Prevalence of cutaneous manifestations in 200 patients with eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders are increasing and show a variety of symptoms. They mainly include anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and eating disorders not specified (EDNOS). They predominate in females and represent an important danger, especially in teenagers. In serious cases, they may be life-threatening. Objective To determine the prevalence of cutaneous findings in patients with eating disorders and to compare the results with those found in the literature. METHODS: An observational, transverse, and prospective study was performed. Two hundred patients of recent admission to ALUBA (association that fights against BN and AN), a psychiatric unit for eating disorders, were included: 122 BN; 62 AN; 16 EDNOS. RESULTS: Patients with eating disorders show dermatologic manifestations (alopecia, xerosis, hypertrichosis, caries, nail fragility) that are secondary to starvation. Russell's sign, seen as calluses on the dorsal aspect of the hands, is a consequence of self-induced vomiting and the local trauma of the superior incisors. This sign represents a compensatory behavior to overeating and predominates in the BN group. CONCLUSION: The recognition of dermatologic signs could be of immense value and could lead to the early diagnosis and treatment of these eating disorders.

[PCR determination of an association between class II HLA and pemphigus vulgaris]. / Determinación por PCR de la asociación entre antígenos HLA clase II y pénfigo vulgar.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and mucous membranes. It is characterized by the presence of an autoantibody directed against desmoglein 3, which causes acantholysis and blister formation. In this study, we examined the HLA antigens of 30 caucasian argentinian patients compared with 199 controls. We used the PCR-SSO method (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide). We found that PV patients had significantly increased frequencies of HLA DR4 (RR = 3.80, P = 0.001) and HLA DR 14 (RR = 5.97, P = 0.0001). As in other populations, two associated alleles were found: the first was DR beta 1*0402 (RR = 44.70, P = 10.7) and DQ beta 1*0302 (RR = 71.82, P = 10(-7)) and the second was DR beta 1*1401 (RR = 117.94, P = 10(-7)) y DQ beta 1*0503 (RR = 86.95, P = 10(-7)).

Determinación por PCR de la asociación entre antígenos HLA clase II y pénfigo vulgar. / [PCR determination of an association between class II HLA and pemphigus vulgaris]

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and mucous membranes. It is characterized by the presence of an autoantibody directed against desmoglein 3, which causes acantholysis and blister formation. In this study, we examined the HLA antigens of 30 caucasian argentinian patients compared with 199 controls. We used the PCR-SSO method (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide). We found that PV patients had significantly increased frequencies of HLA DR4 (RR = 3.80, P = 0.001) and HLA DR 14 (RR = 5.97, P = 0.0001). As in other populations, two associated alleles were found: the first was DR beta 1*0402 (RR = 44.70, P = 10.7) and DQ beta 1*0302 (RR = 71.82, P = 10(-7)) and the second was DR beta 1*1401 (RR = 117.94, P = 10(-7)) y DQ beta 1*0503 (RR = 86.95, P = 10(-7)).

Osteopenia in Rett syndrome.

Bone density analysis, dietary intake, and anthropometrics were compared in 20 subjects with Rett syndrome (RS), 25 normal control subjects, and 11 girls with cerebral palsy. Bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and spine (bone) mineral density were significantly reduced in the RS group. When weight and age were kept constant, the bone density was still reduced in the patients with RS. Subjects with RS are at risk for osteoporosis.

Causes of iron deficiency in adolescent athletes.

Seventy-two high school cross-country runners were studied during the running session for possible etiologic factors associated with iron deficiency, which was defined as a serum ferritin level less than or equal to 12 ng/ml and a transferrin saturation of less than or equal to 16% occurring simultaneously. Iron deficiency was observed during the running season in 34% of female cross-country runners, compared with 8% of male runners. Increased iron losses through gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 9 of 20 female runners; 7 of these 9 had iron deficiency. Dietary iron intake was low in both iron-deficient and iron-sufficient female runners, but dietary instruction did not increase iron intake significantly. Iron deficiency could not be prevented in 35% of the female runners treated with 60 mg of elemental iron daily, but adequate treatment was achieved with 180 mg. Iron losses in urine, sweat, and plasma were small and did not appear to be increased in iron-deficient runners. These findings indicate that female cross-country runners have a high incidence of iron deficiency that is associated with initially decreased iron stores and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Infection rate of arboviruses in Dutch recruits returning from Surinam.

Paired serum samples from approximately 650 Dutch recruits residing temporarily in Surinam, the first sample being collected on arrival, the second when leaving the country, were examined for haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies to two types of arbovirus (Mucambo and Restan) isolated from local mosquitoes, and to two types of arbovirus (Oriboca and Caraparu) isolated from human blood. In a group of inidviduals in whom mild febrile illness had been reported, antibodies had developed in 3.9 to 6.7%, and in a group without reported history of febrile illness in 3.0 to 47% for each of the viruses.

Arboviruses isolated from mosquitos and man in Surinam.

In the capital of Surinam, and in parts of the coastal plain and the savannah belt 47 strains of arbovirus were isolated from mosquito pools and from sentinel mice. Most of the strains (51%) were of the Mucambo type. The other types were Guama, Bimiti, Una, Catu, Restan, Maru, and Kwatta. Culex portesi was found to be the principal vector of all but one (Maru) types. Other vectors found to be carriers of arboviruses were Psorophora ferox, Mansonia venezuelensis, and Aëdes serratus. The highest proportion of mosquito pools yielding arboviruses was found in the savannah belt, the lowest in the municipality of Paramaribo.