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Biomedical subjects

B Crickx

Publications and source records attributed to B Crickx.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

[Erythema nodosum].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2001

Chronic radiodermatitis after cardiac catheterization.

A woman presented with a chronic radiodermatitis after a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for unstable angina. Two PTCAs had already been performed previously. Although rare, these chronic radiodermatitis have been described after multiple cardiac catheterization procedures as a result of cumulative X-ray exposure. Prevention must therefore be implemented.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Association of human herpesvirus 6 infection with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms.

BACKGROUND: There is a current debate regarding the association of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). METHODS: Seven consecutive patients hospitalized with DRESS were enrolled in a prospective study to evaluate evidence of active HHV-6 infection. OBSERVATIONS: The imputable drugs were carbamazepine (5 patients), ibuprofen (1 patient), and sulfasalazine (1 patient). All patients were seropositive for anti-HHV-6 IgG antibodies. Anti-HHV-6 IgM antibodies were detected in 4 of the 7 patients with a seroconversion in 2 patients. Neither anti-cytomegalovirus nor anti-Epstein-Barr virus early antigen IgM antibody was detected. Human herpesvirus 6 genome was not detected by polymerase chain reaction in the first serum sample of all patients. It was weakly detected in skin lesions in the last patient tested by polymerase chain reaction but was not found in uninvolved skin. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest an association between HHV-6 active infection (primo-infection or reactivation) and severe DRESS. Absence of anti-cytomegalovirus or anti-Epstein-Barr virus early antigen IgM antibodies argues against a nonspecific viral reactivation. Human herpesvirus 6 infection may play a role in the development of DRESS in susceptible patients. Some drugs with reactive metabolites could favor reactivation and propagation of HHV-6.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Icodextrin cutaneous hypersensitivity: report of 3 psoriasiform cases.

BACKGROUND: Icodextrin is proposed as a new osmotic agent for use in peritoneal dialysis. Because of its recent use, adverse reactions are not well known. Cutaneous adverse effects have been described. We report 3 cases of cutaneous hypersensitivity to icodextrin and discuss the pathogenesis of this reaction. OBSERVATIONS: The cutaneous adverse reaction was psoriasiform in our 3 cases. The eruption was generalized with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis in 1 case, and limited to the palms and soles in 1 case. It occurred 10 to 15 days after icodextrin therapy was initiated. In patient 1, the results of a rechallenge with icodextrin were positive. Icodextrin therapy was discontinued in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Some cases of cutaneous reactions to icodextrin have been reported in the literature, but they are rare. As in our cases, most eruptions are psoriasiform, limited to the palms and soles, or extensive. Although the etiology is unclear, a hypersensitivity reaction, with the formation of immunocomplexes, is probable.

Dialysis Solutions↗
PubMed2001

[Mycobacterium malmoense cutaneous infection in an immunocompetent patient].

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium malmoense is a mycobacterium rarely described as a human pathogen. We report the first case of cutaneous infection in an immunocompetent patient. CASE REPORT: A 75-year-old woman presented with a cutaneous nodula on the back of her left hand. Histology of the node biopsy showed non caseating granuloma with giant and epithelioid cells. Acid-fast bacilli were isolated at direct smear and after culture. Mycobacterium malmoense was identified. The lesion has healed after surgery. DISCUSSION: Mycobacterium malmoense is an environmental mycobacterium isolated from soil and water. Typically, most patients with Mycobacterium malmoense infections are old people with previously lung disease. A few cervical lymphadenitis in children and rare cases of tenosynovitis of the hand have been reported. Disseminated infections with cutaneous lesions have been exceptionally described in immunocompromised patients. Mycobacterium malmoense is slow growing and its identification is hard, sometimes requiring molecular analysis. Probably it's the reason why we present the first description of a cutaneous infection in an immunocompetent patient. This case indicates that Mycobacterium malmoense is also a cutaneous pathogen.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

[Erysipelas: evolution under treatment, complications].

OBJECTIVE: The authors studied the evolution and the complications of lower limb erysipelas under antibiotherapy. METHOD: The following parameters were studied in literature over the last 20 years (keyword=erysipelas): percentage of favorable course, delay for cure, local or systemic complications, prognostic factors, and mortality. RESULTS: Data was only available in series of hospitalized patients. The lower limbs were the exclusive or the most frequently involved areas. Under systemic antibiotherapy, the overall efficacy rates reached 76-84 p. 100, with apyrexia within 24 to 48 h, and regression of local symptoms within 4 to 6 days. The median hospital stay was 10-13 days. A longer hospital stay was observed for: older patients, associated diseases, longer duration of illness prior to admission, and presence of a leg ulcer. Complications were observed: abscess or superficial necrosis (3-12 p. 100), deep thrombophlebitis in 1.4 p. 100 of retrospective studies vs. 2.6-15 p. 100 in prospective series. Mortality was low (0.5 p. 100) due to systemic complications more than to the severity of local symptoms. Relapse was frequent (15-25 p. 100). DISCUSSION: The unavailability of data concerning outpatients limits the formulation of valid conclusions. Nevertheless the medical course was favorable (80 p. 100) with apyrexia within 2 days, and absence of local symptoms within 4 to 6 days. Mortality or longer duration of hospital stay was linked to age or to associated diseases. The risk of deep thrombophlebitis was rare in absence of predisposing factors. Systematic prevention should be suggested and care given to local predisposing factors responsible for frequent recurrent forms.

Erysipelas↗
PubMed2001

[Mycobacterium kansasii skin infection at insulin injection sites].

BACKGROUND: Insulin injection sites rarely become infected. We report a case of Mycobacterium kansasii infection at the sites of insulin injection. CASE REPORT: An 84-year-old woman with insulin-dependent diabetes consulted for lesions on the anterior aspect of the thighs. She had papulonodules at the sites of insulin injection. These lesions progressed to hard fibrinonecrotic ulcerations with a raised erythematous border. There were no enlarged nodes locally. Laboratory tests were normal. Bacteriological samples were negative at direct examination. Histology was not specific. The biopsy cultures finally found an atypical mycobacteria, Mycobacterium kansasii. The clinical course was favorable with clarithromycin alone. DISCUSSION: Only 35 cases of Mycobacterium kansasii skin infections have been reported in the literature. This is the first case observed in a diabetic subject and the first treated with clarithromycin alone. This case illustrates the potential, though exceptional, risk of insulin bottle contamination by an environmental germ.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Pemphigoid gestationis: treatment by topical class I corticosteroid].

BACKGROUND: Systemic corticosteroid is the main treatment of severe forms of pemphigoid gestationis. We report a case of generalised pemphigoid gestationis successfully treated with very potent topical corticosteroid. CASE: A 37-year-old woman developed during her third pregnancy with a new partner an urticated generalised eruption associated with bullous lesions. The diagnosis of pemphigoid gestationis was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence which detected a linear C3 deposition along the basement membrane zone and the positivity of Herpes Gestationis Factor (10 units). Local treatment with potent corticosteroid (betamethasone dipropionate 0.05 p. 100) failed and the patient was successfully treated by clobetasol propionate 0.05 p. 100 cream. The infant, in good health, was not delivered prematurely. DISCUSSION: Severe form of pemphigoid gestationis are currently treated with 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day of systemic corticosteroids, with maternal and pediatric possible side effects. As in bullous pemphigoid, this observation underlines the efficiency and good tolerance of very potent corticosteroid in severe forms of pemphigoid gestationis.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2001

[Skin manifestations of immune restoration syndrome in treated tuberculosis].

INTRODUCTION: Immune restoration syndrome was first described in 1998 and involved mycobacterium avium complex. We report the case of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who had disseminated cutaneous lesions due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, following initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy. CASE REPORT: A 42 year-old HIV-infected man, was admitted for fever, cough, nocturnal sweat and impaired of general condition. He had a viral load of 127,200 copies/ml and 199/ml CD4 T-cells. He was treated with triple tuberculosis combination therapy according to tuberculous contagium, positivity of the tuberculin intradermoreaction (15 mm) and right upper lung nodule on thoracic scan. M. tuberculosis was not found. Fever improved at day 3. Highly active antiretroviral therapy with zidovudine, lamivudine, indinavir, was started at day 11 and 33 days after, fever and dermohypodermal nodules with necrotising evolution appeared. Skin biopsy specimen showed tuberculoid granuloma. The levels of viral load and CD4 T-cells were less than 200 copies/ml and 497/ml respectively. Fever and cutaneous lesions spontaneously resolved without changing therapy. DISCUSSION: Immune restoration syndrome appears after initiation of antiretroviral therapy, in patients with advanced HIV infection and without prophylactic treatment versus MAC. This case report probably involves mycobacterium tuberculosis. Bacterial lysis and immune restoration take part in cutaneous pathogenesis. Subclinical mycobacterial infection should be monitored during initiation of antiretroviral therapy in patients with advanced HIV infection.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Undergraduate medical education. Students' perspective and medical school policy].

OBJECTIVES: Student attendance to lectures in French medical schools is often poor. We surveyed undergraduate medical students in our medical school, repeating a similar survey conducted ten years earlier. The results are presented with the conclusions of the faculty seminar that followed this survey. METHODS: A closed item questionnaire was distributed in June, 1998, through the hospital wards where the students were posted. After two reminders, the final response rate was 71% (247/348). RESULTS: Overall, 71% of the students declared that they never, or only occasionally, attended lectures in the medical school. Reasons included lack of time (75%), the curriculum diverging from the program of the selective examination that gives access to graduate specialization programs (59%), or insufficient practical clinical content (36%); 46% believed that this teaching prepared them to practice family medicine (11% some specially), and 92% that the way it was organized was not compatible with preparing for the selective examination. On the other hand, 75% of the students in the final two years of the curriculum declared that attending regularly special preparation seminars for the selective examination, to succeed at this test (91%), but also to prepare for family practice (25%). Respectively, 75%, 68% and 66% declared that undergraduate medical courses should, ideally, prepare them for the selective examination, but also for the practice of family medicine, and for graduate medical education. CONCLUSIONS: These results echoed the difficulties of the faculty of the medical school to reconcile preparing students both for their future medical practice and for the selective examination. Two working groups were asked to identify independently appropriate educational objectives according to each perspective: their conclusions appeared to be quite compatible. Based on these conclusions, institutional objectives were ratified to guide the educational policy of our medical school, including the following: to reinforce the consistency and progressiveness of the curriculum; to promote active and autonomous student learning approaches; to develop faculty teaching skills, curriculum evaluation and recognition of teaching activities.

Curriculum↗
PubMed2000

A paraneoplastic mixed bullous skin disease: breakdown in tolerance to multiple epidermal antigens.

We report a new type of paraneoplastic mixed bullous skin disease in a patient with a B-cell lymphoma associated with monoclonal IgM kappa paraproteinaemia. The patient's clinical and histological features were reminiscent of bullous pemphigoid. Characterization of antiepidermal antibodies by immunoblotting and indirect immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated a novel pattern of reactivity: IgG antibodies were directed against desmoplakins I-II and BPAG2, and were associated with antidesmoglein 3 polyclonal IgM antibodies. Such an autoreactive pattern involving antidesmoplakins, anti-BPAG2 and antidesmoglein 3 antibodies has not been previously reported. It reflects the breakdown of tolerance to multiple epidermal antigens observed in some patients with malignancy.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed2000

[Alpha interferon-induced eczema in atopic patients infected by hepatitis C virus: 4 case reports].

OBJECTIVES: We report four cases of eczema induced by alpha interferon in atopic patients treated for chronic hepatitis C. CASE REPORTS: Eczema developed in 4 patients with certain (3 cases) or possible (1 case) atopy treated by subcutaneous injections of alpha interferon for hepatitis C virus infections. Delay to onset was 3 weeks to 6 months. Interferon was highly likely the causal agent: lesions started at site of interferon injection, followed the rhythm of interferon injections (three cases), disappeared at interferon withdrawal. In two patients, the lesions diffused to other sites. Both Introna and Roféron were used. Three patients also took ribavirine. The possible role of a contact factor (antiseptic.) was ruled out. Skin tests (patch tests, prick tests, intradermal reactions) were negative for interferon alpha and for a standard battery. DISCUSSION: The role of interferon in the induction of skin diseases or its influence on the course of certain dermatoses is well known. In atopic patients, interferon might induce eczema via an immunomodulator rather than an allergic mechanism since skin tests (performed in one patient) were negative. This observation is similar to that in psoriasis induced by interferon in predisposed subjects who develop skin lesions at injection sites which sometimes diffuse to distant localizations. The role of other factors (hepatitis C virus infection, ribavirine) remains unknown; they might participate in this mechanism by aggravating skin dryness.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗