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Biomedical subjects

P Ena

Publications and source records attributed to P Ena.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Discoid lupus erythematosus of the eyelids associated with staphylococcal blepharitis and Meibomian gland dysfunction.

Lower eyelid involvement occurs in 6% of patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). Eyelid lesions are rarely the initial manifestation of DLE. We describe a 25-year-old woman presenting with discoid lesions of the lower eyelids, staphylococcal blepharitis and Meibomian gland dysfunction, who later developed a discoid lesion on the chin. Histopathological and immunofluorescence studies of a biopsy specimen from this lesion established the diagnosis of DLE. We are unaware of any previously reported cases of DLE presenting with discoid eyelid lesions associated with staphylococcal blepharitis and Meibomian gland dysfunction. DLE should be considered as a differential diagnosis in chronic blepharitis that persists despite usual medical management and eyelid hygiene. Misdiagnosis may lead to eyelid margin deformities, necessitate a complicated full-thickness biopsy, and delay diagnosis of systemic lupus.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Oral lichenoid eruption secondary to imatinib (Glivec).

BACKGROUND: Oral lichenoid drug eruption (OLE) is a self-restricted inflammatory condition usually secondary to a variety of drugs and dental materials (mercury, gold), and rarely to immunomodulators and new antineoplastic agents such as imatinib mesylate (Glivec). OLE clinical features are reminiscent of lichen planus and include symmetric and asymptomatic, erythematous, reticulated and painful ulcerated plaques. Histological examination reveals perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate and the presence of eosinophils that obscures the dermal-epidermal junction, with acanthosis and mild hyperkeratosis. METHODS: A 62-year-old man was treated with Glivec for metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). RESULTS: The patient presented with grey-violaceous plaques on both cheek mucosal surfaces and the lateral sides of the tongue and labial mucosa, with a reticular pattern resembling oral lichen planus. These lesions appeared approximately 1 year after therapy and partially subsided in about 10 weeks, to clear after topical corticosteroids and oral omeprazole. The diagnosis of OLE induced by imatinib was confirmed by histological biopsy evaluation; immunohistochemical analysis revealed intense immunoreactivity with only cytokeratins 5/6 and 14 in the epithelium of affected mucosa. All laboratory investigations proved asiderotic anaemia but excluded infectious causes. CONCLUSION: It is believed that this patient developed imatinib-induced OLE; this relationship with therapy rather than the underlying disease rules out a paraneoplastic reaction, and negative immunofluorescence excluded autoimmune dermatosis. In addition, we propose that these lesions are correlated with abnormal expression of some cytokeratins directly caused by this drug.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2003

Lamellar ichthyosis associated with pseudoainhum of the toes and eye changes.

Classic lamellar ichthyosis is a rare, autosomal recessive, genetically heterogeneous skin disease caused by mutations in the transglutaminase 1 gene. Pseudoainhum is characterized by the appearance of a constricting band around a digit which may lead to spontaneous amputation. We describe a 41-year-old man with classic lamellar ichthyosis with unusual eye changes and pseudoainhum of both the fifth and the third right toes. Eye abnormalities included bilateral ectropion of the lower eyelids, chronic blepharitis, and nuclear cataract. A radiometric assay revealed greatly reduced skin transglutaminase activity. To the best of our knowledge, this report is unique as classic lamellar ichthyosis with deficient transglutaminase activity has never been associated with pseudoainhum of the toes and the early development of nuclear cataract.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Ectopic plantar nail: a report of two cases.

Ectopic nail is an extremely rare condition related to acquired or congenital anomalies. Almost 40 cases are reported in the literature, mostly in Japanese patients. In the majority of these patients, ectopic nails developed in the dorsal aspect of the fingers; they are associated in some cases with acquired or congenital growth anomalies or to polydactyly. Recently, we observed two male adult patients with true ectopic nails of the foot (sole and heel). Both patients were not affected by ectodermic dysplasia or foot malformations. The lesion relapsed after surgical excision in one case. Histology showed features of a well-developed and normal nail plate and matrix. A transmission electron microscope study was done in one case, showing typical aspects of onychocytes. The other nail was reproduced by a silicone replica technique and its superficial texture, shape and relationship with surrounding tissue were analysed by scanning electron microscopy.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Rapid identification of cutaneous infections by nontubercular mycobacteria by polymerase chain reaction-restriction analysis length polymorphism of the hsp65 gene.

BACKGROUND: Nontubercular mycobacteria (NTM) may cause cutaneous infections which are difficult to interpret due to the variability of the clinical manifestations. This study involved eight patients (four men and four women) with primary cutaneous infections caused by NTM; the skin lesions included dermo-hypodermal abscesses, suppurative granulomas, and papulonodules localized on the legs, arms, hands, and face. The general condition of the patients was relatively good and they were not immunosuppressed. METHODS: All samples were processed with standard methods and the isolates were identified by pattern restriction analysis after polymerase chain reaction (PCR-PCA) amplification of the heat shock protein of 65 kDa. RESULTS: In this way, we were able to identify three Mycobacterium chelonae strains, two Mycobacterium marinum, two Mycobacterium fortuitum, and one Mycobacterium avium. The lesions disappeared in 3 or 4 weeks after treatment with two or more antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS: For a correct diagnosis of cutaneous infection by NTM, demonstrating the presence of mycobacteria is essential; routinely available techniques lack sensitivity and are extremely tedious; often mycobacteria are not seen after acid-fast stain. We used PCR-PCA to identify mycobacteria grown in liquid media; the time of identification of mycobacteria was shortened relative to conventional methods.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of the microtopography of the skin by silicone replicas after repeated exposure to actinic radiation at high altitudes.

We investigated the superficial microtopography of the normal skin of 11 volunteers (not exposed to sunlight during the last 4 months), before and after sun exposure for 5 days at high altitudes of 2900-4559 m. The experiments were carried out on Mount Rosa in Italy, and cutaneous replicas using silicone resin were taken every day after 7 h of sun exposure. Casts were taken from the forehead, glabella, dorsum nasi, radial side (protected with a cream SPF 9.72) and ulnar side of the back of the hands, the only areas not protected. A total of 422 replicas were metallized with gold-palladium and observed under Zeiss 940A scanning electron microscope. The images were elaborated and analysed on computer with appropriate software supplying geometrical features of cutaneous surface using parameters proposed by Takahashi (1994). A Student's test for paired series was used to analyse the differences before and after 1-5 days of exposure giving uniform and significant data compared with controls. Using cutaneous replicas we demonstrated that repeated exposure of skin to sunlight in a short time elicits temporary defence mechanisms with increased obstruction of cutaneous pores, deepening of primary cutaneous furrows and shallowing of part of the secondary furrows; the two latter alterations are the consequence of reactive oedema.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp in skin grafts: report of three cases.

Three patients developed erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS). Two of them, both males, had previously undergone surgical excision for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, and a female experienced avulsive trauma of the scalp. The erosive lesions and crusts were located at the site of a skin graft; microbiological cultures were negative for bacterial and fungal growth. Histological examination ruled out pustular bullous disorders. Topical therapy with corticosteroids and antibiotics resulted in clinical remission in only 2 cases. The third case showed a tendency to recur despite numerous therapeutic attempts with oral dapsone and isotretinoin. We conclude that surgical trauma is a possible cause of EPDS. Our patients seem to be the first reported cases of EPDS in skin grafts following plastic surgical procedures.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1993

Lichen planus in children: a case report.

Lichen planus (LP) is rare in children. A review of the literature reveals that it has some peculiarities with respect to sex, localization, clinical aspect, race, and family history. We present an Indian child with the documented peculiarities of infantile LP. A comparison of LP and graft-versus-host disease points to the importance of thymic involution in the pathogenesis of the former, which could explain the rarity of this disorder in infants.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1991

Phototoxicity due to Cachrys libanotis.

After classification and identification of the plant, the alcoholic extract of Cachrys libanotis L. was analysed in order to identify the phototoxic agents. The substances responsible for photodermatitis were found to be 4 furocoumarins, of which 3 have been clearly identified, namely 5-methoxy-, 8-methoxy- and 5,8-dimethoxypsoralen. The structure of a 4th compound was not completely defined.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗
PubMed1991

Depressed urinary excretion of epidermal growth factor in psoriasis.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) may have a modulatory role in renal growth and function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether urinary excretion of EGF is altered in psoriatic patients with or without arterial hypertension. The glomerular filtration rate was similar in psoriatics as compared with age- and sex-matched controls, whereas urinary EGF (microgram/g creatinine) was significantly reduced in psoriatics: normotensive subjects, 29.52 +/- 3.51 (psoriatics) versus 44.31 +/- 1.20 (controls, p less than 0.05); hypertensive subjects, 19.67 +/- 3.96 (psoriatics) versus 30.11 +/- 1.52 (controls, p less than 0.05). The urinary EGF excretion was lower in males than in females, save for hypertensive psoriatics. Urinary EGF correlated inversely with age and directly with urinary kallikrein excretion. Urinary kallikrein activity was reduced and microalbuminuria increased in hypertensive psoriatics. These alterations might suggest that initial deterioration of renal function is present in psoriasis.

Epidermal Growth Factor↗