PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

F Brandrup

Publications and source records attributed to F Brandrup.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[HIV testing and HIV surveillance of a venereological clientele in Denmark].

The object of this investigation was to evaluate the suitability of unlinked anonymous HIV screening of persons visiting one of eight out of the nine Danish clinics for venereal diseases in the national HIV surveillance. Data were collected during the period July 1, 1990-March 31, 1991 and included: gender, sexual orientation, history of intravenous drug use (IVDU), syphilis testing and HIV testing. A total of 7,455 persons participated of whom 75% were tested for HIV antibodies. The HIV test activity was significantly higher among male IVDUs than homo/bisexuals, and higher among female IVDUs than heterosexuals. The overall HIV prevalence among tested individuals was 0.6%, ranging from 0.1% among heterosexual women to 5.3% among female IVDUs. A total of 81% were tested for syphilis with an overall HIV prevalence of at least 1.1%, ranging from 0.2% among heterosexuals to 9.3% among homo/bisexual men. Since the non-participation is great and the venereological clientele is very heterogeneous, using blood taken for syphilis serology from this group for unlinked anonymous HIV screening, would not be particularly important as a supplement to the Danish HIV surveillance.

Denmark

[Cholesterol microemboli].

Cholesterol microemboli are caused by cholesterol crystals released from arteriosclerotic plaques in the major arteries. The clinical picture is illustrated by two case histories with symptoms in the form of myalgia, livedo reticularis and gangrene. The diagnoses were verified by demonstration of cholesterol crystals in the affected tissue. The pathogenesis is illustrated and, on the basis of the literature, it is emphasized that cholesterol microemboli are probably often overlooked clinically and that an increasing incidence must be anticipated on account of the increasing frequency of invasive procedures and treatments of arteriosclerotic vascular disease.

Aged

Cutis laxa: autosomal dominant inheritance in five generations.

Cutis laxa is described in three cases: a 17-year-old man, his mother and his maternal grandmother. The onset of skin symptoms occurred from puberty to early adulthood. The skin was loose-hanging, wrinkled and without elasticity. X-ray examination showed numerous gastrointestinal diverticulae in the two older patients, and both had been operated on for abdominal hernia and genital prolapse. There were no cardiopulmonary symptoms. Histopathological investigation showed a reduction in the amount of elastic tissue in the dermis, but normally localized and ultrastructurally normal components. The family history revealed clinically similar cases in at least five generations, consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance.

Adolescent

Immunohistochemical studies on the localization of fetal antigen 2 (FA2), laminin, and collagen type 4 in basal cell carcinoma.

The localization of fetal antigen 2 (FA2), a recently described basement membrane (BM) associated antigen, was studied by immunohistochemical techniques in 21 basal cell carcinomas (BCC). In both superficial and infiltrating BCC, FA2 was located in a broad diffuse band around the tumor elements and in close contact with the BM. Compared to normal skin, a more extensive distribution of FA2 was seen in BCC. In the infiltrating BCC, FA2 staining was also present in the interstitial stroma between the tumor islands. FA2 was absent in areas with inflammatory cell infiltrates and elastoid degeneration. Epithelial and tumor cells were FA2 negative. The distribution of FA2 was clearly different from that of laminin and collagen type 4. Collagen type 4 and laminin were present as a continuous linear band corresponding to the BM surrounding the tumors. The close contact to the BM and the increased content of FA2 in the reactive stroma around BCC suggest that FA2 is involved in the matrix and/or BM changes taking place during tumor growth and invasion.

Antigens

Familial hypotrichosis of the scalp. Autosomal dominant inheritance in four generations.

We describe a Danish family of four generations suffering from hypotrichosis of the scalp. Age at onset was 6-17 years and almost total scalp alopecia was reached by the age of 14-21 years. No associated ectodermal defects were present. Nine of 22 persons covering four generations were affected. Growth of the scalp hair slowly decreased and was accompanied by a gradual, diffuse hair loss without regional variation. A scalp biopsy was performed, revealing a non-scarring alopecia with features of androgenetic alopecia. The pedigree was compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance.

Adult

[Factitious purpura].

Three identical case histories consisting of circular delimited petechial purpura around the mouth and chin in children aged 13-15 years are presented. This form of purpura was undoubtedly due to self-mutilation by establishing of a vacuum over the skin produced by a tumbler from which the air had been partially aspirated. This is regarded as a symptom of hysterical conversion on account of stressing conditions at home or in school. Strategies for making the patient and the parents aware of the causal connection and the possibilities for intervention are mentioned.

Adolescent

Nickel-sensitive patients with vesicular hand eczema: oral challenge with a diet naturally high in nickel.

Oral challenge with nickel sulphate indicated that vesicular hand eczema in nickel-sensitive patients may be exacerbated by nickel occurring naturally in the diet. Twelve nickel-sensitive females with vesicular hand eczema were challenged with a supplementary high nickel diet for 4 days in a single-blind cross-over study. The diet had about five times the average nickel content of the daily Danish diet. An aggravation of the hand eczema was observed in six out of 12 patients on day 4 after the start of the challenge. By day II, the hand eczema was worse in 10 out of 12 patients, and remained unchanged in two.

Adult

Pachyonychia congenita: therapeutic and immunologic aspects.

A 4-year-old girl with pachyonychia congenita was followed from birth. During childhood, slow progression of the nail hypertrophy was seen because she was not willing to have the nails ground or cut. After grinding of her nails under general anesthesia, the child has had acceptable nail thickness, and continued regular grinding without anesthesia. The child had recurrent oral and cutaneous candidiasis. Investigations showed a weakly positive response to Candida albicans in the lymphocyte transformation test, and absence of a delayed hypersensitivity skin test response to Candida. The secondary infection due to Candida seemed to prevail because of an immune defect.

Candidiasis, Cutaneous

A randomized trial of two occlusive dressings in the treatment of leg ulcers.

Two occlusive dressings--one zinc oxide medicated (Mezinc) and one hydrocolloid (Duoderm)--were compared in a prospective, randomized trial over a period of 8 weeks to determine their healing ability and effect on pain for venous and arterial leg ulcers. All patients were patch-tested before the study and colophony allergy was an exclusion criterion. Of the 43 outpatients included, 31 completed the trial and 6 patients randomized to each treatment group were withdrawn. The initial ulcer areas decreased after 8 weeks of treatment with Mezinc by 64% and by 48% after treatment with Duoderm. Ulcer pain was relieved in 50% of the patients--with a similar analgesic effect for the two dressings. Mezinc treatment was discontinued in 2 cases due to sensitization to colophony (one ingredient of Mezinc) which indicated a risk of contact allergy to colophony due to Mezinc treatment. 1103 consecutive eczema patients were patch-tested on the back with Mezinc and colophony 20% in petrolatum simultaneously. It was found that 42 (4%) of the patients showed allergic skin reactions to colophony and 19 (2%) to Mezinc. Both dressings were well tolerated by leg ulcer patients and there appeared to be no major differences in the efficacy of the two occlusive dressings.

Aged

Nickel in intercellular fluid. Comparison between nickel-allergic patients and controls.

Twelve non-atopic women with nickel allergy and allergic contact dermatitis (pompholyx type) were compared with matched controls without any known allergy. Intercellular fluid was obtained by the suction blister technique, and sufficient material for analysis was available from 10 women from each group. The median nickel concentration was 16 nmol/l in the patient group and 39 nmol/l in the controls (p less than 0.02). Calculated dietary intake of nickel during the week before examination was similar in the two groups, but the fluid intake was larger in the control group. Urine was collected in the morning before examination by 11 women in each group; the nickel concentrations showed no difference between the two groups. These observations suggest that cellular uptake of nickel in sensitized patients may be sufficient to influence the kinetics of nickel in the body.

Dermatitis, Contact

[Epididymitis caused by amiodarone].

A case of epididymitis developed in a 33 year old man after treatment with the anti-arrhythmic agent, amiodarone, for approximately 18 months. No signs of bacterial infection or anatomical abnormalities were found. Amiodarone as the cause of epididymitis has only previously been described on a few occasions. We stress the importance of considering this adverse effect of amiodarone therapy as a differential diagnosis in the etiology of epididymitis.

Adult

Localization of foetal antigen 2 (FA-2) in foetal and adult human skin.

Foetal antigen 2 (FA-2) is a connective-tissue-associated antigen isolated from second trimester human amniotic fluid. FA-2 has an alpha-electrophoretic mobility and is a single-chain molecule with a molecular weight of 26 kDa as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Using indirect immunofluorescence and the immunoperoxidase technique, FA-2 was found to be in the lamina densa/sublamina densa region of the basement membrane zone (BMZ) in adult as well as in foetal skin. FA-2 was found throughout the dermis in foetal skin, whereas in adult skin it was found to be associated with the BMZ and around the blood vessels, hair follicles and eccrine glands. Intracellular FA-2 antigen was demonstrated in proliferating fibroblasts by the indirect immunoperoxidase technique and immunoelectron microscopy of the fibroblasts revealed staining of the antigen in the cisternae of the rough endoplasmatic reticulum at the trans-side of the Golgi complex as well as in vesicles close to the plasma membranes. FA-2, a hitherto undescribed antigen associated with human BMZ, is probably being synthesized by proliferating fibroblasts.

Adult