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Characteristics of extrinsic vs. intrinsic atopic dermatitis in infancy: correlations with laboratory variables.

Backgroundu2002 Atopic dermatitis (AD) has been divided into the extrinsic type (ADe) and the intrinsic type (ADi) according to the serum IgE levels and the presence or absence of allergen‐specific IgE. Although previous studies have demonstrated differences in the various immunological parameters, the characteristics of AD in infancy have rarely been reported.

Characteristics of cutaneous cytomegalovirus infection in non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome, immunocompromised patients.

Backgroundu2002 Although cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a severe complication among immunocompromised patients, its cutaneous features have not been frequently reported. As herpes simple virus (HSV) infection commonly develops in CMV skin lesions, a study is needed on the pathogenetic role of CMV in cutaneous lesion formation.

Immunophenotyping of inflammatory cells in lesional skin of the extrinsic and intrinsic types of atopic dermatitis

Backgroundu2003 There is a subgroup of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients with normal total and specific IgE levels and negative skin tests towards common allergens. This form of the disease has been referred to as the ‘intrinsic’ form of AD. Although previous studies have demonstrated differences in the cytokine profile between the extrinsic and intrinsic subtypes, the pathogenesis of both subtypes of AD remains unclear.

Kinetic Inactivation Study of Mushroom Tyrosinase: Intermediate Detection by Denaturants

The unfolding and inhibition study of mushroom tyrosinase have been studied in the presence of different denaturants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl), and urea. The kinetic two-phase rate constants were commonly measured from semilogarithmic plots of the activity versus time, which resolved into two straight lines, indicating that the inactivation process consisted of fast and slow phases as a first-order reaction. This result also implied that transient partially folded intermediate existed during tyrosinase unfolding pathway. Mushroom tyrosinase had different behaviors to denaturants in regard with: noncooperative binding manner by SDS while cooperative interactions by GdnHCl and urea; in equilibrium state, SDS-micelle never completely inactivated enzyme activity while GdnHCl has single step denaturation and urea induced a typical transition-like process. Various kinetic parameters for each denaturant were calculated and the possible unfolding pathway scheme was discussed.

Calcified nodule on the heel of a child following a single heel stick in the neonatal period

Summary Dystrophic cutaneous calcification may arise at sites of local trauma or in association with various disorders. Calcified nodules of the heel have been reported in high‐risk neonates following repeated heel sticks to draw blood. We present a healthy 2‐year‐old boy with a calcified nodule on the heel secondary to a single heel stick in the neonatal period. The patient was born full‐term at 38u2003weeks gestation, with a birth weight appropriate for gestational age. A firm nodule was noticed at the age of 8u2003months; this became tender. Histology revealed epidermal and subepidermal deposition of calcium. Serum calcium and phosphate levels were normal. Although calcified heel nodules occur mostly in high‐risk neonates, this case suggests that this condition also can occur in healthy children after only a single heel stick. Dermatologists should include this entity in the differential diagnosis of warty papules on the heels of children.

CD10 is expressed in dermal sheath cells of the hair follicles in human scalp.

SIR, Hyperhidrosis of the anal fold may become a severe problem for the patient, with possible development of eczema or mycosis. Moreover, social and professional disadvantages due to visible sweat marks are frequent. In contrast to focal hyperhidrosis of the palms or axillae, diagnostic procedures such as gravimetry or iodine-starch test are difficult to perform and standard values for sweating rates (mL min) are not available. To evaluate the degree of hyperhidrosis of the anal fold and to assess therapeutic effectiveness we use a modified iodine-starch test with specially prepared copy paper. Although this technique has been described for palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis, it has not been described for the anal fold. ISO-A4 copy paper is intermingled with nonpulverized iodine crystals for 5 days in a sealed container (1 g jodum purum per 50 pages copy paper). Before application of the prepared paper the anal fold is completely dried. The paper is folded in the middle and placed in the anal fold of the patient, either standing or positioned face-down, for 60 s. The hyperhidrotic area appears on the copy paper, revealing a violet-blue colour, similar to the colouring of standard iodine-starch tests. For quantification we use a plastic foil with standardized grids (1 · 1 cm) that is placed on the copy paper, enabling an exact measurement of the hyperhidrotic area in cm; alternatively, the grid is directly copied on the prepared paper. The extent of sweating areas before and after therapy is thus clearly visualizable (Fig. 1a,b). In summary, the method described above allows a fast, easy to perform and cost-effective evaluation of focal hyperhidrosis of the anal fold and enables a visual representation of therapy, thus being a useful tool both for doctor and for patient.

Case of childhood granulomatous periorificial dermatitis in a Korean boy treated by oral erythromycin

Childhood granulomatous periorificial dermatitis (CGPD) is a disease presenting most commonly in prepubertal children as yellow‐brown papules limited to the perioral, perinasal and periocular regions. The condition is benign, self‐limiting and is not associated with systemic involvement. We herein report a case of an 11‐year‐old Korean boy with multiple, asymptomatic, monomorphic, red‐to‐yellow‐colored papular eruptions on the perioral areas of 7‐month duration. Histopathological examination revealed upper dermal and perifollicular granulomatous infiltrate. After using oral erythromycin 500 mg daily for 1 year, the condition resolved completely without leaving a scar.

Aggressive NK‐cell leukaemia associated with reactive haemophagocytic syndrome

We report a case of aggressive NK‐cell leukaemia associated with reactive haemophagocytic syndrome in a 29‐year‐old Korean woman who had several small purpuric patches on both thighs. She also had high fever. Laboratory tests revealed pancytopenia and deranged liver function, and atypical lymphocytes containing toxic granules were detected from peripheral blood and bone marrow. The bone marrow examination showed diffuse histiocytic proliferation with several haemophagocytic macrophages, suggesting an associated reactive haemophagocytic syndrome. Skin biopsy from her thigh lesion demonstrated atypical CD56+ lymphoid cellular infiltrates with angiocentric pattern, and in situ hybridization test for Epstein–Barr virus was positive. Although we treated her with chemotherapy, she died 1u2003month later.

Tacrolimus ointment in onychodystrophy associated with eczema.

Y-S Sheen,† C-L Huang,‡ C-Y Chu*† †Departments of Dermatology and ‡Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan, *Corresponding author, Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan, tel. +886-2-23562141; fax +886-2-23934177; E-mail: chiayu.chu@gmail.com

Presence of specialized mesenchymal cells (onychofibroblasts) in the nail unit: implications for ingrown nail surgery.

JEADV 2007, 21, 536–578