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F Bérard

Publications and source records attributed to F Bérard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Vaccine-induced urticaria: how to differentiate allergy (IgE) from pseudoallergy?].

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of allergic-type manifestations during the course of vaccination is relatively common, and in the majority of cases, these are benign reactions which are also known as "pseudoallergy". They are not immunological in nature and do not activate the effectors of specific immunity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our work was to propose a practical diagnostic approach following an immediate and/or accelerated post-vaccination accident. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report our experience in four adults who were referred for urticaria which appeared following vaccination and in two children who were allergic to eggs and were referred for assessment before administration of vaccines containing egg proteins. RESULTS: The immunoallergological examinations (prick-test and intradermal tests with immediate reading) confirmed the absence of immediate hypersensitivity to the vaccine in question and all the patients could be vaccined without incident. CONCLUSION: The majority of post-vaccination reactions with an allergic appearance is benign and do not contra-indicate further vaccination. If there is a suspicion of a true IgE dependent allergy, an immunoallergological investigation will differentiate true allergy from pseudoallergy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Photo-induced sarcoidosis].

INTRODUCTION: Among the multiple forms of clinically atypical cutaneous sarcoidosis, lesions limited to light-exposed areas are rare. We describe a fourth observation. CASE REPORT: A phototype V 51-year-old woman, born in Tunisia presented with papular erythema on the face. Treatment with topical steroids did not result in any improvement. Biopsy specimen revealed a non caseating granuloma according with sarcoidosis. Assessment for systemic sarcoidosis was negative. Phototesting showed no abnormalities. The patient was successfully treated with chloroquine. DISCUSSION: Only three similar observations are reported in the literature. The role of light exposure despite the negative phototesting seems to be real. The tallying of these four observations permits one to isolate photo-induced sarcoidosis as a single entity.

Female↗
PubMed2003

[Immunological and non immunological mechanisms in urticaria].

Urticaria involve mast cell activation which could be mediated by immunological or non-immunological mechanisms. Interaction of allergens with the IgE/IgE receptor at the surface of mast cells has been postulated as the main immunologic type of mast cell activation. However, recent experimental and clinical studies have highlighted the existence of other mechanisms involving specific antibodies and T cells. IgG antibodies of different specificities (anti-IgE and/or anti-IgE receptor autoantibodies) have been characterized in a subgroup of patients suffering from chronic "autoimmune" urticaria. Circulating immune complexes may activate mast cells by interaction with the membrane-bound receptor for IgG. Interaction of mast cells with specific T cells could induce mast cell activation. Thus, immune-mediated urticaria appears to be secondary to different types of mast cell activation which could explain the various clinical presentation of the disease.

Arachidonic Acids↗
PubMed2001

[Role of the hemochromatosis gene in prophyria cutanea tarda. Prospective study of 56 cases].

BACKGROUND: The cause of iron overload in prophyria cutanea tada is unknown. The aim of this work was to determine the frequency of the hemochromatosis gene (HFE) in 56 patients with porphyria cutanea tarda. We analyzed the relationship between HFE mutations and biochemical abnormalities in porphyria cutanea tarda and the interaction with other triggering factors of porphyria cutanea tarda (alcohol abuse, hepatitis C, drugs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hepatitis C, alcohol abuse, drug intake and HFE mutations were determined in 56 patients with porphyria cutanea tarda (44 men and 12 women). Iron status was determined from transferrin saturation, serum iron, and serum ferritin. Liver metabolism was determined from liver chemistries: alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (69.4 p. 100) carried HFE mutations, 18 (32.1 p. 100) were H63D heterozygous, 4 (7.1 p. 100) were H63D homozygous, 9 (16 p. 100) C282Y heterozygous, 8 (14.2 p. 100) compound C282Y/H63D heterozygous and none were C282Y homozygous. Comparison between porphyria cutanea tarda with and without mutations showed that compound C282Y/H63D heterozygous status was significantly linked to iron overload: transferrin saturation=0.61 vs 0.39 (p=0.0001) and serum iron=32.9 vs 22.4 (p=0.0046). H63D homozygous status was linked to iron overload but non-significantly: transferrin sturatin=0.53 vs 0.39 (p=0.06). The class with high iron overload (transferrin saturation > 0.45) was not linked with triggering factors of porphyria cutanea tarda. Hepatatic cytolysis was linked to alcohol abuse and hepatitis C but not to HFE mutations. DISCUSSION: The frequencies of HFE mutations in Lyons France are halfway between Anglo-Saxon and Italian papers, highlighting the Celtic origin of C282Y mutation. Compound heterozygous and to a lesser degree H63D homozygous status explained the highest iron overload in our patients. This favors clinical expression of porphyria cutanea tarda. This iron overload due to HFE mutations is a new triggering factor of porphyria cutanea tarda independent of classical triggering factors: mutation of the erythrocytic uroporpyrinogen decarbocylase gene, alcohol abuse, hepatitis C, and drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A new Mr 55,000 surface protein implicated in melanoma progression: association with a metastatic phenotype.

Emergence of the invasive phenotype is a key event in the progression of human melanoma from benign proliferative lesions to malignant lesions. Recently we successfully selected in vivo from a poorly metastatic M4Beu. human melanoma cell line two variants (7GP and T1P26) that generate a higher frequency of spontaneous metastases to the lungs into immune-suppressed neonatal rats. Both cell lines showed no significant differences in the integrin profile of the subunits analyzed except for beta3, which was reduced to a background level in metastatic variants. To investigate how these variant sublines of human melanomas manage to sustain growth in the absence of alpha(v)beta3, a subtractive immunization approach was used to elicit host antibody response against cell surface proteins expressed on metastatic variants. In this study, a new monoclonal antibody (MoAb), LY1, that is highly specific for the 7GP and T1P26 variants, was isolated. LY1 identifies a membrane protein of Mr 55,000 on melanoma variants with epitopes that were resistant to sugar-cleaving enzymes. Immunostaining cells from variants by LY1 showed that staining is distributed to the cell periphery with high labeling intensity at the cell-to-cell contact points. This MoAb significantly inhibited invasion of metastatic variants through a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) in vitro. Moreover, tumor growth of melanoma variants was dramatically affected in vivo with this MoAb. In vitro studies indicate that the LY1 MoAb does not inhibit chemotactic migration of the metastatic variants, the adhesion of tumor cells to vitronectin, collagen IV, fibronectin, and laminin, or cell proliferation. Expression of this antigen is high in human striated muscle, heart, spleen, brain, and lung and absent in kidney, liver, and pancreas. Using 59 fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissues of human melanomas and nevi, LY1-reactive cells were not observed in melanocytes, nevi, or radial growth phase primary melanomas. In sharp contrast, LY1 selectively stained melanocytes derived from the vertical growth phase of many primary melanomas and metastatic melanomas. These results provide evidence that the Mr 55,000 protein expressed by selected variants with increased metastatic properties in vivo plays a functionally important role in determining metastasis. This molecule may represent a new metastatic risk marker in human melanoma and may be of biological importance in the identification of fatal metastatic subpopulations that have acquired competence for metastasis production.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The study of cutaneous melanomas in Camargue-type gray-skinned horses (1): clinical-pathological characterization.

The clinical and pathological characteristics of cutaneous melanomas occurring in Camargue-type gray-skinned horses are reported. Examination of 83 tumor-bearing horses revealed that the tumors occurred most frequently underneath the tail (93.9%) and at high rates in the peri-anal region (43.0%), the lips (33.0%), and the eyelids (24.0%), but rarely in the vulva (3.8%). Tumorous lesions were characterized by the presence of either hemispheric nodules or large infiltrated plaques, or their combinations. Microscopic examination indicated that tumorous lesions were composed mostly of melanocytes and numerous melanophages and that component cells manifested a remarkable cellular atypia with anisocytosis and anisokarinosis. Pathological examination of lesions corresponding to earlier stages of the tumors disclosed that tumor formation and its related melanogenesis occurred in close topographical association with apocrine sweat glands, but not at the dermal-epidermal junction. Larger nodules of the tumors were often composed of a concentric deposition of cell layers, each being separated by dermal components from the epidermis. Because of the absence of their tropism toward the epidermis and their multiloculation, horse melanomas are considered to be different in their pathological characteristics from human melanomas.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The study of cutaneous melanomas in Camargue-type gray-skinned horses (2): epidemiological survey.

An epidemiological survey was made on cutaneous melanomas occurring in Camargue-type, gray-skinned horses in southern France. The population investigated was composed of 264 horses, which were selected from the Camargue horse stud registry and were allowed to be examined by the owners. The presence of tumors was inspected macroscopically according to the standardized protocols of veterinary medicine specialists, and some tumors were subjected to macroscopic histopathological examination. The results indicated that: 1) the prevalence of melanomas in the overall population was 31.4%; 2) the odds ratio was obtained for an age class of 5-9 years, in which most melanomas were presumed to occur; 3) the incidence of melanomas was significantly correlated with age, giving a prevalence of 67% at ages > 15 years; 4) the size and number of tumorous lesions were significantly related to age; 5) little correlation was observed between melanoma incidence and gender; and 6) the most frequently occurring body site of these tumors was underneath the tail. Because of their frequent occurrence in shaded body regions, sun exposure was not likely to be a risk factor for melanoma formation in these horses. In view of the slightly darker skin pigmentation in these horses at younger ages, the unique characteristics of their melanocytes may be associated with melanoma formation.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1999

Cytoplasmic accumulation of peanut agglutinin-binding glycoconjugates in the cells of primary melanoma correlates with clinical outcome.

In an experimental model, human melanoma cell lines enriched for cells that express the glycoconjugate B-D galactose N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, which reacts with the peanut agglutinin lectin (PNA), are associated with an increase in the frequency of metastases. We previously showed that this glycoconjugate is expressed on the cells of some primary melanomas in humans and that such cells are found selectively in melanomas with a high risk for developing metastases and causing death. Using fixed archival tissues from 99 primary melanomas and lectin histochemistry, we found 65 tumors that contained melanoma cells that were PNA-positive. PNA-reactive cells were not identified in normal melanocytes or in the nevocytes of 24 nevi. PNA-reactive material accumulates adjacent to the nucleus in the area of the Golgi apparatus, initially as a tiny dot, but later in quantities sufficient to displace and indent the nucleus, producing a signet ring cell-like appearance. Tumor cells containing PNA-reactive material were associated with more evolved, deeper, and thicker tumors. Two melanomas up to Clark level II were PNA positive (20%), compared with 60% of level III, 76% of level IV, and 100% of level V. Five of 13 tumors less than 0.76 mm thick (39%) were positive, compared with 50% of tumors 0.76 to 1.49 mm thick, 64% of tumors 1.5 to 2.99 mm thick, and 85% of tumors 3 mm thick or thicker. PNA-reactivity was negatively correlated with disease-free survival (PNA-negative, 49.2+/-23 months; PNA-positive grade 1, 41.6+/-26 months and PNA-positive grade 2, 24.4+/-23 months), survival rate 5 years after initial treatment (PNA-negative, 84.8%; PNA-positive grade 1, 63.8%; and PNA-positive grade 2, 31.3%) and disease-free survival at 5 years after initial treatment (PNA-negative, 69.7%; PNA-positive grade 1, 53.2%; and PNA-positive grade 2, 25%).

Cytoplasm↗
PubMed1998

[Solitary schwannoma of the balanopreputial sulcus].

INTRODUCTION: Solitary schwannoma is usually located in the head area and the limbs. We report a case of benign solitary schwannoma of the retroglandular sulcus of the glans penis. CASE REPORT: A 64-year-old man had developed over the past year an asymptomatic nodule arising from the retroglandular sulcus of the glans penis. The nodule was removed surgically and histopathological study showed benign schwannoma. There was no association with neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis. DISCUSSION: Benign solitary schwannoma of the penis is rare. It is most often located on the dorsal shaft of the penis in a young adult. Surgical excision is required. Malignant schwannoma of the penis is very rarely reported.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Linear IgA bullous dermatosis in children with autoantibodies against 180 kDa pemphigoid antigen].

BACKGROUND: Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease defined on the basis of direct immunofluorescence findings. CASE REPORT: An 18 month-old girl suffering from LABD was studied by indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin and by Western blot in an attempt to characterize the involved autoantigen. Direct immunofluorescence showed an exclusive linear IgA deposit at the dermal-epidermal junction. Indirect immunofluorescence revealed circulating autoantibodies that reacted with the epidermal side of salt-split skin; they reacted by Western blot with a 180 kDa epidermal antigen, as in bullous pemphigoid. CONCLUSION: This dermatosis fulfilling the clinical features and direct immunofluorescence criteria for childhood LABD seems to represent a case of IgA bullous pemphigoid. It further underscores the nosologic heterogeneity of LABD, which probably includes, apart from bullous pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and cicatricial pemphigoid.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1996

[Homozygote erythropoietic protoporphyria associated with porokeratosis].

INTRODUCTION: Erythropoietic protoporphyria was generally assumed to be an autosomal dominant disease with variable penetrance. The determination of the ferrochelatase activity and the biological molecular studies have shown that both autosomal dominant and recessive patterns of inheritance are possible. CASE REPORT: Is reported the case of a 17 years-old male patient with erythropoietic protoporphyria and porokeratosis. There are some hepatic biochemical abnormalities without cholelithiasia and without pathological change of the liver biopsy. Leucocyte ferrochelatase activity is decreased to 5 p. 100 of the normal mean level. In both the parents, without photosensitivity, the enzyme activity is reduced to 40 p. 100 of the normal values. DISCUSSION: The patients with severe ferrochelatase defect have no more important clinical manifestations than in the usual form of erythropoietic protoporphyria. For clarify the exact mode of inheritance, the determination of the ferrochelatase activity and the identification of the mutations in the patient and his parents are necessary. In our patient the porokeratosis should be in relation with the protoporphyrin induced phototoxic reaction which facilitate the emergence of a mutant cellular clone of epithelial cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Local cutaneous necrosis after injection of interferon beta].

INTRODUCTION: Skin necrosis at the site of interferon injections is unusual. With beta-interferon, it has been observed with high doses ranging from 90 to 180 millions daily. CASE REPORT: Is reported a case of abdominal skin necrosis following 6 months treatment with beta-interferon injections, 9 millions 3 times a week, in a 56 years-old man with chronic type C hepatitis. Histological analysis showed fibrin thrombosis of deep dermal vessels. There was no coagulation abnormality. DISCUSSION: The mechanisms of the interferon induced skin necrosis are discussed.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pachydermatodactyly associated with plantar pachydermy].

INTRODUCTION: Pachydermodactyly is a superficial fibromatosis located on the proximal portion of fingers'phalanges and interphalangeal joints. Several types of this disease have been described depending on topography, etiology and pathological associations. We report a typical observation of pachydermodactyly associated with a plantar pachydermy. CASE-REPORT: A 19 year-old man was followed for a psychotic disease, associated with mental retardation. On clinical examination, he showed a typical pachydermodactyly, predominantly located on the second, third and fourth fingers of both hands, associated with recent acrocyanosis. A pachydermic aspect was also observed on the external part of the feet sole. Histopathological analysis was identical on digital and plantar lesions with collagen swelling. These lesions extended into the subcutaneous fat only in the feet. DISCUSSION: This observation is compatible with the most classical form of pachydermodactyly which involves several fingers of both hands, usually in men. Furthermore, the association with a psychiatric disorder and the notion of repeated traumatisms have been frequently reported in the literature. However, acrocyanosis and the important disability observed in our case are unusual. Association with plantar pachydermy has never been reported. The identical histological aspect on finger and feet sole suggests that pachydermatodactyly should be integrated in framework of acral pachydermy.

Adult↗