Human T-lymphotropic viruses [HTLVs] in mycosis fungoides

The direct or indirect involvement of retroviruses with the development of leukaemia/lymphoma has been well established in animals and human.Mycosis fungoides, a rare form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, is suspected of having a viral etiology on the basis of certain similarities to adult T-cell leukaemia, which is associated with human T-cell leukaemia/ lymphoma virus type I [HTLV-1] infection. We have searched for HTLV-1, HIV-1 and HIV-2 antigens in the skin lesions and the antibodies in the sera of 3patients with mycosis fungoides. In one patient the skin lesion expressed HTLV-1 related antigen and by PCR we could detect HTLV-1 specific DNA in PBMCs of this patient this result could support the causative role of HTLV-1 in mycosis fungoides

Concentration of some trace element in the serum, hair and nail of alopecia areata patients

Fifty three subjects [41 patients with alopecia areata and 12 matched controls] were selected for this study. The alopecia group comprised 25 males and 16 females with age varying from 10 to 40 years. Thirty one patients had alopecia areata and 10 patients had alopecia totalis. Fifteen patients had nail changes. Zinc, iron, copper and magnesium were estimated in the serum samples of all individuals of the study [41 patients and 12 controls] and the hair and nail samples of 42 subjects [30 patients and 12 controls] by the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. No statistically significant differences were found between trace elements concentrations in patients compared to controls except for low hair and nail zinc. Also patient with nail changes have a significant nail zinc as compared to those nail changes. According to these results we can speculate that trace elements have no proven role in the pathogenesis alopecia areata except for zinc which may be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease

Evaluation of spironolactone treatment in acne vulgaris in females

Acne vulgaris is very common multifactorial disorder involving the pilosebaceous follicles occurring mainly in pubertal and postpubertal period until now it represents a clinical problem in its treatment inspite of recent and different modalities of therapy. Twenty females with acne vulgaris were treated with 100 mg spironolactone per day. Estimation of total serum testosterone [t[and sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG]was done by radioimmunoassay before and after 3 months of spironolactone. Ovarian ultrasound showed polycystic ovaries in 50%of cases 14 patients [70%] showed mild to marked response while 6 patients only showed no response to spironolactone treatment. After spironolactone therapy it was observed that mean serum T level of 14 patients significantly decreased while SHBG and free testosterone index were insignificantly changed after treatment it is concluded that this form of therapy for acne vulgaris, up to the dose used is safe, reliable, and accepted by the patient