1/13. Polymorphic light eruption occurring in common variable hypogammaglobulinaemia, and resolving with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.A 55-year-old woman with a past history of lower respiratory tract infections presented with a photosensitive eruption. Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) was diagnosed on the basis of the temporal relationship to sun exposure and the diagnosis was supported by positive monochromator irradiation tests in the ultraviolet A wavelength spectrum. Investigation of the patient's immune status identified low levels of all immunoglobulin (Ig) subtypes consistent with common variable hypogammaglobulinaemia. Intravenous Ig replacement therapy, instituted to minimize risks from bacterial infections, was commenced and over the ensuing months resulted in a complete resolution of the PLE. PLE is considered to represent a type IV hypersensitivity reaction directed against a cutaneous autoantigen induced by exposure to ultraviolet light. In PLE, nonspecific immunomodulatory mechanisms of intravenous Ig may be active, such as a reduction in the synthesis of cytokines and a blockage of the IgG Fc receptors on macrophages.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/13. Polymorphous light eruption. A case report and consideration of the hardening mechanism.BACKGROUND: Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is a common form of photodermatosis. The pathogenesis of the disease and the mechanism of the hardening phenomenon, however, have not been clarified. observation: We report a 62-year-old Japanese woman with PLE. Provocation and hardening induction testing revealed that hardening was induced at the sites irradiated by a sufficient dose of UV for reproduction of the lesion. Topical steroid could prevent a positive reaction but not the hardening induction. The expression of adhesion molecules and CD1a was decreased at the hardening site. CONCLUSION: From these results, the hardening phenomenon in our case might be due to immunosuppression by UV exposure supported by the down-regulation of cell adhesion molecule expression and partially due to the depletion of endogenous antigens which cause a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/13. Defective dendritic cell maturation in a child with nucleotide excision repair deficiency and CD4 lymphopenia.We report a case of a combined immunodeficiency (CID) in a child affected by trichothiodystrophy (TTD) characterized by an altered response to ultraviolet (UV) light due to a defect in the XPD gene. The XPD gene encodes a subunit of the transcription factor II H (TFIIH), a complex involved in nucleotide-excision repair (NER) and basal transcription. Our patient showed neurological and immune system abnormalities, including CD4 lymphopenia never previously reported in TTD patients. in vitro immunological studies revealed a marked reduction in T-cell proliferation in response to mitogens and CD3 cross-linking which was partially recovered by the addition of anti-CD28 antibody or exogenous interleukin-2. The patient's T cells displayed alterations in T-cell receptor (TCR/CD3) proximal signalling characterized by marked reduction in Lck kinase activity coupled with a constitutive hyperactivation of Fyn kinase. Despite these alterations, normal levels of Lck and Fyn proteins were detected. The role of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the pathogenesis of the T-cell defect was investigated by analysing dendritic cells (DCs) generated from the patient's blood monocytes. In these cells, flow cytometry revealed significantly reduced expression of the CD86 co-stimulatory molecules and HLA glycoproteins. In addition, the patient's DCs showed a decreased ability to stimulate naive T lymphocytes. overall, the results of our study suggest that a defective TFIIH complex might result in alterations in T cells and DC functions leading to a severe immunodeficiency.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/13. Long-term thalidomide for actinic prurigo.A 35-year-old man presented at the age of 8 years with recurrent pruritic papulovesicular lesions on his face and body appearing within minutes of light exposure. A recent positive finding of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR4 with the rare DRB1*0407 subtype confirmed a diagnosis of actinic prurigo. thalidomide (100 mg/day) was commenced at the age of 11 years after an unsuccessful trial of other treatments and his lesions resolved within 2 months. Attempts to withdraw thalidomide have resulted in recurrence of photosensitivity and the patient has remained on a virtually continuous maintenance dose of thalidomide (50 mg/ day) for 23 years. His cumulative dose is estimated to be over 400 g. To date, he has not experienced any adverse effects and investigations have shown no evidence of neuropathy. This case illustrates the safe long-term use of thalidomide.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/13. Parthenium dermatitis presenting as photosensitive lichenoid eruption. A new clinical variant.Parthenium hysterophorus is the commonest cause of airborne contact dermatitis (ABCD) in india. The disease usually manifests as itchy erythematous, papular, papulovesicular and plaque lesions on exposed areas of the body. Rarely, however, the disease may present as actinic reticuloid or photocontact dermatitis. We have observed a different clinical variant of this disease where certain patients with Parthenium dermatitis have presented with discrete, flat, violaceous papules and plaques on exposed areas of the body closely simulating photosensitive lichenoid eruption. We had 8 patients, 6 males and 2 females between 30 and 62 years of age, with itchy, violaceous, papules and plaques on the face, neck, ears, upper chest and dorsa of the hands for 6 months to 6.5 years. Four of these patients had a history of improvement of the lesions up to 30% in winter and aggravation of lesions on exposure to sunlight. There was no personal or family history of atopy. Cutaneous examination in all patients revealed multiple flat, violaceous, mildly erythematous papules and plaques on the forehead, sides and nape of neck, ears, 'V' area of the chest, and extensor aspects of the forearms and hands. skin biopsies from these lesions showed features of chronic non-specific dermatitis. Patch testing with standardized plant antigens showed a positive patch test reaction to Parthenium hysterophorus in all patients, with a titre of contact hypersensitivity (TCH) varying from undiluted to 1 : 100. We conclude that Parthenium dermatitis may occasionally present with lesions very similar to the lesions of photosensitive lichenoid eruption in morphology and distribution. This clinical presentation of Parthenium dermatitis needs to be recognized to avoid misdiagnosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/13. osteoporosis with underlying connective tissue disease: an unusual case.A 44-year-old male was initially seen by dermatologists, who noted an erythematous rash on sun-exposed areas, the back, shoulders, and upper arms. There was associated muscle weakness and significant weight loss. Investigation revealed mildly raised aspartate and alanine transaminases but normal creatine kinase. Inflammatory indices and antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) were normal. biopsy of the rash was reported as consistent with either dermatomyositis (DM) or acute lupus erythematosus. A diagnosis of DM was made, and prednisolone was given with improvement of the rash but deteriorating myopathy. The patient was referred to the rheumatology department, and further history revealed multiple vertebral fractures after falling from standing height; these had occurred six months prior to starting steroids. Besides smoking he had no other risk factors for osteoporosis. Examination showed normal muscle strength, no muscle tenderness, and no joint abnormality. Repeat muscle enzymes were normal, and ANAs were now 1 : 100, but dsDNA antibodies and extractable nuclear antigens were normal. Investigations for osteoporosis revealed a hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism picture. Further examination indicated scanty pubic and auxiliary hair, small testicles, and mild gynecomastia. He is married, though has no children of his own. The hormonal profile raised the possibility of Klinefelter's syndrome, which was subsequently confirmed with karyotyping of 47 XXY. hypogonadism has been established as a cause of osteoporosis in males, and in this case would explain the occurrence of fractures in the absence of other major risk factors. Systemic lupus erythematosus has been recognized in association with Klinefelter's syndrome; in view of the normal muscle enzymes, his rash is most likely due to acute discoid lupus with androgen deficiency causing muscle weakness.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/13. Pigmented squamous cell carcinoma of the cheek skin probably arising from solar keratosis.We report a rare case of pigmented squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cheek skin probably arising from solar keratosis. An 80-year-old man was referred to our clinic because of a black skin nodule in the right cheek. The nodular lesion was 1 cm in diameter, dome-shaped, hard, sharply demarcated, partially erosive and telangiectatic at the border. The lesion was completely excised under the clinical diagnosis of probable seborrheic keratosis. Microscopically, cutaneous horn and mildly atypical squamous epithelia suggestive of previous solar keratosis were present in the surface of the lesion. The lesion consisted of atypical squamous cells with keratinization and intercellular bridges, and it was regarded as SCC. The SCC cells were seen to invade lightly into the upper dermis, where lymphocytic infiltrations and melanophages were noted. Characteristically, heavy deposition of melanin pigment was recognized in the SCC cells as well as in proliferated dendritic and pigment blockade melanocytes that were scattered or colonized within the SCC cell nests. Masson-Fontana stain revealed numerous melanin granules in the SCC cells, as well as in dendritic and pigment blockade melanocytes. Immunohistochemically, the SCC cells were positive for cytokeratins and epithelial membrane antigen, and negative for S-100 protein and HMB45 antigen. Dendritic and pigment blockade melanocytes were negative for cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, and HMB45 antigen, but positive for S-100 protein. The present case suggests that SCC cells of the skin may induce proliferation of melanocytes. The differential diagnosis and the histogenesis of pigmented SCC of the skin are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/13. erythema multiforme following polymorphic light eruption: a report of two cases.We report two patients in whom episodes of polymorphic light eruption were followed by recurrent erythema multiforme on exposed and nonexposed sites. Treating the polymorphic light eruption with prophylactic PUVA and/or oral prednisolone or cyclosporin prevented the development of erythema multiforme, suggesting that the two events are related. It is possible that erythema multiforme develops as a response to the same causative antigen as polymorphic light eruption.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/13. Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma associated with actinic prurigo.We describe two patients with a diagnosis of actinic prurigo who subsequently developed cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of this association. We propose that chronic antigenic stimulation by ultraviolet radiation, in the context of actinic prurigo, may have been causal in the development of these unusual lymphomas.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/13. Functional profile of expanded suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocyte population in a patient with actinic reticuloid.This study was undertaken to gain insight into the functional properties of the expanded suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes characteristically found in actinic reticuloid. Peripheral blood cells, either whole mononuclear cell populations or selectively enriched populations, were obtained from a patient with well-established actinic reticuloid. The patient had an expansion of circulating T lymphocytes expressing the suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype, i.e., CD3 , CD4-, CD8 . A proportion of these cells also expressed the Fc receptor for IgG. Functional studies, including pokeweed mitogen-driven immunoglobulin synthesis, mitogen and alloantigen response, natural killer and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity were within normal ranges and suggested a polyclonal rather than monoclonal expansion. The present functional data extend previous phenotypic studies and support the hypothesis that a chronic reactive immunoregulatory disorder is involved in actinic reticuloid, as has been hypothesized for other T cell chronic proliferations.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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