Cutaneous vascular response to calcitonin gene-related peptide in psoriasis and normal subjects.

To determine whether cutaneous blood vessels in subjects with psoriasis possess a generalized inherently abnormal response to neuropeptides, the effect of three doses of intradermally injected calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on skin blood flow in normal subjects (n = 10), and on clinically normal skin (greater than 5 cm from psoriatic lesions) in subjects with psoriasis (n = 9) was measured using a laser Doppler technique. Calcitonin gene-related peptide caused a dose-dependent increase in local blood flow in both psoriatic and normal subjects, which was not statistically different between the two groups. This study has shown that the cutaneous vasculature at sites distant from lesions of psoriasis (> 5 cm) is not inherently different from normal skin in its response to CGRP.

Topical antimicrobial prophylaxis in minor wounds.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of a novel topical antimicrobial gel containing cetrimide, bacitracin, and polymyxin B sulfate to prevent infections of minor wounds. DESIGN: A clinical trial compared the test preparation with placebo and a povidone iodine antiseptic cream. SETTING: Five primary schools in Sydney, Australia, participated in the study over a 6-week spring/summer school term. SUBJECTS: Children aged 5-12 years with parental consent were eligible for study participation. Accidental injuries occurring at school were treated in a standardized manner by nurses at each site. OUTCOME MEASURES: Wounds were evaluated by the medical practitioner after 3 days of topical treatment. The clinical outcome was classified as resolution or suspected infection. If a clinical infection was suspected, the injury was swabbed for microbiologic evaluation. Growth of a dominant microorganism was classified as a microbiologic infection. RESULTS: Of the 177 injuries treated, there were nine clinical infections. A comparison of these showed a significant difference among treatment groups (p < 0.05). This difference was associated with the test preparation and placebo; the test preparation reduced the incidence of clinical infection from 12.5% to 1.6% (p < 0.05; 95% CI, 0.011 to 0.207). A comparison of microbiologic infections showed no significant differences among treatment groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The novel gel preparation containing cetrimide, bacitracin, and polymyxin B sulfate showed therapeutic action and reduced the incidence of clinical infections in minor accidental wounds. It may be a suitable product for first aid prophylaxis.

CD30 (Ki-1)-positive primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: report of spontaneous resolution.

A 28-year-old man in whom CD50 (Ki-1)-positive cutaneous large cell lymphoma manifested as multiple widespread ulcerated nodules; which developed over a 2-week period, is reported. The lymphoma was composed of large anaplastic cells in large clusters, with scattered eosinophils, neutrophils and small lymphocytes. Extensive staging investigations revealed no extra-cutaneous disease. No treatment was given because, within weeks of presentation, the nodules began to regress spontaneously and the patient remains disease-free 20 months later.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis.

A case of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is described. A brief review of AGEP is undertaken with emphasis on its differentiation from acute generalized pustular psoriasis. AGEP is also compared with and contrasted to acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, or 'Sweet's syndrome' and Sneddon-Wilkinson pustular dermatosis.

Extemporaneous prescribing (1).

An outline of the pharmacology of important components of extemporaneous prescriptions will be undertaken over four issues of the journal. Substances such as dithranol, salicylic acid and coal tar will be examined in some depth with regard to their mode of action, uses and side effects. In addition, examples of extemporaneous formulations containing these substances will be provided along with advice regarding their use. Substances such as sulphur, calamine, podophyllin and menthol will also be reviewed using the same format but in less detail. The articles are designed to provide practical knowledge in the area of extemporaneous prescribing. Complicated areas of pharmaceutical chemistry, unless relevant to the clinical setting, will not be discussed.