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Biomedical subjects

U F Haustein

Publications and source records attributed to U F Haustein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Comparative activity of the topical quinolone OPC-7251 against bacteria associated with acne vulgaris.

The antibacterial activity of the topical quinolone OPC-7251 against bacteria commonly found in acne vulgaris was tested in vitro by an agar dilution method. The MIC50 was 0.25 mg/l for Propionibacterium acnes, 0.125 mg/l for Propionibacterium granulosum, 0.03 mg/l for Staphylococcus aureus and 0.06 mg/l for coagulase-negative staphylococci. Compared with seven other antibiotics tested (ciprofloxacin, penicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin, fusidic acid and gentamicin), OPC-7251 had potent activity against both propionibacteria and staphylococci and the lowest incidence of resistant strains.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1992

[Current status and trends in treatment of scleroderma].

Owing to the wide variety of symptoms, the long clinical course, the inadequate knowledge of the points at which therapeutic action is appropriate and the difficulty of obtaining objective measurements of the treatment results, therapy for systemic sclerosis has to be planned individually. Besides basic recommendations (avoidance of noxious substances, sensible diet, keeping warm, active exercises), physiotherapy and psychological guidance, the therapy is directed at three pathogenetic complexes. Among the vasoactive substances the prostacyclins, calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (in the case of complicated renal involvement) are recommended. They inhibit the thrombocyte hyperaggregation and lead to vasodilatation. The anti-inflammatory substances prednisolone and azathioprine also exert immunosuppressant (and cytotoxic) effect. Their use is indicated in inflammatory, immunologically active forms of systemic sclerosis. Antifibrotic agents inhibit cross-link formation, prolylhydroxylase, extrusion of collagen from fibroblasts and, thus, collagen synthesis. In addition, they favour the degradation of collagen via the activation of collagenase. Good results have been reported with penicillamine and penicillin G. Pentoxyphyllin leads to vasodilatation and also inhibits collagen metabolism. Promising agents and procedures for future use include cyclosporin A, CD4 antibodies, photopheresis, interferon gamma and factor XIII. A critical attitude to therapy and a great deal of patience are necessary to avoid harming the patients, especially as it is often some months before any effects of the treatment are seen.

Captopril↗
PubMed1992

Variability of serum levels for three oral 8-methoxypsoralen brands.

We conducted a pilot study to investigate the serum level patterns of 3 commercial and internationally introduced 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) preparations in 9 patients for their bioequivalence and registered the interindividual variability of serum levels over 8 h after intake of 30 mg 8-MOP equivalent doses. On average, the highest serum levels (Cmax 120.1, range 235-61 ng.ml-1) were reached as early as 0.5-1 h after ingestion of Geroxalen soft gelatin capsules, whereas lower serum levels were seen after intake of the Oxsoralen hard gelatin capsules (Cmax 82.3, range 154-47 ng.ml-1) and the Mopsoralen tablets (Cmax 81.3, range 172-26 ng.ml-1). The importance of 8-MOP serum level determination for better and efficient PUVA therapy is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Chemically-induced scleroderma].

Scleroderma-like diseases can be induced by a number of chemical compounds, such as plastics, solvents and drugs. Contaminated rapeseed oil was the cause of the toxic oil syndrome and L-tryptophan induces the so-called eosinophilia-myalgia-syndrome. On the other hand, paraffin and silicon can trigger so-called adjuvant disease, while long-term exposure to silica can lead to idiopathic scleroderma (associated with silicosis in some cases). In addition to the clinical features, some pathogenetic data in the literature, such as genetic factors (HLA, chromosomal anomalies, enzyme deficiencies) and the metabolism of chlorinated ethylenes via reactive epoxide intermediate products, and our own findings are reported. Silica-induced scleroderma cannot be distinguished from the idiopathic form by epidemiological, clinical or immunological studies or by parameters referring to the blood vessels or collagen metabolism. In cell culture studies it has been shown that macrophages/monocytes release IL1, IL6 and TNF after ingestion of silica, which affects fibroblasts, T-helper cells and endothelial cells. Comparative results from the silicosis literature are reported. Finally, the possibly stimulating role of ionizing irradiation (uranium mining) in favouring the development of scleroderma is discussed.

Ethylenes↗
PubMed1991

Exaggerated radiation-induced fibrosis in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Four patients with stable systemic sclerosis and limited skin involvement received radiation for the treatment of solid malignant neoplasms. Following localized irradiation, each patient developed an exaggerated cutaneous and internal fibrotic reaction in the irradiated areas. The surface area of fibrosis extended beyond the radiation portals employed, and the fibrotic process was poorly responsive to antifibrotic therapy. Three of the patients died of complications caused by fibrous encasement of internal organs. The extent and severity of postradiation fibrosis in these patients was distinctly unusual. These observations suggest that patients with systemic sclerosis are particularly susceptible to developing excessive radiation-induced fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Steady-state mRNA levels of collagens I, III, fibronectin, and collagenase in skin biopsies of systemic sclerosis patients.

Total RNA was extracted from skin biopsies of nine patients suffering from systemic sclerosis (SSc). Steady-state mRNA levels of collagen alpha 1(I) and alpha 1(III), collagenase, fibronectin, and beta-actin were studied using specific cDNA probes and compared to those of 12 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals. There was a more than three-fold elevation of collagen I mRNA levels in SSc skin compared to controls. No difference was found, however, for collagen III, collagenase, and fibronectin mRNA levels in SSc and control biopsies. The selective increase of collagen alpha 1(I) mRNA levels indicates a specific alteration of fibroblast metabolism in scleroderma. Analysis of mRNA levels in skin biopsies might not only offer a direct approach to the understanding of the pathophysiology of SSc, but also facilitate the monitoring of fibrotic activity in SSc patients during therapeutic trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Angiosarcoma of the face and scalp.

Angiosarcoma of the face and scalp developed in 12 patients. The patients were five women and seven men with an average age of 71 years. Initial features were solitary or multiple violaceous vascular nodules or plaques. The clinical course was complicated by ulceration, secondary infection, bleeding, anemia, infiltration into the underlying bones, tumor cachexia, and death. Metastases were not observed. Histologically, seemingly benign hemangiomatous capillary-like structures were found in some areas of the tumors, with richly cellular, solid sarcomatous proliferations in other areas. Early and extensive surgical excision is the therapy of choice, but generally it does not alter the relentless course of the disease. Neither palliative radiation therapy nor polychemotherapy is capable of interfering with tumor progression.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

8-Methoxypsoralen serum levels in poor responders to photochemotherapy. Importance of drug formulation and individual factors.

8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) serum levels of psoriatic patients poorly responsive to photochemotherapy (PUVA) treatment (problem cases) were determined by the HPLC method with 11 single blood probes over 8 hours. Abnormally low or deviated serum levels were found in 7 of 11 PUVA problem patients. There was a great interindividually different first-pass effect for 8-MOP in dependence on the galenic formulation of the 8-MOP brand; therefore, the change to another 8-MOP brand with a modern galenic formulation led only to a slight increase of serum levels, and consequently an increase in the 8-MOP dosage was necessary. It is important to be cautious at this point because patients may show an unproportional increase of 8-MOP serum levels due to the individually limited capacity of biotransformation. The studies of the authors reaffirm the necessity of the determination of 8-MOP serum levels in problem cases of PUVA therapy.

Biological Availability↗
PubMed1991

HLA in bullous pemphigoid. The probable role of HLA-B7 as a marker for poor responders to immunosuppressive therapy.

The frequency of HLA-class I and DR antigen frequencies were studied in 38 (class I) and 19 (DR) patients with bullous pemphigoid, respectively, and compared with controls. There was no important difference in the frequency of HLA-A,B,C, and DR antigens between patients and controls. An increase in the HLA-B7 frequency in poor responders to immunosuppressants (50% vs. 27% in the control group and vs. 13% in the group of all patients) was noticed, and the possible role of this antigen as a marker for poor responders to therapy was suggested.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Psoriasis in a female chimpanzee].

Psoriasis, a widespread genodermatosis in Homo sapiens, also appears in primates. We report on a female chimpanzee in Leipzig Zoo. After years of captivity the animal developed erythematosquamous, highly hyperkeratotic, lesions, some confluent, on the knees, elbows, back of the hands and feet and on the forearms and the seat, which showed histologically characteristic features of psoriasis. It may be that both previous infections and psychic stress resulting from social isolation had caused eruption of the disease. In the literature single cases of psoriasiform dermatoses have also been described in other species of monkeys and even in a springer spaniel. Nonetheless, the search for an animal model of psoriasis vulgaris is still going on.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Therapy of HIV infection (AIDS)].

The stages of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) life cycle are described as guide to therapeutic intervention. Practical therapeutic recommendations are given. They should be directed to viruses as the causal agent and to the features of opportunistic infections as well as of associated malignant tumors. Recently 3 progresses could be reached: (1) the application of azidothymidine in the latency phase, when the number of CD4 positive cells decreases below 500/mm3, whereby the progression of the disease can be delayed and side-effects can be reduced; (2) the prophylaxis of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia by inhalation of pentamidin; and (3) the introduction of fluconazole acting against yeast fungus infection, whereby development of resistant yeast strains is still missing and side-effects are smaller than with other antimycotics. In addition, the application of HIV-vaccine in already HIV-infected persons seems to be effective. By combining several drugs their toxicity is to be reduced. Interdisciplinary research and good cooperation among clinicians are conditions for an effective therapy. Last but not least psychosocial aspects and a good psychological guidance and counseling of the affected persons should be considered.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1991

[Prevention of HIV infection (AIDS)].

Principal elements of the HIV- and AIDS-prevention in the social field and health care are discussed. The infection with HIV as a sexually transmitted disease can only be prevented by personal caution in the sexual behavior. Counselling should in particular be addressed to risk groups such as homosexuals and drug abusers early enough and contribute to practising safer sex. General rules of behavior and of the hygienics in hospitals are described. The risk of infection by blood transfusion is relatively low, namely 1:300,000 to 1:3 Mio. The modalities of optional anonymous epidemiologic system of registration (report, testing, counselling, care) are discussed. Finally problems of the development of a HIV-vaccine are described, and the necessity to avoid discriminations of HIV infected or endangered persons is underlined.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMed1991

[Pyrethrin and pyrethroid (permethrin) in the treatment of scabies and pediculosis].

The history and development of pyrethrum, the natural pyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids and their insecticidal properties, chemical structure and toxic and allergic side-effects are reported. Permethrin is stressed as a photostable insecticide that is very effective against a large variety of insects and mites with low mammalian toxicity and virtually no allergic side-effects. Only 10-20 min after application, permethrin (1% cream rinse or 0.5% in ethanol) proved to be safe, reliable and cosmetically acceptable in the treatment of infestations with head lice and the prevention of reinfestations, and also in failures with lindane owing to the development of tolerance in the lice. The same was true of 5% permethrin cream (2.5% in children below 5 years of age) used in the treatment of scabies. Permethrin is absorbed percutaneously in only small amounts, is metabolized rapidly in the skin and excreted in the urine. A single "head to toe" application is ideal for eradication programmes allowing lice to be targetted and the prevalence of secondary bacterial infections decreased at the same time. Benzyl benzoate has an irritant potential, and lindane has been reported to exert CNS toxicity in a few anecdotal cases, in particular in small children or after repeated applications in patients with scabies crustosa, and permethrin was distinctly superior to both of these. This is documented by the results obtained in the treatment of 48 children and 56 adults suffering from scabies. Permethrin is recommended in scabies therapy in premature infants, small children, patients with seizures and neurological complications, in treatment failures with lindane entailing the need to repeat the therapy, in scabies crustosa and in pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Interleukin-2 receptor expression and interleukin-2 production in bullous pemphigoid.

Expression of interleukin-2 (IL2) receptors was studied on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in 25 patients with bullous pemphigoid. Analysis was carried out by flow cytometry. Without immunosuppressive therapy expression of IL2 receptors only on T cells (CD5) was significantly increased as shown by double staining (11.9% +/- 7.8% vs 2.1% +/- 1% in controls). After 2-3 weeks under immunosuppressive treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine, however, BP lymphocytes did not exhibit any IL2 receptors. PBLs of 18 BP patients showed an increase in IL2 production (1027.4 +/- 670.5 U/ml vs 270 +/- 100 U/ml in controls) during the acute stage of the disease after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)/phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). On the contrary, IL2 production of the same cells in five patients was only in the lowest range of control values after PHA stimulation without PMA (12.5 +/- 29.6 U/ml vs 40 +/- 20 U/ml in controls). Under treatment with immunosuppressants the IL2 production normalized after PHA/PMA stimulation and slightly decreased following PHA stimulation. From these results we conclude that a T-cell activation via activation antigens, as IL2 receptors, and the production of the specific ligand, IL2, may play a role in the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid, especially in the earliest stages, and serve as a marker of disease activity.

Aged↗