Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Cribier

Publications and source records attributed to B Cribier.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Abnormal central nervous conduction in long-term treatments with retinoids].

INTRODUCTION: Neurological manifestations are uncommon among the undesirable effects of systemic retinoid therapy. We observed a case of axial rigidity imputable to acitretine. Somesthesic evoked potentials were also altered. We therefore searched for such abnormal findings in patients given long-term systemic retinoid therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A neurological exploration was performed in two groups of patients, G1 and G2, with psoriasis and no neurological complaint. The exploration included a physical examination, a study of the somesthesic evoked potentials of all 4 limbs and an electromyogram in case of abnormal findings. There were 8 patients (3 women, 5 men, mean age 56 years, age range 39-71) in G1 treated with systemic retinoids for a mean 140 months (80-185). Cumulative dose was 50 to 280 g with a daily dose of 0.2 to 0.6 mg/kg/day, i.e 20 to 50 mg/d of etretinate or acitretine. In G2, there were 5 subjects (mean age 42 years, range 21-52) with psoriasis (mean duration 20 years range 14-25) who had never been treated with systemic retinoids. RESULTS: Alterations in somesthesic evoked potentials were observed in 7 of the 8 patients in G1. Bilateral disturbances were seen in 6 cases, demonstrating abnormal lemniscal central nervous conduction in the dorsal and/or cervical level in 3 cases and the cervical level alone in 3 cases. There was one asymmetrical case involving the lumbar level on the right and the dorsal and/or cervical level on the right. Only one of the 5 controls in G2 had a minimal unilateral reduction in somesthesic evoked potentials involving the lower limb. Direct effect of systemic retinoids was retained in absence of any other cause due to metabolic, toxic or deficient disorders or spinal compression. CONCLUSION: Long-term use of systemic retinoids induces frequent latent neurological anomalies expressed as lemniscal central nervous conduction. It is hypothesized that pathogenesis involves changes in the lipid composition of the nervous membranes.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Tumor of the follicular infundibulum: a clinicopathologic study.

BACKGROUND: Tumor of the follicular infundibulum (TFI) is a rare benign adnexal tumor that has characteristic histopathologic features. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe the clinical and pathologic features of 12 patients with TFI. METHODS: Of 121,500 cutaneous biopsy specimens recorded between 1981 and 1993, all TFIs were identified and examined by conventional microscopy. The clinical and histologic findings were compared with those of previously published cases. RESULTS: Of the 12 patients, seven had a solitary tumor, two had eruptive TFI involving the face, and three TFIs were incidentally discovered in association with nevus sebaceus or fibroma. TFI-like changes were also observed in the wall of a hybrid cyst. The most discriminating features of TFI were the horizontal platelike organization of the tumor and the dense elastic network beneath the tumor. Of the different forms of TFI, only eruptive tumors can be clinically identified because they are small hypopigmented macules. CONCLUSION: We classify TFIs as (1) solitary tumors, (2) eruptive tumors, (3) TFI associated with other lesions of Cowden's disease, (4) TFI associated with a single tumor such as nevus sebaceus, and (5) TFI-like epidermal changes.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1995

High hepatitis C viraemia and impaired antibody response in patients coinfected with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: To compare hepatitis C virus (HCV) load in patients infected with HCV alone and those coinfected with HIV, and to evaluate the antibody response to HCV in the case of HIV infection. DESIGN: Patients coinfected with both HCV and HIV have been shown to develop hepatic changes more rapidly, which may be due to an interaction between HCV and HIV. In a prospective study, serum samples were taken from 150 patients. METHODS: Using reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction and the branched DNA assay, we detected HCV RNA in 75 patients coinfected with HIV and HCV and in 75 patients infected with HCV alone. The HIV RNA was also quantified by the branched DNA assay and the p24 antigenaemia was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The immune response to HCV was studied in the 150 patients by the use of third generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA). RESULTS: Although a comparable number of patients had detectable HCV viraemia in both groups, HCV RNA was quantifiable in 79% of HIV-positive patients and in only 43% of HIV-negative patients (P < 10(-5)), and the mean HCV RNA level was much higher in the HIV-positive group than in the HIV-negative group (P < 10(-7)). The quantity of HCV RNA did not correlate with the CD4 count, p24 antigenaemia or HIV RNA level. The analysis of RIBA showed 14.7% indeterminate or negative results in the HIV-positive group and only 4% indeterminate results in the HIV-negative group. HIV-positive patients had reactivity to less antigen bands than HIV-negative patients (P < 10(-3)), and they had a weaker reactivity to c100, c33c and NS5 antigen bands than HIV-negative patients. CONCLUSION: Our results show that in the case of HIV infection, the HCV RNA levels are strongly increased, but HCV load is not linked to the immunosuppression induced by HIV; therefore, the present data do not support the hypothesis of a direct interaction between HIV and HCV.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

In vitro infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by hepatitis C virus.

To study the in vitro susceptibility of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to hepatitis C virus (HCV), we incubated cells from healthy donors with HCV-positive sera. Using RT-PCR and in situ hybridization, the genomic viral RNA was detected in PBMC and in their supernatants until 25 days post-incubation. The PBMC of the different donors were not all permissive to HCV, but results were more constantly positive when cells from four donors were pooled. Quantification of the genomic viral RNA by the branched-DNA assay showed a decrease in the HCV RNA concentration during the first week of culture followed by a peak during the second or third week, and also an increase in the total amount of viral RNA in the inoculated cells. Although HCV RNA could be detected in the supernatants by RT-PCR, the concentration was very low. Using a sense-specific RT-PCR method, the HCV negative-strand was also detected in the cells but not in the supernatants. In two experiments PBMC were successfully infected using HCV-positive culture supernatants, therefore suggesting that infectious particles can be produced in this system. Our findings demonstrate that PBMC are permissive for HCV replication in vitro but the replication level is very low. The HCV RNA concentration measured in PBMC of 10 chronically infected patients was not significantly higher than the maximal concentration obtained in PBMC infected in vitro.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Epidemiological data on Staphylococcus aureus strains producing synergohymenotropic toxins.

DNA hybridisation of 309 consecutive Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates with oligonucleotide probes specific for genes encoding Panton-Valentine leucocidin (luk-PV) and gamma-haemolysin (hlg) revealed that 99% of randomly selected strains carried the hlg locus whereas only 2% harboured the luk-PV as well as the hlg loci. Only 1% of the strains did not possess either gene. In a clinical prospective study of independent S. aureus strains, 58 Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-producing isolates were shown to be responsible for primary skin infections, mainly furuncles (86%). Phage susceptibility patterns and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles of DNA were shown to be polymorphic epidemiological markers of PVL-producing strains. In eight patients with recurrent furuncles, the PVL-producing strains isolated either from furuncles or from the anterior nares were considered to be identical in each based upon phage sensitivity profiles or PFGE patterns.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Panton-Valentine leucocidin and gamma-hemolysin from Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 49775 are encoded by distinct genetic loci and have different biological activities.

Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 49775 produces three proteins recognized by affinity-purified antibodies against the S component of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (LukS-PV) and two proteins recognized by affinity-purified antibodies against the F component of this toxin (LukF-PV). Purification of these proteins and cloning of the corresponding genes provided evidence for the presence of two loci. The first one, encoding Panton-Valentine leucocidin, consisted of two cotranscribed open reading frames, lukS-PV and lukF-PV, coding the class S and the class F components, respectively. The second one coded for a gamma-hemolysin and consisted of two transcription units, the first one encoding an HlgA-like protein, a class S component, and the second one encoding two cotranscribed open reading frames identical to HlgC and HlgB, class S and class F components, respectively, from gamma-hemolysin from the reference strain Smith 5R. It appears that the Panton-Valentine leucocidin from S. aureus ATCC 49775 (V8 strain) should not be confused with leucocidin from ATCC 27733 (another isolate of V8 strain), which had 95% identity with HlgC and HlgB from gamma-hemolysin. The cosecretion of these five proteins led to six possible synergistic combinations between F and S components. Two of these combinations (LukS-PV-LukF-PV and HlgA-LukF-PV) had dermonecrotic activity on rabbit skin, and all six were leukocytolytic on glass-adsorbed leukocytes. Only three were hemolytic on rabbit erythrocytes, the two gamma-hemolysin combinations and the combination LukF-PV-HlgA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy in systemic sclerosis and severe morphea.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (EP) is a new immune-modulating therapy which combines cytapheresis and extracorporeal irradiation of leukocytes by UVA. Recently, patients with systemic sclerosis (SS) have been treated by this method, but the efficacy of EP is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EP in SS and in severe morphea. METHODS: In an open study, 7 patients with SS and 2 patients with severe morphea were treated by EP and were evaluated after 6 months of treatment. No other treatments were allowed during this period. RESULTS: Except one vasovagal reaction, EP was well tolerated in all patients. The surface of the cutaneous sclerosis was unchanged in 3 of the 7 patients with SS, whereas it was aggravated in the remaining 4 patients. There was no improvement of the visceral involvement of SS in these patients. Although the duration of SS was less than 4 years in 6 out of 7 patients, we did not observe any significant benefit from EP in SS patients. One patient with generalized morphea had stopped EP after 3 months because of loss of vascular access and could not be evaluated. In the last patient with linear morphea of the upper limbs, a reduction in the number of morphea plaques was observed, and the remaining lesions were less visible after 16 months of EP. CONCLUSIONS: The present results do not corroborate those previously published with regard to the efficiency of EP in SS of recent onset. The efficacy of ECP in morphea needs further confirmation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma. A review and report of four cases.

Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma (MCA) was first characterized by Smith & Wilson-Jones. Although only a few cases have been published, this very characteristic benign tumor is probably not rare. The clinical pictures are firm circumscribed papules, mainly of the hands, which progress slowly over the years. The histologic features show an increase of capillaries and venules in the reticular dermis, overlaid by epidermal hyperplasia. Bizarre-shaped multinucleate cells are present between the vessels, and factor XIIIa-positive interstitial cells are increased in number. MCA can be easily recognised if the pathologist is aware of the diagnosis. We present here the clinical, histologic and immunopathologic features of 4 new cases and review the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Porphyria cutanea tarda and hepatitis C viral infection. A clinical and virologic study.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is probable since the global HCV antibody prevalence among patients with PCT is about 70%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the virologic characteristics in 12 patients with sporadic PCT and in one patient with familial PCT. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by recombinant immunoblot assay. Hepatitis B virus and antihuman immunodeficiency virus markers were also determined. The polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the following: (1) both positive and negative HCV RNA strands, (2) HCV RNA titer, and (3) HCV RNA genotype. RESULTS: Seven of the 12 patients with sporadic PCT were HCV positive, and the patient with familial PCT was HCV negative. The age at onset of PCT was significantly lower in HCV-positive patients than in HCV-negative patients. The HCV RNA was detected in all patients who had HCV antibodies, and the replicative intermediate of HCV was detected in three of them. The positive RNA titer ranged from 1:10 to 1:10(6). Four patients were infected by HCV genotype I, two by genotype II, and one patient was coinfected by type I and type II. Three of the seven HCV-positive patients also had HBV antibodies, but HBV DNA was never detected. All patients were negative for the human immunodeficiency virus. CONCLUSIONS: The HCV infection rate was high (58%) in this series, and all HCV-infected patients had HCV RNA, reflecting an active replication of the virus. The young age at onset of PCT suggests that HCV is a major triggering factor of PCT. Nevertheless, the clinical changes of PCT were not related to the virologic findings, suggesting an indirect role of HCV.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Quadri-chromic staining in routine cutaneous histopathology (hematoxylin, eosin, saffron and astra blue)].

INTRODUCTION: The routine histologic stains used in dermatopathology are usually hematoxylin-eosin-safran. In order to stain the mucins, specific dyes are necessary. The purpose of this study was to perform a routine quadrichromic stain which included Astra blue as specific dye of mucins. The applications of this hematoxylin-eosin-safran-Astra blue stain were evaluated after 5 years of systematic use. METHODS: The quadrichromic stain was realized by Varistain (Shandon). The time of coloration was 15 minutes for Astra blue pH 2.5, 10 minutes for hematoxylin, 45 seconds for eosin and 4 minutes for safran. A total of 56,000 samples were analyzed using the quadrichromic stain. RESULTS: When mucin was present, it was colored in blue and the contrast with the other dyes was enhanced. Astra blue stained specifically the mucin deposits and it did not modify the other colours. The mucin deposits present in primary and secondary cutaneous mucinoses were most often visible after quadrichromic stain. Because of the variability of the mucin composition, the Astra blue did not react with all mucins. This stain was particularly useful in extramammary Paget's disease and in atrophic malignant papulosis. CONCLUSION: This new stain was easy to perform and allowed a specific coloration of mucin deposits in many cases. The use of four colours therefore improves the results of a routine stain, with a high quality of coloration.

Coloring Agents↗
PubMed1995

Recurrent psoriatic onychoperiostitis induced by hydroxychloroquine.

Synthetic antimalarial agents can cause exacerbation of latent or patent psoriatic skin lesions. A case of psoriatic onychoperiostitis precipitated by hydroxychloroquine therapy is reported. The patient had primary Sjögren's syndrome, raising questions about the incidence and causation of the ungual abnormalities associated with this condition.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in adults. A clinical review illustrated with a new case.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is rarely observed in adults; only 32 cases have been reported. In contrast to infant cases, the mortality rate is high. Two major risk factors have been identified: kidney failure and immunosuppression. In adults, clinical features are similar to those of the typical pediatric disease, but blood cultures are often positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Detection of the exfoliative toxin is required for diagnosis; the newborn mouse bioassay is, therefore, usually performed. New immunologic methods allow precise characterization of the toxins and oligonucleotide probes can be used for rapid detection of toxigenic strains. We report a case of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in an immunocompetent adult in whom blood cultures were positive; this is the first case in which both exfoliative toxins A and B have been identified in an adult.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Declining rates of gonorrhoea and syphilis in Strasbourg, France: a 20-year study.

OBJECTIVE: To report the epidemiology of gonorrhoea and syphilis during the years 1973-1992 in the Strasbourg STD clinic and to discuss the data in the light of changes in STD rates in western countries. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of gonorrhoea and syphilis cases recorded annually, total number of consultations, HIV serology, STD among prostitutes. SETTING: Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, FRANCE. SUBJECTS: Patients attending the public STD clinic in Strasbourg. RESULTS: From 1973 to 1992 79,786 consultations were recorded. Since 1984, a regular fall has been noted, from more than 4500 consultations a year in the 1970s, to 1519 consultations in 1992. A major decline in gonorrhoea was observed, especially since 1984. There were 457 new cases in 1973 (15.3% of all patients) whereas only seven new cases in 1992 (0.8% of all patients). Syphilis has been declining regularly since 1979, with a reinforcement in this decline since 1984: 168 cases were recorded in 1972 (6.4% of all patients), and only two cases in 1992 (0.2% of all patients). Positive HIV tests were found in 14% and 12% of patients in 1985-86, and the positivity rate has regularly decreased to reach 0.6% in 1992. Prostitutes represented 9.2% of all patients in 1980, and only 0.8% of patients in 1992. Since 1987, syphilis and gonorrhoea have been rarely recorded among prostitutes. CONCLUSIONS: A dramatic decline in both gonorrhoea and syphilis has been observed in Strasbourg, especially since 1984, with a parallel diminution in the STD clinic frequentation. A comparable trend in gonorrhoea rates was noted in many western countries, but syphilis rates are more heterogeneous among geographic areas. Changes in sexual behaviour due to the AIDS epidemic are probably responsible in part for this decline, but nevertheless the rarity of gonorrhoea and syphilis in Strasbourg in 1992 is not clearly explained.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Mutilating syringoacanthoma.

Syringoacanthoma is a rare tumor derived from the eccrine acrosyringium; very few cases have been reported. The nosology of this tumor remains controversial. We present a new case of syringocanthoma occurring in a 43-year-old woman; the lesion lasted for more than 30 years and caused partial destruction of the earlobe. Histopathologic examination showed a hyperkeratotic intraepidermal tumor, with many large cavities lined by an eosinophilic cuticle and filled with a PAS-positive substance. This case is probably a mutilating variant of syringoacanthoma, despite benign histopathologic features.

Adult↗