I. Halil Özerol

Comparison of the Tzanck test and polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of cutaneous herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus infections

Background  Although the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections is usually made clinically, the Tzanck test, electron microscopy, viral culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and serologic tests can be utilized to verify the diagnosis.

The effect of Na + -K + ATPase inhibition by ouabain on histamine release from human cutaneous mast cells

Background: There are controversial reports on the effect of sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+-K+ ATPase) inhibition on mast cell mediator release. Some of them have indicated that ouabain (strophanthin G), a specific Na+-K+ ATPase inhibitor, inhibited the release, whereas the others have shown that ouabain had no effect or even had a stimulatory effect on the mediator secretion. Most of these studies have utilized animal-derived mast cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Na+-K+ ATPase inhibition on human skin mast cells.Methods: Unpurified and purified mast cells were obtained from newborn foreskins and stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187 (1 μM) for 30 min following a 1 hr incubation with various concentrations (10−4 to 10−8 M) of ouabain. Histamine release was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The results indicated that ouabain had no significant effect on the non-immunologic histamine release from human skin mast cells, in vitro.Conclusions: Na+-K+ ATPase inhibition by ouabain had no significant effect on the non-immunologic histamine release from human cutaneous mast cells and suggested differences between human and animal mast cells.

A case of sporotrichosis treated with itraconazole

Lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis is caused by Sporothrix schenckii, a dimorphic fungus commonly existing on decaying plants and in the soil. The fungus has a worldwide distribution but is more prevalent in temperate and tropical climates. Infection may result from traumatic inoculation of contaminated material such as soil, hay, moss, plant debris, splinters, thorns and barbs. Inoculation is also possible through some animal scratches and bites. We describe a typical case of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis, which was confirmed by clinical, histological and microbiological features. The patient was successfully treated with 400 mg daily systemic itraconazole for 4 months.