Unusual cutaneous cytomegalovirus involvement in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome presented unusual keratotic cutaneous lesions with a protracted course. Pathologic examination in both patients, cultures, and DNA hybridization techniques of skin biopsy specimens in the second patient were characteristic of cytomegalovirus cutaneous infection. Cytomegalovirus skin lesions are rarely described in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in contrast with the high frequency of ocular and visceral involvement. Skin biopsy specimens may lead to early diagnosis of cytomegalovirus disseminated disease and to specific treatment.

["Eosinophilia-myalgia" syndrome due to L-tryptophan containing products. Cooperative evaluation of French Regional Centers of Pharmacovigilance. Analysis of 24 cases]. / Syndrome "éosinophilie-myalgies" dû à des produits contenant du L-tryptophane. Bilan coopératif de l'Association Française des Centres Régionaux Français de Pharmacovigilance. Analyse de 24 cas.

By November 17, 1989, the MMWR published the 154 first reports of a syndrome consisting of myalgia and eosinophilia (EMS), occurring with the consumption of L-tryptophan containing products (L-TrpCp) and which might represent a new clinical entity. To standardize reporting over the country, the CDC of Atlanta developed the following case definition: 1) a peripheral blood total eosinophil count of more than 1 x 10(9) cells per liter 2) generalized myalgia sufficiently severe to affect a patient's ability to pursue daily activities 3) the exclusion of infections or neoplastic conditions. The FDA then, announced its intention to seek a nationwide recall of all tryptophan containing products, followed by other european countries (UK, Germany, France). In France, a first decree (January 4th 1990) completed by a decree on May 11th confirms this decision for one year. This measure did not concern the medicinal products or some dietary supplements for newborn or young children. Since December 11th, 1989, 24 cases have been reported to the Regional Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Centres in France. These cases share the same features as the cases notified previously in the USA: overrepresentation of females, no relationship with the time and the daily intake, clinical similarities to the Shulman syndrome, and unknown prognosis. Now, more than one year after the onset of this illness, it seems that discontinuation of the ingestion of L-TrpCp can resolve or improve the symptoms in most cases, but sometimes the syndrome can persist. The causal relationship between the ingestion of L-TrpCp and this syndrome has been established. Whatever the mechanism for the development of EMS among tryptophan users remains unclear, as well as the role of eosinophilia and the factors for fibroblast proliferation. The epidemic emergence of this syndrome in July 89 raises the possibility of the contamination of tryptophan during the manufacturing process. To confirm this hypothesis, the same unusual peak in HPLC analysis was found both in case-associated L-Trp lots and in implicated-japanese manufacturer L-Trp lots in USA. But this would not explain the previous EMS reports before this contamination. Other hypotheses consist an inabnormality of tryptophan metabolism and/or an autoimmune process.

[Pigmented nodular tenosynovitis. A misdiagnosed etiology of isolated tumefaction of fingers or toes]. / Ténosynovite nodulaire hémopigmentée. Une étiologie méconnue de tuméfaction isolée des doigts et des orteils.

BACKGROUND: Pigmented nodular tenosynovitis (more commonly called giant cell tumor) is a benign tumor of synovial joint or tendon sheaths. CASE REPORT: A 17-year-old girl had a tumefaction of the first toe. The mass was firm and painless and had been present for one year. Radiological studies revealed a cystic area of the first phalanx. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a poorly vascularized tissular lesion. Surgical excision of the tumor was performed. Macroscopic and histologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of pigmented nodular tenosynovitis. DISCUSSION: Clinical and radiological aspects of nodular tenosynovitis are characteristic. This diagnosis should be made by dermatologists. Eighty percent of cases occur in fingers and more rarely in toes. Patients are usually females (60 p. 100). A subcutaneous mass is the most common presenting sign whereas pain or joint swelling are rare. Optimal treatment is surgical resection. The only risk is recurrence (20 p. 100).

[Methotrexate and psoriasis]. / Méthotrexate et psoriasis.

Methotrexate is effective in the treatment of severe psoriasis. If recommended guidelines are strictly followed the drug, administered in low doses, is not dangerous. The main adverse effect is cumulative hepatotoxicity. Hematologic toxicity occurs especially if other medications are associated.

[Polyradiculopathy associated with bullous pemphigoid (author's transl)]. / Polyradiculonévrite associée à une pemphigoïde bulleuse.

A sensorio-motor polyradiculopathy of subacute onset and a bullous pemphigoid form of herpetiform dermatitis (Dühring-Brocq disease) developed simultaneously in a 71-year-old man. Both conditions regressed under the influence of prednisone and azathioprine. The immediate cortico-dependence of the skin condition should be noted. Death occurred 9 months later, related to diffuse pulmonary aspergillosis. A paraneoplastic aetiology was sought unsuccessfully.

Tinea capitis in adults: misdiagnosis or reappearance?

BACKGROUND: According to the literature, tinea capitis in adults is supposed to be rare; we have recently observed a significant increase in cases. METHODS: Epidemiological, clinical and mycological features were studied in all adult tinea capitis diagnosed over 1 year in our department. RESULTS: Eight cases were observed: 75% of them were women, 50% never traveled and 62.5% had an underlying immunosuppressive disease. Scalp scaling and alopecia were the most frequent clinical features. A zoophilic dermatophyte was recovered in 50% of cases. CONCLUSION: These cases represent 11% of all tinea capitis observed in the same period of time (higher than the 3-5% observed in the literature). Secretion of sebum and colonization by Pityrosporon orbiculare are supported to protect the scalp against dermatophytic invasion after puberty, but an immune defect may also facilitate hair invasion. The erroneous notion of the disease being uncommon and the frequent atypical clinical presentation require a high degree of clinical suspicion.

Unusual Microsporum canis infections in adult HIV patients.

Tinea capitis in men, even if infected with HIV, is infrequent. Microsporum species nail infections are extremely rare. In most cases Microsporum canis infection is usually easy to treat with antifungal agents. We describe two HIV-infected men with an unusual M. canis infection. Both patients had tinea capitis, presenting as alopecia in one and scaling of the scalp in the other. One patient also had tinea unguium caused by M. canis. Ketoconazole was ineffective in both patients; terbinafine was tried in one patient without benefit; itraconazole was effective in both, but treatment took many months and only one patient was cured.