ABSTRACT
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is an autoimmune-mediated subepidermal bullous disease in which the target of the autoantibodies is type VII collagen, a major component of anchoring fibrils. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the complement-fixing abilities and IgG subclass distribution of autoantibodies in EBA, and to also attempt to investigate the relation between inflammation, complement fixation and IgG subclass distribution in EBA patients. Only 2 sera of 18 patients (11%) showed weak complement-fixing abilities. IgG1 and IgG4 were the most frequently and intensely stained IgG subclasses in EBA sera. We could not find any relationship between the clinico-pathologic types, complement-fixing abilities and IgG subclasses in EBA. These results suggested that complement activation may not be a key factor of bulla formation in EBA.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Autoantibodies/classification , Complement System Proteins/immunology , Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita/immunology , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Immunoglobulin G/classification , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis is still unknown. Many reports have suggested that the house dust mite antigen may play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. The IgG4 allergen-specific subclass has been considered to be involved both in allergic reactions and associated with the appropriate response to allergen-specific immunotherapy. OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the positive rate of the allergic prick test to D. farinae and the levels of D. farinae-specific IgE and Ig64. METHODS: We performed the allergy prick test, RAST for D. farinae-specific IgE and ELISA for D. farinae-specific IgG subclasses and compared the values between atopic dermatitis patients and normal controls. RESULTS: 1. D. farinae was the most common allergen in patients with atopic dermatitis and the positive rate of the allergic prick test was 61.0%. The positive rate of the allergic prick test and the positive rate to D. farinae increased as c]inical grading increased. 2. The Positive reaction rate of D. farinae-specific IgE(RAST) in those with atopic dermatitis was 68.8% and increased as the positive reactions of the allergic prick test to D. farinae and chnical grading increased. 3. Among the IgG subclasses, only the level of D. farinae-specific IgG4 was significantly higher in atopic dermatitis than normal controls. 4. The level of D. farinae-specific IgG4 showed a tendency to decrease in accordance with the clinical severity grades. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that D. farinae might play an important role in the development of atopic dermatitis and well-designed studies should continue to be performed in order to delineate the biological significance of IgG4.
Subject(s)
Humans , Antibodies , Dermatitis, Atopic , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Hypersensitivity , Immunoglobulin E , Immunoglobulin G , Immunotherapy , PyroglyphidaeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic actinic dermatitis comprises a spectrum of chronic photosensitivity disorders. Treatment includes avoidance of UV light, application of broad-spectrum topical sunscreens, PUVA therapy, corticosteroid, azathioprine and cyclosporine. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the efficacy of cyclosporine in the treatment of chronic actinic dermatitis. METHODS: Six patients with chronic actinic dermatitis refractory to conventional treatment were treated with cyclosporine 100-200mg a day for four to eighteen weeks. RESULTS: In all six patients improvement of the skin lesions and itching were dramatic, but in three of them hyperterision developed during the cyclosporine treatment. After stopping the cyclosporine therapy, their blood pressures normalized within two to five weeks. Other side effects of cyclosporine were not found. Although the skin lesions of all of the six patients were aggravated more or less after stopping the cyclosporine therapy, we could maintain their improved states with topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines. CONCLUSION: 1. Cyclosporine is a good alternative in treating chronic actinic dermatitis patients who are suffering from severe symptoms refractory to conventional therapy. 2. Hypertension is the frequent side effect of cyclosporine.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Azathioprine , Cyclosporine , Histamine Antagonists , Hypertension , Photosensitivity Disorders , Pruritus , PUVA Therapy , Skin , Sunscreening Agents , Ultraviolet RaysABSTRACT
Polydactyly is the most common congenital anomaly of the upper limb. Polydactyly is classified as preaxial polydactyly(thumb), central polydactyly(index, middle and ring fingers), and postaxial polydactyly(little finger) by the site of the extra digit. A 3-day-old female newborn had a 1.5 * 1.0cm sized flesh color ed pedunculated sac like mass on the proximal phalanx of her right thumb since birth. A roentgenogram on the hand revealed no bony abnormalities of the digit and the mass contained no bony structures. The stalk of the mass was cut by the CO2 laser. On histopathological examination, a cartilage structure was found in the loosely arranged, edematous dermis and the overlying epidermis was flattened. The clinical and histological findings support the diagnosis of preaxial polydactyly. We report this interesting case of preaxial polydactyly with a review of the literature.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Cartilage , Color , Dermis , Diagnosis , Epidermis , Hand , Lasers, Gas , Parturition , Polydactyly , Skin , Thumb , Upper ExtremityABSTRACT
Diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis is a disease often with a fatal outcome, characterized by widespread capillary hemangiomias of the skin and visceral organs. A 6-month-old-girl was diagnosed to have diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis by her multiple hemangiomas on the skin, liver, brain, lung and oral mucosa. She was treated with prednisolone 1.5-2mg/kg/day for 9 months and combined interferon alfa-2a 3 million unit/m2/day for 5months. During the treatment the number and size of hemangiomas were markedly reduced