Fixed drug eruption induced by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole: evidence for a link to HLA-A30 B13 Cw6 haplotype.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports indicated a significant association between fixed drug eruption (FDE) and HLA class I antigens. A strong correlation was found between B22 antigen and feprazone-induced FDE. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the association between HLA class I antigens and FDE in Turkey, a country where feprazone is not on the market and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is most often the offending drug. METHODS: HLA class I typing was performed by lymphocytotoxicity assay in 67 unrelated patients with FDE, all established by oral provocation. The frequencies are compared with those of 2378 control subjects. RESULTS: Significantly higher (P <.001) frequencies of the A30 antigen and A30 B13 Cw6 haplotype were found in 42 patients with FDE induced by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. HLA-B55 (split of B22) was present exclusively in trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced FDE, and in higher frequency than in control subjects. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, ours is the first report indicating a link between A30 B13 Cw6 haplotype and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced FDE. In addition, HLA-B22 was increased in patients with FDE caused by a drug other than feprazone.

HLA in alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) characteristics of Turkish alopecia areata patients, and the correlation of the HLA profile with age of onset, severity and duration of the disease, presence of ophiasis, and family history. METHODS: A total of 88 patients with alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, or alopecia universalis were compared with 100 healthy controls. HLA typing was performed by the Terasaki microlymphocytotoxicity method. RESULTS: The frequency of HLA-A1, HLA-B62(15), HLA-DQ1, and HLA-DQ3 was significantly higher in patients than in controls. HLA-DR16 was significantly less common in patients than in the control group, and we concluded that this allele might have a protective role for alopecia areata. Juvenile onset and severe involvement were related with HLA-Cw7 and HLA-DR1, respectively. The HLA profile was independent of the existence of long-standing disease, presence of ophiasis, and a positive family history. CONCLUSIONS: In HLA-alopecia areata association, ethnic differences may play a role.

Relationship between gingival hyperplasia and class II histocompatibility antigens in renal transplant recipients.

Gingival hyperplasia, a well-known side effect of ciclosporin A (CS-A), is much more prominent when CS-A is used in combination with calcium channel blockers, especially dihydropyridines. On the other hand, it is interesting to note that this complication is not observed in all patients using this drug combination. This study was conducted in order to investigate the relationship (if any) between major histocompatibility complex antigens and gingival hyperplasia. Seventy-six renal transplantation patients were evaluated by an experienced dentist for gingival hyperplasia. The patients were then divided into two groups according to the presence (group 1, n = 18) or absence (group 2, n = 58) of gingival hyperplasia. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding age, sex, transplant age, donor type, antihypertensive and immunosuppressive therapy protocols, and CS-A levels. HLA-DR2 antigen was present in 63% of the patients with gingival hyperplasia and in 34% of the patients without gingival hyperplasia. However, the HLA-DR1 antigen frequencies were found to be 11 and 22% in group 1 and group 2, respectively. In patients receiving nifedipine as an antihypertensive therapy, gingival hyperplasia developed more often than in patients receiving verapamil or diltiazem. As a result, in renal allograft recipients with HLA-DR1 antigen, gingival hyperplasia was seen less frequently than in HLA-DR2-positive patients. It is believed that the presence of these antigens regulates the response of the patients to either CS-A and/or calcium channel blockers.

An educational intervention on promotion of breast feeding.

This study was designed to search for an effective method to promote exclusive breast feeding among Turkish city women delivering in hospitals. Four hundred and forty-two primiparae with uncomplicated deliveries and with healthy infants with birthweights of greater than 2500 g were exposed to a group educational session on breast feeding after birth, followed by one repeat session at home. Four hundred and ninety-nine women served as controls. All homes were visited monthly for 6 months by independent observers and data relevant to the feeding of the infants were collected. Weight measurements of 176 infants were taken at age 4 months. The study and control mothers were similar in sociodemographic characteristics which reflected a low socio-economic/educational background but relatively good housing conditions. Although significant differences in frequency of exclusive breast feeding were found between the study and control groups, the impact of the intervention was much lower than our expectations and short-lived. Type of feeding was not related to sex or birthweight of the infant, nor to maternal variables. Weight at age 4 months was within normal limits and similar in the study and control groups. It was concluded that lack of up-to-date information on infant feeding was the main obstacle to breast feeding in urban groups in Turkey, and that the impact of an educational intervention limited to the first week after delivery was lost within the first 2 months.

PIP: Between August 1986-December 1988, researchers enrolled at least 941 primiparous women infant pairs at a social security obstetric hospital in Instanbul, Turkey into a study intended to examine an educational model to promote exclusive breast feeding. Neither changes in hospital routine nor a continuing support program accompanied the short term intervention. Cases watched a video on oral rehydration therapy and domestic hygiene geared toward diarrhea prevention while in the hospital. They also watched a video on breast feeding followed by a discussion on breast feeding. On days 5-7, health students made home visits to discuss breast feeding and left a booklet on breast feeding. The controls only watched the film on diarrhea. Their home visits on days 5-7 centered on domestic hygiene and baby care. Health students visited each subject once a month for 6 months. Most mothers intended to breast feed (83.2%). More educated mothers (88%) originally planned to breast feed their infants than mothers with limited (81.5%) or no education (69.7%; p.01). By the end of the 1st week, only 47.1% of the cases and 12.4% of the controls were exclusively breast feeding. Supplements consisted on nonmilk liquids. Many mothers stated that they did not produce enough milk so they had to supplement. MOreover the number of cases exclusively breast feeding fell dramatically so that by the 3rd month almost no mother infant pairs practiced exclusive breast feeding. Still cases were significantly more likely to breast feed in the 1st 2 months than controls. Despite little change in behavior, most case mothers felt that the educational session influenced them and they learned the breast is best. In conclusion, the main obstacle was insufficient up to date information available to mothers, relatives, and health personnel.