Sporotrichosis infection on mines of the Witwatersrand.

BACKGROUND: Our knowledge of skin disease is often based on fortuitous situations that have provided opportunities for observation and study of the disease. One of these diseases is sporotrichosis. OBJECTIVE: This article examines a symposium published in 1947 by the Transvaal Chamber of Mines in South Africa. It reviews the approach taken in the investigation of a large outbreak of sporotrichosis in the mine workers. CONCLUSION: The investigation of this outbreak has contributed significantly to our present day knowledge of sporotrichosis, the causative organism, its mode of spread, and its clinical features. It is also a striking example of meticulous scientific research and observation.

Aggressive squamous cell carcinoma arising in familial acne conglobata.

Familial acne conglobata is more widespread and severe than "ordinary" acne conglobata and involves unusual areas such as the antecubital fossae and ankles. Of six members in one family with familial acne conglobata, two developed large and aggressive, well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas within their disease. One had destruction of a large part of the right cranial vault; the other had most of his second cervical vertebra destroyed by metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Isotretinoin controlled the granulomatous acneiform lesions but had no effect on the cancers.

Juvenile hyaline fibromatosis. A 15-year follow-up.

A 37-year-old man was seen because of juvenile hyaline fibromatosis that had been present since he was 2 to 3 years old. His case illustrates the progressive nature of the disease, and during the years attempts to treat the condition were as mutilating in some cases as the disease itself.