The Investigation on the Distribution of Malassezia Yeasts on the Normal Korean Skin by 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP

BACKGROUND: Malassezia yeasts are normal flora of the skin that are discovered in 75~98% of health subjects, but since its association with various skin disorders have been known, many studies have been conducted in the distribution of the yeasts. OBJECTIVE: To isolate, identify, and classify Malassezia yeasts from the normal human skin of Koreans by using the rapid and accurate molecular biology method (26S rDNA PCR-RFLP) which overcome the limits of morphological and biochemical methods, and to gather a basic database that will show its relation to various skin diseases. METHODS: Malassezia yeasts were cultured from clinically healthy human skin using scrub-wash technique at five sites (forehead, cheek, chest, upper arm, and thigh) and swabbing technique at scalp in 160 participants comprised of 80 males and 80 females aged from 0 to 80. Identification of obtained strains were placed into the one of the 11 species by 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: An overall positive culture rate was 62.4% (599/960). As shown in the experiment groups by their age, the positive culture rate was the highest (74.2%) in the age 21~30 and 31~40 (89/120). In the experiment groups by different body areas, the scalp showed the highest positive culture rate of 90% (144/160). On analysis of 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP, M. globosa was the most predominant species in the age 0~10 (32.8%), 11~20 (28.9%), 21~30 (32.3%). M. restricta was identified as predominant species in the age 41~50 (27.9%), 61~70 (31.5%) and 71~80 (24.0%). In the age 31~40 years, M. sympodialis was found to be the most common species (24.6%). According to body site, M. restricta was more frequently recovered in the scalp (56.8%), forehead (39.8%) and cheek (24.0%) and while M. globosa was more frequently recovered in the chest (36.8%). Higher positive culture rates of Malassezia yeasts were shown in male subjects than female counterparts in all body areas except scalp (p<0.05). Especially in this study, M. dermatis, newly isolated Malassezia species from atopic dermatitis patient in Japan, was isolated and identified in 19 cases (1.9%) in healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: The key is to recognize the existence of a difference in the type of Malassezia species in different ages as well as body areas, which reflects differing skin lipid levels in various ages and different body areas. Moreover, 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis which was opted in this study could provide a sensitive and rapid identification system for Malassezia species, which may be applied to epidemiological surveys and clinical practice.

Effects of Deer Antler Extract on Serum IGF-I, Bone Growth and Splenocyte Proliferation in Growing Rats

Although it has traditionally known that deer antler and medicinal herbs extract contain some functional components for health promotion, the nutritional significance remains to be elucidated. This study examined the efficacy of deer antler extract (DA) , medicinal herbs extract (MH) and their mixture (DAMH) on serum IGF-I, bone growth with growing rats in vivo and splenocyte proliferation with spleen cells in vitro. Three week-old young female rats (Sprague-Dawley) were divided into 4 groups and then fed basal diet (AIN-93G) or experimental diets containing DA, MH, DAMH, respectively, for 7 weeks. We collected blood, liver, kidney, spleen, femur and tibia from rats. There was no significant difference in weight gain, but food intake increased in DA- and MH-fed groups. There were no signs of liver and kidney damage in the DA, MH and DAMH-fed groups compared to basal diet group. In femur and tibia, wet weights, breaking forces and bone minerals (Ca, Mg and Zn) were significantly higher in the DA-fed group than in the other groups. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) , bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) activities were significantly lower in the DA, MH, DAMH-fed groups than in basal diet group. Also, serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations were significantly increased in DA-fed group compared to the other groups. Therefore DA was shown to have an activity of bone growth promotion by increasing the IGF-I, a major bone growth factor. The deer antler extract showed an enhanced immune action on the primary cultured-cells from spleen of rats, representing that splenocytes were proliferated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) , but not by concanavalin A (Con A) . These results indicate that deer antler extract has beneficial effects on bone growth via IGF-I and on splenocyte activation.

A Case of the Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis / 대한피부과학회지

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is a rare cyclic premenstrual reaction to a variety of progesterone produced during the luteal phase of a woman's menstrual cycle, including urticaria, urticarial papule, papulovesicle, eczematous lesion, erythema multiforme, and progesterone-induced anaphylaxis. A 23-year-old woman presented with brown colored hyperpigmented reticular patches on the chest and abdomen. Since the age of 20, she had been recurrently suffering from pruritic eruption that appeared regularly 5 to 10 days prior to menstruation and persisted for several days. Intradermal skin test reaction to progesterone was positive. These features were consistent with the diagnosis of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis.

The Effect of Intense Pulsed Light Treatment on the Vascular lesions / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The intense pulsed light (IPL) system is a high-intensity pulsed light source which emits noncoherent, defocused, polychromatic light is a broad wavelength spectrum of 400-1200 nm. The mechanism of action of the light system corresponds to selective photothermolysis. Nowaday, the IPL system is widely used in the dermatologic field for the removal of unwanted hairs, epidermal melanocytic lesions, vascular lesions, and for photorejuvenation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of diverse vascular lesions after treatment with an IPL source. METHOD: Forty Asian patients with vascular lesions were enlisted. The IPL treatment was administered to patients in 4-week sessions. Irradiation wavelength was controlled using cutoff filters ranging from 555 to 950 nm, with a fluence of 15-16J/cm2 (except forehead and zygomatic arch area), with single pulse illumination and a pulse width of 7 msec. RESULTS: At the end of the study, three physicians assessed the results and concluded that 72.5 % of the patients showed excellent or good results from the treatment. However, no difference was observed in 62.5 % of the patients after treatments. Furthermore, no specific adverse effects, except two cases of purpura and crust, were observed after the treatment. CONCLUSION: The treatment of vascular lesions on Asian skin using IPL is an effective, safe, and rapid treatment, with relatively few side effects and high patient satisfaction.

The Distribution of Malassezia Yeasts on the Earwax of Young Adults / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

Superficial Dermatomycosis and the Causative Agents in Korea / 대한의진균학회지

Dermatophytes invades and destroys keratinized tissue of the skin, hairs and nails by keratinase. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of dermatomycosis are changed under the various influences such as geographic factor, social environment and development of therapy. Infections caused by some 10 species of dermatophytes isolated since 1924 in Korea. There was a general rise in the cases of Trichophyton (T.) rubrum infections and in recent years the prevalence of Microsporum (M.) canis infections has markedly increased but those of M. ferrugineum have decreased. The yeasts of genus Malassezia are dimorphic and lipophilic and are numbers of the normal flora in humans. Malassezia yeasts are implicated in various diseases, including pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis and systemic fungal infections.

Malassezia Species Cultured from the Lesions of Malassezia Folliculitis / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: The yeasts of genus Malassezia are dimorphic and lipophilic and are numbers of the normal flora in humans. Malassezia yeasts are implicated in various diseases, including pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis and systemic fungal infections. OBJECT: The study was done to classify the Malassezia yeasts cultured from the lesions of Malassezia folliculitis into one of the revised species and to find out the relationship between certain species of Malassezia and Malassezia folliculitis. METHODs: The specimen obtained from the lesions of twenty cases of Malassezia folliculitis and twenty cases of healthy controls were cultured on Leeming & Notman's media. The obtained strains were placed into one of the seven species by their colony morphologies, microscopic morphologies and physiological characteristics. RESULTS: In the lesions of Malassezia folliculitis, M. globosa occupied most of the cultured colonies in 15 cases, M. restricta in 4 cases and M. furfur in 1 case respectively. In the control group, M. restricta was found to be predominant on the face and M. sympodialis, M. globosa, M. restricta and M. furfur were isolated on the trunk. CONCLUSION: M. restricta and M. globosa could be considered to be mostly implicated species in the seven revised Malassezia species in the lesions of Malassezia folliculitis of the face and trunk respectively.

A Survey on Nutrient Intakes by Infant Formula and Supplemental Foods of Formula-Fed Infants in Seoul Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The aim of this study was to assess the nutrient intakes from infant formula and supplemental foods of 246 healthy infants fed infant formula, aged from 5 to 18 months. Subjects were devided into two groups depending on supplemental food type for weaning, Domestic supplemental foods (mainly home-made, n = 129) and Delivery supplemental foods (mainly commercially-delivered, n = 117). Four subgroups were assigned to 5 - 6 months, 7 - 8 months, 9 - 11 months, and 12 - 18 months by ages, respectively. Dietary assessment was carried out using 24-hour-recall method. Formula intakes in the delivery group tended to decrease accordingly with the ages. However, in the domestic group, formula intakes up to 8 month were similar and decreased after 9 month. Energy, protein, calcium and iron intakes from infant formula and supplemental foods were assessed. Energy intake at 12 - 18 months were lower than the RDA in both groups. Daily intake of protein and calcium at all ages were much higher than the RDA in both groups. Therefore, protein and calcium overnutrition were elucidated. Especially, protein intake at 5 - 6 months, calcium intake at all ages from infant formula was higher than the RDA in both groups. Iron intake at 5 - 6 months from infant formula were higher than the RDA. Consequently, as for infant formula, it was suggested that not only formula intakes but also nutrient content in formula should be reconsidered. On the other hand, nutrient intakes from supplemental foods in the domestic group tended to be higher than that of the delivery group. Especially at 9 - 11 months, significant differences between the two groups were observed. This may be due to high dependency on commercial powdered baby food in the domestic group. This study revealed that daily nutrient intakes of formula-fed infants are desirable but nutrient intakes from infant formula are too high. Conclusively, this study suggests that as the age of infants increases, formula intakes should be controlled and various supplemental foods besides commercially powdered baby food should be appropriately provided.

A Clinical and Mycological Study of Tinea Corporis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Tinea corporis includes all superficial dermatophyte infections of the skin other than those involving the scalp, beard, face, hands, feet, and groin. The most common lesion is an annular lesion with central clearing area. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation of clinical and mycological features of tinea corporis. METHOD: We performed clinical and mycological study on 105 cases of tinea corporis at Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University Hospital from August 2002 to October 2003. RESULTS: The ratio of male to female was 1: 1.02. Tinea corporis was most prevalent in the twenties. Of the clinical variants of tinea corporis, the annular type was most commonly noted. Sixty-nine cases (66%) had the single lesion. In 71 cases (67.7%), the size of individual skin lesion was less than 5 cm in diameter. The unexposed area (55.7%) was more frequently affected than exposed area (44.3%) and the most common site was anterior chest (20.1%). Coexisting fungal infection was found in 60 cases (57.1%), and the cases of tinea pedis was the most common. Forty-five cases (42.9%) had a history of contact with animals that were thought be to infection source. Among 105 cases, dermatophytes were isolated in 73 cases. They were Trichophyton (T.) rubrum (58 cases), T. mentagrophytes (8 cases), Microsporum (M.) canis (5 cases), M. gypseum (1 case), and T. tonsurans (1 case). No species specificity was noted in annular type, and M. canis was more commonly isolated from the smaller lesion. CONCLUSION: Zoophilic dermatophyte infection associated with prior contacts with animals and infection caused by introduced species are increased by rise of families breeding animal pets and more frequent abroad interchanges.

A Case of Motor Paralysis Caused by Herpes Zoster / 대한피부과학회지

Herpes zoster, caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus lying dormant in the ganglion of the dorsal root, is characterized by segmental rash, pain, and sensory symptoms. Motor symptomatology is less well known and is most often related to central nervous system disease, although true lower motor neuron afflication is also thought to exist. Subclinical motor involvement is relatively more common than clinical motor weakness and is easily detected by using electromyography (EMG). An 81-year-old male patient with herpes zoster on the left shoulder, left upper arm and forearm had complained progressive weakness of the limb. On physical examination, he was noted to have groups of small vesicles on erythematous base following C4 to C6 dermatomal distribution over the left upper limb. We examined the limb using EMG and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) studies. Thereafter we concluded he had motor paralysis caused by herpes zoster.

The Quantitative Study on the Distribution of Malassezia Yeasts on the Normal Skin of the Young Adults / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: The yeasts of genus Malassezia are dimorphic and lipophilic and are numbers of the normal flora in humans. Malassezia yeasts are implicated in various diseases, including pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis and the systemic fungal infections. OBJECTIVE: The study was done to perform a comprehensive survey of the distribution of Malassezia yeasts on the normal human skin to provide a baseline for a companion study of Malassezia yeasts in patients with various dermatoses. METHODS: Malassezia yeasts were cultured from the clinically normal skin using the scrub-wash technique at four sites in sixty subjects, age range, 11~40 years. Malassezia yeasts were also cultured from the scalp of the same groups using the swabbing technique. The obtained strains were placed into the one of the seven species by their colony morphologies, microscopic morphologies and physiological characteristics. We also examined the relationship between the Malassezia species, age groups and the body sites. RESULTS: An overall positive culture rate was 75% (225/300). A positive culture rate was highest (88%) in the age groups 21~25 and 26~30 and lowest (50%) in the age group 11~15. M. restricta was recovered more frequently from the age groups 21~25 (62%), 26~30 (66%), and 31~35 (54%) and interestingly lowest in the age group 11~15 (40%). In the age group 16~20, M. globosa was the predominant species (42%). For the various age groups, body sites were more related with the kind of Malassezia yeasts and the recovery rate. A positive culture rate was highest from the chest (91%) and lowest from the thigh (60%). From the chest, M. globosa (44%) and M. restricta (35%) was recovered more frequently; from the forehead, M. restricta (75%). CONCLUSION: This study shows that Malassezia yeasts are a major component of the microbial flora of the clinically normal skin of the young adults. The kind of Malassezia species that can be recovered from the human skin varies with the age and the body site. The results of our study replicate and expand on the finding of some of the earliest studies and would be of value to investigate the role of Malassezia yeast in the related diseases.

A Case of Phakomatosis Pigmentovascularis Type I a With Multiple Pyogenic Granulomas Developed in Pregnancy / 대한피부과학회지

Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis(PPV) was first described in 1947 as a distinctive association of vascular and pigmentary nevi by Ota et al. Hasegawa et al subclassified the disorder into eight types and type I a is characterized by the coexistence of nevus flammeus and nevus pigmentosus et verrucous, which is not associated with systemic organ involvement. PPV type I a is relatively rare and a case with multiple pyogenic granulomas developed in pregnancy, is not reported yet. We present a case of PPV type I a with multiple pyogenic granulomas developed in pregnancy within nevus flammeus in a 29-year-old female.

A Case of Cutaneous Manifestations Associated With Hydroxyurea Therapy / 대한피부과학회지

Hydroxyurea is an antitumor agent that has attained an important role in the management of myeloproliferative syndromes. Its mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it appears to affect DNA synthesis and genetic control of cell replication by inhibiting the conversion of ribonucleotides in deoxyribonucleotides. Cutaneous side effects such as xerosis, hyperpigmentation, nail changes, skin ulceration, alopecia, and palmoplantar keratoderma may occur, especially with long-term treatment. We report a case of 65-year-old chronic myelogenous leukemia(CML) patient showing various cutaneous manifestations after receiving long-term hydroxyurea therapy.