Outbreak of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-Associated Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Infection in a Rugby Team, France, 2010-2011.

Staphylococcus aureus strains that produce Panton-Valentine leukocidin are known to cause community infections. We describe an outbreak of skin abscesses caused by Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (clonal complex 121) in a professional rugby team in France during July 2010-February 2011. Eight team members were carriers; 7 had skin abscesses.

Predictive clinical features of eczema craquelé associated with internal malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a series of hospitalized patients with eczema craquelé (EC) and the possible correlations between clinical features of EC and cancer in an open prospective observational study. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: The study population comprised 68 consecutive patients included between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000 who were followed up through December 2004. All patients who had localized or generalized EC were included. Patients underwent complete clinical examinations, routine laboratory tests, chest x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, and cutaneous biopsies performed on EC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Rates of EC associated with cancer, clinical features of eczema, rate of recalcitrant eczema, relationship to other clinical prognostic factors, and paraneoplastic evolution were evaluated. Cancer was diagnosed in 32 patients (47%). We observed a significant difference in the presenting clinical signs of EC between patients with malignant tumors and patients without cancer. In patients with malignancies, EC was widespread on the trunk and we noted deep red and inflammatory fissures. In all cases, EC led to the discovery of malignancy or recurrence of cancer. CONCLUSION: Widespread EC, topical corticosteroid resistance, and deep red and inflammatory fissures were significantly correlated with neoplasia.

Incidence and mortality of bullous pemphigoid in France.

A major increase in the incidence of BP has been recently reported in the United Kingdom. In addition, there are some controversies about the over-mortality of BP patients. The primary objective was to reevaluate the incidence of BP in France as compared with that we estimated 15 years ago. The secondary objective was to assess mortality of BP patients. BP incidence was retrospectively estimated from all BP cases diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2005 in three French regions with a total population of 3.858 million inhabitants. BP mortality was assessed from a prospective cohort accrued during the same time period. A total of 502 incident BP patients (mean age: 82.6±8.8 years) were identified. Overall estimated incidence was 21.7 cases per million persons per year (95%CI:19.8-23.7 cases per million persons per year), which is about 3-fold higher than the incidence that we estimated 15 years ago. In the population aged 70 years or above, BP incidence was 162 cases per million per year (95%CI:147-177 cases per million per year). The overall 1-year survival rate was 62% (95% CI: 56-67%). The risk of death for BP patients was more than six times greater than that for the general population (SMR:6.60; 95%CI:5.47-7.90). The incidence of BP in France has increased 3-fold in the last 15 years. BP is associated with high mortality.

[Cicatricial pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid]. / Pemphigoïde cicatricielle, pemphigoïde des muqueuses.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid belongs to the family of sub-epidermal bullous diseases and is clinically characterized by mucosal involvement leading to fibrosis and scarring. Cutaneous involvement is unfrequent and oral mucosa and conjunctivas are the most frequently involves mucosa. Treatment relies on anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs. The main goal is the limitation of the fibrosing potential of the autoimmune deposits within various mucous membranes.

Blue light is phototoxic for B16F10 murine melanoma and bovine endothelial cell lines by direct cytocidal effect.

UNLABELLED: The large number of studies devoted to the effect of ultraviolet light on biological systems, contrasts with the lack of experimental data concerning the direct effects of visible light. It has been shown that blue light inhibited the growth of B16F10 melanoma cell lines and reduced the percentage of S phase cells. Yet these effects are poorly understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cell lines and irradiation with blue light were used. Cell mortality and a possible mechanism of action were investigated. RESULTS: Exposure of B16F10 melanoma and bovine endothelial cells to blue light (wavelength 450 nm, 10 J/cm(2) from a Waldman lamp) induced a rapid and large reduction in viability followed by the death of virtually all the irradiated cells within 24 h. These results led us to expose a patient with haemorrhagic cutaneous melanoma metastasis to blue light. Irradiation led to an immediate arrest of haemorrhage, an inhibition of tumour growth and extensive tumour necrosis 24h after irradiation. CONCLUSION: Exposure to blue light may offer new approaches to the treatment of superficial skin carcinomas in humans.