Influence of body mass index, comorbidities and prior systemic therapies on the response of psoriasis to adalimumab: an exploratory analysis from the APHRODITE data.

Adalimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, which is effective for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The aim of this study is to determine whether the response of psoriasis to adalimumab treatment might be influenced by certain particular factors, such as body mass index (BMI), history of biologic therapy, blood hypertension and metabolic comorbidities. For this reason, an exploratory analysis was conducted on 144 patients with psoriasis and concomitant PsA treated with adalimumab 40 mg every other week, evaluating the influence of such factors on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) response rate at week 12. Our preliminary results suggest that the response rate at week 12, in terms of both PASI-50 and PASI-75, appeared to be independent of the presence of hypertension and/or metabolic comorbidities. The PASI-50 response was observed more frequently in patients with BMI less than 30 as compared to obese patients (79% vs 58%, p = 0.02). Previous use of anti-TNF biologics did not appear to affect per se the rate of responders, although it was associated with a lower PASI-75 rate among responders.

[Determination of circulating antibodies in cutaneous leishmaniasis by immunofluorescence test]. / Determinazione degli anticorpi circolanti al test di immunofluorescenza nella leishmaniosi cutanea.

Using a gradient purified leishmania donovani infantum antigen, the sensitivity and specificity of the IIF test in detecting anti-leishmania antibodies are investigated. The "purified" antigen increases the specificity and sensitivity of the IIF test, at the same time, eliminating false positiviness caused by connective diseases, tuberculosis, etc.

[Costa's acrokeratoelastoidosis. Apropos of a sporadic case]. / Acrocheratoelastoidosi di Costa. A proposito di un caso sporadico.

A sporadic case of acrokeratoelastoidosis is reported. It is very interesting one because it presents some peculiar data we have found such as the beginning at the age of 3 months, the rapid manifestation of the complete clinical aspect within the first year of life, the total involvement of palms and soles. Also so far the literature on the subject does not describe the microcirculatory district's ischaemic attitude, the reduction in elasticity of large and medium arteries.

[Separation and purification of Treponema pallidum by density gradient. Technical note]. / Separazione e purificazione di Treponema pallidum mediante gradiente di densità. Nota tecnica.

The reported possibility of obtaining purified suspension of Treponema pallidum through a Percoll density gradient is evaluated. The maintenance of motility and antigenicity of the purified T. pallidum allows further studies on antigenic structure of treponemes.

[False positive reactions to the fluorescence test (FTA-ABS) in skin disease patients]. / False reazioni positive al test di fluorescenza (FTA-ABS) in dermopazienti.

False positive reactions to the fluorescence test (FTA-ABS) were found in a group of dermatological patients compared to another group, made up of healthy subjects and blood-donors. Reactivity to FTA-ABS test was particularly evident in patients suffering from Herpes simplex genitalis, allergic diseases and collagenoses. Practical and theoretical aspects of this finding are discussed.