Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism, Serum Lipids, and Risk of Superficial Fungal Infections in Egyptian Patients - A Preliminary Case-Controlled Study.

Background: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene isoforms have been found to affect the risk of superficial fungal infections (SFIs). However, the data only cover a few ethnicities. Aims: The present work intended to investigate the association of APOE gene polymorphism and serum lipids with the susceptibility of SFIs among a group of Egyptian patients. Materials and Methods: Standard laboratory methods were used to estimate the serum lipid profile, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to detect APOE gene polymorphism in deoxyribonucleic acid extracted from 150 SFI patients and an equal number of apparently healthy matched controls. Results: Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in the studied patients than in controls. The APOE gene ε2, ε4 alleles, and ε3/4 and ε3/2 genotypes were significantly distributed in the patients than in the controls. APOE ε3/3 genotype was predominant in dermatophytosis and tinea versicolour patients, and ε3/4 genotype was predominant in candidiasis. Conclusions: ApoE alleles ε2 and ε4, and genotypes ε2/3 and ε3/4 are linked to SFI and may be risk factors, whereas allele ε3 and genotype ε3/3 may be protective for SFI in the Egyptian population studied. The lipid profile results suggest that hyperlipidemia may provide evidence for SFI pathogenesis. However; further large-scale studies are still needed to validate our results.

Serum Interleukin-36 in Pityriasis Rosea: A Potential Biomarker for Disease Severity.

Objective: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a self-limiting acute rash with unclear etiology and pathogenesis. The cytokine profile of PR is an infrequently investigated field of research. The aim of this study was to assess the level of IL-36 in sera of patients with PR and its possible interrelation with disease severity. Methods: Forty patients with PR were included in this case-control study, and 40 comparable healthy control subjects. Severity was assessed using pityriasis rosea severity score (PRSS) and serum IL-36 was assessed using ELISA. Results: Serum IL-36 was significantly higher in patients (30.36±12.35) pg/mL compared to control subjects (18.76±10.24) pg/mL (P=0.003). It correlates positively with severity as assessed by PRSS (r= 627, P= 0.003). Patients who reported a history of COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of IL-36 (32.66±11.79) pg/mL compared to those who have not (17.33±2.08) pg/mL (P= 0.000). Conclusion: Serum IL-36 could be considered a potential biomarker for pityriasis rosea that correlates with the disease severity.

Systemic isotretinoin for acne treatment: Ovarian reserve is safe with the low dose.

Isotretinoin is among the most frequently used medications in the dermatologic daily practice. With a Black box warning, teratogenicity is a major concern. Female fertility may be an issue to be investigated when it comes to its use in females. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of low dose isotretinoin on the ovarian reserve in female patients with moderate to severe acne. Sixty-sex female acne patients candidate for isotretinoin therapy and 66 controls were enrolled in this prospective controlled cohort study. Low dose isotretinoin (0.25-0.4 mg/kg/day) was given to the patients group for 6 months. Serum anti-Mullarian hormone (AMH), ovarian volume (OV) and Antral follicle count (AFC) were evaluated at baseline and 6 months after the last dose in the patients' group, and 1 year after the baseline assessment for the control subjects. There was no significant difference in serum AMH between patients after isotretinoin treatment and control subjects (p = 0.898). AMH failed to show any significant change in pre- and post- treatment levels in patients' group (p = 0.747). Both OV and AFC showed no significant changes in patient group when comparing pre- post- treatment levels on both sides (p > 0.05) and in control group between baseline and 1-year-interval levels on both sides (p > 0.05). Low-dose isotretinoin in treatment of moderate to severe acne seems to be safer on ovarian reserve as indicated by non-significant change in AMH levels as a sensitive parameter of female fertility.

COVID-19 vaccination and male fertility issues: Myth busted. Is taking COVID-19 vaccine the best choice for semen protection and male fertility from risky infection hazards?

The emerging coronavirus illness (COVID-19) pandemic is posing a global health hazard, with men being at a larger risk than women. There have been few publications on the andrological consequences of COVID-19 and its vaccines so far. To assuage vaccine fear stemming from concerns about fertility, the effect of inactivated whole-virus and viral vector vaccines on semen quality was investigated in 100 Egyptian men. The safety of COVID-19 vaccines on semen parameters was validated with no significant change in pre- and post-vaccination semen analyses in either type of vaccine. Following COVID-19 vaccination, we can declare male semen parameters as unaffected.

What else than eyes need special protectors during laser hair reduction sessions?

Complications of laser hair reduction should be classified not only to skin and ocular complications but to skin, ocular, and scalp hair complications. Do not forget the plumes. Awareness about laser dangers is very critical. In this way, able to progress the security of both patients and laser providers. Does Nd: YAG cause more bad effect than Alexandrite on scalp hair melanin of laser providers and why? The study aimed at detecting the effect of cumulative exposure to scattered beam during laser hair reduction on the laser providers which may cause unexpected scalp hair melanin affection. The study included 150 female subjects: One hundred medical personnel engaged in laser-assisted hair reduction procedure; half of them were wearing head cover (hijab) and 50 female subjects not dealing with hair reduction laser systems (half of them were wearing hijab). Two laser devices were used: Alexandrite laser (GentleLase PRO® 755 nm, Candela Corp., Wayland, MA, USA) and neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd: YAG) (Synchro HP 1064 nm, Deka M.E.L.A s.r.l., Calenzano (FI), Italy) laser. A significant higher number of grey hairs in medical personnel (P < 0.001) was evident at the initial examination and at each follow-up visit thereafter. The number of grey hairs at initial assessment, after 6 months and after 1 year, was significantly higher in medical personnel dealing with Nd: YAG laser than those using long-pulsed Alexanderite laser (P < 0.001 each). A noteworthy positive correlation was found between working years, grey hair number at the start of study, and the progression (excess) in number of grey hairs after 1 year regardless of the laser system used. It seems that scalp hair pigment needs specific protection as does the eye pigment. Greater attention should be paid to possible long-term hazards particularly on service providers.