Takehiko Tanigaki

Unusual Pigmentation on the Skin over Trunk Bones and Extremities

6 young people (19-31 years old) exhibited unusual light or dark brown, ill-circumscribed or reticular pigmentation distributed over protrudent bones. 5 of them have been using nylon towels and scrub brushes for over 3-10 years. Biopsy specimens showed that the amount of melanin granules in the basal layer was increased and melanophages were scattered in the upper dermis. Inflammatory infiltrates were minimal.

Types of human papillomavirus isolated from Japanese patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis

Virological studies were performed on 12 patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). Three types of lesions were observed: red plaques, pityriasis versicolor (PV)‐like macules and plane warts. Human papillomavirus (HPV) 14, 20 and 21 were isolated from the plaques, HPV 3, 14 and 38 from flat warts and HPV 5, 12, 17, 20 and 38 from PV‐like lesions. No clear relationship could be established between the different lesions and the types of HPV. Types 17 and 20 have been isolated most frequently from Japanese EV patients and HPV 5, frequently detected in other countries, is less common, whereas HPV 8 has not been isolated. Skin cancers occurred in six of the cases (50%) and all had benign lesions that were PV‐like. At least one type of HPV 5; 17 or 20 could be isolated from these benign lesions and HPV 17 or 20 detected in the cancers. These three types of HPV in EV patients appear to be involved in the malignant transformation.

Human papillomavirus DNA detected in squamous-cell carcinoma tissue of a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis

Previously, we reported on histological investigations of malignant cutaneous changes in a case of epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) with skin cancer [6]. This patient was a 34-year-old Japanese m a n who had numerous pityriasis versicolor (PV)-like lesions and flat warts on the sun-exposed areas of his body, including the chest, back and extremities, persisting since childhood (Fig. 1 a). His elder sister had similar lesions on the skin of the same areas. Most of them were PV-like lesions. We extracted human papillomavirus (HPV) DNAs from purified virus particle fraction obtained separately from flat warts and PV-like lesions. After these HPV DNAs had been treated with some restrictive endonucleases, four kinds of HPV DNAs were isolated from this patient: three HPV DNAs from PVlike lesions on the chest and back and one HPV DNA from flat warts on the arms. Each HPV DNA was cloned with pBR322. This patient has repeatedly undergone surgical excisions since tumors first developed on the chest and face at the age of 21 years. Recently, this patient also noticed a hard, enlarging, subcutaneous nodule in the glabella area (Fig. 1 b). The nodule was partially excised and diagnosed as invasive squamous-cell carcinoma. Total DNA was extracted from the carcinoma tissue fragment using the procedure previously published, and purified by osmium chloride, ethidium bromide gradients and by agarose gel electrophoresis [2]. With Barn HI the molecule was cut at the three sites and this generated three fragments (Fig. 2), identical with one of the kinds of HPV DNA isolated from PV-like lesions on the chest and back. The result shows

A Monoclonal Anti-keratin Antibody Reactive with Amyloid Deposit of Primary Cutaneous Amyloidosis

Specimens from cutaneous amyloidoses (lichen amyloidosis and macular amyloidosis) were stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal anti‐keratin antibodies. One monoclonal antibody raised against hair keratin (HKN‐6) reacted with the amyloids of both primary amyloidoses. Another monoclonal antibody, HKN‐2, did not decorate the amyloid deposit. HKN‐6 did not stain the interfollicular epidermis, but HKN‐2 did. The possible explanations of these findings are 1) amyloid deposits contain keratin protein modulated to react with HKN‐6; 2) amyloid deposits contain a protein unrelated to keratin protein, but reactive to HKN‐6.

Incidence of Friction Melanosis in Young Japanese Women Induced by Using Nylon Towels and Brushes

Friction melanosis was observed in 25 (5.2%) of 479 healthy young women and in none of 25 young men. The lesions were distributed on the skin over the clavicles, shoulders, neck and extensor surface of upper arms. All the patients had used nylon towels or scrub brushes in the bathroom for periods of 2 to 15 years. The period of usage was not related to the degree of pigmentation, which depended rather on the strength and times of scrubbing. A slender figure was not a factor participate in this pigment disorder.

A Case of Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (Lewandowsky-Lutz, 1922) with Skin Cancer: Histopathology of Malignant Cutaneous Changes

Histopathology of tumors which occurred on the face of a 34-year-old man with epidermodysplasia verruciformis was studied. The following three different types of histological changes were recognized in the tumors: (1) intraepidermal initial changes; (2) Bowen-like changes, and (3) squamous cell carcinoma. Carcinogenetic processes in this case were compatible with those reported by Todaro et al. in 1966, in which case tumors were caused in vitro by SV40 virus. According to their results, initial transformed cells were observed to occur at the lower layer of the epidermis. It seemed likely that viral infection occurred at the epidermal lower layer and immediately the infected cells divided and some of them changed to transformed cells which then abnormally proliferated to show a malignant feature. Similar histological changes were recognized and viral oncogenesis was suggested in this case too.

Severe Intractable Common Warts Associated with Human Papillomavirus 2, 3 and 20

A 26-year-old male had had numerous common warts on the feet and hands since childhood. They had repeatedly undergone etretinate cryosurgery, always responding well to it. However, the warts reappeared. Human papillomavirus (HPV) 2, 3 and 20 were detected in the warts using Southerns blot hybridization technique with HPV DNA. Histologically, the warts showed swollen, clear keratinocytes with vacuolated degeneration not found in common warts. The findings are presented in this paper.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF “NYLON CLOTHS FRICTION DERMATOSIS” IN JAPAN

A survey of nylon cloths friction dermatosis (NCFD) was taken by gathering information by a questionnaire sent to university hospitals in Japan. The replies were obtained from 44 hospitals (55% recovery) reporting 158 patients. Pigmentation was noted mainly on the skin over the trunk bones and extremities. The pigmentation was distributed over more than two regions in most of the patients. Along with the clinical and histological features, a history of repeated friction, usually with nylon towels or scrub brushes, was required for diagnosis. A few months after discontinuing the use of nylon towels or scrub brushes, NCFD disappeared or improved in 15% of the patients.

Hyperferritinaemia as a significant indicator suggesting malignant histiocytosis.

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Fiberglass dermatitis in Japan--report of four cases.

Four cases of fiberglass dermatitis are reported. In all the cases, severe pruritic eruptions were caused by handling fiberglass. The patients developed various skin manifestations including papulomacules, excoriative papules, and scaly pigmented macules. H.E. staining of the macular lesions on the forearm demonstrated fiberglass spicules. Their co‐workers also suffered from similar skin symptoms. All our cases improved rapidly after avoiding directly touching fiberglass. Rubbed fiberglass sticks into the skin. Several clinical aspects of fiberglass dermatitis including its prevention are described, together with a review of the literature.