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Biomedical subjects

V A Venning

Publications and source records attributed to V A Venning.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Skin cancer in renal transplant recipients.

Skin cancer was found in 31 of 598 patients transplanted in Oxford. No cases occurred during the first 3 years after transplantation but the prevalence rose after 12 years to 18.2 per cent. The main risk factors predisposing to skin cancer were the time after transplantation and male sex. Comparison with data from other centres suggests that exposure to ultraviolet light is a major aetiological factor in the speed of development of skin cancer. As the incidence of new cases rose progressively with time in our patients, it would seem that skin cancer is likely to become a major clinical problem as more patients enjoy prolonged survival after renal transplantation. Preventative and screening measures should be taken by transplant units both in the UK and in other countries with similar temperate climates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The localization of the bullous pemphigoid and cicatricial pemphigoid antigens: direct and indirect immunofluorescence of suction blisters.

The location of in vivo bound immunoreactants was studied in 37 patients with subepidermal blistering diseases by direct immunofluorescence (IMF) on suction blisters taken from uninvolved forearm skin. The patients studied included 18 with bullous pemphigoid (BP), nine with cicatricial pemphigoid (CP), three with acquired epidermolysis bullosa (EBA) and 7 hybrid cases. The patterns of IMF in the suction blisters were: BP, epidermal 1, dermal 1, combined 4, negative 12; CP, epidermal 1, dermal 2, negative 6; EBA, dermal 2, negative 1; and 'hybrid' patients, epidermal 3, negative 4. The different patterns of suction blister staining could not be correlated with the clinical features of the patients in respect of mucous membrane involvement, scars or milia or a history of skin fragility. Both BP and CP are probably heterogeneous in respect of their antigen specificity, and the two diseases cannot reliably be distinguished by the patterns of direct IMF on suction blisters. In addition, some individual patients with BP have more than one target antigen as indicated by a combined pattern of suction blister fluorescence. The lack of correlation between the pattern of suction blister fluorescence and the clinical features suggests that factors other than antigen specificity determine the clinical expression of subepidermal blistering diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Dapsone as first line therapy for bullous pemphigoid.

In an open study, a total of 18 patients with proven bullous pemphigoid (16 new patients and two in relapse) were treated with a trial of dapsone (17 patients) or sulphonimide (one patient). Overall, eight patients were controlled on one of these agents as the sole treatment (44%). Six patients had a partial, but inadequate response, while four did not respond. The responses to the sulpha drugs were generally rapid, i.e. within 2 weeks, and the maximum doses used in any patient were 100 mg/day dapsone and 1.5 g/day of sulphapyridine or sulphamethoxypyridazine. Significant side-effects to dapsone occurred in six of the 17 patients. A trial of a sulphone or sulphonamide drug is warranted in bullous pemphigoid both as an initial treatment or in the treatment of relapse, particularly when there is a contraindication to the use of corticosteroids. Side-effects are common and therapy needs to be closely monitored.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

HLA type in bullous pemphigoid, cicatricial pemphigoid and linear IgA disease.

In a study of 32 patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP), 16 patients with cicatricial pemphigoid (CP) and 10 patients with linear IgA disease (LAD) no significant association was found between these diseases and HLA type of the A, B, C and DR loci. In order to determine whether HLA type modified the clinical expression of these subepidermal diseases, the results were analysed for any association with mucosal involvement, the presence of scarring or the occurrence of a circulating anti-basement membrane zone antibody. No significant associations were found.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Conjunctival involvement in cicatricial and bullous pemphigoid: a clinical and immunopathological study.

Patients with bullous pemphigoid were found to have significant ocular abnormalities. In a group of 18 patients one had conjunctival shrinkage, and 11 of 15 (73%) had positive linear direct immunofluorescence on conjunctival biopsy from a clinically uninvolved site. Our ocular findings in a group of 14 with cicatricial pemphigoid are also reported and compared with those from a control group of 20. Our findings suggest there is overlap between the pemphigoid groups and raise further questions about the pathogenicity of immunoreactants within the basement membrane zone. Bulbar conjunctival biopsy was simple and well tolerated, and the rate of immunofluorescence positivity of conjunctiva was twice that of skin in both pemphigoid groups.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Patterned androgenic alopecia in women.

Recession of the frontal and frontoparietal hair line in women has been regarded as a marker for pathologic virilization. In a clinical survey of 564 normal women in the population, frontal and frontoparietal recessions were found in 13% of premenopausal and in 37% of postmenopausal women. Patterned hair loss in women is commoner than hitherto described, particularly after the menopause. In the absence of other signs of virilization, "male-pattern" hair loss would therefore appear to be a poor indicator of gross abnormality of androgen metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Mucosal involvement in bullous and cicatricial pemphigoid. A clinical and immunopathological study.

Thirty-six patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) and 15 with cicatricial pemphigoid (CP) were studied for evidence of mucosal involvement both clinically and by direct immunofluorescence. Twenty-one patients with BP and all those with CP had lesions of the mucous membranes. Eighteen patients with BP and 14 patients with CP had involvement of the oral mucosa. Lesions of the eyes, nose, pharynx, vulva and urethra also occurred in both groups. The lesions tended to be more widespread in CP patients. Twenty-one patients with BP and 14 with CP were examined by an ophthalmologist. Fine scarring of the tarsal conjunctiva was found in both groups, but also in elderly controls. However, symblepharon occurred in one patient with BP as well as in three patients with CP, but was not seen in a group of 20 controls. Direct immunofluorescence (IF) studies showed linear deposition of IgG or C3 or both in the basement membrane zone of the skin, oral mucosa and conjunctival mucosa in both groups. The frequency of positive immunofluorescence was higher in the conjunctiva than in the lip mucosa or skin in both BP and CP patients. The significance of these findings and the relationship between BP and CP is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Chrysiasis: transmission electron microscopy, laser microprobe mass spectrometry and epipolarized light as adjuncts to diagnosis.

Two patients receiving gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis developed skin pigmentation, chrysiasis, which in one appeared 4 months after cessation of the therapy. The diagnosis was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and mass spectrometry laser microprobe analysis of paraffin sections and its extent demonstrated by epipolarized light. The condition is poorly reported and clinically may be confused with silver and mercury impregnation. Tissue diagnosis requires ancillary methods and of these, transmission electron microscopy and laser microprobe mass spectrometry are excellent examples. The transmission electron microscopy findings differ from previous reports and raise doubts on the hypothesis on the role of the skin in gold excretion. Because of the renewed interest in crysotherapy and the latent period that can separate this from chrysiasis, an increase in chrysiasis and the need for its diagnosis can be anticipated.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1987

Tattoo removal using infra-red coagulation: a dose comparison.

Using an infra-red coagulator, 42 tattoos were treated using pulses of 1.125 s (27 tattoos) or 1.25 s (15 tattoos). Treatment failures occurred only in three professional tattoos. Amateur tattoos were satisfactorily treated in over 80% of cases regardless of dose. Deeper collagen necrosis occurred with 1.25 s, but scarring was clinically similar. Pre-treatment biopsy to assess pigment depth was of no value in selection of the optimum pulse duration and increased the complication rate. The possible mechanism of pigment removal is discussed.

Dermatologic Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1987

Pemphigus.

Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disorder. Paradoxically intact blisters are rarely seen as the superficial blister is so fragile. The disease is frequently fatal if untreated. Pemphigus is an ideal model for autoimmunity as the antigen has been characterized and the antibody demonstrated to be pathogenic.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1986

Weathering of hair in trichothiodystrophy.

The structure of hairs from three patients with sulphur-deficient hair, trichothiodystrophy, has been studied by light, plane-polarizing and scanning electron microscopy. Severe cuticular and secondary cortical degeneration was evident along almost the entire length of the hair shaft, with cuticle loss, trichorrhexis nodosa formation and trichoschisis. The severity of these changes varied between patients. The role of the cuticle in protecting hair from environmental damage is discussed.

Aging↗
PubMed1984

Post-mammoplasty human adjuvant disease.

Morphoea and keratoconjunctivitis sicca developed in a woman with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis six years after augmentation mammoplasty. Previous reports of post-mammoplasty connective tissue disease have followed the use of silicone gel, whereas the more 'biologically inert' saline-filled silastic implants were used in this case.

Adult↗