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Biomedical subjects

D Abeck

Publications and source records attributed to D Abeck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Unilateral latero-thoracic exanthema in childhood. Clinical characteristics and diagnostic criteria in 5 patients].

Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem a (ULE) is a self-limited, probably infectious-allergic skin disease predominantly affecting small children. We describe five such cases. The typical unilaterally located or at least unilaterally dominant exanthem usually starts in the axillary region and is characterized by red, partly confluent papules and fine scales. Two of the children presented with atypical manifestations of ULE. Due to its asymptomatic course, therapy is not necessary in the majority of cases.

Axilla

[Systemic therapy in the treatment concept of atopic eczema. Reliable treatment methods and experimental developments].

Our therapeutic approach to atopic eczema consists of a continuous topical dermatological basic therapy in combination with an antiinflammatory therapy in phases of exacerbations. In the treatment of exacerbated atopic eczema, systemic agents are added to achieve effective control more rapidly or to induce remissions in cases refractory to standard therapy. Antihistamines to control the pruritus, as well as antibiotics and acyclovir for antimicrobial superinfections are often used. In many patients exacerbations can be successfully controlled with phototherapy, especially with UVA1 light. The use of systemic immunosuppressants, like glucocorticosteroids, cyclosporine or azathioprine generally can be avoided and is a therapeutic alternative only in few selected cases. In the last years promising new experimental treatments have evolved, which could become therapeutic alternatives for the future.

Administration, Oral

[Treatment of acute exacerbated atopic eczema with emollient-antiseptic preparations using the "wet wrap" ("wet pajama") technique].

Six patients (3 children and 3 adults) with acute exacerbated atopic eczema were treated with basic emollients in combination with chlorhexidine-soaked dressings over a period of three days using the "wet-pyjama" technique. Improvement of eczema was documented with the severity score "Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis" (SCORAD); most pronounced changes were found for the subjective parameters itch and sleep loss. Paralleling skin improvement a reduction of Staphylococcus aureus colonisation was noted. Improvement of skin changes lasted beyond the active treatment period. Wet-wrap dressings are an effective treatment modality for atopic eczema without use of corticosteroids and can be used easily on an outpatient basis when manufactured dressings are used.

Acute Disease

The wide spectrum of clinical expression in Adams-Oliver syndrome: a report of two cases.

Two children are described with the combination of aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) and transverse limb defects known as Adams-Oliver syndrome. Whereas in the first child the typical features of ACC, syndactyly and transverse nail dystrophy were only mildly expressed and associated defects of the central nervous system and cardiac malformations were absent, the second child suffered from a very severe expression of the syndrome, with a combination of ACC, syndactyly, cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita and multiple cardiac and central nervous system malformations which resulted in fatal central respiratory insufficiency.

Abnormalities, Multiple

[Special characteristics of topical treatment in childhood].

Although the barrier function and thickness of the stratum corneum is fully developed in newborns, the infant shows numerous differences in cutaneous and systemic metabolism of topically applied substances in comparison to adults. This discrepancy between children and adults has been explained by the greater systemic availability due to the greater surface area to weight ratio in children. Several topically applied drugs such as hexachlorophene, phenol, salicylic acid and boric acid in high concentration or on large areas have caused toxic reactions and fatalities in infants. Therapeutic approaches to childhood dermatoses differ from these used in adults. These age-dependent differences concerning the topical application of glucocorticosteroids, urea and dyes are described for the treatment of atopic eczema. The development of innovative topical drugs may extend therapeutic options especially in children as shown by a new topical anesthetic cream improving the treatment of mollusca contagiosa, a common childhood problem. Finally, certain physiological differences should be considered in newborn and infant skin care.

Administration, Topical

[Pyoderma].

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Anti-Bacterial Agents

[Cutaneous Staphylococcus aureus colonisation of atopic eczema. Mechanisms, pathophysiological importance and therapeutic consequences].

Mechanisms for the increased Staphylococcus aureus colonization in atopic eczema are only partially known. From the aspect of the bacterium, the presence of various extracellular matrix components seems important. In the host epidermal lipid deficencies disturbing barrier dysfunction are important. Staphylococcus aureus' immunological and inflammatory effects include the release of superantigens, additional exotoxins and exoenzymes and perhaps bacterial DNA-triggered mechanisms. Therapeutic possibilities include the use of systemic antibiotics in cases of generalized superinfected atopic eczema, the use of corticosteroids and specific antibiotic-antiseptic combinations in cases of localised superinfected atopic eczema and the wide-spread use of topical antiseptics in cases of microbial-laden atopic eczema.

Animals

Current antimicrobial susceptibility of cutaneous bacteria to first line antibiotics.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of common bacterial species occurring on human skin appears to be falling. Data for the antimicrobial susceptibility of major groups of bacteria isolated from human skin during routine cultures were complied and analysed over a period of 9 months. Routine diagnostics of specimens from skin lesions and normal human skin were analysed for the presence of specified groups of bacteria. The species were identified using standard methods. Anti-microbial susceptibility was determined using a broth microdilution system giving breakpoints, the Sensititre system. Of the 333 Staphylococcus aureus, 129 Streptococcaceae, 180 Enterobacteriaceae and 120 Pseudomonadaceae strains investigated more than 5% of Staphylococcus aureus strains were resistant to flucloxacillin and thus methicillin (MRSA). More than 25% of Staphylococcus aureus strains were resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin. Many MRSA strains were found multi-resistant. Gentamicin was active against a large majority of Enterobacteriaceae strains but many Pseudomonadaceae strains were resistant. Compared with previous corresponding surveys methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains are clearly on the increase. To prevent a further increase of resistant strains a defined strategy for antibiotic use is needed in dermatology.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Proteus syndrome with widespread portwine stain naevus.

Proteus syndrome is a rare condition comprising asymmetrical overgrowth of different parts of the body in association with various cutaneous abnormalities. We describe a 3-year-old boy with Proteus syndrome, who presented with hemihypertrophy of the right leg, asymmetric macrodactyly, subcutaneous masses and a widespread portwine stain interspersed with angiokeratomas on the right leg, scrotum and on the middle and left side of the back. Doppler ultrasound of the right leg did not show hypercirculation, but did reveal the absence of the right superficial femoral vein.

Child, Preschool

Staphylococcus aureus colonization in atopic dermatitis and its therapeutic implications.

Skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is a characteristic feature of atopic dermatitis with more than 90% of patients being colonized. Extracellular matrix proteins are important for the adherence of S. aureus to human keratinocytes. The bacterium interferes in the inflammatory process of atopic dermatitis in various ways, among which the ability to release superantigens in a high percentage of clinical isolates is of great importance. As the colonization correlates significantly with the severity of eczema, anti-staphylococcal treatment measurements are widely used. In cases of atopic dermatitis exacerbation with wide-spread weeping lesions, a systemic antibiotic treatment is warranted, with erythromycin no longer being recommended due to an increased resistance rate. In localized superinfected lesions the topical application of an antibiotic-glucocorticoid preparation may offer advantages to the mere steroid application. Based on efficacy and resistance data, fusidic acid is the antibiotic of choice. There is evidence that phototherapy in atopic dermatitis may be even more effective when combined with anti-staphylococcal measurements. In the future new therapeutical options may be available.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Role of Staphylococcus aureus surface-associated proteins in the attachment to cultured HaCaT keratinocytes in a new adhesion assay.

Colonization of human skin with Staphylococcus aureus is a common feature in a variety of dermatologic diseases. In order to reproducibly investigate the adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to human epidermal cells, an in vitro assay was established using the biotin/streptavidine labeling system and the HaCaT cell line. This assay was used to define the role of several Staphylococcus aureus surface proteins with regard to their function in the staphylococcal adhesion process. Our studies included the standard laboratory strain Newman as well as its genetically constructed mutants DU5873, DU5852, DU5854, and DU5886 generated by allele replacement or transposon mutagenesis, which are deficient in the elaboration of staphylococcal protein A (spa), clumping factor (clfA), coagulase (coa), and the fibronectin-binding proteins A and B (fnbA/B), respectively. In comparison with strain Newman all mutants showed remarkably reduced adherence to the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line in our assay, yielding only between 43% and 60% of the adherence capacity of strain Newman after 60 min. Bacterial adherence could be re-established by introducing the cloned wild-type genes for the surface proteins on shuttle plasmids into the chromosomally defective mutants, thus suggesting a pathogenetic role of these proteins in the attachment of Staphylococcus aureus to human keratinocytes. Bacterial adherence was additionally enhanced by alkaline pH-values that are characteristic for skin conditions with epidermal barrier dysfunction. The use of Staphylococcus aureus mutant strains, deficient in the elaboration of defined proteins, allows specific investigation of colonization and virulence factors of this dermatologic relevant microorganism.

Bacterial Adhesion

Isolation of cDNA clones coding for IgE autoantigens with serum IgE from atopic dermatitis patients.

Recently we demonstrated that a high percentage of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients displayed specific immunoglobulin E reactivity to human proteins. Here we show that IgE autoreactivity is found predominantly in AD patients with severe skin manifestations and reveal the molecular nature of four IgE autoantigens. An expression cDNA library constructed from a human epithelial cell line (A 431) was screened with serum IgE from two AD patients. DNA sequence analysis of three IgE-reactive clones identified the alpha-chain of the nascent polypeptide-associated complex, cytokeratin type II, and the BCL7B oncogen as atopy-related IgE autoantigens (ara). The fourth cDNA coded for an IgE autoantigen containing a typical calcium binding motif that occurred in histogenetically different cells and tissues (keratinocytes, muscle, brain). Recombinant Escherichia coli-expressed IgE autoantigens bound IgE from AD but not from patients with other immunologically mediated disorders (graft vs. host disease, systemic lupus erythematosus) and elicited immediate type skin reactions in AD patients. In serum samples collected from an AD patient over a period of 5 years, IgE anti-ara NAC antibody levels peaked during disease exacerbation. Our finding that ara BCL7B was detected in serum bound to IgE antibodies suggests that intracellular IgE autoantigens can become released after tissue damage and may occur as IgE immune complexes. Via binding to antigen presenting cells as well as to effector cells, IgE autoantigen immune complexes may contribute to exacerbation and/or perpetuation of severe atopic diseases even in the absence of exogenous allergens.

Amino Acid Sequence

Safety and efficacy of intermittent therapy with itraconazole in finger- and toenail onychomycosis: a multicentre trial.

The efficacy and safety of intermittent itraconazole therapy were investigated in patients with onychomycosis. Patients were divided into two groups according to site and extent of infection. Group A comprised 635 patients with toenail onychomycosis (at least one nail with > or = 20% involvement; n = 560) or fingernail onychomycosis (at least one nail with > 75% involvement; n = 63) or both (n = 12). These patients received itraconazole 400 mg day-1 for 1 week per month for 3 months. Group B comprised 48 patients with fingernail onychomycosis (at least one nail with > or = 20% involvement but no nail with > 75% involvement) who received itraconazole 400 mg day-1 for 1 week per month for 2 months. Patients were followed for a further 18 weeks without treatment, and received another treatment cycle if not cured or markedly improved 6 weeks after the end of the last cycle. An additional cycle was administered to 76 patients with fingernail onychomycosis (group A, n = 43; group B, n = 28) and to 316 patients with toenail onychomycosis. Clinical response rates and mycological cure rates at study end point were 89.0% and 68.4% respectively for toenails, 91.4% and 85.3% respectively for group A fingernails and 84.4% and 77.1% respectively for group B fingernails. Most adverse events occurred infrequently; major changes in liver function tests were not noted. In conclusion, intermittent itraconazole therapy is highly effective and safe in patients with onychomycosis.

Adult