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A Minas

Publications and source records attributed to A Minas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Assessment of serological response of young and adult sheep to conjunctival vaccination with Rev-1 vaccine by fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) and other serological tests for B. melitensis.

The serological response of young and adult sheep vaccinated conjunctivally with Rev-1 vaccine was assessed by fluorescence polarization assay (FPA), Rose Bengal test (RBT), complement fixation test (CFT), modified Rose Bengal test (m-RBT), indirect ELISA (i-ELISA) and competitive ELISA (c-ELISA), at different post vaccination intervals. One hundred and thirty six adult sheep and 64 lambs were used in the study. The vaccinated animals were bled prior to vaccination (0 day) and thereafter at 21st, 42nd, 35th, 63rd, 91st, 125th, 159th, and 223rd and 330th day post vaccination. The majority of animals (young and adult) showed positive reaction by FPA, RBT, CFT, m-RBT and c-ELISA 21 days post vaccination, whereas by i-ELISA at 42 days. All tests perform equal when animals vaccinated as young are tested 125 days (4 months) post vaccination. In case of animals vaccinated at adulthood, FPA, RBT, CFT and c-ELISA perform equal if the animals are tested 223 days (approximately 8 months) post vaccination. I-ELISA and m-RBT show low specificity if ewes vaccinated at adulthood are tested 330 days (11 months) post vaccination. If control of brucellosis in sheep is based on conjunctivally vaccination of lambs with Rev-1, the vaccinated animals can be tested by any test used for diagnosis of B.melitensis infection accurately at least 4 months post vaccination. If brucellosis control is based on mass vaccination the use of m-RBT and i-ELISA is not recommended for testing adult animals at least for 330 days (11 months) post vaccination due to tests low specificity. Further research is needed so the appropriate cut-offs to be established for FPA, c-ELISA or i-ELISA to become valuable tools for the eradication of Brucella spp. infection in small ruminants in areas where vaccination is practiced.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Validation of fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) and comparison with other tests used for diagnosis of B. melitensis infection in sheep.

Fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) is a new test for the serological diagnosis of Brucella spp. infection in animals. The FPA is validated for the diagnosis of B. melitensis infection in sheep. For this purpose, 166 sera originated from natural infected sheep (verified by culture) and 851 sera originated from healthy animals (reared in areas where B. melitensis was never been isolated) were tested. The optimum cut-off value that offers the highest diagnostic sensitivity (DSn) and diagnostic specificity (DSp) was determined at 87mP with the use of ROC analysis. The DSn and DSp of FPA using this cut-off value are calculated at 97.6 and 98.9% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 93.9-99.3% and 98.0-99.5%, respectively. The DSn and DSp of FPA have been assessed also using as positive reference (n=587), sera that gave positive results at least in two tests used for diagnosis of B. melitensis in sheep as Rose Bengal Test (RBT), modified Rose Bengal Test (m-RBT), complement fixation test (CFT), indirect Elisa (i-Elisa) and competition Elisa (c-Elisa) originated from animals reared in flocks infected by B. melitensis. The optimum cut-off value using the above panel of positive reference sera was the same offering a DSn of 95.9% with a 95% CI, 94.0-97.4%, since the DSp remains the same. The DSn and DSp as well as performance, accuracy and agreement of FPA's result were compared with those of other tests used. The accuracy of FPA is very high, similar with that of i-Elisa. FPA is a promising assay, which offers a DSn and accuracy better that of those of the tests currently approved for the diagnosis of B. melitensis in sheep and goats. Due to its simplicity, the sort time that results can be obtained and its accuracy it can be used and improve the laboratory testing capacity as well as the efficacy of the eradication program based on test-and-slaughter policy.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Epidemiology of dermatomycoses in children living in Northern Greece 1996-2000.

In the 5-years period, 1996-2000, 1045 children under 13 years old were examined for suspected dermatomycosis. In 611 cases fungi were isolated. Male children were mainly affected on the scalp and body area. Girls were more affected in the location of the arms and legs. There was a greater proportion of cases in the age range 2-12 years. The most prominent fungus was Microsporum canis (515 cases) followed by Trichophyton rubrum (34) and Candida albicans (20). Tinea capitis (280 cases) mainly caused by M. canis (276 cases) was the most common clinical form. Tinea corporis (109 cases) mainly caused by M. canis (88 cases), C. albicans (10 cases) and T. rubrum (seven cases) was the second most frequent clinical form.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed2005

Towards single screening tests for brucellosis.

This paper describes an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) and a fluorescence polarisation assay (FPA), each capable of detecting antibody in several species of hosts to smooth and rough members of the genus Brucella. The I-ELISA uses a mixture of smooth lipopolysaccharide (SLPS) and rough lipopolysaccharide (RLPS) as the antigen, and a recombinant protein A/G conjugated with horseradish peroxidase as the detection reagent. When using individually determined cutoff values, the SLPS/RLPS combined-antigen I-ELISA detected antibody in slightly more animals exposed to SLPS or to RLPS than did I-ELISA procedures using each individual antigen separately. Similarly, the assay using combined antigens detected antibody in slightly fewer animals not exposed to Brucella sp. When a universal cutoff of 10% positivity was used (relative to strongly positive control sera of each species), the overall performance index (percentage sensitivity plus percentage specificity) value decreased by 1.0 (from 199.4 to 198.4). In the FPA, it was not possible to use a universal cutoff without significant loss of performance. The overall sensitivity value for the FPA using the combined FPA antigen was 1.0% lower than using the O-polysaccharide (OPS) from SLPS and 9.1% higher than using the core antigen (CORE) from RLPS. When the combined antigen was used, the FPA specificity was slightly higher (1.2%) than from only the OPS, and considerably higher (12.6%) than the CORE. Overall, both the I-ELISA and the FPA with combined antigens were suitable as screening tests for all species of Brucella in the animal species tested.

Animal Diseases↗
PubMed2004

The "effects" of Rev-1 vaccination of sheep and goats on human brucellosis in Greece.

Vaccination of young animals (3-6-month-old sheep and goats) with Rev-1 vaccine for 15 years in Greece, importantly decreased the abortions in sheep and goats as well as the incidence of brucellosis in humans. After the stop of vaccination in 1994, all over Greece, the prevalence of brucellosis in animals and the incidence in humans quickly increased. It was a positive rank correlation (0.90) among these variables. Once an emergency mass-vaccination programme of young and adult animals with Rev-1 vaccine was started in 1998, the human incidence again decreased. The association of the vaccination coverage of animals and incidence of brucellosis in humans was not linear; the decrease in human brucellosis incidence was observed when the vaccination coverage of animals was >30%.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Pyogenic granulomas following topical application of tretinoin.

Topical tretinoin is used in the treatment of acne and other dermatoses. The most common side-effects are itching, dryness and reddening of the skin. We report an additional cutaneous reaction, which occurred in patients using topical tretinoin. Pyogenic granulomas developed in two patients with acne and in one with dermatofibroma following application of tretinoin. The granulomas grew on the lesions after 2-3 weeks of therapy initiation. All patients were men and the granulomas developed in their trunk. The lesions resolved when topical tretinoin was ceased. Although the number of patients reported is too small to estimate the true incidence of this reaction, it is likely that dermatologists will encounter similar reactions in patients treated with topical tretinoin for acne or other reasons.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2003

Expression of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans in angiofibroma and fibrous plaque skin lesions from patients with tuberous sclerosis.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a disorder of cell lineage, migration, proliferation and differentiation, characterized by the development of widespread benign hamartomas, which are particularly evident in hamartomatous lesions of the skin. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in gene expression of certain proteoglycans (PGs) and to characterize glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in tissue specimens of normal skin, fibrous plaques and angiofibromas from patients with TSC. The expression of PG mRNA was determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis. Total GAGs were isolated from tissue specimens after lipid extraction and extensive digestion with Pronase and DNase and characterized by treatment with GAG-degrading enzymes followed by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gradient gels and cellulose acetate membranes. Normal skin specimens express versican, decorin and aggrecan and contain hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulphate. In angiofibroma specimens aggrecan is not expressed while versican splice variant with two EGF-like domains and decorin are downregulated. Furthermore, angiofibromas differ from normal skin in that they additionally contain keratan, heparan and chondroitin sulphates and do not contain dermatan sulphate. In fibrous plaque specimens gene expression of PGs was similar to that in normal skin, but with respect to GAGs, they contained a single acidic glycan population that did not share common structural features with known GAGs. The variations of the above ECM molecules between normal and TSC skin may be attributed to TSC-related mutations and, overall, support the TSC-associated pathological manifestations of cell migration, proliferation and differentiation.

Aggrecans↗
PubMed2002

Onychomycosis in Northern Greece during 1994-1998.

In the 5-year period 1994-1998, 13957 patients were examined in the Mycological Laboratory of the State Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, in Thessaloniki, Greece. Of the 2766 patients presenting with onychomycoses (20%), 67% were women and 33% were men. In the toenail infections, dermatophytes were most often isolated (72.3%), especially in women, followed by moulds (9.6%) and yeasts (2%); 16.1% of the infections were mixed. In the fingernail infections mostly yeasts were isolated (72%), especially in women, followed by dermatophytes (10%) and moulds (5.6%); 12.4% of the infections were mixed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Tinea capitis in adults during 1981-95 in northern Greece.

The mycological laboratory of our Hospital examined 31,073 patients between 1981 and 1995. Sex, age, the residence of patients, the clinical type of tinea and contacts with other persons and animals were investigated. All the patients were also examined under Wood's light. Tinea capitis was diagnosed in 35 adults. Trichophyton violaceum was the commonest aetiological agent (54.5%), especially in elderly women. The other anthropophilic fungi were T. rubrum (8.5%), T. schoenleinii (5.7%) and T. tonsurans (2.8%). The zoophilic fungi Microsporum canis (14.3%), T. terrucosum (8.5%) and T. mentagrophytes (5.7%) were also isolated.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Double-blind clinical study reveals synergistic action between alpha-hydroxy acid and betamethasone lotions towards topical treatment of scalp psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: A double-blind, single-site, split-face clinical study was organized and carried out in order to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of a glycolic acid containing scalp lotion in conjunction with a betamethasone (as the 17-valerate) scalp application against conditions of psoriasis. BACKGROUND: Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) have been proposed as therapeutic modalities against skin exfoliative conditions such as ichthyosis, xeroderma, and psoriasis. AHAs are hereby clinically investigated as therapeutic modalities adjuvant to corticosteroids in order to diminish systemic and topical adverse side-effects most frequently associated with use of the latter. METHODS: Twenty patients suffering from scalp psoriasis and other psoriatic conditions were included in a double-blind, split-face clinical study, using combinations of a 10% (w/w) glycolic acid scalp lotion, placebo lotion (excipients only), and a 0.1% (w/w) betamethasone scalp application, applied twice daily without any bandage for a period of 8 weeks. Clinical assessments were carried out by highly experienced physician evaluations based on a four-grade scale, prior to treatment and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. RESULTS: Improvement was observed in all cases included in the study following treatment with the 10% glycolic acid lotion. However, when equal parts of the 0.1% betamethasone lotion were combined, most of the treated sites were healed. Moreover, the duration of treatment required for healing was in this case reduced to approximately half of that needed when the glycolic acid or the betamethasone lotions were used separately for treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The present clinical study demonstrates for the first time that the effective and well tolerated therapeutic efficacy of glycolic acid scalp lotions is enhanced when used in conjunction with a 0.1% betamethasone scalp application against scalp psoriasis. This potential offers the practising dermatologist with novel treatment modes against severe skin conditions by combining topical corticosteroid with exfoliative agent therapy.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Tinea capitis in children in northern Greece during the period 1981-1995.

In our 15 years of investigation in northern Greece, the predominant organism producing tinea capitis in children was found to be the zoophilic Microsporum canis (494 strains) which is a common saprophyte of the hair of pets, especially cats. The high percentage of cases with M. canis (97%), in contrast to zoophilic fungi (3%), is probably due to the increased contact of children with pets. The small number of infections with anthropophilic fungi (41 strains) is attributed to good hygienic conditions. The fluorescence of infected hair under Wood's light seems to be a major diagnostic criterion in the hands of dermatologists who are not served by a mycological laboratory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Treatment of oral pemphigus vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Oral pemphigus is considered to represent either an initial stage of pemphigus vulgaris that should be treated with high doses of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent its spread to the skin or a variety of the disease that does not need aggressive treatment. The absence of a widely accepted therapeutic method and the obscure nature of this disease prompted this study. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with oral pemphigus were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received only steroids at a dose of 40 mg of prednisone equivalent. In the other two groups the same dose of steroids was administered, but combined with either 100 mg of cyclophosphamide or 5 mg/kg of cyclosporine as an adjuvant. Direct immunofluorescence studies were performed on specimens obtained from both buccal mucosa and oral skin. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the duration of treatment required to achieve remission and in the relapse rate among the three groups. The incidence of complications was higher with combination treatment. Deposited immunoreactants were detected with equal frequency in specimens obtained from the buccal mucosa and normal skin. CONCLUSIONS: Oral pemphigus most likely represents an initial stage of a disease that can become generalized. Administration of moderate doses of steroids alone is effective in controlling the disease.

Adult↗