Seborrheic dermatitis and HIV infection. Qualitative analysis of skin surface lipids in men seropositive and seronegative for HIV.

We measured skin surface lipids (cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides, wax esters, and squalene) in patients seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and those seronegative for HIV with and without seborrheic dermatitis. Cholesterol and wax ester fractions were similar in all four groups but triglycerides and squalene were significantly increased and free fatty acids significantly decreased in HIV-positive patients, regardless of the presence of seborrheic dermatitis. In addition, a strong negative correlation was found between free fatty acid and triglyceride levels. We conclude that abnormalities of skin surface lipids are not associated with the development of seborrheic dermatitis in HIV-positive persons but are associated with HIV infection itself.

Onychomycosis and AIDS. Clinical and laboratory findings in 62 patients.

The results of a study on onychomycosis in AIDS related complex and AIDS patients presenting for dermatology consultation at an infectious diseases department are reported. The clinical results showed that most patients presented a proximal white superficial onychomycosis. The association with a clinical interdigital involvement was rare, but the association with a mycotic plantar keratoderma was more frequent. The laboratory results showed that dermatophytes were the most frequent etiologic agents, especially Trichophyton rubrum (58%). Although most of these patients presented an oral candidiasis, Candida albicans was isolated only in seven patients' nails. Surprisingly, Pityrosporum ovale was the only etiologic organism that was found in two patients. This result was confirmed with a histologic examination.

[49 cases of tinea of the scalp observed in a tropical disease clinic in Paris]. / A propos de quarante-neuf cas de teignes du cuir chevelu, observés a Paris dans une consultation de médecine tropicale.

Tinea capitis among school children population is still a public health problem. We described 49 cases of tinea capitis that have been diagnosed at the out patient clinic of Claude-Bernard Hospital, Paris. 44 of them were recently immigrated african children. 4 of them were children born in France from african parents. One case occurred on a caucasian girl, who never left metropolitan France. The pathologenic agent that heve been identified were: T. soudanense, M. audouinii var. Langeronii, T. schoenleinii and M. canis. The result of treatment with ketoconazole or griseofulvine are discussed.

[Fungal infection of the scalp by Trichophyton soudanense treated with ketoconazole (author's transl)]. / Ein Patient mit Mykose des behaarten Kopfes, ausgelöst durch Trichophyton Soudanense, behandelt mit Ketokonazol (Nizoral).

Case of 25 years old black Saracole female presenting tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton Soudanense. This patient lives in Senegal. She was 5 years old on the onset of the disease, which has evolved continuously for 18 years. Systemic administration of Ketoconazole, 400 mg a day during 25 days, had totally cured the patient clinically and mycologically.

[Experimental dermatitis caused by Pityrosporum ovale and (or) Pityrosporum orbiculare in the guinea pig and the mouse]. / Dermatite expérimentale à Pityrosporum ovale et (ou) Pityrosporum orbiculare chez le cobaye et la souris.

An experimental dermatitis was established for the guinea pig and Swiss white mouse by topical application of cultures of Pityrosporum ovale, isolated from pityriasis capitis and from P. arbiculare isolated from pityriasis versicolor. Histology showed the development of the yeasts in the stratum corneum, with hyperkeratosis at the follicular ostium and in the pilous bulb: the clinical and histological appearances resembled human seborrheic dermatitis. The nude (nu/nu) mouse, the hair-less mouse and the nude rat were not susceptible to this experimental infection, probably because of the dystrophy of their pilous follicles and sebaceous glands. The experimental model permitted evaluation of antifungal agents. The Pityrosporum dermatitis disappeared rapidly after topical application of econazole or amphotericin B. No pathological differences were observed between the strains tested.