[Collagen based dressings in the treatment of wound healing]. / Opatrunki kolagenowe w gojeniu ran.

Collagen is the fundamental protein forming the connective tissues matrix, improves the ability of keratinocytes to migrate to sites that require rebuilding of the damaged epidermis, is one of the component of dressings used to accelerate wound healing. Because of the potential risk of the presence of pathogenic prions in bovine collagen, part of collagen dressings is formed on the basis of porcine collagen. Currently, a least of an immunogenic form of collagen is atelocollagen, which is subjected to enzyme-treated collagen, in which the terminal amino acids are removed from the collagen. It is assumed that in the near future atelocollagen will be used also as a carrier for drugs which support the healing processes.

[Photoaging of a skin]. / Fotostarzenie sie skóry.

Photoaging is a skin aging caused by long-term exposure to the ultraviolet radiations of the sun. Ultraviolet activates activating protein-1 and generate reactive oxygen species which play a substantial role in collagen degradation. Clinically, photoaged skin appears as a coarse with deep wrinkles. Presently there are available several agents to reverse the photodamage. There is conclusive evidence that synthetic vitamin A derivatives are the most effective in the treatment of photoaging. Erythema and scaling may be experienced initially.

Changes in distribution pattern of CD8 lymphocytes in the scalp in alopecia areata during treatment with diphencyprone.

For many years, the role of T lymphocytes was hypothesized as being a major factor responsible for hair loss in alopecia areata (a.a.). While numerous lymphocytic populations were found around hair bulbs, changes in their distribution patterns in the skin during the course and recovery of the disease remain unknown. In the present study, distribution of CD8 lymphocytes in biopsies obtained from a.a. patients was measured before and during treatment using diphencyprone (DCP). Results show about a 600% increase in the number of CD8 lymphocytes under the epithelium and about a 250% increase around hair bulbs and other epidermal appendages during the study. These results were more significant in a group, which had good clinical response to the treatment. No change in the quantity of CD8 lymphocytes was observed around the blood vessels. Since CD8 lymphocytes are considered to be directly involved in the hair destruction process in a.a., their increased number around hair bulbs followed by hair regrowth may suggest that during DCP treatment they regain normal reactivity to hair antigens.

Can atopy patch tests with aeroallergens be an additional diagnostic criterion for atopic dermatitis?

UNLABELLED: The complex pathomechanisms underlying skin lesions in atopic dermatitis (AD) result in variations of the clinical picture and frequent diagnostic difficulties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of atopy patch tests (APT) for aeroallergens in the diagnosis of AD. The study involved 115 adult patients with AD and 98 healthy volunteers (the control group). APTs for cat dander allergens, birch pollen, a mixture of house dust mite species and a mixture of 5 grass pollen allergens were applied for both groups. Positive reaction to at least one test allergen was found in 53.9% patients compared to 6.2% in the control group (p<0.001). The most frequent hypersensitivity (45.2%) observed was to house dust mite allergens. Polyvalent allergy to 2-4 allergens was found in 56.5% patients. The specificity of tests exceeded 75%, whereas the sensitivity varied from 18 to 66%. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Atopy patch tests, which are characterised by considerable specificity, confirm the role of polyvalent contact hypersensitivity to aeroallergens in the development of atopic dermatitis. 2. Positive aeroallergen ATP results are observed in the majority of patients and can thus be regarded as an additional diagnostic criterion in atopic dermatitis.

[Prevalence of antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti i Borrelia burgdorferi in adults in North-Eastern Poland]. / Wystepowanie przeciwcial przeciw Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti i Borrelia burgdorferi u doroslych z pólnocno-wschodnich rejonów Polski.

THE AIM: of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalance of antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia Microti in healthy north-eastern Poland, adult population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a group of 142 healthy adults (mean age 19-22), bitten by ticks within last 2 years. The control group consisted of 50 adults from central Poland (nonendemic area). The antibody levels for A. phagocytophilum (IgG/Ap-Ab) and B. microti (IgM/Bm-Ab) were evaluated in two series of samples from the same persons (interval 5-6 months) by immunoenzymatic tests (Borrelia Biomedica, Austria), immunofluorescence test (Human Granulotic Ehrlichiosis IFA IgG and Babesia microti IFA IgG from MRL Diagnostics). RESULTS: Positive results for A. phagocytophilum were defined as titres > or =1:256 and for B. microti > or =1:64 and B. burgdorferi > or = 11 BBU/ml. Positive results for IgG B. burgdorferi during the first collection were revealed in 16% (n=24/142) of individuals from endemic area and in 4% (n=2/50) of the control group, which was statistically relevant (p<0,05). IgG A. phagocytophilum antibodies were present in 3,5% (n=5/142) of individuals from the endemic area, but for IgG B. microti antibodies (IgG/Bm-Ab) no positive results were found. No IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum and B.microti, were found in individuals from non-endemic area. During the second collection, in individuals from the endemic area, the antibodies against B. burgdorferi were found in 9,8% (n=14/142), IgG A. phagocytophilum antibodies (IgG/Ap-Ab) in 4,9% (n=7/142) and against B. microti (IgG/ Bm-Ab) in 1,4% (n=2/142). The antibodies against B. Burgdorferi were found in 2% (n=1/150) of the control group during the second collection, and no IgG against A. phagocytophilum and B. microti were found. CONCLUSION: [corrected] Evaluating the seroprevalance of the studied antibodies in both collections, a conclusion was drawn that there was no significant increase of antibodies levels directly after the highest exposition to tick bites. None of individuals showed 4-fold antibody level increase between the first and second collection. The seroconversion for IgG/Bm-Ab antibodies was present in 1,4% (n=2/142) of individuals, in those 2 cases a 2-fold antibodies level increase was observed. As far as IgG/Ap-Ab antibodies are concerned the seroconversion was observed in 2,1% (n-3/142), but only one case shown a 3-fold antibodies level increase. No seroconversion of B. burgdorferi antibodies were found in the second collection.

[Total and specific IgE and immediate skin tests in the prognosis of atopic dermatitis]. / Calkowite i swoiste IgE oraz natychmiastowe testy skórne w rokowaniu atopowego zapalenia skóry.

The possibility of forecasting of atopic dermatitis (AD) course is limited. The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic usefulness of determination of total and specific IgE concentrations and the results of immediate skin tests in AD patients. The study included 480 adult patients with AD. Immediate skin tests with extracts of 18 aeroallergens and 10 food allergens were performed by PRICK method. Total IgE concentration and concentration of specific IgE (sIgE) against 13 aeroallergens and 12 food allergens were determined by the FAST method. For the assessment of the degree of pathologic process intensity the occurrence was determined of selected AD features according to Hanifin and Rajka exerting direct effect on the severity of the disease, urticaria, extensive cutaneous lesions and remission of the disease. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. In patients in whom total IgE concentration was significantly increased and/or hypersensitivity was found to aeroallergens, coexistence of atopic diseases of the airways, ectodermal defect, urticaria and extensive skin lesions was more frequently observed. Extensive skin lesions were also more frequent in patients with hypersensitivity to food allergens. The studies performed demonstrated that the diagnostic tests discussed are useful for prognostication of AD course. The presence of SIgE, positive results of immediate skin tests and high total IgE concentration prognosticate a more severe course of the disease.