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Biomedical subjects

K F Helm

Publications and source records attributed to K F Helm.

64 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Detection of HSV-specific DNA in biopsy tissue of patients with erythema multiforme by polymerase chain reaction.

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin biopsies of lesions of erythema multiforme (EM) from 32 patients and 13 controls were examined for the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for histological findings by direct immunofluorescence and staining with haematoxylin and eosin. HSV-specific DNA was detected in 23 (72%) patients. A history of recurrent skin rash was present in 59% of the PCR-positive cases, while 55% had had suspected HSV infections. Only two PCR-positive specimens were found in patients without a history of recurrent rash and/or previous oral lesions. One biopsy was positive for HSV by conventional cell cultures. There was no significant difference in histology between HSV-related and HSV-negative cases of EM. In the 13 control specimens [bullous pemphigoid (3), dermatitis herpetiformis (2), lichen planus (1), aphthous ulcer (1), fixed-drug eruption (1), varicella-zoster (1), hypereosinophilic syndrome (1), photocontact dermatitis (1), contact dermatitis (1), and cellulitis (1)], no HSV-DNA was detected.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A clinical and histopathologic study of granulomatous rosacea.

A retrospective clinical and histopathologic study of 53 patients with granulomatous rosacea was undertaken. The patients had a broad clinical spectrum of lesions that ranged from primarily erythema to papulonodular lesions. Extrafacial lesions occurred in 15% of patients. Histologic examination showed mixed lymphohistiocytic inflammation (primarily lymphocytic inflammation in 40% of patients and primarily histiocytic with a few giant cells in 34%), epithelioid granulomas in 11% of patients, and epithelioid granulomas with caseation necrosis in 11%. Most patients had a good response to oral antibiotic therapy. Granulomatous rosacea is not a distinct disease but can be regarded and treated as a subtype of rosacea.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Immunodermatology update: the immunologically mediated vesiculobullous diseases.

Before a specific diagnosis of an immunologically mediated blistering disease can be made, the clinical and histologic features and the results of direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies (with use of multiple substrates in some cases) must be assessed. For both subepidermal and intraepidermal groups of blistering diseases, direct immunofluorescence testing of perilesional tissue is critical for diagnosis. For these conditions, indirect immunofluorescence testing of serum is important for diagnosis and has a role in management of selected diseases. In dermatitis herpetiformis, indirect testing of serum for IgA antiendomysial antibodies is useful for both diagnosis and management. Indirect testing of serum for IgG antibodies to intercellular substance is important for diagnosis and, in conjunction with the clinical findings, can be used as a guide for monitoring disease activity in patients with pemphigus. Immunoelectron microscopy, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting studies have identified the sites of immune deposits and the specific antigens in most of the immunologically mediated bullous diseases. From a practical standpoint, however, direct and indirect immunofluorescence testing, in conjunction with clinical and histologic evaluations, is a simple, rapid, and relatively inexpensive tool for diagnosis and management.

Basement Membrane↗
PubMed1991

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus in children and young adults.

We performed a retrospective study of 52 children and young adults (average age 18 yrs) with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. In 56% of patients the eruption was still present after a follow-up of 7.5 years. Younger patients were most likely to show improvement. The histologic appearance of both groups (patients with persistent lesions and those with resolution of lesions) showed classic features of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus: homogenized collagen with an underlying bandlike lymphocytic infiltrate. Epidermal changes such as atrophy, hyperplasia, and follicular plugging were slightly more prominent in patients with persistent lesions. Menarche, pregnancy, and the presence of extragenital lesions had no effect on the prognosis, but since the condition resolved, on average, during adolescence, unknown developmental factors may be implicated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Epidermal antigen preservation with freezing.

Antigen preservation in human foreskin was evaluated after prolonged storage. Foreskin sections previously separated and stored were examined after 24 h, 6 days, 102 days, 364 days, and 493 days, using indirect immunofluorescence techniques. Each foreskin was evaluated with high-titer human antisera against bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus antigens, rabbit antiserum against laminin, and IgG murine monoclonal antibodies against OKT6, OKIa, AF-1, and Kab-3. Each section was studied and scored by three independent observers. Except for decreased fluorescent staining of pemphigus antigens, no decrease of the immunofluorescence titers was seen over the period of observation.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1985

Identification of bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus, laminin, and anchoring fibril antigens in human fetal skin.

Human fetal skin was evaluated for sequential and regional development of several epidermal antigens. Indirect immunofluorescent methods were used to detect laminin, bullous pemphigoid antigen, pemphigus antigen, and anchoring fibril antigens identified by monoclonal antibodies AF1 and AF2. Eighty-three human fetal skin biopsies from 32 human fetuses were examined. The fetuses examined ranged from estimated gestational age (EGA) of 7-38 weeks. Laminin was present in the basement membrane zone of all the fetal tissues examined. Bullous pemphigoid antigen developed first in the palm and sole, 9 weeks EGA, and was present in all other sites by 17 weeks EGA. Pemphigus antigen was present by 11 weeks EGA. AF1 and AF2 staining was not present until 26 weeks EGA, AF1 and AF2 stained epidermal basal cells in addition to the basement membrane zone area. Comparison of human fetal skin development with basal cell carcinoma identified similarities between basal cell carcinoma and early fetal development.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The spectrum of epidermal nevi: a case of verrucous epidermal nevus contiguous with nevus sebaceus.

During the normal development of skin, pluripotential cells give rise to keratinocytes, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, apocrine glands, and eccrine glands. In epidermal nevi, these components emerge in an abnormal mixture within a circumscribed site. Many authors have categorized epidermal nevi based on their predominant component; however, there is often notable overlap that occurs within a single area or within contiguous areas. We report a verrucous epidermal nevus contiguous to a nevus sebaceus of Jadassohn. The categories of epidermal nevi are somewhat artificial. Our case supports the view that epidermal nevi have a spectrum of manifestations, including verrucous epidermal nevi and nevus sebaceus of Jadassohn.

Diagnosis, Differential↗