Biochemical and histopathologic assessment of effects of acitretin on epiphyseal growth plate in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Acitretin is a commonly used retinoid in dermatology. Although there are generally known side effects, the effects on the epiphyseal plaque and bone metabolism are not clear in the literature. AIM: To histopathologically investigate the effects on the epiphyseal plate and assess variations in bone metabolism caused by acitretin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three groups were formed with 10 rats in each group. The 1st group (n = 10, 5 male, 5 female) were administered 10 mg/kg/day oral acitretin solution and the 2nd group (n = 10, 5 male, 5 female) were administered 3 mg/kg/day oral acitretin solution. The control group were given normal standard feed and water. Rats were sacrificed at the end of 4 weeks. The proximal tibias were excised and histopathologically and immunohistochemically assessed. Biochemical assessment was also carried out. RESULTS: Staining with haematoxylin-eosin found reductions in the epiphyseal plate in the 1st and 2nd group compared to the control group, though this situation was not statistically significant. Immunohistochemical studies did not encounter Type II collagen in the epiphyseal bone, proliferative zone and hypertrophic zone in the control group, low dose acitretin solution group and high dose acitretin solution group. Type II collagen was not observed in osteoids and osteoblasts. Type I collagen was not observed in the hypertrophic zone and proliferative zone of any group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that though acitretin caused degeneration of the epiphyseal plate, it did not cause clear thinning and we identified no significant variations in bone metabolism markers.

Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema with involvement of the face and neck: A case report.

Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema (CIAE) is a cutaneous response to diverse chemotherapeutic drug administration. These drugs cause symmetrical and painful erythema of palmoplantar surfaces. Bulla formation, desquamation, and subsequent reepithelialization may occur. Commonly, the lesions slowly resolve over 7-15 days, through desquamation, followed by regeneration of the skin. Here, we described a case of CIAE, with involvement of face and neck in a patient treated for breast cancer using a number of chemotherapeutic agents. Face involvement in CIAE has not been previously reported in the literature.

Oral isotretinoin therapy of acne patients decreases serum paraoxonase-1 activity through increasing oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES: There are only a few earlier studies suggesting relationship between isotretinoin treatment and oxidative stress however, their results are conflicting. Therefore we aimed to concretize the influence of isotretinoin treatment on oxidant/antioxidant status together with paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity for the first time. METHODS: The study was performed on serum samples obtained from 35 acne vulgaris patients before and after three months of isotretinoin treatment. PON1 activity, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI) and some routine biochemical parameters were monitored. RESULTS: Dramatically decreased PON1 activity (p < 0.001), increased TOS level and OSI value (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001; respectively) as well as slightly diminished TAC level were noted in posttreatment stage. Moreover significant increases were observed in lactate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activities and levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio respectively (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001) while marked decrease was seen in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that decreased PON1 activity and increased oxidative stress may have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of isotretinoin's side effects. Further studies on a large number of patients are needed to verify these results.

The efficiency of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in hemorrhagic mucositis and febrile neutropenia resulted from methotrexate toxicity.

Methotrexate (MTX) remains one of the most frequently used anti-metabolite agents in dermatology. MTX is an analog of folate that competitively and irreversibly inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. Oral mucositis is a common side effect of chemotherapy drugs and is characterized by erythema, pain, poor oral intake, pseudomembranous destruction, open ulceration and hemorrhage of the oral mucosa. In this paper, we report a 32-year-old female with a case of mucositis due to MTX intoxication that resulted from an overdose for rheumatoid arthritis. The patient had abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea. During follow-up, the patient's white blood cell count was found to be 0.9 × 10(9)/L (4-10 × 10(9)/L). The patient developed fever exceeding 40 °C. The patient was consulted to the hematology service. They suggested using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for febrile neutropenia. On the fifth day of treatment, the white blood cell count reached 5.3 × 10(9)/L and the patient's fever and mucositis started to resolve. Here, we presented a case of hemorrhagic mucositis and febrile neutropenia resulted from high-dose MTX that responded very well to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment and we reviewed the literature.

The relation of autologous serum and plasma skin test results with urticarial activity score, sex and age in patients with chronic urticaria.

INTRODUCTION: Some previous studies reported autoimmunity as an etiologic factor in chronic urticaria (CU), but the results of some autoimmunity tests in these studies are conflicting. AIM: To concretize whether there was any relation of autologous serum skin test (ASST) and autologous plasma skin test (APST) results with sex, age and urticarial activity score (UAS) in patients with CU. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients with CU and twenty healthy subjects admitted to our dermatology clinic were included in the present study. The ASST and APST were applied to all individuals. RESULTS: The positiveness rates of ASST and APST were significantly higher in the patient group than controls (p = 0.027, p = 0.001, respectively). Among patients, the APST positiveness rate (72%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than ASST (46%). It was seen that 48% of patients with negative ASST results had positive APST. However, no patient with negative APST results had positive ASST. There were significant (p < 0.05) relations of the tests' positiveness rates with sex and old age but with UAS. The diameter of the erythematous papule was remarkably (p < 0.05) larger in APST than ASST and also significantly (p < 0.05) larger in females compared to males in both tests (p < 0.05). It was positively increased with old age (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We can suggest that APST is more sensitive than ASST in the assessment of autoimmunity in CU. A high positiveness rate of APST results may be attributed to high numbers of autoantibodies and coagulation factors present in plasma that might probably play a role in etiopathogenesis of CU.

Ursodeoxycholic acid induced generalized fixed drug eruption.

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a rare form of drug allergies that recur at the same cutaneous or mucosal site in every usage of drug. Single or multiple round, sharply demarcated and dusky red plaques appear soon after drug exposure. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA: 3α,7ß-dihydroxy-5ß-cholanic acid) is used for the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases. Some side effects may be observed, such as diarrhea, dyspepsia, pruritus and headaches. We encountered only three cases of lichenoid reaction regarding the use of UDCA among previous studies. In this article, we reported a generalized FDE case related to UDCA intake in a 59-year-old male patient with cholestasis for the first time in the literature.

Cutaneous drug reactions in children: a multicentric study.

INTRODUCTION: According to studies conducted in outpatients, it is estimated that 2.5% of children who are treated with a drug will experience a cutaneous adverse drug reaction (CADR). AIM: To analyze the CADR reports involving pediatric patients recorded by three different university hospitals for describing common, serious, and interesting cutaneous drug eruption patterns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this purpose, the patients' data from three different universities were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnosis was based on history, clinical findings and laboratory test results. The CADRs were classified into seven categories; urticaria, angioedema, maculopapular eruption, fixed drug eruption, erythema multiforme, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients who had CADRs were enrolled in the study. The most frequently detected cutaneous drug reactions were urticaria + angioedema. Most of patients had no previous experience with the same drug and the most common causative agent of CADRs was antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS: Since CADRs are relatively rare, the current multicentric study can provide meaningful information about the cutaneous eruption patterns of commonly used drugs.

The effect of acitretin treatment on insulin resistance, retinol-binding protein-4, leptin, and adiponectin in psoriasis vulgaris: a noncontrolled study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To investigate the effects of acitretin treatment on insulin resistance (IR) and adipokines, particularly retinol-binding protein (RBP)-4. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and a control group of 34 healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. Screening for the parameters was performed before starting and after 3 months of acitretin treatment in the psoriasis group. The control group was only evaluated at the beginning of the study and did not receive placebo. We could not compare our results with a placebo control group because of ethical reasons. RESULTS: Basal adiponectin (p = 0.01), insulin (p < 0.0001) levels and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) IR (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in psoriasis patients. After the treatment, insulin (p = 0.014), C peptide (p = 0.011), RBP-4 (p < 0.0001) levels and HOMA-IR (p = 0.008) decreased significantly. Posttreatment leptin (p = 0.036) levels were significantly lower than those of the controls. Posttreatment adiponectin (p = 0.005) and insulin (p = 0.048) levels were higher than those of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed for the first time that RBP-4 levels and IR are decreased significantly with acitretin treatment. This finding is very important in psoriasis patients because psoriasis may cause insulin resistance and diabetes. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to clarify the effect of acitretin on adipocyte structure and behavior.

Two cases of eczematid-like purpura of Doucas and Kapetanakis responsive to narrow band ultraviolet B treatment.

Eczematid-like purpura of Doucas and Kapetanakis is a type of pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPDs) with eczematous changes in the purpuric surface. A 10-year-old male and a 44-year-old male patients were admitted to our clinics for itching and flaking of the skin rashes. Based on the clinical and histopathological evaluations, the rashes were identified as eczematid-like PPDs of Doucas and Kapetanakis. Both patients were treated with narrow band ultraviolet B. The lesions were remarkably regressed following the treatment. These cases reported due its rarity and good response to narrow band ultraviolet B.

A case of generalized lichen nitidus successfully treated with narrow-band ultraviolet B treatment.

Lichen nitidus (LN) is a rare skin disorder presenting with multiple, small and bright papules located on the chest, abdomen, penis glans and upper extremities. It usually presents with limited involvement; however, it can present as generalized involvement. There is no consensus on treatment. Corticosteroid, astemizole, phototherapy has been used; however, the results are controversial. A 15-year-old male with clinical and histopathological diagnosis of LN was treated with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB). The lesions completely regressed with post-inflammatory hypopigmentation on the second month of the therapy (25 sessions). We believe that NB-UVB is an effective treatment on generalized LN.

Cutaneous anthrax resulting in renal failure with generalized tissue damage.

Anthrax is a zoonotic infection caused by Bacillus anthracis which can be clinically present in a cutaneous, gastrointestinal or inhalational form depending on the entry site of the agent. The most frequent clinical type with the mildest clinical course is cutaneous anthrax. In this report, a patient with cutaneous anthrax which begins at the dorsal hand and progresses up to the proximal forearm resulting in massive tissue damage is presented. Prerenal azotemia developed due to massive tissue damage and patient was sent to hemodialysis twice.

A case of Spider bite localized to the eyelid.

Loxosceles Spiders have a worldwide distribution and are considered one of the most medically important groups of Spiders. The venom from Spiders of the genus Loxosceles, the most famous being Loxosceles reclusa (brown recluse Spider), can promote severe local and systemic damages. This report describes a girl presenting with a Spider bite over her right upper eyelid.

A case of levetiracetam induced bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic, acquired autoimmune skin disease. Certain drugs such as furosemide, penicillins, sulfonamides, ciprofloxacins, penicillamines, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, chloroquine, and phenacetin were reported to cause bullous pemphigoid. This is a case report of a 70-year-old female, who presented with the formation of diffuse cutaneous blister in month after starting to use levetiracetam. Dermatological exam and histopathological findings were consistent with bullous pemphigoid. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of bullous pemphigoid in the literature associated with levetiracetam use.

Serum paraoxonase activity and oxidative status in subjects with alopecia areata.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have suggested that oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) but these reports are limited and conflicting. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity and oxidative status in subjects with AA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine subjects with AA and 39 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum PON1 activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined. RESULTS: Serum TAC levels and PON1 activity were significantly lower in the subjects with AA than controls (p = 0.038, p = 0.001, respectively), whereas TOS levels and OSI were significantly higher (both, p = 0.001) in the subjects with AA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that reduced PON1 activity may be related to increased oxidant and decreased antioxidant levels. These data indicated that oxidant/antioxidant imbalance may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of AA.

Giant molluscum contagiosum in an immunocompetent child.

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin disorder caused by DNA poxvirus and frequently seen in children. It is self-limited in immunocompetent hosts. It can present as numerous, treatment-resistant, atypical lesions in immunosuppressive patients and resistant to treatment. Atypical forms can rarely be seen in immunocompetent patients. A case of a two-year-old child with umbilicated papules on the eyelid is presented here. Laboratory investigations were unremarkable for systemic diseases, and surgical excision was successfully performed.

Development of phytophotodermatitis in two cases related to Plantago lanceolata.

Plantago lanceolata, also known as snake's tongue, is a perennial herbaceous plant from the family Plantaginaceae. It is a species widely distributed both in Turkey and all over the world. Today, its fresh leaves are still used to soothe and suppress cough, externally for wound healing and draining abscesses. Phytophotodermatitis (PPD) is a dermal photosensitive reaction induced by the contact to or oral intake of a plant and subsequent exposure to sunlight. Its acute course is called phototoxic. In this paper, two cases developed phototoxic reaction with the consumption of Plantago lanceolata and subsequent exposure to the sunlight. These cases were presented since such effect of the plant has not been known previously and there is no resembling case in the literature.

The development of giant lipoma on the BCG vaccine caused scar.

Lipoma is the most common mesenchymal tumors that accounts for about 6% of all soft-tissue tumors in children. The lesion size is usually around 1-2 cm that rarely reaches the bigger diameter. A 14-month-old baby girl was brought to our clinic for a progressively growing lesion on the left shoulder. The lesion started 4 months ago, and then was rapidly growing that caused pain and movement restriction. On the same site, there was a scar of BCG vaccination. The clinical and histopathological findings of the lesion were consistent with lipoma. The lesion was totally resected with no recurrence within 12 months. There are several complications related to BCG vaccination. However, the occurrence of lipoma on BCG vaccine caused scar has not been reported in literature. We reported this case because of its rarity and to emphasize that lipoma can present as a giant lesion in child.

The prevalence of skin diseases among the geriatric patients in Eastern Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency as well the age and gender distribution of dermatological diseases in patients over 65 years of age. METHODS: The retrospective study included 5961 elderly patients admitted to the Department of Dermatology at the University of Yazunen Yil, Faculty of Medicine and Dermatology Clinic at the Van Research and Training Hospital, Van, Turkey, between December 1, 2007 and December 31, 2010. Their ages, gender and dermatological diagnosis were recorded and analysed using SPSS Version 11. RESULTS: Of the patients, 2496 (41.9%) were female, and 3465 (58.1%) were male. The age range was from 65 to 102 years, with the mean age being 73.34 +/- 6.230 years. The female-to-male ratio was 0.7. The most commonly seen diseases were eczematous dermatitis, 1949 (32.7%); fungal infections 617 (10.4%); pruritus 526 (8.8%); urticaria-angioedema 449 (7.5%); and bacterial infections 417 (7%), respectively. The other commonly seen diseases were xerosis 321 (5.4%); benign neoplasm 171 (2.9%); viral infections 166 (2.8%); acneiform disorders 135 (2.3%); and lichen planus 90 (1.5%). CONCLUSION: Dermatological diseases were found to be common among the elderly in the study region. Most of the diseases could possibly have been prevented. As such raising general awareness is critical in minimising the incidence of dermatological disorders.

Phototoxic dermatitis due to Chenopodium album in a child.

In this article, we report a 2-year-old girl with severe phototoxic dermatitis caused by ingestion of Chenopodium album. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of phototoxic dermatitis due to Chenopodium album in childhood.

A case of irritant contact dermatitis with leech.

Medicinal leeches are invertebrated parasites that have been used for medical purposes for centuries as one of the traditional treatment methods. Medicinal leeches are used for wound and flap healing in the plastic and reconstructive surgery, in the treatment of venous insufficiency, varicosities, hemorrhoids, and in many other diseases. However, due to medicinal leech therapy (hirudotherapy) complications such as anaphylaxis, local allergic reactions, anemia, and mucosal synechiae can occur. In this article, we report a case of an irritant contact dermatitis in a patient who experienced severe redness and itching after applying leeches for the relief of head and neck pain. Leeches are being used widely in some regions in the world and if people are informed about the leeches, it may be helpful in preventing complications that may occur.