Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence in People Keeping Cats and Not Keeping Cats at Their Home in Sivas

Objective: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular protozoan and its definitive host is the Felidae family. Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted to humans in many ways. The purpose of the study was to investigate the anti-Toxoplasma IgM and anti-Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity with the ELISA method in people who have cats at home and do not have cats at home, and to reveal the possible relationship between toxoplasmosis and people who keep/contact cats for a long time for any reason at home. Methods: Between March 2021 and June 2021, blood samples were taken from 91 people who had a cat in their home for at least a year and 91 people who had never had a cat or had no contact with a cat, in Sivas province. Anti-Toxoplasma IgM and anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were investigated in serum samples by the ELISA method. Age, gender, and other socio-demographic criteria were not considered. RESULTSResults: Because of the study, all samples were found to be negative for anti-Toxoplasma IgM. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity was detected in 20 (22.0%) of those who had cats at home and 40 (44.0%) of those without cats at home. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of anti-Toxoplasma IgM seropositivity. However, anti-Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity was found to be statistically significant (p=0.002) (p<0.01). Conclusion: Because of the study, anti-Toxoplasma IgG positivity was found to be higher in those who did not feed/contact cats at home and it was statistically significant. It brings to mind that the reason for the high rate of seropositivity in those without cats at home, may not be only the oocysts excreted from cats, but also the transmission by other non-cat transmission routes may still be important.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma syndrome: a case report and implications of early onset.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC) is an autosomal dominant manifestation of cutaneous and uterine leiomyomas together with renal cancer due to autosomal dominant germline mutations of fumarate hydratase gene. A twenty-year-old female patient presented with type-II segmental piloleiomyoma and increased menstruation due to uterine leiomyomas, with a history of bilateral nephrectomy performed at 13 and 16 years of age for type 2 papillary renal cell carcinoma. This case represents one of the very early onsets of hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma syndrome. As genetic anticipation for renal cancer is a well-documented entity for HLRCC syndrome, early recognition is crucial for both the patient and her family in order to provide appropriate counseling and initiation of surveillance.

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study on the effects of topical blackcurrant emulsion enriched in essential fatty acids, ceramides and 18-beta glycyrrhetinic acid on clinical signs and skin barrier function in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Lipid-based emulsions can be useful for the management of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). 18-beta glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA), a component of liquorice root, has anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a topical lipid emulsion containing ceramides, fatty acids and GRA on clinical signs of cAD and skin barrier in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Client owned (n = 45) dogs with nonseasonal, mild/moderate AD, received either treatment or placebo for three months. Skin lesions, pruritus, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and global assessment (GA) were evaluated. RESULTS: Fourteen dogs receiving treatment and 14 receiving the placebo completed the study. After one month ≥50% reduction in pruritus was seen in seven of 14 dogs (50%) in the Treatment group, and in two of 14 dogs (14.3%) in the Control group (P = 0.047). After two and three months, significant reduction in pruritus was not seen. For Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI), TEWL and GA, there were no significant findings over time or between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The emulsion had some transient beneficial clinical effects. However, it was not effective in controlling pruritus as a monotherapy. Further studies should examine whether owner compliance was a factor in the steady decline of effect on pruritus scores. Further studies evaluating its role as an adjunctive therapy are indicated.

The Prevalence of Penile Pearly Papules among Young Men.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pearly penile papules (PPP) among young men in Eskisehir, Turkey. This was a prospective, non-randomized, cross-sectional study. From December 2014 to September 2015, 2613 consecutive male patients who were referred to the dermatology outpatient clinic were included in the study. Patients were inspected for the presence of PPP, localization, and association with human papilloma virus (HPV). A total of 2613 patients were included in the study. The average age of the patients was 21.33±2.08 (mean ± Standard Deviation (SD); ranging from 18 to 24) years. All of the patients were white and circumcised men. Of the 2613 patients, 449 (17.18%) PPP were observed. PPP were localized on the corona of the glans penis (100%), coronal sulcus (18.9%), frenulum (15.1%), ventral shaft (5.3%), and dorsal shaft of the penis (2.4%). Of the 449 patients with PPP, 23 (5.3%) underwent treatment; 73 (16.2%) would consider removal, 7 (1.5%) had a previous treatment for HPV, and 5 (1.1%) had HPV. PPP are encountered very commonly in the pubertal age in boys and young men. All medical practitioners should be familiar with PPP. Their similarity to genital warts may generate a false apprehension of venereal disease and may lead to unwanted and hazardous treatments. Therefore, better health education is needed.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma syndrome: a case report and implications of early onset

Abstract Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC) is an autosomal dominant manifestation of cutaneous and uterine leiomyomas together with renal cancer due to autosomal dominant germline mutations of fumarate hydratase gene. A twenty-year-old female patient presented with type-II segmental piloleiomyoma and increased menstruation due to uterine leiomyomas, with a history of bilateral nephrectomy performed at 13 and 16 years of age for type 2 papillary renal cell carcinoma. This case represents one of the very early onsets of hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma syndrome. As genetic anticipation for renal cancer is a well-documented entity for HLRCC syndrome, early recognition is crucial for both the patient and her family in order to provide appropriate counseling and initiation of surveillance.

Pulse methylprednisolone therapy for the treatment of extensive alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Since the mainstay of pathogenesis depends on autoimmune process, systemic steroids are widely used in the treatment of alopecia with various side effects. To avoid side effects of long-term steroid treatment, pulse methylprednisolone therapy appears to be a safe treatment option. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the effect of pulse methylprednisolone therapy for the treatment of adult alopecia areata. METHODS: Demographical features of all patients were recorded before the treatment. Patients received methylprednisolone 500 mg intravenously for 3 consecutive days every month for 3 months. Patients were followed up for 3 months. Treatment responses were defined by complete regrowth (100%), significant regrowth (>50%) and minimal regrowth (<50%). RESULTS: Totally 15 patients were enrolled in this study. At the end of the study, two patients had significant regrowth and one patient had minimal regrowth in multifocal alopecia areata (n = 4); one patient had significant regrowth and one patient had minimal regrowth in alopecia universalis (n = 8); three patients had no regrowth in alopecia totalis (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that pulse methylprednisolone therapy might be a therapeutic option for severe multifocal alopecia areata. However, in alopecia totalis or universalis, treatment results are unsatisfactory.

An open, comparative study of 10% potassium hydroxide solution versus salicylic and lactic acid combination in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the safety and efficacy of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution and salicylic and lactic acid (SAL + LAC) combination in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum (MC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 26 patients with MC randomized into two treatment groups. 12 patients treated with 10% KOH solution and 14 patients treated with SAL + LAC combination for 6 weeks. Parents of patients were instructed to apply medication once daily only to lesions at study onset. Assessment of response of the treated lesions and side effects was performed at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of the treatment. Newly acquired lesions were not included in the study. RESULTS: At the end of therapy, 83.3% (n = 10) of KOH group demonstrated complete remission and 16.7% (n = 2) of them showed partial remission; four patients (33%) developed new lesions during the study. All the patients in the SAL + LAC combination group (100%) demonstrated complete remission of study entry lesions at the end of 6 weeks with five patients (35%) acquiring new lesions during the study. Minor side effects were observed in two groups. CONCLUSIONS: 10% KOH solution and SAL + LAC combination were found to be equally effective in the treatment of MC in children.

Efficacy and safety of non-laser, targeted UVB phototherapy alone and in combination with psoralen gel or calcipotriol ointment in the treatment of localized, chronic, plaque-type psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Topical drugs enhance the therapeutic effects of ultraviolet (UV)-based therapy for psoriasis. However, their efficacy has yet to be established in a clinical trial. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of targeted microphototherapy alone and in combination with psoralen or calcipotriol in the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis. METHODS: Thirty individuals, affected by plaque-type psoriasis, were treated with targeted narrowband UVB phototherapy alone (Group 1), in combination with psoralen gel (Group 2), or in combination with calcipotriol ointment (Group 3) three times per week based on predetermined minimal erythema doses for 10 weeks. RESULTS: All patients in each group completed the study. The percentages of improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Psoriasis Severity Index (PSI) scores were 33.9% and 38.3% in Group 1, 29.9% and 29.8% in Group 2, and 67.2% and 59% in Group 3, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in improvement between Groups 1 and 2 (P > 0.05). Outcomes in Group 3 were found to be superior compared with those in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of calcipotriol ointment in targeted phototherapy enhances the therapeutic effects of phototherapy in the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis.

Topical nadifloxacin 1% cream vs. topical erythromycin 4% gel in the treatment of mild to moderate acne.

Topical antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy in mild to moderate inflammatory acne. Topical erythromycin is one of the most common prescribed topical antibiotics. Nadifloxacin, another topical antibiotic for acne, was recently introduced into the market in our country. In this study, we compared the efficacies and safety of topical nadifloxacin 1% cream and erythromycin 4% gel in acne. A total of 86 patients with mild to moderate facial acne were randomized into two treatment groups. The efficacies of the drugs were assessed by lesion counts. An acne severity index (ASI) was also calculated. In both groups, there was a significant reduction in lesion counts and ASI scores beginning from the first visit at week 4. This reduction continued throughout the 12-week study period. Both treatments were well tolerated. We conclude that when topically applied, both nadifloxacin 1% cream and erythromycin 4% gel are equally effective and safe treatments for mild to moderate facial acne.