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Biomedical subjects

G Plewig

Publications and source records attributed to G Plewig.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Cowpox virus infection in an 11-year-old girl.

We describe an 11-year-old girl with a cowpox virus infection, who presented with a 14-day-old crusted, ulcerated nodule on the chin/neck and a 6-day-old eroded blister on the left leg. The girl lived in a rural environment, had close contact to several cats from the neighborhood, and had an atopic predisposition. The presence of orthopox virus in the lesion on the left leg was demonstrated by electron microscopy (negative staining, transmission electron microscopy) and virus isolation. Classification as a cowpox virus was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by restriction enzyme digestion of the PCR product.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Clinical and immunologic parameters during thalidomide treatment of lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Thalidomide is used as an experimental drug for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases with an autoimmune or infectious background. The pharmacologic action involves the downregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and inhibition of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced angiogenesis; however, not much is known about thalidomide's effect on immunologic parameters in lupus erythematosus (LE). Method This is an open study of a group of five consecutive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients treated with thalidomide (100 mg/day) and five consecutive cutaneous LE patients not responsive to conventional therapy. The clinical and immunologic parameters (C-reactive protein, immunoglobulin, and complement serum levels, lymphocyte counts) were investigated during thalidomide treatment for up to 2 years in both patient groups. RESULTS: An increase in the absolute peripheral lymphocyte count was observed beginning after 2 weeks of systemic thalidomide treatment in nine out of 10 LE patients, and remained stable throughout thalidomide treatment. Elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein and titers of autoantibodies to double-stranded (ds) DNA decreased in SLE patients. No significant changes were detected in the serum levels of the complement components C3 and C4 and immunoglobulins in all LE patients. Regression of inflammatory skin lesions and regrowth of hair were recorded. As a side-effect, polyneuropathy was observed in four out of 10 patients, with the earliest onset at 3 weeks of thalidomide treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Thalidomide is a potent anti-inflammatory drug in patients with SLE and cutaneous LE, possibly interacting with the recruitment of lymphocytes. It leads to the regrowth of hair in LE-related alopecia and effluvium. Early symptoms of polyneuropathy should be registered and the drug should be withdrawn. Thalidomide should be restricted to patients who show no response to standard therapeutic regimens and should only be used under strict precautions with regard to its known teratogenic risk.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Fractionated radiotherapy of lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma in 64 patients.

Between 1987 and 1998, 64 patients with lentigo maligna (LM) (n = 42) or lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) (n = 22) were treated by fractionated radiotherapy. In all 22 patients with LMM, excision of the nodular part of the LMM was performed before radiation of the residual lentiginous tumor. During the follow-up period of 1 to 96 months (mean, 23 months; median, 15 months), none of the 42 patients with LM displayed any signs of recurrence of LM after radiation therapy alone. Of the 22 patients with LMM, only 2 patients showed local recurrence of the tumor, salvaged by excision in both cases. One patient with LMM suffered from metastatic disease without local recurrence of the melanoma 44 months after radiation therapy. The cosmetic results of radiotherapy were good or excellent in the vast majority of patients, with only a few experiencing hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation in the irradiated area. Fractionated radiation therapy with superficial x-rays is an effective method of treatment of LM associated with low morbidity and leading to clinical results comparable to those of surgical excision.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Late metastases of cutaneous melanoma: an analysis of 31 patients.

Analysis of data of 6298 patients with cutaneous melanoma seen at the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich between 1977 and 1998 identified 31 patients who first experienced metastatic disease 10 or more years after surgical treatment of the primary melanoma. The mean tumor thickness in patients with late progression of disease was 1.4 mm. There was no sex predominance. Of 31 patients, 15 (48. 3%) were female and included both premenopausal and postmenopausal women at the time of initial diagnosis without any predominance. Sixteen of the 31 patients (51.6%) with late onset of progression had primary tumors located on the trunk. The prognosis after relapse was related to the site of recurrence; survival after local or regional node recurrence was often prolonged, whereas survival after distant metastases usually was limited. Survival after late recurrence did not correlate with disease-free survival. A high-risk group for late recurrence could not be identified. The data emphasize the value of continued clinical follow-up and self-examination for early detection of regional recurrences. We advocate a lifelong follow-up, also to identify other melanocytic lesions at risk (eg, dysplastic nevi, secondary or multiple melanomas).

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Interferon gamma in survivors of the Chernobyl power plant accident: new therapeutic option for radiation-induced fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: One of the remarkable clinical consequences of the Chernobyl accident was skin involvement, leading to extensive cutaneous fibrosis. Apart from surgery, no established treatment is available. METHODS: A group of survivors, working in or present at the accident site on April 26, 1986, and a few days thereafter, were examined, treated, and followed-up in 6-month intervals from September 1991 to November 1995. Eight individuals were identified as suffering from excessive cutaneous fibrosis. Skin thickness was measured with high-frequency (20 MHz) ultrasound in a clinically well-defined target skin lesion, in addition to histologic confirmation of radiation fibrosis. Interferon gamma was scheduled for all patients on a low-dose regimen (3 x 50 microg/week s.c.). In 2 patients, interferon was discontinued after the first injection, due to withdrawal of consent. In 6 patients, interferon was continued for 30 months, with 1 injection weekly for a further 6 months. Treatment was discontinued in November 1994. Four patients in the treated group and 1 of the 2 patients treated only once ("untreated patients") were reexamined 1 year later. RESULTS: In all individuals treated for 36 months, a significant (p < 0.005) reduction of radiation fibrosis could be determined, in contrast to a significant (p < 0.005) increase in the 2 untreated patients. Follow-up 1 year after discontinuation of the interferon treatment demonstrated significant (p < 0.005) recurrence of fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Low-dose interferon appears to be a safe and effective treatment of cutaneous radiation fibrosis following accidental exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation. Long-term supportive therapy may be required.

Adult↗