[Epdemioclinical aspects of dermatomyositis in the region of Tunis]

Dermatomyositis [DM] is a rare but serious disease. The aim was to evaluate the epidemiology, presenting clinical manifestations, therapeutic features and outcome of patients with DM. From January 1986 to December 2003, we collected retrospectively cases of DM identified at the dermatology department of Habib Thameur hospital. We included only patients with definitive diagnosis of DM. We included 13 patients, mean aged 32.85 years: 9 adults and 4 children. We identified 9 cases of adult DM among them 2 cases of which were of paraneoplastic DM and 4 cases of juvenile DM among them 1 case of amyopathic DM and 1 case of DM associated with connective tissue disease. The evolution of DM followed the course of the neoplasm for the 2 patients with paraneoplastic DM. All patients received corticotherapy initially. Patients were folio wed-up for an average of 3 years [2 months to 10 years]. We found no serious repercussions on the growth of children with juvenile DM. DM is rare in Tunisia. In our study, its frequency is about 0.72 patients per year. Age of onset of DM is markedly smaller than the one reported in the relevant literature. Our 2 cases of DM associated with cancer are considered like really paraneoplastic. Juvenile DM seems to have a relatively good prognosis

[Xeroderma pigmentosum: Cutaneous, ocular, and neurologic abnormalities in 49 Tunisian cases]

This is a retrospective study about 49 cases of xeroderma pigmentosum [XP]. The goal was to determine the clinicalfeatures of XP in Tunisia. Our study revealed the predominance of a moderate form. Malignant skin tumors showed early. Squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] remained the most frequent skin malignancy in all clinical forms. Neurological abnormalities were more frequent in the moderate form. Mental retardation and peripheral neuropathy were the most common signs

Evaluation of HPV oncogen risk in condyloma. A prospective study of 24 patients

Human papillomavirus [HPV] infection tend to be the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease [STD], and "high-risk" HPV types are correlated to intro-epithelial neoplasia, especially cervical cancer. - The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of "high-risk" HPV types in condylona. - Patients and methods: a non randomized prospective study was performed, including 24 patients with condyloma examined int the department of Dermatology of Charles Nicolle's hospital. Molecular hybridization method was realized for all patients to identify HPV type. - - Mean age of the 24 patients was 37.8 years. - Ratio [male/female]: 1.4 - In 21 patients HPV DNA was detected. - 2 women had "high risk" HPV type [9.5 percent]