Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C J Cockerell.
Skin is the most commonly affected organ in patients with HIV. As such, cutaneous manifestations of HIV infection have been the subject of intense scrutiny as well as the topic of many articles. A broad range of infectious and noninfectious skin lesions may develop during the course of the disease. This article discusses the clinical and pathological cutaneous manifestations of HIV infection.
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are primarily induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation and are often identified as premalignant lesions. In our opinion, AKs are proliferations of transformed, neoplastic keratinocytes confined to the epidermis that may eventually extend into the dermis, at which point they are termed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In contrast to AKs, SCCs have the potential to metastasize and kill. This process is analogous to that of evolving carcinoma of the uterine cervix that has been termed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), a time-tested and reliable classification that provides clinicians with accurate information on which to base treatment decisions regarding cervical neoplasms following biopsy testing. A similar classification scheme could provide guidance to clinicians for the diagnosis and treatment of evolving SCC of the skin and as such, we propose a similar classification using the terminology keratinocytic intraepidermal neoplasia (KIN). This system is more reflective of the histology and natural history of SCC and eliminates ambiguity in the terminology of lesions currently referred to as AKs. The KIN classification defines features by which individual specimens can be objectively graded and specific treatment recommendations are made based on the grade of the lesion. We propose that the term keratinocytic intraepidermal neoplasia (KIN) be used to define and describe evolving SCC of the skin and that the term actinic (solar) keratosis be eliminated.
To better understand the cutaneous immune response to Treponema pallidum, we performed an immunohistologic study of skin biopsies from a total of 11 patients with secondary syphilis; biopsies from five persons infected with HIV-1 were included in the analysis to assess at the tissue level the impact of concomitant HIV-1 infection on disease expression. In all of the biopsies, staining for HLA-DR, a marker for cellular activation, was observed among infiltrating leukocytes, dermal vascular endothelial cells, and keratinocytes. Infiltrating mononuclear cells stained positively for CD4 or CD8, with CD4+ cells always being in the majority. Surprisingly, most of the CD4+ cells had histiocytic, rather than lymphocytic, morphologic characteristics. Immunostaining for CD14 confirmed that these cells were monocytic in origin, whereas immunostaining for CD3 revealed that the lymphocytes were predominantly CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. B cells were not detected despite the presence of variable numbers of plasma cells in all specimens. By immunofluorescence, all of the specimens demonstrated perivascular deposition of immunoglobulins, complement, or fibrinogen; linear staining at the dermal-epidermal junction also was observed in most of the specimens. No differences in immunocytochemical or immunofluorescence staining patterns were observed between the specimens from patients who were HIV positive and patients who were HIV negative. In addition to providing a more precise definition of the infiltrating cells in syphilitic lesions, our results, taken as a whole, indicate that cellular immune processes are largely responsible for the development of cutaneous manifestations during syphilitic infection and that coinfection with HIV-1 has little discernible effect on the cutaneous response to T. pallidum.
Ectoparasitic infestations are common cutaneous problems. The vast majority of these are attributable to scabies and pediculosis. While these are usually readily recognizable, infestations caused by other ectoparasites, such as nonscabetic mites, may pose difficulty in diagnosis. In this article, we present a variety of ectoparasitic infestations that initially eluded diagnosis and review the gamut of ectoparasites that can cause eruptions in the skin.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) has been shown to occur following administration of many different medications. Recently, we observed a patient who sustained a severe case of TEN shortly following the administration of foscarnet. Since this agent has not been previously associated with this complication, we report the first case of TEN occurring secondary to treatment with foscarnet.
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The skin is affected in virtually all patients with HIV infection. Many articles and several books have been published that deal with these disorders for a number of reasons. First, cutaneous disease may serve as the initial or only problem that the patient suffers for much of the course of the HIV infection. Second, serious opportunistic infections may present for the first time in the skin, so that a skin lesion may be a harbinger of the patient's having a life-threatening illness. Third, skin disorders in these patients may appear unusual and hence may not be accurately diagnosed by clinical inspection alone. Furthermore, response to treatment may be poorer than expected. Thus, skin diseases in the HIV-infected patient are important and, in some cases, may be the most debilitating element of the patient's condition.
BACKGROUND: Cidofovir is a potent nucleoside analog antiviral drug approved for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with AIDS. It is currently available only for intravenous infusion. Several small studies and case reports describe the successful use of cidofovir applied either topically or intralesionally in several virally induced cutaneous diseases. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to review the usefulness of topical and intralesional cidofovir for the treatment of viral infections caused by human papillomavirus, herpesviruses (including acyclovir-resistant strains), Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and molluscum contagiosum. METHODS: We performed a review of recent literature. RESULTS: Cidofovir is a potent topical intralesional antiviral agent with activity against several DNA viruses that cause cutaneous disease. No significant systemic side effects have been noted, although application site reactions are common and can occasionally be severe. CONCLUSION: The effective use of topical and intralesional cidofovir for the treatment of diseases of the skin caused by DNA viruses has been demonstrated in a limited number of patients including those infected with HIV. Although larger studies will be necessary to determine the specific function that topical cidofovir will have in the treatment of cutaneous diseases caused by DNA viruses, the drug offers significant promise.
Eccrine syringofibroadenoma (ES) is generally regarded as a solitary benign adnexal neoplasm of the skin. Recently, the epithelial and stromal changes of this lesion have been recognized as being a reaction pattern in certain settings. We describe two individuals in whom this process was a manifestation of hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. In both cases, the diagnosis had been missed for many years and the process had been thought to be a manifestation of an inflammatory dermatosis of the palms and soles. In both instances, other family members were found to be affected. Thus, ES may be manifested clinically as erythematous erosive plaques, especially of the palms and soles. It is important that clinicians be familiar with this disorder and be aware that it may exhibit unusual cutaneous manifestations.
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Desmoplastic malignant melanoma (DMM) is a rare variant of melanoma that can be very difficult to diagnose correctly both clinically and histologically. The problem is compounded by the fact that many lesions persist at previous biopsy or excision sites so that scar tissue is often present admixed with or adjacent to the spindle cell neoplasm which may exhibit fibroblastic differentiation itself. In order to assess this problem, we compared and contrasted the histologic features of six DMM with 15 examples of cicatrices from various sources. Mature scars were readily differentiated from DMM by light microscopy. In contrast, immature scar and DMM had many features in common including hypercellularity, nodular lymphoid infiltrates, myxoid stroma, and atypical nuclei. The presence of a melanocytic proliferation within the epidermis above the dermal component, neurotropism, and S-100 and/or HMB-45 positivity of neoplastic cells were the only features that permitted reliable differentiation between the two. Clinical correlation and review of previous biopsy specimens are crucial in preventing a delayed diagnosis of DMM. Re-excision is advised in all questionable cases.
Cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis (DM) commonly include Gottron's papules, cuticular erythema and telangiectasia, periorbital edema with a "heliotrope" rash, a papulosquamous eruption of the hairline, face, and trunk, as well as poikiloderma. Very few references can be found concerning vesicular and bullous lesions, however. We present two patients with dermatomyositis who manifested vesicular and bullous lesions who were initially misdiagnosed. Although rare, it is important to recognize this form of DM to avoid misdiagnosis. Furthermore, in some cases, vesiculo-bullous DM may portend a poor prognosis.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Treatment of infectious diseases in patients with HIV infection is of primary importance in patient care. Viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens all may affect these patients. It is essential that accurate diagnoses be made and appropriate therapy be administered as early as possible.