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J Lipozencić

Publications and source records attributed to J Lipozencić.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Serum eosinophil cationic protein in children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a cytotoxic agent secreted by activated eosinophils during allergic and inflammatory processes. The aim of the study was to determine the ECP level, absolute and relative eosinophil count and IgE antibodies in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) compared with those of nonatopic children, and to assess the correlation of these laboratory parameters with the clinical severity of AD. METHODS: This prospective study comprised 70 children. There were 49 children with AD aged 3-36 months, and the control group comprised 21 children with a negative personal and family history for atopic diseases. Detailed history, serum ECP levels (UniCAP FEIA), relative and absolute eosinophil counts and total serum IgE antibodies were determined in both groups. In the children with AD, skin involvement was measured by the SCORAD index. RESULTS: The calculated SCORAD index was between 16 and 83. IgE antibodies, relative and absolute eosinophil counts showed a significantly wider range of values and a statistically higher median (P < 0.001) in the patients with AD compared with the control group. These laboratory parameters did not correlate with the severity of AD. The serum ECP median level, in the children with AD, was 16.2 microg/L (range 3.01-65.30) compared with 5.92 microg/L (range 2.76-21.90) in the control group. Correlation of the total SCORAD index and the serum ECP levels was negative, weak (r = -0.065) and statistically not significant (P > 0.05). The same was found for the correlation of serum ECP and intensity of skin changes (r = -0.095) and serum ECP and subjective symptoms (r = -0.045). The correlation was positive, but weak and statistically not significant for the serum ECP and extent of the skin lesions (r = 0.079, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of ECP, relative and absolute eosinophil counts, as well as IgE antibodies were determined in the patients with AD. As these laboratory findings did not correlate with the severity of AD, they can be considered only as additional methods in the evaluation of patients with AD.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2002

Pemphigus vulgaris: a review of treatment over a 19-year period.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes with a high mortality if left untreated. OBJECTIVE: We present a retrospective analysis of 159 patients with pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus vegetans who were admitted to the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center (Zagreb, Croatia) from 1980 to 1998. RESULTS: Female to male ratio was approximately 2:1. The mean age was 53 years. During the war years in Croatia (1991-95) we noticed a low incidence of pemphigus vulgaris, and from 1996 to 1998 the incidence almost doubled. Diagnosis was based on histopathology [showing typical pemphigus vulgaris changes in 156 (98%) patients], indirect immunofluorescence [positive in 122 (77%) patients], direct immunofluorescence [positive in 141 (89%) patients], and blister smear cytology (Tzanck test) [positive in 115 (72%) patients]. High dosages of prednisone (100-150 mg) were given to 129 patients, which was combined with azathioprine. Patients with refractory pemphigus vulgaris were treated with intramuscular gold (14 patients) and plasmapheresis (five patients). All patients were treated with local ointments. The prolonged use of high doses of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants caused several complications, in particular, steroid diabetes (37 patients), skin infections (26 patients), arterial hypertension (23 patients), cardiorespiratory diseases (22 patients), sepsis (nine patients), etc. During the hospital treatment, 14 patients died, 10 during 1980-89 and only four during the 1990-98 period. The main causes of death were cardiorespiratory failure (six patients) and sepsis (five patients). CONCLUSIONS: Although pemphigus vulgaris is still a life-threatening disease, today it can be successfully treated with a combination of immunosuppressive agents. Early diagnosis and treatment of pemphigus vulgaris allow a better prognosis with lower mortality rates.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2001

SIT in Croatia.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Croatia↗
PubMed2001

Sepsis as an unusual event in dyskeratosis follicularis.

Dyskeratosis follicularis is a genetic disorder characterized by pathogenetic changes of keratinization. We report on a severe case of the disease with an unusual manifestation involving Staphylococcal sepsis. The patient was treated systemically with infusions, oral antibiotics, and retinoids. Antiseptics, keratolytic ointments, and creams were given topically to promote epithelization. His condition improved dramatically after 14 days of treatment. All erosions of the trunk, extremities, neck, and head had epithelized. We suspect that extreme sun exposure and neglect of care on genetically susceptible sites triggered the sepsis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Tinea incognito caused by trichophyton mentagrophytes -- a case report.

A case of widespread tinea due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes is described. A healthy 75-year-old woman presented with 134 typical tinea corporis and faciei lesions previously treated with topical steroids. The diagnosis was based on direct mycologic examination and culture. The treatment with oral administration of terbinafine for four weeks and topical application of clotrimazole resulted in complete clinical resolution of the lesions

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Prostaglandins in dermatology.

Prostaglandins, local hormones, are produced by almost every tissue and organ in the body (except for erythrocytes). They are active at the site of their production or next to the cells that secrete them. Prostaglandins play an important biological role, because they are involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Some of their effects are still unknown. They are involved in inflammatory process of the skin. They have been implicated as possible mediators of contact allergic dermatitis and among others, act in immune response. The use of prostaglandin in dermatology is still experimental. In the near future, they might be use in therapy for systemic scleroderma, aberration of extremity circulation with ulcers, vasculitis, etc. An overview is provided of prostaglandins in dermatology.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Detection and genotyping of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato by polymerase chain reaction.

AIM: To isolate and genotype Borrelia burgdorferi genospecies in serum samples of Croatian patients with erythema migrans. METHODS: DNA isolates from sera of patients with erythema migrans were analyzed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), amplifying a segment of flagellin gene with primers encompassing the conserved region of the gene. To screen PCR products for heterogeneity, we performed single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. The samples showing differences in SSCP patterns were sequenced, and the sequence compared in the GeneBank for sequence homology with known Borrelia burgdorferi genospecies. We also constructed phylogenetic tree of all known borrelial sequences. RESULTS: The nested PCR method using specially designed flagellin gene primers, achieved the sensitivity of 10 genome copies (0.01 pg of purified Borrelia burgdorferi DNA from culture) by dilution analysis. The assay specificity was confirmed by amplification of a part of the flagellin gene from different bacterial species. The primer pairs successfully amplified only Borrelia burgdorferi flagellin gene. The genome of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was detected in the sera of all 10 tested patients with erythema migrans. Sequence data and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that all amplified samples belonged to Borrelia afzelii genospecies. CONCLUSION: Phylogenetic tree analysis placed the borrelial isolates together with Borrelia afzelii sequences into a single group. This finding was additionally supported by sequence homology analysis, which produced a homology score of 99%. In patients with erythema migrans who come from the northwest Croatia, an endemic area for Lyme borreliosis, Borrelia afzelii was the cause of skin manifestations of Lyme borreliosis.

Borrelia burgdorferi Group↗
PubMed2000

Are respiratory allergic diseases related to atopic dermatitis?

The difference of test results between patients with "pure" atopic dermatitis (AD) and "mixed" AD (with concomitant respiratory allergy, RA) was investigated in 30 AD patients. The results showed the onset of disease that mostly occur in the early infancy [15 (50%) patients had developed the disease under the age of 2-2/10 in "pure" AD, and 13/20 in "mixed" AD]. Twenty (66.6%) of them had a history of RA ("mixed" AD) whereas the remaining 10 (33.3%) had "pure" AD. Seventeen (56.6%) AD patients had one concomitant allergic disease, while 3 (10%) patients had two comorbid conditions (AR and AB) each. Family history was positive for atopy in 22 (73.3%) AD patients [in 14 (46.6%) patients in a first-degree relative]. Twenty-four (80%) patients had positive prick test [9/10 (90%) in "pure" AD and 15/20 (75%) in "mixed" AD], mostly for house dust (20). Positive scratch test was observed in 16 (53.3%) patients [4/10 in "pure" AD, and 12/20 in "mixed" AD]. Nineteen (63.3%) AD patients showed positive patch test reaction [5/10 in "pure" AD, and 14/20 in "mixed" AD]. AD patients had higher serum IgE (21/30) than non-atopic ones but similar in "pure" AD, and "mixed" AD [7/10 (70%) in "pure" AD, and 14/20 (70%) in "mixed" AD]. Determination of CD23 marker on B-lymphocytes showed normal values in 24, and increased values in six patients [2/10 in "pure" AD, and 4/20 in "mixed" AD]. The values of CD21 were decreased in 16 AD patients [6/10 in "pure" AD, and 10/20 in "mixed" AD]. HLA-DR expression was normal in almost all patients. There were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between the "pure" AD and "mixed" AD patient groups, except for the age at onset, which was younger in the group of patients with concomitant RA. Accordingly, study results pointed to the association between AD and RA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Involvement of patched (PTCH) gene in Gorlin syndrome and related disorders: three family cases.

AIM: To find genetic alterations in PTC or other genes of the Shh/PTCH pathway in tumorous and non- tumorous samples from three families and to correlate them with the varying expression of disorders in presented nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) phenotypes. METHOD: DNA was extracted from archival paraffin-embedded tissues, tumor tissue or peripheral blood leukocytes, and the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and single strand conformational polymorphism analysis was performed using PCR with primers for polymorphic 9q22.3 markers (D9S196, D9S287, D9S180, D9S127); PTCH exons 3, 6, 8, 13, 15, 16; and smo (smoothened) exon 1. G-banding tecnique was used for cytogenetic analysis of the peripheral blood lymphocytes. RESULTS: We found a LOH for PTCH in several cases and variability in smo in one case. In one case NBCCS could reasonably be ascribed to hemizygous PTCH inactivation, while in other two families this typical correlation between the syndrome phenotype and the observed genetic alterations could not been established. CONCLUSIONS: Further analysis of relatively sparse cases of NBCCS is needed before the symptoms of the syndrome could be convincingly explained by genetic alterations in the Shh/PTCH signalling pathway.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Values of complement, T- and B-lymphocytes and immune complexes in patients with skin allergies.

The aim of this pilot study was to determine the values of total complement, C3 and C4 fractions, C1-esterase inhibitor, T- and B-lymphocytes, and immune complexes in our patients with skin allergic disease. The purpose was to investigate the probability of type III hypersensitivity reaction in the development and onset of skin allergies. The values of these parameters were determined in ten patients with atopic dermatitis and ten patients with chronic allergic urticaria. Results showed most of the study subjects with atopic dermatitis (7/10) to have increased CH50 values, a finding not observed in the patients with chronic allergic urticaria (2/10) and healthy controls (0/10). No major changes in other parameteres were found in any of the patient groups. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found among the three groups in CH50 and C4 values.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Routine immunologic tests in atopic dermatitis].

The study comprised 100 examinees with atopic dermatitis and 50 examinees with chronic urticaria (adult patients and children), as well as 50 examinees in a control group. The parameters for monitoring included laboratory findings; values of eosinophiles, total lymphocytes, T and B lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) total IgE and specific IgE; results of cutaneous tests: prick and intradermal test to inhalative and nutritive allergens, scratch test to preservatives and additives, and epicutaneous (patch) test to contact allergens. In detection and monitoring of patients with atopic dermatitis, several methods were applied with different diagnostic success. The values of total number of lymphocytes and T and B lymphocytes were mainly within the normal limits, therefore these were not good diagnostic parameters. Eosinophiles were mainly higher and were useful in determination of AD. Mainly normal values of IgE, IgA and IgM were found by radial immunodiffusion, but the ELISA method, as well as the RIST method, showed high values of total IgE. Of the applied skin tests, the most important was intradermal test which gave most of the positive results in the patients with atopic dermatitis (97.7%), then followed scratch test (83.3%), patch test (64.3%), and finally epicutaneous test (57.1%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Contact hypersensitivity in atopic dermatitis.

From January 1990 to December 1994, a total of 84 patients (56 men and 28 women) with atopic dermatitis (AD) were referred to our Clinic for patch testing. The European standard series of allergens was applied to all subjects together with any additional series indicated in the case history. Sensitization to at least one of the allergens was found in 57.1% of individuals with AD. Positive reactions were more frequently determined in adults than in children with AD. Women and men were equally positive in epicutaneous testing. The commonest sensitizer was nickel sulfate (discriminative in 28.6%). Adult patients with atopic dermatitis significantly differed from patients with chronic urticaria or healthy controls in patch test positive results. Our findings suggest that allergic contact dermatitis is more common in patients with AD than generally assumed and that patch testing is a practicable and clinically worthwhile procedure for determining allergic contact dermatitis in patients with AD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Neomycin--a frequent contact allergen.

The incidence of allergic contact dermatitis from neomycin evaluated in relation to 1381 verified cases of allergic contact dermatitis showed a progressive increase (5.00, 7.69, 10.18%) over a three-year period (1990-1992). Sensitivity to neomycin was investigated with special reference to possible cross-reactions between neomycin and the allergens that are commonly used in the manufacture of cosmetic products. Contact sensitivity to neomycin was found to be present with the other diagnoses, such as atopic dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, hypostasic dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Contact allergy and psoriasis.

The study was conducted over a two-year period and included 48 psoriatic patients with palmar and plantar lesions and 61 psoriatic patients without palmar and plantar lesions who served as controls. The objective was to establish the incidence of contact sensitization and its importance as the causative factor in palmar and plantar psoriasis. The most frequent contact allergens were: nickel sulphate, mercapto mix, balsam of Peru, potassium dichromate, mercury mix and fragrance mix. Patch tests were positive in 41.7% psoriatics with palmar-plantar psoriasis and in only 6.6% of psoriatics without palmar-plantar involvement. The study showed an increased incidence of contact allergy in patients with palmar-plantar psoriasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Topical application of human leukocyte interferon in stasis ulcers and deep burns.

Human leukocyte interferon (HLI) incorporated in ointment (4,000 units/g) applied topically for 4 weeks induced the process of "scavenging" granulation and epithelialization of stasis ulcers. This therapy had a better effect than that of the other combined local and general therapy also given in the study. A comparison of the effects of both therapies was made on nine pairs of stasis ulcers. A favorable effect of HLI on granulation and epithelialization was observed in a patient with deep burns, who had been given HLI topically in the form of powder and solution. This type of HLI activity calls for further clinical trials, especially as regards deep burns.

Administration, Topical↗