Tinea pedis and onychomycosis in Danish soldiers before and after service in ex-Yugoslavia.

Seventy-three 1-year-experienced Danish soldiers were examined for tinea pedis as well as onychomycoses before and after a duty period of 6 months in ex-Yugoslavia. The incidence of fungal infections was 16.4% before and 32.3% after their duty period abroad. At first investigation Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes were dominant but onychomycosis and tinea pedis were found as well. In contrast, Candida albicans was the predominant pathogen in the second investigation. We explain this by means of the more aggressive nature that yeasts can show when host-parasite relations are disturbed or compromised. Twelve soldiers with positive mycology were offered treatment and the final investigation showed a cure rate of 50%. This result is satisfactory in view of the difficult sanitary conditions.

Ranitidine does not affect psoriasis: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Data from open studies suggest that ranitidine has a beneficial effect on psoriasis and is well tolerated. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the effectiveness of ranitidine in a 24-week, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-comparing study of 201 patients with psoriasis. METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis who had stopped systemic antipsoriatic therapy, including PUVA and UVB, for at least 10 weeks were included. After a washout period of 2 weeks, patients were randomly allocated to use either ranitidine, 150 mg twice a day; ranitidine, 300 mg twice a day; or placebo for up to 24 weeks. Assessment with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index was performed at weeks 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 after randomization. Reduction of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score by 70% at the completion of the study was considered a treatment success. RESULTS: The success rates at week 24 in the 300 mg, 600 mg, and placebo groups were 11%, 5%, and 12%, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the three treatment groups at any stage of the study. CONCLUSION: This study provides strong evidence that ranitidine does not affect the skin disease in patients with psoriasis.

PCR for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in endocervical, urethral, rectal, and pharyngeal swab samples obtained from patients attending an STD clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate, by use of the Amplicor PCR in a routine setting, the recovery rate of Chlamydia trachomatis in ano-rectal and pharyngeal swab samples obtained from males and females attending an STD clinic in relation to sexual practices, symptoms, and signs. DESIGN: Data regarding sexual practices, and symptoms and signs related to the rectum and pharynx, were obtained from 196 females and 208 males, including 31 homosexuals and eight bisexuals. Swab samples were obtained from the urethra, rectum, and pharynx from all the patients. An additional endocervical swab sample was obtained from the females. METHODS: All samples were analysed by the Amplicor PCR (Roche). SETTING: Rudolph Bergh's Hospital, a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases situated in the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of urogenital C trachomatis infection was 9.2% (37/404). The specificity of the Amplicor PCR was 100% for both ano-rectal and pharyngeal swab samples. In females three (13%) of the 23 infections were detected only by testing an ano-rectal or throat swab sample. In homosexual males two (67%) of three infections were detected only by the anorectal swab sample. Ano-rectal intercourse without use of condom was reported by 44% of females and by 52% of homosexual males. Fellatio without condom use was reported by 91% of females, and 80% of heterosexual males practised cunnilingus. Pharyngeal infection, however, occurred only in females, and the presence of pharyngeal symptoms or signs seemed predictive for pharyngeal C trachomatis infection, for which the time of incubation or colonisation exceeded 3 months. The presence of ano-rectal signs or symptoms was not predictive for an ano-rectal C trachomatis infection. CONCLUSION: The Amplicor PCR can be used on ano-rectal and pharyngeal swab samples. Ano-rectal swab samples should be obtained in females and homosexual males at high risk of being infected. Pharyngeal samples should be taken in females at high risk of being infected, especially when pharyngeal signs or symptoms are present.