Biomedical subjects

Hagit Matz

Publications and source records attributed to Hagit Matz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Still elusive relationship between atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

The relationship between atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) has long been and continues to be an unsolved and frequently discussed issue. Whereas AD patients have traditionally been considered to have a decreased frequency of ACD, recent studies revealed that these individuals are more or equally likely to develop ACD. The aim of the present review was to determine whether the results of recent experimental studies and theoretical considerations might lead to a parallel shift in our concept on the causal relationship between AD and ACD. It has been shown that Th2 and Th1-type immune responses are not mutually exclusive, and that at least in AD a mixture of both Th2 and Th1 occurs and the interactions between them account for the clinical characteristics of the disease. This new concept on the immunopathomechanism of AD challenges our previous belief that the cytokine pattern of the affected skin is unsuitable for the development of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Since we do not know the exact quantitative balance between Th1 and Th2 reactions along a time axis, we cannot predict whether the cytokine pattern of AD patients favors or inhibits the development of ACD. What we do know with a greater degree of certainty, is that when the eczematous excoriated skin of AD patients, with its defective epidermal barrier (enhancing the penetration of many antigenic substances) is chronically exposed to skin care products and various sensitizing topical medications, it is more likely to develop a superimposed ACD.

Cytokines↗

PubMed2003

Cafe au lait has hue of its own.

Segmental pigmentation disorder is a pigmentation disorder (hypo- or hyperpigmentation) first described some 20 years ago. It appears early in life, is segmental, and usually has a sharp border in the midline. It can be confused clinically and histologically with several pigmentary disorders, especially with giant or segmental cafe-au-lait macules. The purpose of this article is to promote, revive, and refresh this somewhat neglected entity, and to further subdivide it into two types: segmental pigmentation disorder simplex and segmental cafe-au-lait. We illustrate our contention with case reports.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Dapsone.

Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, DDS) was synthesized a century ago and continues to be a powerful therapeutic tool in many skin diseases. We have tried to retrieve and present the available knowledge and relevant information on this old but still very useful drug with the hope of encouraging and guiding practicing dermatologists to adapt it for various indications. Our objective is to familiarize the clinician with how this agent works, in what disease states it is effective, how to administer it, what adverse effects may occur, and how to monitor the patient receiving this drug.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Acne and diet.

Forbidden foods? "The first law of dietetics seems to be: If it tastes good, it's bad for you" (Isaac Asimov, Russian-born biochemist and science fiction writer). This was essentially the Magna Carta for dermatologists of the 1950s: anything coveted by the teenage palate was suspect for morning after acne. Today, half a century later, although the slant has shifted away for this line of thinking in our dermatologic textbooks, several articles on the beliefs and perceptions of acne patients showed that nothing much has changed and that they expect us to give them detailed instructions of what "acne-related" foods they should avoid. In one such study(1), diet was the third most frequently implicated factor (after hormones and genetics) as the cause of the disease, with 32% of the respondents selecting diet as the main cause, and 44% thinking that foods aggravate acne. In another study that analyzed knowledge about causes of acne among English teenagers, 11% of the responders blamed greasy food as the main cause of the disease(2), whereas in another study found that 41% of final-year medical students of the University of Melbourne chose diet as an important factor of acne exacerbation on a final examination.(3)

Acne Vulgaris↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Life-threatening acute adverse cutaneous drug reactions.

Adverse cutaneous reactions to drugs are frequent, affecting 2% to 3% of all hospitalized patients. Fortunately, only about 2% of adverse cutaneous reactions are severe and very few are fatal. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are severe life-threatening diseases with a mortality rate reaching 30%, and only prompt recognition and diagnosis, withdrawal of the offensive drug, and referral to an intensive care unit or burn care unit might improve the prognosis and save the patient's life. Drug eruption with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome, formerly termed drug hypersensitivity syndrome, is a rather distinct severe adverse drug reaction (ADR) characterized by eruption, fever, lymph node enlargement, and single or multiple organ involvement, with a high morbidity and a mortality rate of 10%. These severe ADRs, together with serum sickness-like syndrome, are discussed in this review. Other severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis and vasculitis, are discussed elsewhere in this issue. Although most of the readers, particularly those in the outpatient arena, will not be treating these patients, they are the ones who will see them first, diagnose them, realize the potential danger in their condition, and refer them to the appropriate treatment venue. Therefore, dermatologists should be familiar with these conditions and be prepared to handle them adequately.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The life-threatening complications of dermatologic therapies.

Dermatologists use a variety of systemic drugs, some of which can cause severe adverse reactions and even fatalities. Ivermectin, a well-tolerated drug, can cause severe neurological side effects, whereas metronidazole, in high cumulative doses, has been associated with convulsions and rarely with hepatotoxicity. Dapsone is associated with frequent hematologic side effects, such as methemoglobinemia, hemolysis, and anemia. Although hepatotoxicity is rare and usually mild and reversible with the new antifungal agents, severe cutaneous reactions (such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and anaphylaxis) have been reported. Even a relatively safe drug such as acyclovir has been reported to be the cause of renal failure and neurotoxicity. Retinoids can cause not so benign "benign" intracranial hypertension. Methotrexate can cause not only liver toxicity, but also myelosuppression and pancytopenia, which may be acute and life threatening. Nephrotoxicity is a well-recognized side effect of cyclosporine, whereas thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality, is less well known. Dermatologists should be familiar with these and other severe adverse reactions of the most popular and most used systemic medications of our trade.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ectoparasitic sexually transmitted diseases: scabies and pediculosis.

Scabies and pediculosis are diagnosed on an almost daily basis in many dermatology offices. Whether the patient seeks medical attention because of the often unbearable itch of scabies or because of the fear of lice infestations, the physician should be on the lookout for these ectoparasitic infestations. Secondary bacterial infection, resistance to medication, and the risk of spread of the infestations to family members and other close contacts may complicate the problem. Patients frequently have to battle the myths, prejudices, and even shame that are associated with such infestations.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bacterial infections: uncommon presentations.

The essence of dermatology is morphology. The most important instrument in the practice of dermatology has always been, and still is, the naked eye; however, "We see only what we are ready to see, what we have been taught to see" (Jean Martin Charcot). Although most practitioners will easily correctly diagnose common bacterial skin diseases (such as cellulitis, erysipelas, impetigo, etc), only a trained and updated dermatologist will recognize the unusual forms and rare variants of these diseases. Bacterial skin diseases are sometimes acute and life-threatening. The mortality rates from necrotizing fasciitis range from 20% to 40%, to name just one example. It is not unreasonable to expect that dermatologists, whether in clinical practice or in referral centers, will be the first physicians to be confronted with unusual variants of bacterial skin diseases that have been unrecognized by non-dermatologists. Some of these cases might even be life-threatening, and only prompt and early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment can make the difference between losing and saving a patient's life. In short, we dermatologists should hone our clinical diagnostic skills and expand our knowledge of the rare forms and unusual and atypical variants of skin diseases: the textbook variants will probably be recognized and treated by general practitioners.

Cellulitis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms vs toxic epidermal necrolysis: the dilemma of classification.

According to contemporary vernacular, when the cutaneous manifestations of drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic signs (DRESS) syndrome are those of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), the condition is defined as "DRESS syndrome with severe cutaneous reactions". In this article, we have presented arguments for and against including patients with skin lesions of the SJS/TEN syndromes who also have fever (practically all of the patients) and internal organ involvement (most of the patients) under the definition of DRESS syndrome. After weighing the arguments for and against this alteration of definition, we conclude that it makes more sense for patients with SJS/TEN to be classified as such and not be lumped together under the misleading label of DRESS syndrome.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy: polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PUPPP).

The most commonly diagnosed pruritic dermatosis of pregnancy has a confusing nomenclature. The most commonly term used in the United States is pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), and in Great Britain, since 1982, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy. The etiology of PUPPP is still unknown. Placental products, hormonal alterations, and damage to connective tissue with subsequent conversion of nonantigenic molecules to antigenic ones, have been proposed as possible causes. The maternal and fetal prognosis is excellent. Treatment consists of topical or oral corticosteroids. Delivery does not usually provide relief of symptoms.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied