ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of Dsg1 and 3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [EL1SA] in the diagnosis of pemphigus. Thirty-six patients with pemphigus were enrolled. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and direct immunofluorescence [DIF]. Autoantibodies against Dsg1, and Dsg3 were assayed, by ELISA, in serum of pemphigus patients. In pemphigus vulgaris [PV], anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 antibodies titer were raised above the cut off values 88.5% and 96.1% of patients respectively. Dsg-3 was more sensitive than Dsg-1[96.2% 88.5%] while both be the same specificity 95%. In PF and PH, the only anti-Dsg1 level was in all cases [100%]. Conclusion: In PV Dsg-3 was more sensitive than Dsg1 while in and pemphigus herpetiformis, only anti-Dsg-1 was detected in all cases [100%]. Both anti-Dsg1Ab and anti-Dsg3Ab ELISA values are correlated with the disease activity
ABSTRACT
Background: Percutaneous collagen induction [PCI] promotes removal of damaged collagen and induces more collagen immediately under the epidermis. The chemical reconstruction of skin scars [CROSS] method is a focal application of full-concentration trichloroacetic acid [TCA] to atrophic acne scars. The CROSS method has the advantage of reconstructing acne scars by increasing dermal thickening and collagen production
Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of PCI and the 80% TCA CROSS method for the treatment of atrophic post acne scars
Patients and Methods: Thirty four participants were randomly divided into two groups; group 1[19 patients] underwent four sessions [4 weeks apart] PCI, and group 2 [15 patients] underwent five sessions [2 weeks apart] of 80% TCA CROSS. The two groups were compared regarding photo evaluation, patient satisfaction and adverse effects
Results: All patients improved in both groups. However, the mean percentage of improvement was statistically significantly higher in the first group treated by the dermaroller [59.89%] than in the second group treated by TCA CROSS 80% [42.73%] [p = 0.025] but there was no statistical significant difference regarding the patient satisfaction
Conclusions: PCI and 80% TCA CROSS were effective in the treatment of atrophic acne scars with superior results were in favor of dermaroller
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Male , Collagen , Administration, Cutaneous , Trichloroacetic Acid , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
Concomitant hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection and psoriasis vulgaris [PV] are not uncommon coexisting diseases, especially in areas with high viral hepatitis endemicity. To date, data about the interaction between both diseases are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to describe the possible interplay between the HCV viral load and psoriatic activity in concomitant Egyptian diseased patients. Between December 2011 and August 2013, all psoriatic patients attending Assiut University Hospital outpatient clinics were tested for HCV serologic assay. Patients with positively coexisting diseases were further reevaluated for psoriasis area severity index [PASI] score assessment, liver function tests, HCV-RNA-polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assays, and sonographic examination of the liver. For comparative purposes, another matched group [n = 26] with psoriasis only [HCV-negative group] was enrolled as a control. During the period of the study, 20 patients with concomitant PV and HCV infection [HCV-positive group; 50% males, mean age of 44.15 +/- 10.66 years] were recruited. The mean PASI score was 44.75 +/- 10.38 and clinical signs of liver dysfunction were observed in 40% [n = 8], 100% had abnormal liver function tests [n = 20], and 75% had sonographic findings of cirrhosis [n = 15]. The PASI score was significantly higher in the HCV-positive psoriatic group compared to the HCV-negative control [p < 0.001]. Significant correlations were detected between the PASI score and the viral loads, and also with alanine aminotransferase [ALT]. When HCV was found concomitantly with PV, a high possibility of severe disease pattern will be expected that entails special precautions in the treatment process