Spitz naevus arising within congenital naevus spilus.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D Calista.
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We recently reported an association between low DNA repair capacity, measured through the host-cell reactivation assay, and melanoma risk in subjects with dysplastic naevi or low tanning ability. We investigated the genetic basis for these findings by analysing the Asp312Asn and Lys751Gln polymorphisms of the XPD (ERCC2) DNA repair gene in the same subjects. Similar to our previous report, no significant association between XPD polymorphisms and melanoma risk was found in 176 melanoma cases and 177 controls (odds ratio (OR)=1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.9-2.5 for 312Asn; OR=1.3, 95% CI=0.8-2.1 for 751Gln, adjusted for age, gender, dysplastic naevi and pigmentation characteristics). However, XPD variants were associated with increased risk in older (>50 years) subjects (OR=3.4, 95% CI=1.6-7.3 for 312Asn; OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.1-4.9 for 751Gln). The 751Gln allele was associated with elevated melanoma risk among subjects without dysplastic naevi (OR=2.6, 95% CI=1.1-6.4). Subjects with low tanning ability and XPD variants exhibited a nonsignificant increase of melanoma risk (OR=2.3, 95% CI=0.7-7.0 for 312Asn; OR=3.0, 95% CI=1.0-8.8 for 751Gln). DNA repair capacity was slightly decreased in subjects carrying 751Gln alleles. XPD variants may modify melanoma risk in subjects with specific host characteristics, such as older age, lack of dysplastic naevi or low tanning ability.
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A case-control study of non-familial melanoma including 183 incident cases and 179 controls was conducted in North-Eastern Italy to identify important risk factors and determine how combination of these affects risk in a Mediterranean population. Presence of dysplastic nevi (OR = 4.2, 95% CI = 2.4-7.4), low propensity to tan (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.1-5.0), light eye (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.1-5.2), and light skin colour (OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 1.4-12.1) were significantly associated with melanoma risk after adjustment for age, gender and pigmentation characteristics. A chart which identifies melanoma risk associated with combinations of these factors is presented; it can be used to identify subjects who would most benefit from preventive measures in Mediterranean populations. According to the combination of these factors, a relative risk range from 1 to 98.5 was found. Light skin colour, high number of sunburns with blistering, and low propensity to tan were significantly associated with melanoma thickness, possibly indicating that individuals with these characteristics underestimate their risk and seek attention when their lesion is already advanced.
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After identification of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 1989, evidence was established supporting its role in the pathogenesis of a number of cutaneous diseases. This evidence ranges from mere epidemiologic associations, such as lichen planus, to molecular biological investigations that have identified the virus in the pathologic tissues of cutaneous vasculitis, vasculitis with mixed cryoglobulinemia, and porphyria cutanea tarda. We describe a 52-year-old man who was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, preceding the appearance of lichen planus, erythema nodosum, and erythema multiforme that coincided with the reactivation of viral replication.
BACKGROUND: Cidofovir is a nucleoside analogue of deoxycytidine with a strong activity against several DNA viruses, including herpes, pox and human papilloma virus (HPV). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients, 10 with extensive HPV lesions and four with molluscum contagiosum (MC) infections, unresponsive to conventional therapies, were treated with a cream containing cidofovir 1%. All the subjects had been on treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy for almost 1 year before starting the cream. Measured end-points of therapy were efficacy, tolerability, side-effects and freedom from recurrence. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 14 patients (92.8%) completed the therapy, one dropped out. These 13 eventually cleared their MC or warts, over varying periods of time. In nine, the lesions regressed 2 weeks from the end of the first cycle of therapy. Three patients needed two cycles and the last three consecutive courses of topical therapy before the cutaneous lesions healed. No recurrence was observed in nine patients over an average follow-up period of 24.1 months (range 12-30 months). Four patients had isolated relapses, which were successfully treated with simple curettage. SIDE-EFFECTS: All the patients experienced side-effects where they applied the cream. Inflammation, erosion and a burning sensation were the most frequent. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was observed in six cases, while two developed a transient alopecia on the beard area. No systemic side-effects or alteration of laboratory data were noted. CONCLUSION: Cidofovir appears to offer an effective therapeutic alternative option for lesions that are unresponsive to conventional methods. Appropriate clinical trials are required, however, to confirm the true efficacy and safety of topical cidofovir.
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Cidofovir, a purine nucleotide analogue of cytosine, is a promising new drug that acts against a wide number of DNA viruses. In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration approved intravenous cidofovir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Recent studies have shown cidofovir (1% gel or cream) to be effective for the treatment of recalcitrant and unmanageable viral cutaneous lesions induced by herpes, pox, and papillomavirus families. We report the case of a 45-year-old man who had been diagnosed as having acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in 1995. Recalcitrant to conventional therapies, the human papillomavirus lesions on his gingival mucosa were successfully treated with cidofovir 1% cream. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in which topical cidofovir has been used for the treatment of a human papillomavirus infection of the oral mucosa.
HIV-protease inhibitors demonstrated such high efficacy in short-term studies that they have been approved by the FDA, even though possible toxicity still needs further investigation. In the period between January 1997 and August 1998, 101 patients, staying at San Patrignano Medical Centre (Italy), received an HIV protease inhibitor (indinavir) plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI's) selected from the following: AZT, didanosine, zalcitabine, lamivudine or stavudine. Seventy-three patients were male, 28 female and their ages ranged from 25 to 60 years, with an average of 34. At the end of the study, 84 patients were suitable for evaluation, as the other 17 dropped out for various reasons. Forty-eight patients (57.1%) developed cheilitis, 34 (40.5%) experienced diffuse cutaneous dryness and pruritus, 10 (11.9%) developed asteatotic dermatitis on the trunk, arms and thighs and another 10 (11.9%) complained of scalp defluvium. A severe alopecia was observed in only 1 patient (1.2%), while 6 reported that their body hair had become fairer, thinner and shed considerably. Multiple pyogenic granulomas were observed in the toenails of 5 patients (5. 9%). Softening of the nail plate was noted in 5 subjects as well. A peripheral lipodystrophy syndrome was noted in 12 patients (14.3%). Among these, one patient only developed a "buffalo hump" and another had diffused lipomatosis. The temporal relationship between the taking of indinavir and the onset of such cutaneous effects was striking. This was confirmed by the regression of symptoms in those patients who later discontinued indinavir. The emerging side effects of protease inhibitors require a multidisciplinary team for adequate diagnosis and treatment. Cutaneous toxicity involving the patient's own body image has a peculiar influence on compliance to the treatment and the patient's quality of life.
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