PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

O Groth

Publications and source records attributed to O Groth.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of cyclophosphamide on the cellular infiltrate in experimental allergic contact dermatitis.

The influence of cyclophosphamide on contact allergy was studied by a method based on the count of cells infiltrating epicutaneous test sites in sensitized guinea pigs. Cyclophosphamide was injected 72 h before sensitization with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). On testing 2 weeks later, marked mononuclear cell infiltration and dramatic increase in the count of basophil polymorphonuclear cells in the upper corium were found, compared to the control group. Cell infiltration in tests performed 1 and 3 weeks after sensitization differed from the reaction after 2 weeks. When cyclophosphamide was given 72 h before testing done 2 weeks after sensitization, both mononuclear and polymorphonuclear counts were found to be greatly reduced. This in vivo method of assessing the degree and composition of cellular infiltration in a contact allergic reaction after different periods of time throws new light on the influence of drugs on a cell-mediated immune response and also the variation in response with time.

Animals

Tumour stage of mycosis fungoides treated with bleomycin and methotrexate: report from the Scandinavian mycosis fungoides study group.

The Scandinavian Mycosis Fungoides Study Group have treated 19 patients with mycosis fungoides in tumour stage by systemic chemotherapy. Nine patients were treated with Bleomycin 15 mg i.m. twice weekly for 7 weeks and 10 patients with the same dose of Bleomycin in combination with Methotrexate 15 mg i.m. per m2 body surface each week for 7 weeks. No maintenance treatment was given. The immediate therapeutic effect of Bleomycin alone was considered good in half of the patients. Bleomycin and Methotrexate together produced a better initial effect. In both treatment series the remission was short-lived in the absence of maintenance therapy. The mortality rate was high, especially in combination treatment. Lethal complications occurred in 6 patients during the treatment, 3 of which were thromboembolic, one pancytopenia, one lung fibrosis with pulmonary insufficiency, and one bronchopneumonia. The conclusion is that these two forms of therapy cannot be recommended.

Adult

Measurement and differentiation of the cellular infiltrate in expermiental allergic contact dermatitis.

We describe a quantitative method for the grading of contact allergic reactions in guinea pigs. These reactions are characterized by marked cellular infiltration, and the method is based on total and differential counting of cells in the upper corium. A varying and objectively gradable increase in mononuclear and basophil polymorphonuclear cells was found. In naked-eye-positive reactions this increase was highly significant 24, 48, and 72 hours after epicutaneous application of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The degree of cellular infiltration reflects aspects of a cell-mediated immune response other than the visible reaction ordinarily made use of. The method can be used to study how systemically or topically administered drugs affect cellular features in contact allergy.

Animals

The cellular infiltrate and its measurement in contact dermatitis.

It is well known that in the fully developed allergic contac reaction a marked cellular infiltrate takes place in the upper corium and epidermis. In the first part of this paper a short survey is given about the different cells taking part in the infiltrate and the efforts to differentiate both mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells. In the second part is an account of our quantitative cell studies in experimental contact allergy in guinea pigs. Variations in the increase of mononuclear cell infiltration in epidermis or in the upper dermis seem to reflect the degree of hypersensitivity. Similarly a highly significant polymorphonuclear cell increase is seen in the allergic contact reaction compared to normal control skin, and basophils seem to predominate. The influence of cyclophosphamide methotrexate and corticosteroids on the cellular infiltrate of allergic contact reactions during its development has been studied.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Allergic contact response to vitamin A acid.

Three patients treated daily with vitamin A acid cream experienced after one week, seven weeks and 14 weeks respectively sudden redness and itching at the treated sites. Patch testing with the cream (containing 0.05% vitamin A acid) and with vitamin A acid 0.05% in absolute alcohol produced strongly positive reactions in the patients but only slight erythema in some of the controls. Since patch testing with vitamin A acid 0.005% in absolute alcohol elicited no response in controls but positive reactions in the three patients, it is probable that these latter reactions were due to contact allergy. Histologically the test reaction showed intact epidermis and dense dermal infiltration by mononuclear cells, and thus resembled a response of the tuberculin type.

Biopsy

Generalized pustular psoriasis. A report on thirteen patients.

Generalized pustular psoriasis shows a fluctuating pattern, its course varying with time and from patient to patient. The prognosis and results of treatment are therefore extremely difficult to assess. The patients in this series have been followed up by us with regard to the natural course of the illness including complications and precipitating factors. Oral drug therapy has suprisingly often provoked acute pustular eruptions, and these patients have also strikingly often and rapidly developed contact allergy to topical applications. The undesirable effects of long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy have been confirmed in this series, chiefly by severe rebound phenomena, notwithstanding that such treatment has proved the only means of rapidly reversing life-threatening states. The effects of methotrexate and hydroxyurea were at times good but, not uncommonly, mediocre and occasionally even useless. Large doses of antibiotics have also failed to achieve the results described by others. On the contrary, secondary infection with beta-hemolytic streptococci has caused serious problems in several cases. Apart from careful protection from infection and precipitating factors, little can be done to influence the course of generalized pustular psoriasis, but trial with cytostatics is justified during severe bouts, pending the appearance of new lines of therapy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones