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Biomedical subjects

B Safai

Publications and source records attributed to B Safai.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Frequencies of HLA and Gm immunogenetic markers in Kaposi's sarcoma.

An outbreak of Kaposi's sarcoma in homosexual men has recently been observed in New York and California which differs from the "classic" North American disease with regard to younger age of onset and clinical prognosis. Although the exact mechanism for initiation of either disease is still unknown, a viral mechanism has been suggested in both cases. In order to investigate the possible role of HLA-associated variations in genetic susceptibility, 39 patients with histologically documented Kaposi's sarcoma were typed for HLA-A,B,C antigens. Most of these patients were also typed for HLA-DR antigens and for Gm allotypes. A significant increase in DR5 occurred in both groups. Decreases in B8 and DR3 and an increase in homozygosity for the Gm haplotype 3;5,13 were also noted. These results suggest that HLA and Gm linked immune response factors may play a role in the induction of both these forms of the disease.

HLA Antigens↗
PubMed1983

Deficient autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in Kaposi's sarcoma associated with deficiency of Leu-3+ responder T cells.

Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) and T cell subsets defined with monoclonal antibodies were analyzed in the peripheral blood of homosexual males with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). All seven patients demonstrated decreased AMLR (P less than 0.001) when compared with age- and sex-matched simultaneously studied controls. These patients also showed decreased proportions of Leu-3+ (helper/inducer phenotype) and an increase in the proportion of Leu-2+ (suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype) T cells. Leu-3+ T cells were purified from two patients by depleting Leu-2+ T cells in complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Leu-3+ T cells from both patients demonstrated poor proliferative response in the AMLR. In allogeneic MLR, patients' T cells were poor responders and their non-T cells were poor stimulators against healthy controls. This study demonstrates deficiency of both AMLR and allogeneic MLR in patients with KS. The decreased AMLR is associated with qualitative and functional deficiency of Leu-3+ responder T cells. Whether the functional deficiency of Leu-3+ responder T cells in the AMLR is a general phenomena or a feature of a subset of patients with KS remains to be determined.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

National case-control study of Kaposi's sarcoma and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in homosexual men: Part 1. Epidemiologic results.

To identify risk factors for the occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in homosexual men, we conducted a case-control study in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Fifty patients (cases) (39 with Kaposi's sarcoma, 8 with pneumocystis pneumonia, and 3 with both) and 120 matched homosexual male controls (from sexually transmitted disease clinics and private medical practices) participated in the study. The variable most strongly associated with illness was a larger number of male sex partners per year (median, 61 for patients; 27 and 25 for clinic and private practice controls, respectively). Compared with controls, cases were also more likely to have been exposed to feces during sex, have had syphilis and non-B hepatitis, have been treated for enteric parasites, and have used various illicit substances. Certain aspects of a lifestyle shared by a subgroup of the male homosexual population are associated with an increased risk of Kaposi's sarcoma and pneumocystis pneumonia.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1982

Outbreak of Kaposi's sarcoma with cytomegalovirus infection in young homosexual men.

Kaposi's sarcoma, a multicentric malignant neoplasm, occurs in certain geographic areas in the world. It is most common in Equatorial Africa and Eastern Europe. The annual incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma in the United States is between 0.021 and 0.061 per 100,000 persons. The appearance of an outbreak of Kaposi's sarcoma in young homosexual men in New York and California is a new and unique phenomenon. Certain differences are already recognized between the disease in these young men and the ordinary Kaposi's sarcoma. Herein we report our observations of the first 10 cases of Kaposi's sarcoma in young homosexual men. In these patients, the disease follows an aggressive clinical course characterized by widespread skin lesions with early involvement of the lymph nodes. In some of these patients, the result was death in a short period of time after initial diagnosis. In addition, cytomegalovirus infections were seen in these patients, which suggests at least a possible association between this viral and the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Lichen planus in two immunodeficient hosts.

The exact pathogenic mechanism involved in lichen planus (LP) remains obscure. Two patients who have severe immunodeficiency diseases and who developed LP during the course of their illness are reported here. Both patients had hypogammaglobulinemia and disturbed immune function prior to the development of LP. Although such an association could be coincidental, the development of LP may be related to the underlying immune disturbances. Association of LP with several other disorders of the immune system has been previously observed. Other evidence for the possible involvement of an immunopathogenic mechanism in LP includes (1) deposition of immunoglobulin within the colloid bodies and at the dermoepidermal junction, (2) predominantly T cell dermal infiltrate in LP lesions, and (3) existence of clinical and histologic similarities between graft-versus-host disease and LP.

Agammaglobulinemia↗
PubMed1982

Kaposi's sarcoma in young homosexual men.

An outbreak of KS has been observed in young homosexual men. These patients are different from those with classical KS for the following reasons: 1. geographic distribution (clustering in New York and California); 2. age (younger, mean--39 years); 3. higher incidence; 4. sexual preference (homosexual); 5. distribution of skin lesions (face, upper extremities, trunk); 6. lymph node involvement; 7. visceral lesions; 8. associated opportunistic infections (Pneumocystis carinii, toxoplasmosis); 9. history of sexually-transmitted diseases (hepatitis, syphilis, gonorrhea); and 10. aggressive course of the disease. Awareness of these features of the new KS will enable the practitioner to better recognize this important, emerging disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Effectiveness of once weekly total skin electron beam therapy in mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome.

During the past eight years, 137 patients with mycosis fungoides were given total skin electron beam therapy (TSEB) using 2.5 to 4 MeV electrons. A single treatment delivers 400 rads to the entire skin surface, and patients are treated once a week for six to eight consecutive weeks. All have been followed for a median of 18 months (range 6-103 months). Although approximately 80 to 90% of the total population were in the advanced stages of the disease and had been previously treated elsewhere, cutaneous lesions and associated symptoms were effectively controlled. The remission lasted 6 to 103 months (median 19 months) after beginning the therapy for 109 mycosis fungoides patients, who were at risk for 12-103 months (median 24 months). Erythroderma and circulating Sezary cells adversely affected the duration of remission and indicate extracutaneous dissemination. Lymphocyte responsiveness to various mitogens and antigens correlated well with duration of the remission that was obtained from a course of TSEB.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Once weekly total and subtotal skin electron beam therapy for Kaposi's sarcoma.

Although Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) usually appears with solitary skin lesions, in a large percentage of these patients the disease progresses eventually to involve large extensive segments of the skin. In the past, the most frequently used approach is the irradiation of isolated lesions as they arose, hence the so-called "chasing technique." Since 1971, a technique of once weekly total skin electron beam therapy (TSEB) has been employed at Memorial Hospital for mycosis fungoides and other cutaneous malignancies involving large areas of the body. Four hundred rads once weekly for six to eight consecutive weeks are delivered to the entire skin surface by employing a 3.5 MeV electron beam. Twenty patients with KS treated by this technique have been followed for 12--98 months, median 48 months. Overall response is 100%; 17/20 (85%) obtained complete remission lasting 10--92 months, (median 48 months).

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Kaposi's sarcoma. Retrospective study of 90 cases with particular emphasis on the familial occurrence, ethnic background and prevalence of other diseases.

Identification of familial cases of Kaposi's sarcoma may help elucidate the role of genetic factors in this disease. To assess the prevalence of familial occurrences, the ethnic distribution of Kaposi's sarcoma and the prevalence of other diseases in our patient population, we have reviewed all cases of Kaposi's sarcoma seen at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 1954 and 1975. Each patient was categorized on the basis of sex, age of onset of Kaposi's sarcoma, ethnic background, nativity, family history of Kaposi's sarcoma and prevalence of other diseases. Only one documented occurrence of familial Kaposi's sarcoma was found out of 90 cases reviewed. The frequency of familial Kaposi's sarcoma in our patient population supports the findings of other investigators. An ethnic predominance of Kaposi's sarcoma was substantiated, with most patients being immigrants from high-incidence areas (54 of 77) and predominantly of Jewish and italian heritage (52 Jewish and 17 Italian of 87).

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Childhood dermatitis herpetiformis. Review of the new aspects and report of a case.

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) of linear IgA type occurred in a 6-month-old boy shortly after initiating sulfisoxazole therapy for a urinary tract infection. Generalized pruritic bullae on erythematous bases were present on his trunk and extremities. There were no clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of gastrointestinal involvement. Direct immunofluorescent studies of skin biopsies taken early in the course of the disease and while the child was on systemic corticosteroid therapy were negative. Eventually a linear deposition of IgA at the dermoepidermal junction of involved skin on direct immunofluorescence was demonstrated. No circulating antibodies to the basement membrane were found. Because of close proximity of the initiation of sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin) therapy and the eruption of the initial bullous lesions, this case also presents an interesting diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Negative assays of lymphocyte migration inhibition factor (LMIF) to sulfisoxazole indicated that the likelihood of a hypersensitivity reaction to sulfa drugs was slight. The patient's clinical response to dapsone therapy was dramatic. The conflicting views of subepidermal bullous dermatosis of childhood and the difficulties in confirming a diagnosis of DH are discussed. We contend that when DH is suspected in children, various laboratory tests should be repeated several times before the diagnosis can be confirmed. The case presented here is the youngest child reported with this type of DH.

Dapsone↗
PubMed1981

Localized comedo formation after cobalt irradiation.

Following Cobalt-60 irradiation for a left frontotemporal tumor, a 61-year-old woman developed comedones on the forehead. These changes responded to conventional acne therapy with retinoic acid. Multiple acneigenic factors were implicated in the pathogenesis of her lesions.

Brain Neoplasms↗