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Biomedical subjects

C M Mowad

Publications and source records attributed to C M Mowad.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Commercial availability of a house dust mite patch test.

The house dust mite long has been studied for its potential role in atopic dermatitis. Its part in the pathogenesis of asthma and allergic rhinitis has been studied and is accepted. Testing for the dust mite allergen in this arena is performed with radioallergosorbent tests (RASTs) and prick testing. For several reasons, including the lack of a standardized testing tool, the difficulty in removing dust from the environment and the lack of association of dust and skin disease by patients, the role of the house dust mite in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and skin disease has been questioned. Chemotechnique Diagnostics (Malmo, Sweden) now provides a standardized dust mite allergen in petrolatum in 2 concentrations. Dermatophagoides mix is a 50:50 mix of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae at concentrations of 20% and 30%. The availability of a standardized patch test allergen for the house dust mite provides a better tool to investigate the role of this allergen as a contactant.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Cocamidopropyl betaine allergy.

Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is a surfactant, and reports of allergic contact dermatitis to this chemical have been reported in the literature. Although most commonly found in rinse-off products, the chemical nonetheless has been shown to induce allergy. The actual component responsible for allergic reaction may be the final compound itself, CAPB, or one of the substances used in its synthesis that may be present as an impurity. Allergy to CAPB is most commonly seen in a head and neck distribution, although other patterns have been identified.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by parabens: 2 case reports and a review.

Parabens, methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl, and butyl, are the most common preservatives in use today. They are the alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and are used extensively because they are relatively nonirritating and nontoxic and offer good antimicrobial coverage. Testing for paraben allergen can be done by patch testing. Two cases of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to parabens are used to discuss the background of parabens, their allergenicity, patch testing issues, and several "paraben paradoxes." Although ACD to parabens has been reported, given the widespread use, it is relatively uncommon. Because of their low rate of allergenicity and their favorable preservative profile and efficacy, parabens remain the number one preservative in use.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Methylchloro-isothiazolinone revisited.

Preservatives are a class of allergens that is well represented in testing series. There are 5 preservatives in the TRUE test, 4 preservatives in the European series, and 13 in the North American Series. Methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiozolinone (MCI/MI) (Kathon CG, Rohm and Haas, Spring House, PA) is a relatively new allergen that was introduced in 1980 in the United States. Its use rapidly increased until reports of contact allergy became an issue. Allowable levels of MCI/MI in products, sensitivity rates, and use rates vary by country. The overall incidence of sensitivity for this allergen, as reported by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, is similar to other allergens in the preservative class.

Allergens↗
PubMed1998

Hormonal influences on women with psoriasis.

Various endogenous factors such as stress and infection are known to influence psoriasis. Previous data suggest that pregnancy has a significant influence on the course of psoriasis. This study explores the effect of pregnancy as well as other hormonal events on psoriasis in women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Routine testing for Primula obconica: is it useful in the United States?

Allergic contact dermatitis to Primula obconica has long been established. It is considered a significant allergen in Europe and has been included in standard screening there. The allergen is much less common in the United States. The frequency of allergy to P obconica in the United States is difficult to assess because no series of routine testing to this allergen has been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of primin allergy in routine testing in a referral patch test center. A series of 567 consecutive patch tests was performed that included primin as part of the standard screening. Only one patient had a positive reaction. Although it is frequently missed and often difficult to diagnose, the frequency of primin allergy in this series was too low to indicate including this allergen as part of routine testing.

Benzoquinones↗
PubMed1997

Oral pigmentation representing Laugier-Hunziker syndrome.

Oral pigmentation is seen fairly commonly in dermatologic practice. Several conditions must be considered in the differential diagnosis. We present a patient whose condition highlights the clinical syndrome known as Laugier-Hunziker and provides the opportunity to review the clinical course, pathologic features, and literature of this uncommon syndrome.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1995

The role of extracellular polysaccharide substance produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis in miliaria.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that cutaneous bacteria, particularly coagulase-negative staphylococci, play a role in the pathogenesis of miliaria. An accumulation of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive material has been described as blocking the sweat duct in miliaria. Furthermore, a PAS-positive extracellular polysaccharide substance (EPS) has been identified as a product of some strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the relative ability of various species of coagulase-negative staphylococci to induce miliaria with particular reference to the potential role of EPS. METHODS: We inoculated various strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci on the volar forearms of subjects under an occlusive dressing coupled with thermal stimulation. Ability to induce miliaria as well as microbiologic, histologic, and immunostaining features were evaluated. RESULTS: Miliaria was induced only with strains of S. epidermidis; other species including S. haemolyticus, S. hominis, S. cohnii, S. saprophyticus, and S. simulans were not capable of inducing miliaria. Moreover, only S. epidermidis strains capable of producing EPS were capable of inducing miliaria. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that EPS is the PAS-positive material that obstructs the delivery of sweat to the skin surface in miliaria and therefore demonstrate that the EPS produced by S. epidermidis plays a central role in the pathogenesis of miliaria. Furthermore, in a survey of staphylococcal flora isolated from 68 subjects, EPS-producing strains were found to be common.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Bleomycin-induced flagellate dermatitis: a clinical and histopathological review.

We report a case of bleomycin-induced flagellate dermatitis. Our patient developed pruritic linear lesions 4 days after her first dose of bleomycin. A closed patch test was performed, and was negative. However, on rechallenge, the linear eruption recurred in the previously involved sites, and in new sites, within 24 h. Flagellate dermatitis is a characteristic reaction to bleomycin use, but varying histological features and clinical presentations may be seen.

Adult↗