Acne vulgaris in the context of complex medical co-morbities: the management of severe acne vulgaris in a female with retinitis pigmentosa - utilizing pulse dye laser in conjunction with medical therapy.

Acne vulgaris is a pervasive inflammatory disorder of the skin, with multiple etiologies and treatment options. Although first-line therapies exist, it is often the case that a patient will present with an underlying disorder that prohibits the use of most currently accepted treatment modalities. We present a patient with severe acne vulgaris and a history of retinitis pigmentosa who was treated with 595 nanometer pulsed dye laser therapy, in conjunction with therapeutic alternatives to first-line acne medications. Our patient exhibited a significant and sustained improvement with the combined use of 595 nanometer pulsed dye laser, Yaz (drospirenone-ethinyl estradiol), dapsone, topical metronidazole, sodium-sulfacetamide wash, and topical azelaic acid. The positive results in this case, suggest that this combined treatment modality may serve as an example of a safe and effective treatment alternative in the management of acne vulgaris complicated by medical co-morbidities that contraindicate the use of most first-line treatment options.

Treatment of rosacea.

A range of treatment options are available in rosacea, which include several topical (mainly metronidazole, azelaic acid, other antibiotics, sulfur, retinoids) and oral drugs (mainly tetracyclines, metronidazole, macrolides). In some cases, the first choice is a systemic therapy because patients may have sensitive skin and topical medications can be irritant. Isotretinoin can be used in resistant cases of rosacea. Unfortunately, the majority of studies on rosacea treatments are at high or unclear risk of bias. A recent Cochrane review found that only topical metronidazole, azelaic acid, and oral doxycycline (40 mg) had some evidence to support their effectiveness in moderate to severe rosacea and concluded that further well-designed, adequately-powered randomised controlled trials are required. In our practice, we evaluate our patients for the presence of two possible triggers, Helicobacter pylori infection and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. When they are present we use adapted antibiotic protocols. If not, we use oral metronidazole or oral tetracycline to treat papulopustolar rosacea. We also look for Demodex folliculorum infestation. When Demodex concentration is higher than 5/cm(2) we use topical crotamiton 10% or metronidazole.

[Treatment of rosacea]. / Prise en charge thérapeutique de la rosacée.

A range of treatment options are available in rosacea, which include several topical (mainly metronidazole, azelaic acid, other antibiotics, sulfur, retinoids) and oral drugs (mainly tetracyclines, metronidazole, macrolides). In some cases, the first choice is a systemic therapy because patients may have sensitive skin and topical medications can be irritant. Isotretinoin can be used in resistant cases of rosacea. Unfortunately, the majority of studies on rosacea treatments are at high or unclear risk of bias. A recent Cochrane review found that only topical metronidazole, azelaic acid, and oral doxycycline (40 mg) had some evidence to support their effectiveness in moderate to severe rosacea and concluded that further well-designed, adequately-powered randomised controlled trials are required. In our practice, we evaluate our patients for the presence of two possible triggers, Helicobacter pylori infection and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. When they are present we use adapted antibiotic protocols. If not, we use oral metronidazole or oral tetracycline to treat papulopustolar rosacea. We also look for Demodex folliculorum infestation. When Demodex concentration is higher than 5/cm(2) we use topical crotamiton 10% or metronidazole.

Effectiveness and safety of doxycycline 40 mg (30-mg immediate-release and 10-mg delayed-release beads) once daily as add-on therapy to existing topical regimens for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea: results from a community-based trial.

Rosacea is a prevalent inflammatory skin disorder that affects approximately 16 million individuals in the United States. Although its exact etiology is unknown, basic science, histologic evidence, and clinical evidence suggest that it is inflammatory in nature. In this 12-week, open-label, multicenter, community-based, phase 4 trial, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of once daily subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline 40 mg (30-mg immediate-release and 10-mg delayed-release beads) in participants with papulopustular rosacea (PPR) who were receiving topical therapy (metronidazole, azelaic acid, and/ or sodium sulfacetamide-sulfur) at the time of the study entry but whose rosacea symptoms were still present. The primary outcome measure was the change in the investigator global assessment (IGA) score from baseline to end of study (week 12). Secondary outcome measures were changes from baseline to end of study in the clinician erythema assessment (CEA) score, treatment responders (IGA score of clear, near clear), and safety. After week 12, 75.7% of participants in the per-protocol (PP) population had IGA scores of clear or near clear. In addition, there were significant differences in the distribution of baseline and week 12 IGA scores in the PP group (P = .0012). At week 12, most participants (63.6%) had mild CEA scores; the distribution was significantly different from baseline (P = .0407). Only 7% of participants had treatment-related adverse events (AEs), mostly mild or moderate in severity. Thus the 40-mg formulation of doxycycline proved to be effective and well-tolerated in a real-world setting in participants with rosacea who were receiving topical therapy but still experiencing symptoms.

[Rosacea: pathogenesis, clinical forms and therapy]. / A rosacea patogenezise, klinikai formái és kezelése.

Rosacea is one of the most common chronic dermatological diseases. It is characterized by transient or persistent facial erythema, teleangiectasias, papules and pustules, usually on the central portion of the face. Rosacea can be classified into four main subtypes: erythemato-teleangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular. These subtypes require different therapeutic approaches. Regarding to the pathomechanism, several hypotheses have been documented in the literature, including genetic and environmental factors, vascular abnormalities, dermal matrix degeneration, microorganisms such as Demodex folliculorum and Helicobacter pylori, but the cause of rosacea is still not known. Authors in this article review current literature on new classification system of rosacea, as well as the main pathogenetic theories and current therapeutic options.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor associated skin eruption.

EGFR Inhibitors are used to treat Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). A common side effect of EGFR Inhibitors is a follicular/pustular skin eruption. We report a case of gefitinib (Iressa) associated skin eruption. The treatment regimen consisted of triamcinolone 0.1% cream twice daily, clindamycin 1% lotion twice daily and sodium sulfacetamide lotion twice daily. The clinical presentation, etiology, and management options of EGFR Inhibitor associated skin eruptions are discussed.

Resistant scalp folliculitis secondary to Demodex infestation.

Folliculitis is a common complaint and its etiology may be related to a variety of factors. We examine a case involving a 57-year-old white man presenting with scalp erythema and folliculitis secondary to Demodex mite infestation. We discuss the pathophysiology of Demodex folliculitis, as well as the epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of this infection.

Combination sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens versus metronidazole 0.75% cream for rosacea.

Topical metronidazole and combination sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur commonly are used to treat rosacea. Recently, the relative efficacy and safety of sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens (Rosac Cream) (n = 75) and metronidazole 0.75% cream (Metrocream) (n = 77) were compared in an investigator-blinded, randomized, parallel-group study at 6 sites. After 12 weeks of treatment with sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens, there was a significantly greater percentage reduction (80%) in inflammatory lesions compared with metronidazole 0.75% cream (72%)(P = .04), as well as a significantly greater percentage of subjects with improved erythema (69% vs 45%, respectively; P = .0007). In addition, the sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens group had a significantly greater proportion of subjects with success in global improvement at week 12 compared with the metronidazole 0.75% cream group (79% vs 59%, respectively; P = .01). There was no significant difference between treatment groups in the percentage of subjects with improvement in investigator global severity. Overall tolerance was good or excellent in 85% of subjects in the sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens group and in 97% of subjects in the metronidazole 0.75% cream group. Seven subjects had poor tolerance to the sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens, possibly caused by a sulfa drug allergy.

Adjunctive skin care in the management of rosacea: cleansers, moisturizers, and photoprotectants.

Certain skin characteristics, such as altered vascular reactivity, appear to be common among patients with rosacea. This may partly explain the observation that these patients appear to have increased sensitivity to certain components of commonly used topical agents. Accordingly, patients with rosacea should be educated regarding which general skin care products to use and to avoid. This review summarizes information regarding 3 classes of these products--cleansers, moisturizers, and photoprotectants--with emphasis on barrier function and skin irritation.

Diagnosing and managing the patient with rosacea.

Rosacea is a common, chronic facial dermatosis that may present in varying manners. Subtypes of rosacea include erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular. In this article, we discuss the diagnosis of these rosacea subtypes and focus on the therapeutics specific to each. Treatments include topical agents, oral antibiotics, laser therapies, surgical treatments, and the role of cosmetics and skin care.

The use of sodium sulfacetamide in dermatology.

Sodium sulfacetamide is effective in the management of a variety of inflammatory facial dermatoses and often is used in combination with sulfur for a synergistic effect. Adverse effects from sodium sulfacetamide are rare and generally are limited to mild application-site reactions. This agent is contraindicated in any patient with known hypersensitivity to sulfonamides.

Ophthalmia neonatorum: a chart review.

Cases of ophthalmia neonatorum diagnosed at Grady Memorial Hospital 1967-1973 were reviewed. Of 302 cases 43 could be diagnosed as gonococcal, 86 chlamydial, 3 gonococcal and chlamydial, 31 staphylococcal, and 5 chemical. Silver nitrate prophylaxis was routinely employed. Gonococcal cases peaked during the third quarter of the year and chlamydial during the fourth quarter. Gonococcal cases were associated with a longer duration of ruptured fetal membranes. Definitive etiologic diagnosis could not be estalished on clinical grounds alone. Chlamydial ophthalmia was more common among black babies but other forms of ophthalmia were equally distributed with respect to race. The risk of gonococcal ophthalmia developing in an infant born to an infected mother was less than 2% if Credé prophylaxis is used. Therapy with topically applied sulfonamides was effective against chlamydial ophthalmia. Therapy with parenterally administered penicillin and topically applied antibiotics was effective against gonococcal ophthalmia.

Inclusion blennorrhea: a case report.

The case described here represents the first laboratory-confirmed case of inclusion blennorrhea at the Mayo Clinic since laboratory isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis was instituted in 1974. Treatment with a sulfonamide preparation proved effective. Further aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of inclusion blennorrhea are discussed.

Comparison of three topical antimicrobials for acute bacterial conjunctivitis.

One hundred fifty-eight patients, 21 years of age or less, presenting with culture-positive (Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae) conjunctivitis were treated with trimethoprim-polymyxin B (TP), gentamicin sulfate (GS) or sodium sulfacetamide (SS) ophthalmic solution for 10 days. Clinical response at 3 to 6 days after start of therapy was similar for all test agents: 26 of 55 (47%) patients cured, 25 of 55 (45%) improved for TP; 28 of 57 (49%) cured, 26 of 57 (46%) improved for GS; and 19 of 46 (41%) cured, 22 of 46 (48%) improved for SS. Clinical response at 2 to 7 days after completion of therapy was also similar: 46 of 55 (84%) patients cured, 5 of 55 (9%) improved for TP; 50 of 57 (88%) cured, 5 of 57 (9%) improved for GS; and 41 of 46 (89%) cured, 2 of 46 (4%) improved for SS. Bacteriologic response at 2 to 7 days after completion of therapy was similar for all antimicrobials: 44 of 55 (83%) patients for TP; 39 of 57 (68%) for GS; and 33 of 46 (72%) for SS.

Meningococcal conjunctivitis.

Meningococcal conjunctivitis is typically described as an acute purulent infection. An atypical case of mild catarrhal conjunctivitis occurred in a 19-year-old college student. The meningococci were identified as Neisseria meningitidis, group A, and were isolated from the throats of the patient and her roommate. The conjunctivitis responded rapidly to treatment with sodium sulfacetamide, and it was not treated systemically. A short review of the literature of meningococcal conjunctivitis is presented, and the current recommendation for prophylaxis is discussed.

Treatment of Hemophilus vaginalis vaginitis.

Four antimicrobial agents (triple sulfa cream, doxycycline, ampicillin, and metronidazole) were studied by double-blind techniques to determine their effectiveness in the treatment of Hemophilus vaginalis vaginitis, documented by vaginal culture in 96 patients. Cure was confirmed by negative vaginal cultures 7 weeks after the start of therapy. Metronidazole proved to be effective in 20 of 22 couples (90.9%) treated. Sulfa cream, doxycycline, and ampicillin were effective in 47.8 to 63.6% of patients treated.

Clinical evaluation of trimethoprim-containing ophthalmic solutions in humans.

We studied trimethoprim in combination with sulfacetamide and polymyxin B and also in combination with polymyxin B alone (without the sulfacetamide) to determine the efficacy and safety of these new antibiotic combinations in the eyes of patients with bacterial conjunctivitis or blepharitis. Patients were selected for the study if they showed at least three of the following criteria: (1) symptoms of a surface ocular infection; (2) a purulent discharge; (3) a polymorphonuclear neutrophilic response on Giemsa stain; (4) a history of recent exposure to an infected individual; (5) a history of an inadequately treated surface bacterial infection. Trimethoprim-sulfacetamide-polymyxin B and polymyxin B-neomycin-gramicidin (Neosporin, the control) eliminated bacteria from the eyes of patients with conjunctivitis or blepharitis with equal effectiveness. There was no loss of effectiveness when trimethoprim-polymyxin B was compared with trimethoprim-sulfacetamide-polymyxin B, suggesting that the sulfacetamide was not a necessary component. The combination antibiotic containing trimethoprim and polymyxin B appears to be an effective topical antibiotic solution for the treatment of ocular surface infections.

Corneal perforation in nontuberculous (staphylococcal) phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis.

An 18-year-old white man with severe staphylococcal blepharokeratoconjunctivitis of several years' duration developed phylctenules intermittently. At age 22 an active corneal phlyctenule caused perforation of the cornea. Seven days after this occurrence, the perforation closed spontaneously but perforated again ten days later. This occurrence may have been caused by an increase in the patient's hypersensitivity to the Staphylococcus as a result of concurrent viral infection, or it may have been due to the patient's failure to return for treatment at the scheduled time. The area of perforation appeared to be healed 10 and one half months later.

Enterobacter cloacae ulceration in a failed corneal graft: a case report.

A 70-year-old female developed a bacterial ulcer in a previously rejected corneal graft. Cultures identified the pathogen as Enterobacter cloacae. Intensive topical antibiotic therapy arrested the progress of the ulcer, and the epithelial defect healed in one week; there was no resultant stromal thinning. Factors which may have predisposed the cornea to ulceration by this organism of relatively low virulence include chronic oedema following graft rejection, topical corticosteroid therapy, and tear insufficiency.