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Biomedical subjects

Craig G Burkhart

Publications and source records attributed to Craig G Burkhart.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Dysplastic nevi.

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Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome↗
PubMed2004

Pilot study of patient satisfaction with nonfluorinated topical steroids compared with a topical immunomodulator in atopiform dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: There is clinical uncertainty concerning the effectiveness of the new topical immunomodulators vs. the conventional use of topical steroids for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: To assess patient satisfaction with these two prescription topical remedies for atopic eczema. METHODS: In an open-label, 2-week, comparative study, 10 patients demonstrating atopiform dermatitis were given tacrolimus and 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate in a 70% oil-in-water base to apply to the eczema on opposite sides of the body. After 2 weeks of applying the agents twice daily to their respective sides of the body surface, the study subjects completed a 12-question survey to assess their opinions of the two products. RESULTS: There was a preference for the nonfluorinated topical steroid over tacrolimus in this cursory head-to-head study. There were no withdrawals from the study or side-effects reported with either product. CONCLUSIONS: Trials of short duration with small numbers of patients do not adequately inform practitioners regarding the use of these topical remedies. However, the higher satisfaction of patients with 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate in a 70% oil-in-water base over tacrolimus certainly warrants further investigation.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2004

Relationship of treatment-resistant head lice to the safety and efficacy of pediculicides.

Head lice infestation is a common and growing problem that primarily affects school-aged children. Most cases of head lice are diagnosed and treated by nonphysicians. Misdiagnosis may lead to treatment when no lice are present. Treatment failure may lead to repeated use of and improperly applied pediculicides, potentially resulting in overexposure to pesticides. These treatment failures are primarily due to the emergence of treatment-resistant lice. In regions where resistant lice are common, patients may self-treat numerous times with over-the-counter pediculicides before seeking treatment from a physician. Resistance has decreased the efficacy of lindane, a prescription pediculicide that has been used for decades. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration recently warned of potentially serious adverse effects associated with lindane and recommended strict controls for its use. Malathion, recently reintroduced in the United States as a prescription pediculicide, has not been associated with treatment resistance or notable adverse effects, although it is flammable due to its alcohol base. Because of concerns about decreasing efficacy due to resistance and safety concerns about over-the-counter products and some prescription pediculicides, a reassessment of pediculicide safety is warranted. The safety and efficacy of commonly used over-the-counter and prescription pediculicide products are discussed, along with the safety and efficacy of other treatments, such as ivermectin, that are not indicated for the treatment of head lice but are being used increasingly.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Microbiology's principle of biofilms as a major factor in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.

Propionibacterium acnes reside within the pilosebaceous unit in a biofilm. As such, they live in a community of bacteria that encase themselves within an extracellular polysaccharide lining, which the organisms secrete after adherence to the surface. This gylcocalyx polymer acts as a protective exoskeleton and serves as a physical barrier, limiting effective antimicrobial concentrations within the biofilm microenvironment. The gylcocalyx polymer secreted by P. acnes as a biofilm may explain the immunogenicity of the organism as well as the clinical course of the disease. The P. acnes' biofilm model explains many aspects of acne pathogenesis and therapy, including why prolonged antibiotic treatment is needed, why antibiotic resistance is not a reliable assessment of treatment outcome, why accutane offers long-lasting effectiveness, and why benzoyl peroxide radicals are beneficial. This microbiologic principle of biofilms as applied to acne leads to numerous new pathways of assessment and exploration.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2003

Contact irritant dermatitis and anti-pruritic agents: the need to address the itch.

Contact irritant dermatitis can be defined by four interrelated elements: skin barrier disruption, epidermal skin changes, cytokine release, and nerve ending changes. The predominant symptom of eczema relates to the fourth constituent, which produces pruritic symptoms that are often neglected when using pre-formulated topical steroids and immunomodulators. Although the induction of pruritus with proteinases and cytokines demonstrates the close connections between immune and neurotrophic factors in the pathophysiology of pruritus, agents that specifically affect the cutaneous nerve endings are often beneficial for use in patients affected by dermatitis. Besides avoiding triggering factors, agents such as pramoxine, phenol, camphor, and menthol are extremely valuable in allaying patients' symptoms of pruritus. Indeed, therapeutic remedies, which incorporate anti-pruritic agents in their formulation, may be advantageous for the bulk of patients with contact irritant dermatitis.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2002

Head lice.

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Animals↗
PubMed2002

Dermatophytoma: Recalcitrance to treatment because of existence of fungal biofilm.

Biofilms are populations of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and produce an extracellular polysaccharide, increasing resistance to standard antimicrobials. This microbiologic principle may be beneficial in understanding refractory dermatophyte infections, such as dermatophytomas of the nail. In this condition, circumscribed dense white fungal masses live within and under the nail plate. Biofilm research could lead to finding new targets for antifungal therapy, including agents that reduce attachment of microorganisms, alter microorganisms' ability to synthesize extracellular matrix, and better penetrate the extracellular matrix to kill the organism contained with the biofilm.

Biofilms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changing paradigms in parasitic infections: common dermatological helminthic infections and cutaneous myiasis.

Parasitic diseases caused by helminths, or worms, account for billions of human infections worldwide. Although most human pathogens caused by these organisms are infrequent in the United States, skin manifestations of parasitic diseases are being seen much more frequently in dermatologists' offices due to the increase in immigration and travel. Helminths are notable for their complicated lifecycles often including consecutive developmental phases, in separate hosts or in a free-living state. These parasitic organisms are usually macroscopic, multicellular organisms, and do not breed within their mammalian hosts. Notably, many helminthic diseases present with dermatologic signs and symptoms including skin nodules, cysts, migratory skin lesions, and pruritus. In this section, we discuss cutaneous myiasis as well as the four most common nematode dermatologic conditions seen in the United States.

Animals↗