Influence of various treatments including povidone-iodine and healing stimulatory reagents in a rabbit ear wound model.

Selecting an appropriate treatment for a given case of skin wound is crucial for inducing optimal healing. We used an animal model developed from normal rabbit ears in order to assess the efficacy of treatments for skin wounds with or without a wet dressing, anti microbial reagent or topical wound-stimulatory reagents. The degree of healing in each group was evaluated and compared using four histological parameters: (i) degree of reepithelialisation, (ii) amount of granulation tissue formation, and (iii) the number of capillary lumens and (iv) fibroblasts in the granulation tissue. Treatment using wet dressings resulted in an increase in capillary number compared with the open dry wound. Although the retention of povidone-iodine (PI) in wound tissue after application significantly inhibited reepithelialisation (P < 0.05), rinsing PI off with saline was comparable in effect to using only a wet dressing. The three topical reagents, namely, basic fibroblast growth factor, prostaglandin E1 and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate, significantly improved reepithelialisation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, wounds should be kept hydrated by applying topical reagents. If there are any signs of bacterial infection, PI can be applied and rinsed later with saline in order to minimise its cytotoxic effects.

Unusual clinical features of cutaneous tuberculosis in an immune compromised patient.

We report a case of an unusual form of cutaneous tuberculosis in an 82-year-old woman. She visited our hospital because of an intractable ulcer on the fifth finger of her right hand. While examining the ulcer surrounding half of her right fifth finger and covered with necrotic tissue, we also perceived a nodule with crust on the forearm, multiple subcutaneous nodules on the right forearm and upper arm, and a hen's-egg-sized agglomerative nodule on the axilla. All the lesions were located on her right arm. Skin biopsy specimens showed granulomatous tissue with necrosis in the lesions. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified by culture of a biopsied specimen, so the diagnosis was confirmed. Further examination revealed that she also had pulmonary tuberculosis. Cutaneous tuberculoses are classified morphologically with reference to host immune status, but no satisfactory classification exists. The present case can't be classified into any of the types which have been proposed so far. She is elderly and suffers from liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and myelodysplastic syndrome. The resulting acquired immunosuppression may have caused a unique form of cutaneous tuberculosis.