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Biomedical subjects

S M Wilkinson

Publications and source records attributed to S M Wilkinson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Effects of infection control measures on skin of health care workers.

A review of patients presenting to a contact dermatitis investigation clinic in 1999 showed that almost half (60/124) of those with occupational hand dermatitis were health care workers. The use of fragrance-free products would be a simple intervention to reduce the prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis without affecting antimicrobial efficacy; other measures are discussed.

Dermatitis, Contact↗
PubMed1999

Microbiological and molecular diagnosis of deep localized cutaneous infection with Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

We describe a healthy young woman with a localized deep dermal infection on the right side of the chest wall. It was caused by the dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and resolved after two pulses of oral itraconazole 200 mg twice daily for 1 week. As cultural and microscopic features did not enable a precise identification of the fungus, molecular investigation was undertaken. Patterns of HaeIII restriction digests of genomic DNA from the culture matched those from Arthroderma incurvata and A. benhamiae, which is the teleomorph of T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

The prevalence of corticosteroid allergy in two U.K. centres: prescribing implications.

Allergic contact dermatitis to topical corticosteroids is a common problem, seen in up to 6% of patients undergoing patch testing. Rates of steroid allergy vary widely both within and between countries. It has previously been shown that non-fluorinated steroids degrade and react with arginine more rapidly in an in vitro system and may therefore be more likely to sensitize than fluorinated steroids. We have compared the rates of steroid allergy and corticosteroid prescribing habits in two different areas in England to observe the relationship between these factors. The results suggest that predominant use of non-fluorinated corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone-17-butyrate and budesonide) results in a higher prevalence of corticosteroid contact allergy in comparison with those areas using a greater proportion of fluorinated corticosteroids.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Eosinophilic cellulitis following the lines of Blaschko.

Eosinophilic cellulitis is an inflammatory dermatosis of unknown aetiology. We describe a case following the lines of Blaschko, which may be the expression of cutaneous mosaicism, suggesting a possible underlying genetic predisposition for the development of Wells' syndrome.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Latex: a cause of allergic contact eczema in users of natural rubber gloves.

BACKGROUND: Latex is a common cause of contact urticaria in glove users. We recently found that 1.2% of patients attending a contact dermatitis investigation unit had delayed type hypersensitivity to latex as a cause of eczema. OBJECTIVE: We reassessed the relevant contact allergens in users of natural rubber gloves with hand dermatitis. Particular emphasis was placed on allergens not included in the standard patch test series. METHODS: Consecutive natural rubber glove users with hand dermatitis were investigated for the presence of contact dermatitis and urticaria. RESULTS: One hundred seventeen consecutive patients were tested. The American standard series missed 34% and the European 40% of patients with positive patch test reactions to rubber related chemicals. Six percent of patients (20% of those with a positive reaction) demonstrated delayed type hypersensitivity to latex, often in the absence of other relevant contact allergens and contact urticaria to latex. CONCLUSION: Latex is a relatively common cause of allergic contact eczema in the absence of contact urticaria. Latex should be included in a rubber series for screening patients with hand dermatitis who are glove users.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Patch testing for Compositae allergy.

The main allergenic constituents of Compositae plants are the sesquiterpene lactones (SLs). In recent years, a mixture of three SLs, each with a different sesquiterpene skeleton (alantolactone, dehydrocostuslactone or costunolide), has been routinely used to detect Compositae allergy. The purpose of our study was to establish the value of testing with a range of Compositae extracts. Ninety-seven consecutive patients with exposure pattern dermatitis or hand eczema and gardening as a hobby or occupation were patch tested to the European standard series including SL mix 0.1% pet., Compositae extracts and other relevant allergens. Twenty-six of the 97 patients tested showed allergic reactions to SL mix or Compositae extracts. Fifteen of these showed positive reactions to both the SL mix and Compositae extracts. Eleven patients showed a negative reaction to the SL mix but positive reaction to the Compositae extracts. Dandelion elicited a positive reaction in eight of the 11 SL mix-negative patients and three patients reacted to feverfew. The SL mix failed to detect 38% of our Compositae-sensitive patients. Dandelion extract alone detected 73% of SL-negative patients. Additional testing with feverfew extract would have detected 91% of the SL mix-negative individuals. Our study highlights the importance of testing the response of SL-negative patients to additional Compositae extracts when there is a clinical suspicion of Compositae allergy.

Adult↗