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Biomedical subjects

V Georgescu

Publications and source records attributed to V Georgescu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

["Sunshine at school": a network for training on sun exposure. Assessment of knowledge among 683 children].

INTRODUCTION: The protection of children from sun exposure appears inadequate. We assessed the knowledge of pre-teenagers, before and after they attended a training session on sun exposure. This investigation was carried out in Orléans and in 5 surrounding cities, from September 2000 to April 2002. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A didactic slide show on sun exposure and photoprotection was presented to 683 children in grade 4 and 5 by a nurse and a dermatologist during 30 informative sessions. The children filled in questionnaires at each training session and then one month later. The questionnaires contained 10 closed questions involving 32 cognitive and behavioral items. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of the children claimed that they were exposed to the sun more than one hour a day during holidays, 14 p. 100 more than 3 hours a day; 26 p. 100 declared they had never been sunburnt; 46 p. 100 said they had been less than 5 times, 15 p. 100 from 5 to 10 times and 12 p. 100 more than 10 times; 74 p. 100 of the children claimed they enjoyed getting sun-tanned; 80 p. 100 knew that sun exposure could lead to serious diseases, while 73 p. 100 realized that contracting sunburns during childhood increases the risk of subsequent skin cancers; 89 p. 100 knew of the necessity of sun-screen use prior to exposure, 94 p. 100 knew that they help to protect the skin whereas 78 p. 100 knew it must be applied on a regular basis; 77 p. 100 of the children had been informed of the importance of sun protection factor; 92 p. 100 of them were aware of the relevance of a cap and sunglasses for protection from the sun, whereas only 45 p. 100 knew of the need for a tee-shirt. DISCUSSION: Our study showed that children are generally aware of the dangers of sun exposure. This might be the result of previously initiated information and prevention campaigns on skin cancers. This study suggests the efficiency of such projects, and the lasting effects of the information received within one month. However, large numbers of children are still overexposed and subsequently suffer from traumas. The appeal of sun embellishment appears to go back to childhood, and should be taken into account from the early stages of childhood in future preventive actions. An efficient policy of education on sun exposure - including teaching tools relevant to each age--still has to be developed.

Child↗
PubMed2002

[Digital purpura revealing septicaemical rat-bite fever].

INTRODUCTION: Infection with Streptobacillus moniliformis is an uncommon illness which can lead to death if untreated. We report the case in which initially cutaneous signs permitted diagnosis and further identification of the organism. CASE REPORT: A 42 year-old woman presented with a three-day history of acrally distributed purpuric macules on her fingers. Two days later, she was admitted for arthritis of the knees and wrists. There were two large pustules on the left elbow and the right knee. Laboratory studies showed inflammatory changes. The diagnosis of streptobacillary rat-bite fever was made after isolation of Gram-negative bacilli from a blood-culture and from cutaneous lesions. Finally identification of the organism was made by molecular biology analysis. The patient received intravenous ofloxacin and imipenem with complete resolution of arthritis and the cutaneous lesions. DISCUSSION: Streptobacillary rat-bite fever is a systemic infectious disease. It is caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis, organism found in the oropharyngeal flora of small rodents, especially rats. The illness is uncommon in urban settings. It starts by fever, followed by arthritis and rash. Septicaemical rat-bite fever may start only with cutaneous involvement such as acral purpura, like in our case. This clinical manifestation must be recognized by the dermatologist, because the illness can lead to death if untreated.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Multiple skin and mouth squamous cell carcinomas related to long-term treatment with hydroxyurea].

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous side-effects of hydroxyurea treatment are frequently observed. Squamous cell carcinomas are the most severe among them. We report a patient with skin and mouth carcinomas after hydroxyurea treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported. OBSERVATION: A 83-year-old woman had been treated with hydroxyurea from 1985 to 1998 for polycythemia vera. She was referred to our institution in 1998 for painful erosions of both hands. Clinical examination revealed a squamous cell carcinoma leading to amputation of a finger. Hydroxyurea was stopped at this time, and the patient underwent treatment with pipobroman. From May 1998 to March 2000, the patient developed numerous skin keratoses and four squamous cell carcinomas on both hands. In September 2000 and October 2000, two additional skin carcinomas and two mouth carcinomas were diagnosed. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous carcinomas are severe side effects of hydroxyurea therapy. They usually occur after several years of treatment and their outcome may be lethal. The chronology and clinical signs are in favour of implicating hydroxyurea in the development of skin and mouth carcinomas. Despite a bibliographic research using Medline and Embase data bases, we could not find another case-report with simultaneous occurrence of skin and mouth carcinomas after hydroxyurea therapy. This observation emphasizes the need of a long term follow-up in patients receiving hydroxyurea.

Aged↗