Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D Vossmann.
A 24-year-old woman from Peru presented with multiple dark-blue skin lesions. The asymptomatic cystic nodules had increased in number and size over the post 7 years. They were found on the abdomen and back. When one of the cysts was punctured a bunch of vellus hairs was observed. The diagnosis of steatocystoma multiplex was confirmed by histology. The patient denied that any other family member had similar problems.
Investigations on 147 homosexual men in Berlin-West (17-57 years old, kappa = 32 years) revealed the presence of lymphadenopathy in 90 cases (61.2%). In addition, the Th/Ts-ratio was significantly reduced in the entire homosexual group compared to a control group of heterosexual men (n = 13) of comparable age [2P(z) = 0.0001; Mann-Whitney-U-test]. In homosexual men with marked lymphadenopathy (n = 43) the ThlTs-ratio was found to be lower than in those without lymphadenopathy (n = 57); the difference was significant (P less than 0.01). The reduction of the Th/Ts-ratio in the entire group was mainly due to a significant increase of the number of Ts-lymphocytes (P less than 0.005); Th-lymphocytes showed a trend to decrease which only became significant values in the group of homosexual men with marked lymphadenopathy (P less than 0.05). Similarly, no statistical correlation was found between reduction of Th/Ts-ratio and the age of homosexual men in the entire group (n = 147) as compared to controls; whereas, in the group of homosexuals with marked lymphadenopathy (n = 43) the decrease of Th/Ts became significant with increasing age. No statistical correlation was found between lymphadenopathy, reduction of Th/Ts-ratio and promiscuity (lifetime number of partners, number of partners during the last 6 months). The high prevalence of lymphadenopathy and reduction of Th/Ts-ratio, regarded as parameters of the individual AIDS-risk, indicate that a considerable number of homosexual men in Germany may develop that syndrome.
Investigations on 147 young homosexual men living in Berlin (West) revealed lymphadenopathy in 61.2% (90 pat.). This finding was prominent in 43.4% of all cases. Evaluation of total T-, T-helper und T-suppressor lymphocytes by means of immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies showed an unchanged total number of T-lymphocytes; in contrast, the T-helper subpopulation was decreased and the T-suppressor subpopulation was increased in the peripheral blood, in comparison to a control group of heterosexual men. Therefore, a significantly reduced Th/Ts-ratio was supposed. These changes were more pronounced in the group with marked lymphadenopathy. Our investigations prove a high prevalence of lymphadenopathy and immune dysfunction among young homosexual men in Germany. Both are correlates of one syndrome characterized by persisting unexplained lymphadenopathy, immune dysfunction, and general clinical symptoms (including loss of weight, fever, diarrhoea, etc.). This so called lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) with the above mentioned clinical symptoms and reduction of the Th/Ts-ratio may represent a prodrome of AIDS. A long-term and careful follow-up of these patients is therefore necessary.
This is a report on a young homosexual US citizen with disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma of the skin who has lived in Berlin for about 1 year. During the last few years this malignant variant of the conventional Kaposi's sarcoma-characterized by rapid generalization and aggressive course--has become epidemic in some big cities in the USA. Until now there exist only a few reports from Europe. The data of our patient are representative of the typical epidemiologic, anamnestic, clinical, and diagnostic features of this unusual disease. Acquired immunodeficiency, high frequency of infections, and drug abuse may represent major etiologic factors. This report underlines the possibility that the disseminated type of Kaposi's sarcoma in young men may be observed more often in Europe in the near future.