Sensitization to acrylates is a common adverse reaction to artificial fingernails.

BACKGROUND: Although precise figures for adverse reactions to nail-care products are not available, it is thought that one of the main risks from artificial nails (ANs) is contact allergy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) as a cause of adverse reactions related to the use of ANs. METHOD: A 4-year retrospective study of patients with suspected ACD from ANs was conducted. Patients tested with the methacrylate artificial nail (MAAN) series were evaluated clinically and patch test results were analysed. RESULTS: ACD to components of ANs may be a frequent cause of hand eczema, as observed in more than one-third of our patients (38.2%). About half of the patients were beauticians specializing in nail sculpturing who developed occupationally related ACD. All patients had involvement of the hands and fingers. Paronychia, nail dystrophy and onycholysis were less frequent. Dorsal hands and fingers, forearms and distant sites (face and neck) were more frequently affected in patients with occupational ACD (OACD). Typical clinical features were those of chronic dermatitis but atypical forms such as lichenoid and psoriasiform ACD were also observed. Mucosal erythema and oedema developed in two patients with ACD due to MAAN, after application of dental crowns with an acrylate-based cement. The most frequent allergens triggering ACD were 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (2-HPMA) (17.5% each), followed by ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDM; 13.4%). A quarter of the patients tested with ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA), a component of nail glue, had positive results. CONCLUSIONS: Acrylic monomers used when sculpturing ANs are important contact and occupational sensitizers that can produce cross-reactions with other acrylic compounds and trigger allergic reactions when re-exposure occurs in a different setting.

The effect of physical and chemical properties of swimming pool water and its close environment on the development of contact dermatitis in hydrotherapists.

BACKGROUND: The association between physical and chemical parameters in swimming pool water and the incidence of contact dermatitis (CD) in hydrotherapists was studied. METHODS: Chemical and physical parameters characterizing the water and air environment of swimming pools conducting hydrotherapy program were recorded. Differences between the values of these parameters associated with affected and non-affected hydrotherapists employed in 39 pools were tested statistically. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the means of each of the physical and chemical parameters associated with the affected and the non-affected group of hydrotherapists. The prevalence ratio of the incidence of CD in pools chlorinated by gaseous chlorine was significantly higher than that in pools disinfected by other forms of chlorine compounds (PR = 1.49, CI = 1.17-1.89, P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Dosing the water with larger amounts of gaseous chlorine compared to other disinfectants and a subsequent temporary decrease in the pH of the water may produce a more aggressive environment. It is suggested that combined effect of the various factors concomitantly with the irritating effect of prolonged exposure to water may trigger CD in pools treated with other chlorine-based compounds.

Medical and psychosocial outcome of patients with occupational contact dermatitis in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Although the medical, financial and prognostic factors of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) have been addressed, studies on the social outcome of OCD are sparse. OBJECTIVE: To define the medical and psychosocial outcome of patients with OCD. METHODS: Workers with OCD were interviewed by telephone using a questionnaire that included questions about the occupation, dermatological disease, sick leave, present working status and disability claims, and questions related to the subjective perceptions of OCD in all areas of psychosocial functioning and quality of life. RESULTS: Seventy workers (64.3% males and 35.7% females) were interviewed. Forty per cent had stopped working and one-third had taken sick leave because of OCD. Forty-seven (67.1%) were currently working while 23 (32.8%) were unemployed. Disability compensation was claimed by only 41.4% and was received by 24.3%. Eight workers (11.4%) had persistent postoccupational dermatitis (PPOD). Loss of employment affected the occupational area of the workers' lives (100%), and also interpersonal relationships (45.7%), relationships within the family (18.6%), daily functioning (45.7%) and mental health (24.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Considerable working time is lost because of unemployment or sick leave due to OCD. Only a small proportion of eligible patients with OCD apply for disability compensation and an even smaller proportion receive it. Our study demonstrates the significance of OCD to the psychosocial aspects of workers' lives and emphasizes that the assessment of OCD outcome should relate not only to the medical but also to the psychosocial aspect of the disease.

Textile dermatitis in patients with contact sensitization in Israel: a 4-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The exact incidence of textile dermatitis is unknown because of the lack of controlled epidemiological studies. Nevertheless, the increasing frequency of contact dermatitis to clothing has been demonstrated, thus indicating the importance of further investigations in this field. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the results from a 4-year prospective study of the clinical and aetiological features of contact dermatitis to textiles in Israel. We also aimed to assess the frequency and relevance of sensitization to textile dyes and resins in these patients. METHODS: Six hundred and forty-four patients (441 female and 203 male), referred for the investigation of contact dermatitis, and suspected of having textile allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), were studied. All patients were patch tested with the standard series (TRUE Tests), textile colour and finish series (TCFS) clothing extracts and pieces of garment in some cases. Readings were performed on days 2, 3 and in many patients also on day 7. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients (12.9%) had an allergic reactions to a dye and/or resin allergen. Of them, 43 (51.8%) had positive patch tests to the textile dye allergens, 28 (33.7%) to the formaldehyde and textile finish resins and 12 (14.4%) to allergens from both groups. The highest incidence of sensitization from the dye group allergens was due to Disperse Blue (DB) 124 (30.6%), DB 106 (27.0%) and DB 85 (8.1%) and from the resin group to melamine formaldehyde and ethyleneurea melamine formaldehyde (20.7% each) and urea formaldehyde (18.3%). Present relevance of the patch tests was found in 81.4% of the cases. Concomitant sensitization with allergens from the standard series included nickel sulphate, potassium dichromate, formaldehyde, rubber additives and others. Although chronic dermatitis was the typical clinical presentation, less frequent forms such as purpuric, hyperpigmented and papulopustular lesions and atypical forms such as erythema multiforme-like, nummular-like lesions, lichenification and erythrodermia were observed in 24.4% of the cases. The atypical manifestations were provoked by sensitization to dye allergens and never to resins. Along with the typical distribution in areas of friction on the trunk and extremities, less frequent areas including the hands, face, genital area and the soles were affected too. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the increasing frequency of contact dermatitis to clothing, the clinical assessment should include awareness of the classical as well as the unusual and atypical clinical forms and locations of ACD to textiles, for they are not infrequent. Although dyes and among them DB 106 and DB 124 are the most frequent allergens inducing textile dermatitis, concomitant testing with allergens from the textile dyes and resin groups is recommended when investigating patients with textile dermatitis.

Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis: an initial dermatological manifestation of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis (RND) is an uncommon, but distinctive manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We describe the case of a 35-year-old female who developed RND as an early stage of seronegative RA. Clinically, the lesions were presented by erythematous, slightly tender, papules, 5-10 mm in diameter, on the extensor surface of the left arm. The histopathological findings revealed a dense, dermal, mainly neutrophilic infiltrate, with prominent leucocytoclasia, but without any features of vasculitis. There was fibrinoid degeneration of collagen, resembling the collagen changes present in rheumatoid nodules in a miniaturized form. RND can be a reliable, early clinical sign of RA, as seen in our patient. Furthermore, this case demonstrates that RND may be associated not only with seropositive RA, as described in the literature, but also with seronegative RA, never before reported. The histological findings in our case are remarkable because of the fibrinoid collagen degeneration, which is described here for the first time in RND. Thus, RND may, in fact, be the initial phase of a spectrum that begins with a neutrophilic reaction and mild fibrinoid collagen degeneration, and evolves into rheumatoid nodules at the final stage.

Purpuric contact dermatitis in patients with allergic reaction to textile dyes and resins.

BACKGROUND: Purpuric lesions have been described as an uncommon manifestation of allergic contact dermatitis in individual case reports. OBJECTIVE: We describe a series of patients who developed purpuric allergic contact dermatitis to textile dyes and resins in their personal clothing. Our purpose was to study the patients clinically and histopathologically and to define the most frequent allergens, which cause purpuric allergic contact dermatitis. METHODS: One hundred and three patients were clinically evaluated and tested with the Textile Color & Finish Series (TCFS) (Chemotechnique Diagnostics) and Standard Series (TRUE Tests) because of suspected allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to clothing. The patients with clinical features of purpura as presenting sign of ACD were studied. Biopsies from the purpuric lesions were performed in three patients. RESULTS: Thirty of the 103 patients (29.1%) had positive reaction to an allergen from the TCFS. Clinically purpuric ACD was observed in 8.7% of all the cases studied (n = 9 of 103). Nine of the 30 patch-positive patients to the TCFS (30%) demonstrated purpuric macules, papules and patches. Patch testing of the nine patients with purpuric contact dermatitis, with the TCFS, resulted in 26 positive patch test results. The major causative allergens were the following: Disperse Blue 106 and Disperse Blue 124 in 26.9% each, Disperse Blue 85 in 11.5%, and ethyleneurea melamine formaldehyde in 7.7%. Positive patch tests were observed to dimethylol dihydroxyethyleneurea, dimethylol propyleneurea, tetramethylol acetylenediurea, urea formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, Disperse Red 17, and Basic Red 46 3.8% in each. Purpuric patch test reaction was observed in five cases. The patch test results had present relevance in all the cases. Lesional biopsies demonstrated acanthosis, spongiosis and parakeratosis. The blood vessels were dilated, without signs of vasculitis. The inflammatory infiltrate was composed of lymphocytes and erythrocytes. The extravasated erythrocytes had a perivascular and interstitial distribution in the superficial and deep plexus and were observed at the dermo-epidermal junction as well as in the epidermis. CONCLUSION: Purpuric contact dermatitis is not an uncommon clinical form of ACD to textile dyes and resins. New allergens, which can evoke the development of purpuric allergic contact dermatitis and have not been described in the literature until now include: ethyleneurea melamineformaldehyde, dimethylol dihydroxyethyleneurea, tetramethylol acetylenediurea, urea formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde and Disperse Red 17.

Paediatric Behçet disease manifested as recurrent myositis: from an incomplete to a full-blown form.

UNLABELLED: A 12-year-old boy presented with a limp and findings suggesting localised myositis of his right calf and a working diagnosis of Behçet disease was made. During 3 years of follow-up, he had another three episodes of calf myositis, all responsive to corticosteroids within days. CONCLUSION: A case of recurrent localised myositis as a main manifestation of Behçet disease is reported. The evolution of incomplete Behçet disease, which is common in children, to the full blown form, with the emphasis on muscle involvement and the importance of early diagnosis of Behçet disease, is discussed.

Textile dermatitis in Israel: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of contact dermatitis caused by clothing may be difficult because of its clinical polymorphism. Data in the literature suggest that textile dermatitis is more common than previously thought. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to study our patients suspected of having textile contact dermatitis from 1991 to 1997. METHODS: The records of the patients with positive reactions to allergens from the Textile Colors and Finish series in 3 contact dermatitis clinics were reviewed. All the patients were clinically evaluated and patch tested with the European Standard series and the Textile Colors and Finish series (Chemotechnique Diagnostics, Malmö, Sweden). RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 55 patients (40%) had positive patch tests to the textile dye allergens. Four of them had occupationally related textile dermatitis. The most frequent allergens were Disperse Blue 124, Disperse Blue 85, Disperse Red 17, and Disperse Blue 106. Erythematosquamous lesions were the most common forms of textile dermatitis (56%), followed by pustular lesion (16%) and hyperpigmented patches (8%). CONCLUSIONS: The relatively high percentage of positive results (40%) was attributable to the selected cohort of patients. In our series, positive reactions to the allergens Disperse Blue 124, 85, and 106 were common findings. Clinically, pustular allergic contact dermatitis, triggered by textile dyes was observed along with the more frequent erythematosquamous clinical form.

The purpuric patch test in patients with allergic contact dermatitis from azo dyes.

The histopathological features of the purpuric patch test have been described in individual cases only. We report a series of patients with allergic contact dermatitis, who developed purpuric patch tests at the sites of allergens from the azo dye group. 105 patients were clinically evaluated and tested with the TRUE Test and the textile color & finish series (Chemotechnique Diagnostics) because of suspected clothing dermatitis. Positive results to the latter were found in 31 patients (29.5%). In 9 of these, purpuric patch tests were observed at the sites of the allergens Disperse Blue 124, 106 and 85. 10 biopsies were performed and studied. The histopathological changes of the purpuric patch test included: spongiosis (in 90% of cases), exocytosis (70%), and dilated blood vessels (100%) without signs of vasculitis, surrounded by an inflammatory infiltrate composed mainly of T lymphocytes. Extravasated erythrocytes were seen perivascularly, but also in the interstitium, surrounding the acrosyringium, at the dermoepidermal junction, and in the epidermis. Increased number of mast cells were found in 22.2% of cases. Disperse Blue 124, 106, and 85 are potent allergens that can elicit purpuric patch test reactions. The purpuric patch test in our cases was a manifestation of an allergic reaction, based not only on histopathological changes, but also on evolution and relevance of the patch tests.

Decreased density of epidermal dendritic cells in melanocytic naevi: the possible role of in vivo sun exposure.

Melanocytic naevi are benign skin tumours that originate in the epidermis. The pathogenesis of naevi and cutaneous malignant melanoma has been linked to sun exposure. This study evaluates alterations in the density of immunologically active epidermal dendritic cells (EDCs) in naevi in response to sun exposure. Immunohistologically stained sections of 266 naevi from patients from Israel (n=135) and Germany (n=131) were evaluated. The proportion of naevi with decreased density of HLA-DR+ (dDR+) and CD1a+ (dCD1a+) EDCs was analysed according to country, last exposure to sunlight, anatomical location and histological subtype. The risk of dDR+ was found to be linked to residence in Israel compared with Germany (odds ratio [OR] = 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.0-8.9), suggesting a latitude-dependent effect. Naevi removed in summer had a higher risk of dCD1a+ (OR = 4.7; 95% CI = 2.3-9.8) compared with those removed in winter. The most conspicuous dDR+ among the German cases, and dCD1a+ among the Israelis, occurred in naevi located on commonly exposed skin. The similar densities of EDCs in the lesional and perilesional skin of the majority of the naevi indicates that the underlying naevus cells have no effect on EDC density. It is not unlikely that an altered immune response due to dDR+ and dCD1a+ in sun-exposed skin in the vicinity of naevi contributes to the subsequent melanoma risk in highly susceptible individuals.

Perianal contact dermatitis caused by nail lacquer allergy.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to nail cosmetics is relatively infrequent compared with other cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis from nail lacquer typically affects the eyelids, cheeks, sides of the neck, hands and periungual areas, and less frequently another areas. OBJECTIVE: We report on a patient who developed nail lacquer-related allergic contact dermatitis in an infrequent location, namely the perianal area. METHODS: A patient with perianal and eyelid pruritus and dermatitis was patch tested with the TRUE tests, cosmetic series, personal cosmetics, plastic and glue series, and personal nail lacquers. RESULTS: A +2 positive allergic response was observed at the sites of the toluenesulfonamide-formaldehyde resin and at the sites the patient's nail lacquers at days 2 and 4. CONCLUSION: Nail lacquer allergy may be observed at distant sites, and the perianal area may be involved more frequently than was previously thought.

Molecular analysis of an extended Palestinian family from Israel with monilethrix.

We describe the molecular analysis of a large three generation Palestinian family segregating for monilethrix. Previous reports have shown that mutations in type-II hair cortex keratin genes, hHb1 and hHb6, are associated with monilethrix. Genetic linkage analysis performed on this family using markers flanking the hHb6 gene exhibited strong evidence for linkage. Sequence analysis revealed a nucleotide substitution of G --> T at nucleotide 1230 resulting in a glutamic acid to aspartic acid amino acid substitution at codon 410, identical to that reported in a French family. The family in our study provides further evidence that mutations of the hHb6 gene are responsible for monilethrix.

Neuroendocrine responses following graded traumatic brain injury in male adults.

In an effort to characterize thyroid, gonadal and adrenal function following neurotrauma, the present study determined serum concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), testosterone and cortisol over a 7 day period in 31 patients with traumatic brain injury. The study group consisted of eight patients with mild closed head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale--GCS 13-15), 10 patients with extensive penetrating head injury (GCS 4-6) and 13 patients with blast injuries but without direct head trauma. The latter group was included in the study because the development of indirect brain trauma has previously been implicated in blast injuries. Patients with multiple injuries were not included. Following mild injury (GCS 13-15), TSH was increased up until day 3 after injury. T3 levels were elevated on days 1, 5 and 7 after injury while T4 remained unchanged throughout. While testosterone was decreased over only the first 2 days post-trauma, cortisol was increased over these first 2 days after injury. In contrast, following severe penetrating injury (GCS 4-6), there were significant declines in TSH, T3 and testosterone over the 7 day observation period post-trauma. Serum cortisol also declined in these patients between 1-3 days after injury, before increasing again on days 5 and 7 after injury. Following indirect neurotrauma, TSH was slightly decreased immediately after trauma but increased to above normal levels on days 5 and 7 post-trauma. Similarly, T3 initially declined after injury, but then increased to above normal levels between 5 and 7 days after injury. T4 and testosterone remained unchanged over the entire post-traumatic period. Serum cortisol was significantly increased after indirect neurotrauma but only up to day 2 post-trauma. In summary, patients with both direct and indirect traumatic brain injury demonstrated endocrine alterations after trauma, the dynamics of which may be a reflection of the severity of brain damage.

Generalized pustular drug eruptions: confirmation by in vitro tests.

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular eruptions are characterized by acute onset of aseptic pustules in febrile patients with leukocytosis after exposure to the offending drug. They have been regarded as uncommon manifestations of adverse drug reactions. Until now few confirmation studies have been carried out. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe a series of patients with generalized pustular drug eruption. The diagnosis and etiological role of drugs in these cases was confirmed by two in vitro tests, namely the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and the mast cell degranulation (MCD) tests. METHODS: The clinical, pathological and laboratory findings in six patients with generalized pustular eruption were studied prospectively. The MIF and MCD tests were performed with the drugs taken by the patients. RESULTS: The dermatological manifestations included numerous pustules on large erythematous areas, papules and erythema multiforme-like lesions. The pustular eruption developed between 12 h and 5 days after the administration of the provoking drug. The histopathological changes were characterized by subcorneal pustules, papillary edema and mixed cell inflammatory infiltrate. In two biopsies the infiltrate displayed numerous eosinophils. Laboratory investigations revealed leukocytosis with neutrophilia (4 of 6 patients) and eosinophilia and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E (2 of 6 patients). MCD tests with the suspected drugs (Ampicillin, Cefazolin, Tetracycline, Griseofulvin, Enalapril Maleate) were positive in all patients. Positive MIF results were seen in five of the six patients. Withdrawal of the drug led to fast recovery. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of pustular drug eruptions depends on circumstantial evidence, some characteristic clinicopathological findings and exclusion of alternative diagnoses of other disseminated pustular eruptions. In vitro tests, namely MIF and MCD tests, are a useful diagnostic aid in the identification of the offending drugs.