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Biomedical subjects

M Mempel

Publications and source records attributed to M Mempel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Optimizing the therapeutic approach in tinea capitis of childhood with itraconazole.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophytosis of childhood with increasing incidence. Whereas griseofulvin is considered by many as the mainstay of treatment, newer oral antifungal agents, including fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine have demonstrated higher efficacy, resulting in shorter treatment durations. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the optimum regimen for the treatment of childhood tinea capitis with itraconazole. METHODS: A mycological culture outcome-dependent combination of a 28-day continuous and facultative additional 14-day courses with itraconazole was used in 42 children (20 girls; 22 boys) aged 12-140 months (mean 66) with tinea capitis due to Microsporum canis (n = 26) and Trichophyton violaceum (n = 16). The drug was given orally according to the patients' body weight (50 mg daily for < 20 kg; 100 mg daily for > or = 20 kg) over 4 weeks. Direct microscopy and fungal culture as a parameter for efficacy were repeated 2 weeks after termination of treatment. Assessment of efficacy was based on the evaluation of results from light microscopy and culture at 8 weeks after initiation of treatment, and in the case of a further positive mycological culture at 14 and 20 weeks, respectively. A positive fungal culture at these times resulted in an additional course for 2 weeks with the initially chosen itraconazole dosage. RESULTS: In 34 of 42 patients a single 4-week course of itraconazole resulted in a complete mycological cure of lesions as demonstrated by light microscopy and mycological culture. Four of 42 patients had to be treated by a second itraconazole course for 2 weeks, and four children received a third course of itraconazole for 2 weeks until all lesions showed negative direct microscopy and mycological culture. No abnormal haematological or biochemical results occurred. Apart from transient, completely reversible indigestion in two children, no side-effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A culture-based 28-day continuous therapeutic regimen plus facultative cultural outcome-dependent additional 14-day courses of a body weight-adapted dosage of itraconazole in tinea capitis due to M. canis and T. violaceum is discussed; this offers the advantage of an effective therapy with complete negative direct microscopy as well as negative cultural results, within a shorter active treatment period (cf. previous studies with continuous administration of itraconazole).

Adolescent↗

Hepatosplenic alphabeta T-cell lymphoma: an unusual case with clinical, histologic, and cytogenetic features of gammadelta hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma.

Hepatosplenic gammadelta T-cell lymphoma is a recently identified entity in which lymphoma cells bearing the gammadelta T-cell receptor (TCR) infiltrate the sinusoids of the liver and the sinuses of the splenic red pulp and bone marrow, without lymph node involvement. It is also characterized by a recurrent cytogenetic finding, isochromosome 7q (i7q10). The authors report a case of hepatosplenic lymphoma of alphabeta T-cell phenotype that shares the same clinical, histologic, and cytogenetic characteristics of the previously described hepatosplenic gammadelta T-cell lymphoma. Fluorescent in situ hybridization performed with chromosome 7 probes showed the typical pattern of isochromosome 7q. Genomic analysis of the TCR gamma locus failed to detect a clonal rearrangement. This unique case of hepatosplenic lymphoma of alphabeta T-cell phenotype supports the possibility that lymphoid populations of different alphabeta or gammadelta phenotype that share similar homing and presumably functional properties could give rise to lymphomas displaying similar clinical and pathologic findings.

Adult↗

[Unilateral latero-thoracic exanthema in childhood. Clinical characteristics and diagnostic criteria in 5 patients].

Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem a (ULE) is a self-limited, probably infectious-allergic skin disease predominantly affecting small children. We describe five such cases. The typical unilaterally located or at least unilaterally dominant exanthem usually starts in the axillary region and is characterized by red, partly confluent papules and fine scales. Two of the children presented with atypical manifestations of ULE. Due to its asymptomatic course, therapy is not necessary in the majority of cases.

Axilla↗

[Treatment of acute exacerbated atopic eczema with emollient-antiseptic preparations using the "wet wrap" ("wet pajama") technique].

Six patients (3 children and 3 adults) with acute exacerbated atopic eczema were treated with basic emollients in combination with chlorhexidine-soaked dressings over a period of three days using the "wet-pyjama" technique. Improvement of eczema was documented with the severity score "Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis" (SCORAD); most pronounced changes were found for the subjective parameters itch and sleep loss. Paralleling skin improvement a reduction of Staphylococcus aureus colonisation was noted. Improvement of skin changes lasted beyond the active treatment period. Wet-wrap dressings are an effective treatment modality for atopic eczema without use of corticosteroids and can be used easily on an outpatient basis when manufactured dressings are used.

Acute Disease↗

[Henoch-Schönlein purpura: successful treatment with Dapsone].

A 26-year old patient who suffered from purpura for four years evolved into the complete clinical picture of Henoch-Schönlein-purpura in the past two years. A causative agent was never found. Multiple therapeutic approaches including systemic steroids, azathioprine as well as pentoxyfylline failed to control the arthralgias, intestinal symptoms and skin lesions. Therefore dapsone therapy was initiated at a dosage of 100 mg daily after checking the glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase and with regular control of the blood methemoglobin level. Within two weeks, the patient's symptoms completely cleared, he has now been in remission for the past six months. As noted elsewhere, dapsone is an effective therapy for severe cases of Henoch-Schönlein- purpura.

Adult↗

The wide spectrum of clinical expression in Adams-Oliver syndrome: a report of two cases.

Two children are described with the combination of aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) and transverse limb defects known as Adams-Oliver syndrome. Whereas in the first child the typical features of ACC, syndactyly and transverse nail dystrophy were only mildly expressed and associated defects of the central nervous system and cardiac malformations were absent, the second child suffered from a very severe expression of the syndrome, with a combination of ACC, syndactyly, cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita and multiple cardiac and central nervous system malformations which resulted in fatal central respiratory insufficiency.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

[Pyoderma].

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Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Cutaneous Staphylococcus aureus colonisation of atopic eczema. Mechanisms, pathophysiological importance and therapeutic consequences].

Mechanisms for the increased Staphylococcus aureus colonization in atopic eczema are only partially known. From the aspect of the bacterium, the presence of various extracellular matrix components seems important. In the host epidermal lipid deficencies disturbing barrier dysfunction are important. Staphylococcus aureus' immunological and inflammatory effects include the release of superantigens, additional exotoxins and exoenzymes and perhaps bacterial DNA-triggered mechanisms. Therapeutic possibilities include the use of systemic antibiotics in cases of generalized superinfected atopic eczema, the use of corticosteroids and specific antibiotic-antiseptic combinations in cases of localised superinfected atopic eczema and the wide-spread use of topical antiseptics in cases of microbial-laden atopic eczema.

Animals↗

Staphylococcus aureus colonization in atopic dermatitis and its therapeutic implications.

Skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is a characteristic feature of atopic dermatitis with more than 90% of patients being colonized. Extracellular matrix proteins are important for the adherence of S. aureus to human keratinocytes. The bacterium interferes in the inflammatory process of atopic dermatitis in various ways, among which the ability to release superantigens in a high percentage of clinical isolates is of great importance. As the colonization correlates significantly with the severity of eczema, anti-staphylococcal treatment measurements are widely used. In cases of atopic dermatitis exacerbation with wide-spread weeping lesions, a systemic antibiotic treatment is warranted, with erythromycin no longer being recommended due to an increased resistance rate. In localized superinfected lesions the topical application of an antibiotic-glucocorticoid preparation may offer advantages to the mere steroid application. Based on efficacy and resistance data, fusidic acid is the antibiotic of choice. There is evidence that phototherapy in atopic dermatitis may be even more effective when combined with anti-staphylococcal measurements. In the future new therapeutical options may be available.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Role of Staphylococcus aureus surface-associated proteins in the attachment to cultured HaCaT keratinocytes in a new adhesion assay.

Colonization of human skin with Staphylococcus aureus is a common feature in a variety of dermatologic diseases. In order to reproducibly investigate the adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to human epidermal cells, an in vitro assay was established using the biotin/streptavidine labeling system and the HaCaT cell line. This assay was used to define the role of several Staphylococcus aureus surface proteins with regard to their function in the staphylococcal adhesion process. Our studies included the standard laboratory strain Newman as well as its genetically constructed mutants DU5873, DU5852, DU5854, and DU5886 generated by allele replacement or transposon mutagenesis, which are deficient in the elaboration of staphylococcal protein A (spa), clumping factor (clfA), coagulase (coa), and the fibronectin-binding proteins A and B (fnbA/B), respectively. In comparison with strain Newman all mutants showed remarkably reduced adherence to the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line in our assay, yielding only between 43% and 60% of the adherence capacity of strain Newman after 60 min. Bacterial adherence could be re-established by introducing the cloned wild-type genes for the surface proteins on shuttle plasmids into the chromosomally defective mutants, thus suggesting a pathogenetic role of these proteins in the attachment of Staphylococcus aureus to human keratinocytes. Bacterial adherence was additionally enhanced by alkaline pH-values that are characteristic for skin conditions with epidermal barrier dysfunction. The use of Staphylococcus aureus mutant strains, deficient in the elaboration of defined proteins, allows specific investigation of colonization and virulence factors of this dermatologic relevant microorganism.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome: clinical, serologic, and therapeutic data from nine children.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS), a self-limiting papulovesicular acrodermatitis often associated with underlying viral infection, is mainly described in children. Nine children with GCS were evaluated with dermatologic examination and serologic tests for viral infections. Therapy was modified according to the subjective symptoms of patients, which included characteristic acrolocated papulovesicles, generalized skin eruption, and mild to severe pruritus. Results of serologic investigations revealed Epstein-Barr virus, Coxsackie A virus, parvovirus B19, and parainfluenza virus 1/2. In three children no underlying viral infection was found. Therapeutic interventions included topical clioquinol lotion 1 percent, topical application of corticosteroids, systemic antihistaminic therapy, and systemic methylprednisolone. Skin lesions resolved after 2 to 4 weeks in treated as well as in nontreated children. Although GCS in children often lacks close association with a causative viral infection, such severe infections as hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus must be considered. Whole-body involvement seems to correlate with severe pruritus and additional general symptoms requiring more intensive therapy.

Acrodermatitis↗

Detection and measurement of Staphylococcus epidermidis slime using an ELISA technique.

A polyclonal rabbit anti-serum against the strong slime-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis strain RP62A was absorbed with the slime-negative phase variant of this strain PV1 in order to remove not slime-specific antibodies. Using this antiserum we established an ELISA which enables detection of slime production in S. epidermidis extracts. The ELISA showed high absorbance when extracts from slime-positive strains (confirmed in the tissue culture tube test) were used as antigens. The high absorbance of slime-positive strains was greatly reduced by periodate oxidation of the extracts and was resistant to proteinase digestion suggesting that the detected antigen is composed of polysaccharides. In contrast to other rapid and simple laboratory detection methods for S. epidermidis slime, the slime-specific ELISA gave positive results in the presence of human serum.

Animals↗