A rationale for systemic treatment in onychomycosis with negative results on fungal examination.

BACKGROUND: Fungal infection of the nail affects millions of people worldwide, and has an estimated prevalence of about 10% of the general population. Laboratory confirmation of fungal infection is currently accepted as a requirement before initiation of antifungal treatment in clinical practice. AIM: To examine the rationale for systemic treatment in cases of clinical onychomycosis with negative results on fungal examination (potassium hydroxide test and fungal culture). METHODS: In total, 147 patients with suspected clinical toenail onychomycosis but with negative results on fungal examination underwent up to three consecutive fungal examinations of the affected nails. Patients who were negative after these examinations underwent a fourth set of investigations, including PCR. RESULTS: Of the 147 cases initially thought to be negative, 138 (94%) were rated as positive after up to four consecutive sets of laboratory mycological investigations including PCR. Trichophyton rubrum was by far the commonest dermatophyte cultured from all samples. CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of cases of initially negative examinations, consecutive laboratory fungal tests will eventually produce positive results. These findings suggest that systemic antifungal treatment should be started in patients with suspected fungal infections, even if they have negative laboratory fungal examinations.

The spectrum of histopathological features in acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: a study of 102 cases.

BACKGROUND: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare severe pustular reaction pattern with a typical clinical picture. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the histopathological features of AGEP in a large series of cases with a validated diagnosis. METHODS; A multinational retrospective histopathological study was conducted. It included 102 hospitalized patients (recruited within the EuroSCAR and RegiSCAR studies) with a validated diagnosis of probable or definite AGEP. A systematic description of the histopathological features in AGEP was done based on a standardized grading system. RESULTS: Sub/intracorneal pustules (41%), intraepidermal pustules (20%) or combinations of them (38%) were observed in 102 cases. The pustules were usually large (> 15 keratinocytes) (82% and 89%, respectively) and regularly contained eosinophils (36% and 32%, respectively). Spongiform features were less prominent in the sub/intracorneal pustules compared with the intraepidermal pustules (44% and 95%, respectively). The main epidermal features were necrotic keratinocytes (67%), including incidental segmental necrosis (7%), and spongiosis (80%) with neutrophil exocytosis (77%). The main dermal features were papillary oedema (88%) and mixed superficial (100%), interstitial (93%), and mid/deep-dermal infiltrates (95%) containing neutrophils (100%) and eosinophils (81%). Follicular pustules were also seen (23%), but vasculitis generally was absent. Classical features of plaque-type psoriasis were infrequent and usually mild. No significant differences were observed between a subgroup of 16 cases with and 86 cases without psoriasis. CONCLUSIONS: The present histopathological study concerns a large series of cases with a validated diagnosis of AGEP. It provides diagnostic clues in favour of AGEP in patients with a pustular eruption.

A novel two-step kit for topical treatment of tinea pedis--an open study.

BACKGROUND: Tinea pedis is a common skin disease affecting most of the population during their lifetime. Topical and systemic treatments give only temporary relief. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new topical treatment for moderate-to-severe tinea pedis. METHODS: Fifty patients suffering from tinea pedis were treated in two stages: the active stage--single use of the novel topical solution for 45 min and novel cream twice weekly for 4 weeks; the preventive stage--cream application once weekly for 10 months. RESULTS: Forty-five patients completed the active stage and achieved 76% cure rate. The medication was well tolerated; one patient dropped from the study because of very mild irritation. No other topical or systemic side effects were noted. Another five patients were lost to follow-up during the preventive stage. The total cure rate after the preventive stage was 70%. CONCLUSIONS: This novel treatment was found to be effective, well tolerated and safe in the treatment of moderate and severe tinea pedis during the active and the preventive stages.

New criteria for the laboratory diagnosis of nondermatophyte moulds in onychomycosis.

BACKGROUND: Nondermatophyte moulds (NDM) may be found as aetiological agents or as contaminants in onychomycosis. The classic and most used criteria for the diagnosis of NDM are those established by English in 1976. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article is to re-evaluate the laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of NDM in onychomycosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with suspected NDM of the nail underwent five consecutive examinations by both KOH and mycological culture; at the first visit, three samples from the affected nail were taken and were examined separately. Later those patients underwent four consecutive examinations; during this stage only a single sample for both KOH and culture was taken. We compared the culture results obtained from the three nail samples obtained at the first visit with the results from the four consecutive visits. RESULTS: We noted a clear trend showing that as the number of positive cultures increases (one to three cultures) during the first examination, the percentage of subsequent positive cultures, taken during the four consecutive visits, also increased. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that when NDM infection is found in the first culture, the patient should be re-examined in a subsequent visit in which three separate samples are taken from the affected nail. If NDM is confirmed in all three cultures, the diagnosis of NDM is established. Treatment should be recommended in patients who show positive results in all three cultures.

Psoriasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have demonstrated an association between psoriasis and the metabolic syndrome. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has also been associated with the metabolic syndrome. OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between psoriasis and COPD in a population-based case-control study. METHODS: A case-control study was performed utilizing the database of Clalit Health Services, a large healthcare provider organization in Israel. Patients over the age of 20 years who were diagnosed with psoriasis ('cases') were compared with a sample of age- and gender-matched enrollees without psoriasis ('controls') regarding the prevalence of COPD. Group matching was performed. Data on health-related lifestyles and other comorbidities were collected. Chi(2) tests, t-tests and logistic regression models were used to compare between study groups. RESULTS: The study included 12,502 psoriasis cases and 24,287 controls. The prevalence of COPD was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis [5.7% vs. 3.6%, P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47-1.81]. A multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that psoriasis was significantly associated with COPD, after controlling for confounders, including age, sex, socioeconomic status, smoking and obesity (adjusted OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13-1.42, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this large, population-based case-control study, psoriasis was found to be associated with COPD. Dermatologists caring for patients with psoriasis should be aware of this association, consult an internist or pulmonologist, and advise the patients to stop smoking and reduce additional risk factors for COPD.

Onycomycosis due to artificial nails.

BACKGROUND: The use of artificial nails (ANs) as part of nail-care cosmetics is very popular. Several side effects and complications, such as contact dermatitis and bacterial and fungal infections, have been reported in patients using ANs. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify the fungal pathogens in nail abnormalities appearing in patients with ANs. METHODS: We evaluated 68 patients suffering from nail changes and paronychia, which appear after removal of ANs. Mycological samples were obtained from two sites: distal parts of the involved nail and the proximal nail fold. KOH examination and fungal culture were used for detection and identification of fungal infection. RESULTS: Mycological results from the distal part of the nail showed positive KOH test in 57 cases (83.8%), and culture was positive in 67 patients (98.5%). Mycological results obtained from the proximal nail fold showed positive KOH test in 36 patients (52.9%); in 36 of the cases, culture was positive. Candida spp. were the most common pathogen. Both KOH and culture results were significantly better while sampling from the distal part of the nail compared with sampling from the proximal nail fold (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Onychomycosis was found to be very common in nail changes due to ANs, leading to an increased risk of transmitting microbial infections. Therefore, health care personnel and workers in the food industry should avoid using ANs.

Psoriasis and diabetes: a population-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have shown an association between psoriasis and the metabolic syndrome, but there are only a few studies on the association between psoriasis and diabetes. OBJECTIVES: To study the association between psoriasis and diabetes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed utilizing the database of Clalit Health Services (CHS). Patients who were diagnosed with psoriasis were compared with CHS enrolees without psoriasis regarding the prevalence of diabetes. Patients with diabetes were identified using the CHS chronic diseases registry. Chi-squared tests were used to compare categorical parameters. Logistic regression models were used for multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The study included 16 851 patients with psoriasis and 74 987 subjects without psoriasis (control patients). The proportion of diabetes was significantly higher in patients above 35 years (P < 0.05). The age-adjusted proportion of diabetes was significantly higher in psoriasis patients as compared to the control group [odds ratio (OR), 1.38, P < 0.05] and was similar in men and women (OR, 1.32, 1.45, respectively). A multivariate logistic regression model showed that psoriasis was significantly associated with diabetes, independently of age and gender (OR, 1.58, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports previous reports of an association between psoriasis and diabetes. Dermatologists taking care of patients with psoriasis should be aware of this association and advise the patients to reduce additional risk factors such as smoking, hypertension or dyslipidemia.

Collection of fungi samples from nails: comparative study of curettage and drilling techniques.

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis is a common problem. Obtaining a positive laboratory test before treatment is important in clinical practice because the treatment of onychomycosis requires expensive oral antifungal therapy with potentially serious side-effects. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare curettage and subungual drilling techniques of nail sampling in the diagnosis of onychomycosis. METHODS: We evaluated 194 patients suffering from distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis and lateral subungual onychomycosis using curettage and subungual drilling sampling techniques. Nail samples were obtained in each case from proximal, medial and distal parts of the nail. KOH examination and fungal culture were used for detection and identification of fungal infection. RESULTS: With each technique, the culture sensitivity improved as the location of the sample was more proximal (drilling proximal vs. distal, chi(2) = 5.15, P = 0.023; curettage proximal vs. distal, chi(2) = 4.2, P = 0.041). In each sample location, the drilling technique has a better culture sensitivity (drilling vs. curettage proximal, chi(2) = 11.9, P = 0.001; drill vs. curettage distal, chi(2) = 13.7, P < 0.0001). Trichophyton rubrum was by far the most common pathogen detected by both techniques from all sampling sites. CONCLUSION: The drilling technique was found to be statistically better than curettage at each site of sampling. With each technique, we found that the culture sensitivity improved as the location of the sample was more proximal. More types of pathogens were detected in samples taken by both methods from proximal parts of the affected nails.

Seroepidemiology of Varicella zoster in Israel prior to large-scale use of varicella vaccines.

OBJECTIVES: This large-scale study provides up-to-date estimates of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) age-specific seroprevalence and characteristics of VZV transmission in a representative sample of the Israeli population. METHODS: In 2000-2001, 1,642 sera collected from an agestratified general population sample were tested for VZV antibodies using an indirect IgG ELISA system. RESULTS: The age-weighted VZV overall estimate was 90.2%. Seropositivity increased rapidly with age, from 68.9% at age 4 to 94.4% at age 7 and 96.6% at age 12 years. The highest force of infection was in the 4-5 years age group (0.548 per susceptible year) followed by the 6-9 years age group. Multivariate analysis revealed that VZV seroprevalence estimates were significantly associated with age and place of origin. The highest seroprevalence estimate was found among subjects of Eastern origin. CONCLUSIONS: The seroepidemiology of VZV in Israel shows a pattern corresponding to that described for developed European countries. This study indicates that the highest force of infection is in pre-school children. Knowledge of pre-vaccination seroepidemiology is important to evaluate the effect of vaccination programs on the epidemiology of the disease.

Seroepidemiology and molecular epidemiology of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus among Jewish population groups in Israel.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of classic Kaposi's sarcoma among Jews in Israel is among the highest in the developed world. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or human herpesvirus 8) is causally linked to Kaposi's sarcoma. Very little is known about the prevalence of KSHV in the Middle East or about the modes of transmission in Mediterranean countries. METHODS: From 1992 through 1995, sera were obtained from 1648 adults who had tested positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen 20 years earlier at blood donations; sera were also obtained from 2403 of their family members. All sera were tested for anti-KSHV antibodies with the use of an indirect immunofluorescence assay. To analyze the effects of various factors on the risk of KSHV infection for both the HBV-positive cohort and their families, logistic regression for cluster data and generalized estimating equations were used. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Among family members, the seroprevalence of antibodies against KSHV was 9.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.7% to 11.1%); among the former blood donors who had tested positive for hepatitis B, it was 22% (95% CI = 19.9% to 24.1%). Overall, the best predictor of KSHV status was the place of birth. The most important risk factors found for both husband and wife to test KSHV positive were their own places of birth and their spouse's seropositivity. For a child to test positive, the most important risk factor was maternal seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: The crude prevalence rate of KSHV among the Jewish population in Israel is 9.9%. Important routes of KSHV transmission in the families studied are spouse to spouse and mother to child. The presence of KSHV in Jews in Israel of all ethnic origins and their high incidence of reported Kaposi's sarcoma suggest that KSHV was introduced into the Jewish population prior to the major Diaspora.

Early peripheral lymph node involvement of human herpesvirus 8-associated, body cavity-based lymphoma in a human immunodeficiency virus-negative patient.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), or Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, is a gamma herpesvirus first detected in a specimen of Kaposi sarcoma from a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient. Human herpesvirus 8 is also found in an unusual clinicopathologic form of body cavity-based B-cell lymphoma, which has been named primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and occurs primarily in HIV-positive patients. PEL is characterized by the formation of lymphomatous effusions, without obvious lymphadenopathy, tumor masses, or bone marrow involvement. Only a few cases of PEL in HIV-seronegative patients have been reported. We describe a case of an HHV-8-associated lymphoma, with ascites, pleural effusion, and axillary lymphadenopathy in an HIV-negative patient. The patient was a 68-year-old Jewish man of North African extraction, with a previous history of coronary bypass surgery and multiple blood transfusions. The pleural fluid contained large atypical lymphoid cells and was suggestive of lymphoma but could not provide a conclusive diagnosis of PEL. The lymph node contained groups of large anaplastic lymphoid cells. Polymerase chain reaction for HHV-8 performed on the lymph node specimen was positive, establishing the diagnosis of PEL. Polymerase chain reaction for Epstein-Barr virus was negative. Results of a gallium scan were normal. The patient did not respond to combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone and progressively developed, massive intra-abdominal solid tumor formation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of PEL that demonstrates peripheral lymph node involvement at diagnosis and the first report of PEL in an Israeli patient.