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Biomedical subjects

T Ruzicka

Publications and source records attributed to T Ruzicka.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Eruptive xanthomas].

A 41-year old male patient presented with yellowish papules on the elbows, upper arms, back and the buttocks, as well as yellow streaks in the palmar creases. Laboratory examination revealed Fredrickson type IIb hyperlipidemia. Histologic changes were consistent with eruptive xanthomas. Treatment was started with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and dietary measures were taken to lower serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Hyperlipidemia is the cause of eruptive xanthomas and strongly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Pityriasis rubra pilaris].

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare papulosquamous disease with typical onset during the first and fifth decades. The skin disorder normally starts on the scalp and spreads caudally within a few weeks. It often results in a generalized erythroderma with sharply demarcated islands of sparing ("nappes claires"). A 65-year-old patient with severe PRP showed good clinial improvement after 8 months of treatment when treated with acitretin in combination with phototherapy and systemic gluocorticosteroids.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Tolerance induction towards nickel. From animal model to humans].

Nickel is the most common contact allergen in humans. Until recently, many questions concerning tolerance mechanisms to nickel were unresolved. Besides human ex vivo, intervention and observation studies, the establishment of a reproducible mouse model has contributed to the analysis of these mechanisms. A more detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of nickel allergy and tolerance towards nickel by investigations in an animal model and in human studies is a prerequisite for developing specific prevention and therapy of nickel allergy. With this article, we provide a review of the investigations concerning nickel allergy and give perspectives towards oral tolerance induction to nickel in the animal model and in humans.

Allergens↗
PubMed2004

[Treatment of therapy-resistant acral ulcers with iloprost].

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) develop often acral ulcers which are resistant to therapy and may result in gangrene and amputation. We investigated the effects of iloprost infusion on the acral ulcers and necrosis in patients with five patients with SSc and one with mixed connective tissue disease who had been previously treated with various modalities without improvement. All patients had Raynaud phenomenon, acral ulcers and necrosis. Iloprost 25 microg per day was administered intravenously daily over six hours for ten consecutive days. Eight weeks later all patients were treated with a second iloprost therapy cycle for five days. Two patients with severe ulceration received a third cycle until remission occurred. In all cases acral ulcers healed completely and no patient relapsed during an observation period of 6 months.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Gene expression in actinic keratoses: pharmacological modulation by imiquimod.

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are premalignant lesions that can progress into squamous cell carcinoma. Imiquimod, which belongs to the new class of immune-response modifiers, was recently shown to be effective in the treatment of AKs. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: To study the expression of individual genes in uninvolved skin and AKs before therapy and to elucidate the way in which the expression of these genes is influenced by imiquimod therapy. METHODS: We treated 13 patients with AK with imiquimod and compared gene expression before, during (five patients) and after (eight patients) therapy with that in uninvolved skin. We analysed genes coding for inflammatory cytokines or their receptors, adhesion molecules, anti-apoptotic proteins, p53 and toll-like receptors (TLRs) by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Comparing uninvolved skin and untreated AK, we found significant differences in the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, hurpin, TLR7 and TLR8. During imiquimod therapy, we detected a further upregulation of interferon-alpha, IL-6, IL-10 receptor 1 and TLR7. In contrast, two anti-apoptotic genes, hurpin and HAX-1, were downregulated. We did not detect significant differences in gene expression for p53, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and alpha- and beta-catenins. Clinically, the upregulated expression of the proinflammatory cytokines correlated with the local inflammation induced by imiquimod. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that specific differences in gene expression are detectable between AK and uninvolved skin. Imiquimod influenced the expression of most genes analysed in this study. This work extends previous findings on the effects of imiquimod on gene regulation in AKs.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

The role of topical calcineurin inhibitors in atopic dermatitis.

For more than five decades, topical corticosteroids and emollients have been the mainstay of therapy for atopic dermatitis. However, the potential for side-effects limits the clinical utility of corticosteroids in providing long-term disease control. With a unique mode of action that differs from that of corticosteroids, the steroid-free topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream, provide skin-selective treatment that targets key factors involved in the pathogenesis of this chronic disease. An extensive series of clinical trials involving more than 16,000 patients with predominantly moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in tacrolimus studies and over 2000 patients with primarily mild to moderate disease in pimecrolimus studies has shown that both TCIs provide effective and well-tolerated treatment for atopic dermatitis. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that tacrolimus is superior to conventional hydrocortisone-based regimens and does not cause skin atrophy or other steroidal side-effects. Both tacrolimus and pimecrolimus prevent disease flares and provide progressive and sustained disease improvement with long-term therapy. These and other clinical benefits of TCIs are discussed, together with the safety profiles of tacrolimus and pimecrolimus and their use in clinical practice. In addition, this review summarizes findings from the many trials carried out with these agents and outlines how TCIs can provide long-term treatment and control of a chronic skin disease that may persist for years.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2003

[Cutaneous leishmaniasis].

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by an obligate intracellular protozoa, Leishmania, which resides in macrophages. The parasite is transmitted by an infected female sandfly. The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis approaches 2 million new cases per year with 90% of the cases occurring in the "Old World", while the "New World" accounts for the rest. Infection may be restricted to the skin with development of characteristic ulcers, or may affect the mucous membranes in its mucocutaneous form. The clinical diagnosis is verified by the presence of amastigotes in slit-skin smears. Therapeutic modalities include systemic treatments such as the pentavalent antimony compound sodium stibogluconate, liposomal formulations of amphotericin B, oral ketoconazole or itraconazole, as well as topical paromomycin sulphate, local heat, freezing with liquid nitrogen, or photodynamic therapy. An effective vaccine is not available.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed2003

[Onchocerciasis].

Onchocerciasis is an infestation caused by the nematode, Onchocerca volvulus, and characterized by eye manifestations, skin lesions and troublesome itching. Although partially controlled by international mass treatment programs, onchocerciasis remains a major health hazard in endemic areas in Africa, Arabia, and the Americas. Onchocerciasis is spread by bites from infested blackflies which transmit larvae that subsequently develop into adult filariae. Skin findings are commonly non-specific, and include severe pruritus, acute and chronic dermatitis, vitiligo-like hypopigmentation and atrophy. Onchocercal ocular disease has a large spectrum of manifestations and may even lead to blindness. Diagnosis is usually made by direct visualization of the larvae emerging from superficial skin biopsies, "skin snips". In some cases, the microfilariae can also be directly observed with a slit lamp when they migrate into the anterior chamber of the eye. Ivermectin is highly microfilaricidal, and is the current drug of choice for both skin and ocular manifestations.

Antinematodal Agents↗
PubMed2003

[Lymphomatoid papulosis type C or transition to CD30+-T-cell lymphoma? A difficult differential diagnosis].

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is a recurrent papulonodular eruption, characterized by self-healing skin lesions. While this disorder usually has a benign course, about 10% of the patients develop lymphoproliferative disorders such as CD30+ T cell lymphoma. We report 2 patients with LyP type C. In one case progress to a cutaneous CD30+ large T cell lymphoma could not be excluded. Histologic differentiation between LyP and malignant lymphoma causes considerable problems. In this regard, the evaluation of the clinical course is essential. A long-term follow-up including diagnostic imaging studies is required.

Child↗
PubMed2003

[Acyclovir-resistant herpes exulcerans et persistens. Type II].

Immunocompromised patients are developing in an increasing frequency acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex infections. Different treatment options need to be evaluated considering the possible side effects in regard to the patients' immunocompromised status. A 73-year-old woman with B-cell lymphatic leukemia with a secondary antibody deficiency syndrome and anemia suffered for one year with perianal ulcerations caused by acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex infection Type II. Based on previous reports about successful treatment of acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex infections with foscarnet, cidofovir or vidarabine and considering the different side effects of these drugs as well as the underlying diseases of the patient, we treated her with foscarnet intravenously. After 3 months the ulcers showed a nearly complete remission.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2003

[Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria. An unusually rare clinical picture].

A 30-year old male patient presented with a rare congenital pigment disturbance, dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria. Clinically, he displayed mottled hyperpigmentation covering almost the entire skin surface with accentuation in skin folds. The lesions had been present since birth. He was the only family member showing these changes. He had no other medical problems and took no medications.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Unusual clinical presentation of melanocytic nevi].

Two patients with congenital pigmented lesions with a speckled clinical appearance are described. The lesions were nevus spilus (synonym: speckled lentiginous nevus) and agminate congenital nevi. The clinical aspects of nevus spilus and agminate nevi are reviewed.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2003

[Contact dermatitis caused by spinach, hedge mustard and chives].

A 54-year-old female working as a vegetable farmer presented with painful pruritic skin lesions on both hands. Physical examination showed a hyperkeratotic fissured eczema. RAST, prick- and patch testing revealed type I and IV hypersensitivity to spinach, ruccola, and chives, so that a protein contact dermatitis was diagnosed.

Chive↗