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Biomedical subjects

R Viraben

Publications and source records attributed to R Viraben.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Rituximab induced remission of pemphigus vulgaris: 2 cases].

INTRODUCTION: Pemphigus vulgaris frequently requires corticoids and immuno-suppressive drugs. The disease and the side effects of the drugs severely affect the quality of life, and sometime the vital prognosis of the patients. Other treatments than corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs are needed. EXEGESIS: We report 2 additional cases of pemphigus vulgaris uncontrolled by corticoids and immuno-suppressive drugs that responded spectacularly to rituximab. One patient had a recently onset disease, that was active despite 1,5 mg/kg/day prednisone and 1,5 g/day mycophenolate. She had a complete remission during 15 months after rituximab treatment. At relapse, another rituximab cycle led to a prompt remission. The other patient had longstanding pemphigus vulgaris complicated by cutaneous infections on prednisone (20 mg/d), immunosuppressive drugs and intravenous immune globulins. She had a prompt and complete remission after rituximab. CONCLUSION: Rituximab seems to be a promising drug for refractory pemphigus vulgaris. The benefit to risk ratio of this drug in this new indication must be precisely documented.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Virological exploration of individuals with discordant HIV screening tests.

Screening for HIV infection can use many algorithms. When two different HIV antibody assays are used, discordant results may occur. To discriminate between HIV seroconversion, HIV variant infection and false positive reactivity, 30 consecutive subjects with two discordant HIV antibody-screening assays were extensively investigated for HIV infection. No subject had HIV seroconversion or reached HIV seropositivity criteria after a follow-up of 3 months. By contrast 36% became HIV negative by the use of both HIV screening assays. p24 Antigen, HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA, HIV-2 DNA assays and HIV isolation by sensitive culture were unable to identify HIV infection in the 30 subjects with discordant HIV screening assays. The data suggest that the use of two HIV screening assays increase false-positive HIV results without increasing clinical sensitivity. To compliment follow-up of HIV screening, early testing for HIV RNA could be useful to identify or eliminate a recent infection.

Adolescent↗

Histological evolution of recurrent basal cell carcinoma and therapeutic implications for incompletely excised lesions.

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that the management of incompletely excised recurrent basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) should depend on their histological appearance, and that nonaggressive recurrent BCCs may not require re-excision. OBJECTIVES: To determine the histological evolution of recurrent BCCs. METHODS: In a 14-year retrospective study analysing histological sections of recurrent BCCs, 390 specimens from 191 patients were blindly classified by three physicians into aggressive and nonaggressive types according to Sexton's classification. Initial histological sections were available for 33 of the recurrent BCCs. Descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: Eight of 33 (24%) recurrent BCCs became histologically more aggressive. Four of 20 (20%) originally nonaggressive BCCs became aggressive during recurrence and four of 13 (31%) originally aggressive BCCs showed a more aggressive component during recurrence. These incompletely excised aggressive BCCs were sited in periorbital and perinasal areas and on the cheek, and were re-excised. CONCLUSIONS: Management of incompletely excised nonaggressive BCCs (nodular or superficial types) is still a matter of debate. Previously reported studies have shown recurrence in < 10% of nonaggressive incompletely excised BCCs. Our study showed that rare recurrences of these initially nonaggressive BCCs showed an aggressive component in 20% of cases. These results suggest that initially nonaggressive incompletely excised BCCs do not require re-excision except if they are located in sites with a poor prognosis.

Adult↗

Oral nicorandil-induced lesions are not aphthous ulcers.

OBJECTIVES: (i) To accurately define these lesions determining whether oral nicorandil-induced lesions are aphthous ulcers; (ii) To determine clinical characteristics of oral nicorandil-induced lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two slide conferences were held. A total of 60 dermatologists assigned diagnosis and clinical criteria to 11 photographs of oral nicorandil-induced lesions. Two slides were randomly selected and duplicated to be used as control. The panel of slides included independent lesions and photographs of different lesions of the same patient. Statistical analysis used chi2-test, estimation of the percentage interobserver agreement, and kappa-values. RESULTS: The diagnosis of non-aphthous ulcer (71.8%) was significantly held in comparison with the diagnosis of oral aphthous ulcer (28.2%; P<0.001). To differentiate aphthous ulcer from non-aphthous ulcer, physicians significantly used three clinical criteria. The diagnosis of non-aphthous ulcer were significantly associated with the absence of yellow-based ulceration (P<0.001), with the linear shape (P=0.006) and the absence of inflammatory halo (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Oral nicorandil-induced lesions are not aphthous ulcers. We propose that at this stage of our knowledge, oral nicorandil-induced ulcer is the most suitable terminology.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

[Trigeminal neuralgia presenting as a deep recurrent desmoplastic neurotropic melanoma of a lentigo maligna].

INTRODUCTION: Neurotropic melanoma is a particular anatomopathological form corresponding to dermal proliferation of desmoplastic cells of neuroid differentiation. We report a new case of neurotropic melanoma revealed by facial neuralgia. CASE REPORT: A 64 year-old man presented in 1996 with a lentigo maligna on the right cheek treated by complete excision. After 2 years of medical supervision, a pigmented lesion recurred leading to new surgical treatment. The histological examination of the total lesion showed intra-epidermal atypical melanocyte proliferation without dermal invasion. In 1999, right trigeminal neuralgia occurred without associated cutaneous change. Cranial MRI revealed an infiltration of the right trigeminal nerve. Endo-buccal surgery disclosed a black swelling of the trigeminal nerve. Histological examination and immunohistochemistry revealed a desmoplastic melanoma. DISCUSSION: Neurotropic melanoma with nerve invasion by malignant cells presenting as a trigeminal neuralgia is rare. Our case report underlined the depth of the neurotropic melanoma and the initial existence of a lentigo maligna without associated "neurotropic" melanoma.

Cranial Nerve Neoplasms↗

Ivermectin-responsive Demodex infestation during human immunodeficiency virus infection. A case report and literature review.

We report the case of a 56-year-old HIV-seropositive man who presented a facial Demodex infection developed 2 months after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy. The Demodex infection was confirmed by scrapings and histopathologic examination and by the dramatic response to antiparasitic treatment with oral ivermectin associated with 5% permethrin cream.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Gynaecomastia in a male patient during stavudine and didanosine treatment for HIV infection.

We report a case of gynaecomastia developed in a HIV-seropositive man, associated with a severe lipodystrophy. We hypothesize the responsibility of stavudine and didanosine in the development of these 2 complications. If many reports suggest that the protease inhibitors may promote gynaecomastia, long-term nucleoside analogue therapy may also cause this side effect.

Adult↗

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: a cutaneous adverse effect due to prophylactic antiviral therapy with protease inhibitor.

We describe a human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative man who presented with a skin disorder that we diagnosed as acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, which we believe was an adverse reaction to combination prophylactic therapy with zidovudine, lamivudine, and protease inhibitor for human immunodeficiency virus. Cutaneous adverse effects are rarely reported with the use of these antiviral drugs.

Acute Disease↗

Indinavir-associated lipodystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Lipodystrophies are rare cutaneous disorders characterized by the symmetrical loss of subcutaneous fat from the body surface. The cause of lipodystrophy is not known, but a possible genetic predisposition is likely and either overt diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance are often associated. DESIGN AND METHODS: Case study. PATIENTS: Eight patients who developed either partial or generalized lipodystrophy after protease inhibitor therapy. RESULTS: In all eight patients lipodystrophy occurred after 2-12 months of starting indinavir and was not preceded by weight loss or inflammatory skin disease. Short-term follow-up after withdrawal of therapy showed no change in the patients' appearance. One patient developed glycosuria as lipodystrophy became manifest. In three cases glucose tolerance test was performed revealing a high level of insulin between the first and third hour of loading. CONCLUSIONS: In our view, lipodystrophy is an unwanted side-effect of protease inhibitor therapy causing noticeable disfigurement.

Adult↗

Zosteriform cutaneous metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the stump of an amputated arm.

The clinical appearance of skin metastases varies over a wide morphologic spectrum, cutaneous metastases mimicking herpes zoster being rare. We now report the case of an 83-year-old male with zosteriform cutaneous metastases secondary to a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) which developed in the stump of an amputated arm. The pathogenesis is speculative, but in this case, the zosteriform distribution might well be explained by perineural lymphatic invasion and spread.

Aged↗