Does short-term low-dose methotrexate treatment affect homocysteine blood level in patients with psoriasis?

An elevated homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. Psoriatic patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases; In addition, hyperhomocysteinemia is a complication of methotrexate treatment. We undertook a study to evaluate the plasma levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate in patients with psoriasis before and after short-term low-dose methotrexate treatment. Twenty six patients with psoriasis were recruited. The plasma levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate were evaluated before and 8 weeks after methotrexate therapy [in the peak of methotrexate effect]. No significant difference was found between the plasma profile of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate before and after methotrexate treatment. In the short-term treatment of psoriasis, methotrexate does not increase homocysteine level

Polymerase chain reaction study of anogenital condylomas for high risk HPV types

Anogenital wart is a common sexually transmitted disease affecting both genders. The aim of this study was to evaluate human papilloma virus types of anogenital warts with Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR]. 65 formalin fixed paraffin embedded [FFPE] tissue blocks of the anogenital warts obtained from the pathology lab of Loghman Hakim hospital were included in this study. In 27 samples [41.5%], human papilloma virus was detected by PCR. In addition, low risk HPV types [6, 11] were identified in all samples without any positivity for high risk HPV types [16, 18, 31 and 33]. By finding low risk HPV types in all samples, it could be concluded that Anogenital warts seems not to be precursors of anogenital malignancies

Interplay among antioxidants and oxidants in psoriasis

The etiology of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, has not been elucidated. However, Oxidant / antioxidant imbalance is suspected. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidant / antioxidant status in psoriatic patients. Forty two psoriatic patients and 42 age and sex matched controls were recruited for this study. Serum total antioxidant capacity [TAC], oxidized light density lipoprotein [Ox-LDL] and malondialdehyde [MDA] levels were determined. A statistically significant increase in the serum level of MDA was found between patients and controls. No significant difference was found in the serum levels of other parameters in the two groups. Our results supported the hypothesis of an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in psoriasis and pointed to the probability of an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in psoriatic patients

Elastosis perforans serpiginosa: a case report

We report a 61-yearold man with multiple colored skin papules with central crusts in an archiform and linear pattern on his forehead as well as verrucus and hyperkeratotic plaques with central perforation on hands. Histologic examination of the lesions demonstrated a narrow channel of epidermal perforation containing notrophils, basophilic debris and elastic fibers with eosinophilic degeneration compatible with the diagnosis of elastosis perforans serpiginosa