were stained with monoclonal antibody 111-15504 to group A streptococci.

IgE bullous disease.

We report two patients with the typical picture of bullous pemphigoid who lacked two critical diagnostic immunopathological features of the disease, namely IgG or C3 bound to the epidermal basement membrane and circulating IgG antibodies directed against the basement membrane zone (BMZ). Both patients had dense infiltrates of eosinophils within their skin lesions, as well as markedly elevated serum IgE levels, while immunofluorescent studies with anti-IgE antibody revealed heavy IgE deposition on inflammatory cells within the dermis surrounding the bullae. These cells were confirmed to be eosinophils by means of specific staining with antibody to major basic protein (MBP).

Occult Streptococcus pyogenes in cellulitis: demonstration by immunofluorescence.

A 23-year-old man developed cellulitis and ascending lymphangitis of the right leg. Blood cultures and skin saline aspirates were sterile. Gram stain of the aspirate did not show any bacteria.

Estrogen dermatitis.

Background: Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis includes pruritus, urticaria, papulovesicular eruptions, and bullous erythema multiforme. Sensitivity to estrogen has not been described, although it was probably first recognized almost 50 years ago.

Objective: Our purpose was to assess sensitization to selected hormones in women with a significant premenstrual flare of skin lesions.

Cutaneous histiocytosis with Langerhans cell features induced by scabies: a case report.

An infant with biopsy-proven scabies developed nodular lesions. Histopathology revealed atypical histiocytes with Langerhans cell features. Within six months after treatment all skin lesions gradually disappeared.

Koebner reaction in psoriasis due to secondary syphilis.

A patient with a two-year history of psoriasis showed a widespread eruption that was clinically and histologically similar to psoriasis. Results of blood tests revealed syphilitic infection, appearing to be secondary syphilis. The flare-up of guttate psoriasis was considered to represent a Koebner phenomenon due to secondary syphilis.

Sweet's syndrome in patients with kidney and liver disorders.

Two patients with Sweet's syndrome are described. In the first patient the disorder was associated with urinary stone disease and in the second with chronic hepatitis. We compared skin lesions in patients with kidney and liver diseases with those in Sweet's syndrome.