Andreas Katsambas

Photoaging: prevention and topical treatments.

A rapidly increasing number of people visit dermatologists for the prevention and treatment of aging skin. Sun avoidance and sunscreen use are widely accepted strategies of primary prevention against photoaging. Convincing evidence shows that topical application of retinoids has an effect on reversing, at least partially, mild to moderate photodamage. Antioxidants and alpha-hydroxy acids can alter the skin structure and function. Enzymes that repair DNA damage or oligonucleotides that enhance the endogenous capacity for DNA damage repair may prove to be future preventive/therapeutic interventions for aging skin.

Histological and immunohistochemical study of granuloma annulare and subcutaneous granuloma annulare in children

Background:  The aim of this study was to investigate the histological and immunohistochemical features of granuloma annulare (GA) in comparison to deep granuloma annulare (DGA) and granulomatous dermatoses (GDs).

G1 cell cycle regulators in congenital melanocytic nevi. Comparison with acquired nevi and melanomas.

Background:  Congenital nevi are one of the known risk factors for the development of melanoma. However, the magnitude of the risk for both large and small congenital nevi is controversial.

Assessment of Cryotherapy for the Treatment of Verrucous Epidermal Naevi

Epidermal naevi are hamartomas that are characterized by hyperplasia of the epidermis and adnexal structures and may be associated with serious disfiguration. Management of epidermal naevi is challenging. We present here our experience with cryosurgery in the treatment of verrucous epidermal naevi. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of cryosurgery for the treatment of epidermal naevi. Nine patients with verrucous epidermal naevi and two with extensive unilateral epidermal naevus were treated with cryosurgery. Two cycles of open spray technique were used, 10-15 sec each, depending on the size and extent of the naevus. Ten patients had their naevi treated successfully in 2-5 sessions with two cycles of therapy, and the cosmetic result was excellent with no scarring. One patient showed a relapse within 8 months after the treatment. One patient with phototype IV developed hypochromic scarring, but repigmentation occurred after 6 months. Postoperative healing time was 10-20 days. Cryosurgery is an extremely effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of epidermal naevi. The low cost, the simplicity of the technique and the good cosmetic result makes cryosurgery an excellent therapeutic modality for the treatment of epidermal naevus.

Immune response to hepatitis A vaccination in HIV-infected men in Greece

HIV-infected patients are at increased risk for acquiring hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. We evaluated the seroconversion rate (anti-HAV antibodies ≥ 20 mIU/ml) and the geometric mean antibody titres (GMTs) in a group of 351 HIV infected men, who had received two doses of a hepatitis A vaccine. We analysed blood samples collected at one, six, 12 and 18 months following the administration of the second dose of the vaccine. The seroconversion rate one month after the second dose of the vaccine was 74.4% (260/351). At month 18 after the end of vaccination, 56.1 % of the subjects remained seropositive. GMTs were 315, 203,153 and 126 mIU/ml at months 1,6, 12, and 18, respectively. Logistic regression revealed that the CD4 count is the only factor affecting response to vaccination (P = 0.019). A higher response rate and higher GMTs were observed in patients with CD4 counts ≥500 cells/mm3 (76.6%) than in patients with CD4 counts 200–499 cells/mm3. In conclusion, even in patients with near-normal CD4 counts, the response to the hepatitis A vaccine is impaired.

Detection of human herpesvirus 8 in the skin of patients with pityriasis rosea.

Pityriasis rosea is an acute self-limiting dermatosis with clinical and epidemiological features that suggest viral involvement. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between pityriasis rosea and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Lesional skin tissue was obtained from 34 Kaposis sarcoma-negative, immunocompetent patients with typical acute phase pityriasis rosea. Nested polymerase chain reaction with specific primer for HHV-8 DNA sequences was performed and all positive results were confirmed by sequencing. Seven out of 34 lesional skin specimens (20.5%) were found to be positive for the HHV-8 genome. All the positive samples were confirmed by DNA sequencing. We conclude that, in some cases, HHV-8 is implicated the pathogenesis of pityriasis rosea.

Sun education in Greece

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The impact of nail disorders on quality of life

BACKGROUND Nail disorders have considerable psychological impact and may limit activity by impairing functionality of both fingers and toes. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of nails disorders on quality of life (QoL). METHODS 1063 patients with nail disorders completed an anonymous nail-specific QoL questionnaire consisting of 24 and 16 questions, respectively, for fingernails and toenails with five possible responses to each question. A score of 1-5 was given to each response and the final score was adjusted on a percentile scale. The subjects were classified in groups according to nail disorders. Statistical analysis was carried out using T-test to compare the means between two groups and ANOVA analysis of variance to compare the impact of quality of life on the different types of nail disorders. RESULTS Comparison between groups showed a statistically significant higher impact for trauma, onychomycosis, other infections, structure abnormalities, psoriasis, other inflammatory diseases and paronychia and a lower impact for chromonychias and tumours. QoL was statistically significantly more affected in patients having multiple nails involved, women, and in people aged 60-79 years. There was no statistically significant difference on the QoL impact between patients having only fingernails or only toenails involved. CONCLUSION Even though published literature tends to focus on the impact of nail psoriasis and onychomycosis on QoL, other nail disorders cause similar frustration to patients. A possible explanation for this is that appearance of the nail has a more significant impact on QoL than the severity of the disorder.

Long-term infliximab treatment for refractory type III juvenile pityriasis rubra pilaris

ejd.2011.1325 Auteur(s) : Clio DESSINIOTI cliodes@hotmail.com, Theognosia VERGOU, Evaggelia MOUSTOU, Andreas KATSAMBAS, Christina ANTONIOU Department of Dermatology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, 5 Dragoumi street, 16121 AthensGreece Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare inflammatory dermatosis of unknown origin. PRP is classified according to age at onset and clinical findings, into the adult or juvenile forms, and the HIV-associated form. We report a 27-year-old female patient with a history [...]

Hidradenitis suppurativa treated with tetracycline in combination with colchicine: a prospective series of 20 patients

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder of the follicular epithelium.