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Biomedical subjects

H Degreef

Publications and source records attributed to H Degreef.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Corticosteroid or steroid allergy?

The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of the C11-OH substituent of the corticosteroid molecule in relation to contact allergy to corticosteroids. This group, which is essential for glucocorticoid activity, is not present in other steroid molecules, such as deoxycortisol, progestagens, testosterone, and estrogen. Skin tests with these substances in hydrocortisone-allergic patients revealed a division between patients for whom the C11-OH group was essential to induce the allergic reaction and patients for whom this group did not seem to be essential. Some of the patients of the latter group also reacted to 17-alpha-OH-progesterone. This may indicate cross-sensitivity between hydrocortisone and 17-alpha-OH-progesterone, which might play an etiological role in autoimmune progesterone dermatitis.

Adult

Sneddon's syndrome: generalized livedo reticularis and cerebrovascular disease. Importance of hemostatic screening.

We report two cases of Sneddon's syndrome. Both cases had widespread livedo reticularis with repeated cerebrovascular accidents without persistent neurological deficit. In one case, hemostatic examination revealed an imbalance of plasminogen activator-inhibitor values, possibly related to the thrombogenic propensity of the syndrome. Treatment with acetylsalicylic acid led to normalization of hemostatic parameters and resulted in a symptom-free period of more than 10 months. The importance of hemostatic screening in patients with Sneddon's syndrome is discussed.

Cerebrovascular Disorders

A case of Omenn-like immunodeficiency syndrome.

We report the case of a child with a variant of the Omenn immunodeficiency syndrome. He presented with erythroderma, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, failure to thrive, and recurrent purulent infections. The immunological studies showed marked disturbances in the subpopulations and functions of T lymphocytes, which suggests a defect in T cell differentiation as the cause of the disease.

Humans

Lung cancer with skin metastases.

Skin metastases in the fingertips were the first-presenting symptom of a still occult, giant-cell bronchial carcinoma. We report the presentation, diagnosis and clinical course.

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic

Contact allergy to isothiazolinone derivatives: unusual clinical presentations.

Contact allergic reactions to the mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one are most frequently associated with intolerance to cosmetics. The present article points out that such reactions, particularly on the face, can have unusual clinical presentations that are very similar to seborrheic eczema, lupus erythematosus, lymphocytic infiltrate or photodermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is also often erroneously suspected.

Adult

A double-blind vehicle-controlled study of R 68 151 in psoriasis: a topical 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor.

Recently the pharmacologic role of leukotrienes (LTs), especially that of LTB4, has been intensively investigated in psoriasis. In vitro, R 68 151 is a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor and consequently reduces LTB4 formation. Therefore the role of an in vitro 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor and its clinical use in psoriasis were evaluated with topical R 68 151 in a double-blind vehicle-controlled study. Eighty-eight patients with localized psoriatic lesions were treated twice daily with R 68 151 2% ointment (n = 44) or vehicle ointment (n = 44) during 4 weeks. Most patients (n = 73) had psoriasis vulgaris (n = 37, R 68 151; n = 36, vehicle). In 27% of the R 68 151-treated patients with psoriasis vulgaris, the lesions disappeared or showed marked improvement, compared with 8% in the vehicle group (X2, p = 0.06). The scores in global evaluation, however, were significantly different between both treatment groups (p less than 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). The improvement of the mean symptom score with R 68 151 was 46% for scaling and 34% for erythema at the end of the study compared with an improvement of 6% and a deterioration of 3%, respectively, in the control group (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01; Mann-Whitney U test). The global evaluation in the total group of patients with psoriasis (all different subtypes) was consistent with the response rate in the group of patients with psoriasis vulgaris: 30% in the test group versus 11% in the control group (X2, p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Cutaneous

Plasmacytoid monocytes in Jessner's lymphocytic infiltration of the skin.

Plasmacytoid monocytes are normal cell constituents of the human lymph node and have been found to form perivascular clusters in a case of lymphocytic infiltration of the skin. This study was undertaken to analyze the occurrence of plasmacytoid monocyte clusters in biopsy specimens from 54 patients with lymphocytic infiltration of the skin using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Variably sized clusters of plasmacytoid monocytes were observed in close association with dermal venules in 16 of 54 biopsy specimens and were composed of medium-sized cells, admixed with pyknotic cells and, occasionally, with tangible body macrophages. Immunohistochemistry on paraffin and on frozen sections facilitated the recognition of plasmacytoid monocytes and showed an immunophenotype similar to that observed previously on reactive lymph nodes. It is concluded that, in analogy with reactive lymph nodes, plasmacytoid monocytes represent a common constituent of the skin-associated lymphoid tissue. The striking perivascular distribution and the immunophenotypical characteristics of these monocyte-derived cells suggest they may have a role in the process of lymphocyte recruitment into the skin.

Adult

Contact and systemic contact-type dermatitis to spices.

Contact and systemic contact-type dermatitis reactions to spices such as nutmeg, mace, cardamom, curry, cinnamon, and laurel may be rare but may well be overlooked. In our experience, patch testing with these spices "as is" is very useful; if there is a positive reaction, testing with dilutions is helpful. Scratch-chamber testing often leads to false-positive irritant reactions. As Hjorth and Niinimäki have pointed out, a positive test to balsam of Peru may indicate a spice allergy, but the absence of such a reaction does not rule it out. In all the cases in our experience, the careful drafting of the anamnesis or case history was critical in the diagnosis.

Adult

Onychomycosis.

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Antifungal Agents

Contact sensitivity to nonoxynols as a cause of intolerance to antiseptic preparations.

Twelve cases of allergic contact dermatitis caused by antiseptic preparations are presented. The reactions resulted not from the active principles but rather from nonoxynols used in the offending substances as nonionic surface-active agents. Nonoxynols are ethoxylated alkyl phenols or nonylphenylethers that conform in general to the formula C9H19C6H4(OCH2CH2)nOH. They have emulsifying, wetting, foaming, and solubilizing properties and are used in a large number of industrial, household, agricultural, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. They also are used as spermicides. There are very few reports in the literature of skin problems caused by nonoxynols.

Adult