ABSTRACT
Background: A possible relationship has been reported between psoriasis and celiac disease, with common pathogenic mechanisms that may need further investigation. Aim: To investigate the presence of clinical and serological markers for celiac disease in a group of Chilean psoriatic patients. Material and methods: We included 80 psoriatic patients (42 males) aged 16 to 79 years, whose serum was tested for antitransglutaminase antibodies (ATGA) and antiendomysial antibodies (AEMA). Patients with weakly positive AEMA tests were also tested for antigliadin antibodies (AGA). Results: In six patients (7.5 percent), AEMA and AGA were positive and one patient was positive for ATGA. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and duodenal biopsy was offered to these six patients and five accepted the procedure. Only one had a pathological diagnosis of celiac disease. Conclusions: Only one of 80 patients with psoriasis had celiac disease (1.2 percent). Other four patients with positive serologic markers had a normal duodenal biopsy. This group of patients may have latent celiac disease and they should be followed up.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Autoantibodies/blood , Celiac Disease/complications , Gliadin/immunology , Psoriasis/complications , Transglutaminases/immunology , Biomarkers/blood , Celiac Disease/immunology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Immunoglobulin A/blood , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Psoriasis/diagnosis , Psoriasis/immunologyABSTRACT
Background: Genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), is found in 3.8percent of all sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in Chile. Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and to identify an association between HSV-2 and HIV-1, other STD, and to study its demographic characteristics. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study at two STD public clinics in Santiago was conducted among 200 consecutive patients. Samples were tested for HSV-2, HIV-1, syphilis and hepatitis B virus surface antigen. Results: The seroprevalence for HSV-2 was 43percent. Four patients had a history of genital herpes. There was a strong association between HSV-2 infection and HIV-1 positivity (OR=8.7, 95percent CI 3.4-22.4, p <0.001) and the condition of being a sexual worker (OR=4.5, 95percent CI 1.7-11.9, p <0.01). Conclusions: The high association with HIV-1 and sexual workers, emphasizes the need of having HSV-2 specific diagnostic tests, counseling on sign and symptom recognition and taking preventive measures.