Guliz Ikizoglu

The prevalence of pediculosis capitis in schoolchildren in Mersin, Turkey

Background  Pediculosis capitis is an endemic parasitosis affecting many countries of the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of head lice infestation in Mersin, Turkey.

Oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is recognized as one of the most common oral mucosal diseases worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the oxidant/antioxidant status in erythrocyte and plasma samples from patients with RAS in comparison with healthy controls. Twenty‐two patients with RAS and 23 healthy controls were recruited. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase (CAT) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant potential (AOP) levels were measured in plasma and erythrocytes from patient with RAS and controls. We found decreased CAT and GSHPx activities and AOP levels in the erythrocytes, and decreased AOP and increased MDA plasma levels in patients with RAS in comparison with control subjects. In summary, this study demonstrated that enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defence systems are impaired in patients with RAS.

The changes in expression of ICAM-3, Ki-67, PCNA, and CD31 in psoriatic lesions before and after methotrexate treatment

Although the effectiveness of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of psoriasis is very well established, the mechanism of action is poorly understood. It was suggested that the therapeutic effect of MTX in psoriasis might be mediated by inhibition of adhesion molecule expression. The aim of our study was to investigate the different effects of MTX treatment on cell proliferation, inflammatory infiltrate, adhesion molecules, and angiogenesis in psoriasis, and to clarify the mechanism by which MTX exerts its therapeutic effects. Clinical response, the morpho–phenotypic changes, epidermal thickness, and mitosis count were analyzed and the expression of CD31 and ICAM-3, proliferative markers such as Ki-67, PCNA, were evaluated by immunohistochemical techniques in lesional psoriatic epidermis, before and after the treatment with MTX in ten patients. In posttreatment biopsies a decrease in the degree of epidermal hyperplasia and a significant reduction in the severity of the inflammatory infiltrate (P<0.05) were observed. In addition, CD31 and ICAM-3 expression was significantly decreased on dermal cellular infiltrate, (respectively; P<0.05, P<0.01). Ki67 and PCNA expression were suppressed concurrently in about 90% of cases (P<0.01). We suggest that MTX may have an inhibitory effect on an initial integral component of the pathways that lead to psoriasis. Immunopharmacologic intervention in adhesion event has the potential to improve psoriasis. Inhibition of revascularization may be another mechanism of action of MTX.

Plasma reactive oxygen species activity and antioxidant potential levels in rosacea patients: correlation with seropositivity to Helicobacter pylori

Background  Recent studies have suggested that there might be an etiologic role for Helicobacter pylori (HP) in rosacea. HP is a Gram‐negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa, increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreases plasma antioxidants such as ascorbic acid.

Coexistence of osteopoikilosis and discoid lupus erythematosus: a case report.

Abstract: Osteopoikilosis is an uncommon, benign sclerosing bone dysplasia characterised by typical roentgenographic findings and usually seen in patients with dermatological problems. We report a case of osteopoikilosis and discoid lupus erythematosus presenting with skin and mucosal involvement, an association that has never previously been reported. We also discuss the differential diagnosis and the clinical pathologies accompanying osteopoikilosis in the literature.

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: idiopathic or ultraviolet induced?

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) is a common but often unrecognized skin disease with obscure etiopathogenesis. As the lesions mostly develop on the exposed parts of the extremities, ultraviolet has been hypothesized to induce these lesions. However, previous statistical studies did not confirm any association between ultraviolet and IGH. We describe a 72‐year‐old woman with mycosis fungoides in whom widespread IGH occurred during narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) therapy. The lesion development in the trunk following narrow band UVB therapy suggests that these lesions may not be idiopathic and they may be associated with UV exposure although controversy exist in the literature. This case is particular as it reveals strong evidence on this relationship.

Neutrophilic dermatosis of the hands (localized Sweet's syndrome) in association with chronic hepatitis C and sarcoidosis

Summary We report a case of recurrent localized Sweets syndrome (SS) with pulmonary sarcoidosis and hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatitis C may be the triggering factor for both Sweets syndrome and sarcoidosis through stimulation of T helper 1 immune responses involved in the pathogenesis of both diseases.

Celecoxib-induced photoallergic drug eruption.

Photoallergic dermatitis is caused by a photosensitizing substance plus sunlight exposure in a sensitized person. If the photosensitizer is delivered internally, it is called a photoallergic drug reaction. Celecoxib is a new generation non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug and sulfonamide derivative. We report a photoallergic drug eruption associated with the introduction of celecoxib. To our knowledge, this is the first report of photoallergic drug reaction associated with celecoxib.

Genetic syndrome with ichthyosis: congenital ichthyosis, follicular atrophoderma, hypotrichosis, and woolly hair; second report

SIR, The ichthyoses are a heterogeneous group of skin disorders of epidermal differentiation, with both inherited and acquired forms. This cornification disorder may be found isolated or in association with other genetic defects. In 1998, five siblings with congenital ichthyosis, follicular atrophoderma, hypotrichosis and hypohidrosis were described as a new genodermatosis by Lestringant et al. We report a 17-year-old Turkish patient with ichthyosis vulgaris, follicular atrophoderma, woolly hair and hypotrichosis as a second report on this syndrome. A 17-year-old-girl was admitted to our hospital because of woolly hair, sparse eyelashes and eyebrows, and a very dry skin. She was born at term after an uncomplicated pregnancy. Ichthyosis and baldness were present at birth, but there was no history of a collodion baby. She had almost no scalp hair until she was 4 months old. In the early childhood period, funnel-shaped round follicular depressions had appeared on the dorsal aspects of the hands. She stated that her scalp hair had improved and straightened with age. The patient was otherwise healthy and detailed ophthalmological, neurological and audiometric examinations were normal. There was no history of atopy. There was no family history of similar skin problems. Both her parents and paternal grandparents were first cousins. There was no maternal history of drug intake during pregnancy. On examination, there was diffuse ichthyosiform scaling sparing the major flexures and face as in ichthyosis vulgaris (Fig. 1). The ichthyotic skin was hypohydrotic but the axilla, palms and soles sweated normally. Follicular atrophoderma was observed on the backs of her hands (Fig. 2). She had diffuse and patchy non-scarring hypotrichosis with a receding frontal hairline. Her hair was normal in length, but was light brown in colour, coarse, curly and unruly, in contrast to the straight black hair of the rest of her family. Eyelashes and particularly eyebrows were sparse (Figs 3–4). Routine haematological, biochemical, immunological, thyroid and radiological investigations were normal. Osteopoikilosis was not present on the X-rays. Echocardiography and ECG were normal. Hair microscopy was normal apart from curling. Biopsy from ichthyotic skin showed orthokeratosis with focal hypogranulosis (Fig. 5). Electron microcopy showed normal tonofilaments. Based on clinical and laboratory findings a diagnosis of ichthyosis vulgaris associated with follicular atrophoderma, hypotrichosis and woolly hair was made. The patient was prescribed 10% urea cream and salicylic acid ointments. The ichthyotic lesions resolved within a few weeks. Ichthyosis is a feature of several genetic disorders. These are rare disorders and the associated ichthyosis may be mild. The following syndromes with ichthyosis may be considered

Comparison of nickel patch test reactivity in phases of the menstrual cycle

Background In earlier studies, it has been shown that severity of some diseases varies with menstrual cycle. Severity of skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, lupus erythematosus, infections due to herpes virus, urticaria and acne were also reported to increase in the premenstrual phase. Effect of estradiol on the cellular immune system was investigated and it was found to depress the cellular immune response. In our study, we investigated whether nickel patch test reactivity was different during phases of the menstrual cycle and whether there was an increase in sensitivity to nickel during the premenstrual cycle in nickel‐sensitive women.