Life-threatening course of pemphigus vulgaris complicated by sepsis caused by azathioprine-induced bone marrow suppression, successfully managed with combination therapy.

Severe forms of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) that are resistant to standard treatment present a life-threatening disease with a mortality of 5-10%. The treatment is usually individualized. The most popular procedures used today include intravenous applications of immunoglobulins and rituximab. Currently the common use of pulse corticosteroids, often in first-line treatment, is being neglected. This particular case documented the severity of the disease and also the need for combined and comprehensive care, in which corticosteroid pulse therapy still plays an important role.

Double skin tumors with an atypical clinical picture.

The authors present a rare case of double skin tumors: acral lentiginous melanoma and metatypical carcinoma. The tumors were manifested as gradually enlarging ulcerations on the leg and sole of the foot that did not respond to standard treatment. The skin biopsies showed advanced acral lentiginous melanoma on the sole and metatypical carcinoma of the lower leg. Soon after the diagnosis was made, the melanoma generalized. The article discusses the differential diagnosis of both leg ulcerations, correct diagnostic procedures, and characteristic features of both tumors that are important questions for general practitioners, dermatologists, and surgeons.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis induced in a patient treated with infliximab for Crohn's disease.

The induction of psoriasis as a side effect of treatment with TNF-alpha inhibitors is one of a few rare complications of treatment, the pathogenic mechanism of which has not yet been completely clarified. The clinical presentation of these reactions may show the typical characteristics of psoriasis, palmoplantar pustulosis and psoriasiform exanthema; the individual variations of which may combine to give different presentations in individual patients. We present the case of a patient who, after administration of infliximab indicated for Crohn's disease, developed not only skin manifestations but also those of psoriatic arthritis.

Oral lichenoid lesions and allergy to dental materials.

BACKGROUND: Dental materials, oral hygiene products and food additives may cause contact allergic reactions in the mouth with varied clinical presentation. Oral lichenoid lesions (lichen planus-like lesions) can be induced by hypersensitivity to dental restorative metals, acrylates, flavorings and other substances. AIM: The aim of this study was to demonstrate contact allergy to dental materials in patients with oral lichenoid lesions using patch tests. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Routine patch tests with two sets of allergens - "European Standard" and "Dental Screening" (Chemotechnique Diagnostics, Sweden) supplemented with pulverized amalgam, iridium, indium, menthol, sorbic acid and platinum were done on a set of 25 patients with lichenoid lesions located on the buccal mucosa, tongue and lips. Application and interpretation of the tests were conducted according to ICDRG (International Contact Dermatitis Research Group). RESULTS: 15 (60 %) patients showed sensitization to 1 or more allergens, with a total of 31 positive reactions. The greatest frequency of positive reactions was to dental metals, with a total of 27 positive reactions. The order of tested metals according to frequency of positive reactions was mercury (6/25/24 %), amalgam (6/25/24 %), nickel (4/25/16 %), palladium (4/25/16 %), cobalt (3/25/12 %), gold (2/25/8 %), chrome (1/25/4 %), indium (1/25/4 %). The clinical relevance of the results with regard to the material's presence in the mouth was demonstrated in 11 (44 %) patients. In 9 patients, replacement of the positively tested materials led to healing or to significant regression of mucosal changes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the patch tests showed the possible contribution of contact sensitization in the pathogenesis of lichenoid manifestations in the oral cavity. Due to the premalignant character of these lesions, replacement of positively tested materials and follow up of these patients is advised.