ABSTRACT
Nocardia species are aerobic, gram-positive, filamentous, partially acid-fast actinomycetes which are found worldwide in soil and decaying organic plant matter. When they infect human beings, they generally enter through the respiratory tract and then disseminate systemically. Rarely has a primary infection occurred as the result of direct inoculation. Isolation of Nocardia from clinical specimens and identification of species are difficult. But, with the introduction of new genetic technologies, reports of novel species of Nocardia have increased. We describe a case of cutaneous nocardiosis caused by Nocardia takedensis in an 87-year-old woman who was diagnosed by bacterial culture and 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. N. takedensis has been described as a new species. This report describes the first clinical isolate of N. takedensis from a skin specimen in Korea.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Growth factors play important roles in wound healing. However, the evidence for the effects of growth factors on post-thyroidectomy scars is limited. OBJECTIVE: We performed a prospective study to assess the preventive and therapeutic effect of a multi-growth factor (MGF)-containing cream on post-thyroidectomy scars. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with thyroidectomy scars applied MGF cream twice a day. We assessed the changes in erythema, pigmentation, skin elasticity, and skin hydration status using the erythema index, melanin index, cutometer, and corneometer, respectively. In addition, Vancouver scar scale (VSS) and patient satisfaction were assessed at 10 days after surgery (baseline), 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after baseline. RESULTS: The mean total VSS scores were significantly lower at 6 weeks (3.24±1.51 vs. 1.91±1.38) and 12 weeks (3.24±1.51 vs. 1.71±1.59) compared to the baseline. The degree of pigmentation was significantly lower at 12 weeks compared to the baseline, and the skin elasticity, and the skin hydration status were significantly higher at 12 weeks compared to the baseline. Over 85% of the patients were satisfied with the use of MGF cream without any adverse effect. CONCLUSION: MGF cream might have additive or supportive effect for scar formation after thyroidectomy.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients who receive laser treatments may experience transient erythema, edema, and crusts for several days. Although a variety of growth factor-containing creams for promoting recovery after laser treatment are available, evidence for their efficacy remains insufficient. AIMS: We performed a randomized controlled split-face study to assess the effects of a multigrowth factor (MGF)-containing cream on patients recovering from laser treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients underwent treatment using an ablative fractional laser and were randomized with respect to the side of the face treated with an MGF-containing cream or control cream. We measured post-treatment erythema and pigmentation using the erythema and melanin indices, respectively, and evaluated the total area of microcrusts with dermoscopy. Additionally, patient satisfaction levels and global improvement scores were assessed. RESULTS: We found that the area of microcrusts was significantly smaller in the MGF-treated regions. Global improvement scores for post-treatment edema and wrinkles were also significantly higher for MGF cream-treated sides than for the control sides. CONCLUSION: The MGF cream-treated regions showed a more rapid recovery from crusts and edema. Thus, the use of an MGF-containing cream after laser treatment can effectively reduce recovery time.
Subject(s)
Edema/drug therapy , Erythema/drug therapy , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/therapeutic use , Lasers, Gas/adverse effects , Pigmentation Disorders/drug therapy , Wound Healing/drug effects , Adult , Cosmetic Techniques/adverse effects , Dermoscopy , Double-Blind Method , Drug Combinations , Edema/etiology , Epidermal Growth Factor/therapeutic use , Erythema/etiology , Face , Female , Fibroblast Growth Factors/therapeutic use , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction , Photography , Pigmentation Disorders/etiology , Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/therapeutic use , Prospective Studies , Skin Aging , Skin Cream , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/therapeutic use , Young AdultABSTRACT
Cutaneous and systemic plasmacytosis (CSP) is a rare disorder of unknown etiology characterized by cutaneous polyclonal plasma cell infiltrates associated with various extracutaneous involvement and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. Here, we report on a 54-year-old male patient with chronic renal insufficiency who presented with disseminated reddish-brown macules and plaques on the face and trunk. In our evaluation, he was found to have lymphadenopathy, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia; benign plasma cell infiltration involving the skin, bone marrow, and retroperitoneal area; and renal amyloidosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of CSP associated with renal amyloidosis.