Idiopathic pure sudomotor failure: A review and two cases.

Idiopathic pure sudomotor failure (IPSF) is a rare disease characterized by acquired impairment in total body sweating despite exposure to heat or exercise. Its etiology is unknown but thought to involve defective cholinergic receptors on eccrine sweat glands. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, and management of IPSF. Additionally, we report two cases of IPSF treated with multimodal therapy, including stacked antihistamine regimens and omalizumab, resulting in symptom improvement. This is the first report of treatment of IPSF with omalizumab, although its benefit is uncertain and requires further study.

A Case of Scabies Presenting as Chronic Urticaria.

Scabies outbreaks are relatively common worldwide, particularly in communal living settings such as military barracks. The infestation is caused by the parasite Sarcoptes Scabiei and is easily treated once properly diagnosed. Classic symptoms include pruritus around the waist, wrists, and ankles.1 On physical examination, linear burrows visualized in finger web spaces is a typical finding.1 It is not uncommon, however, for scabies to present with a variety of other dermatologic manifestations, which can lead to a delayed or missed diagnosis. This case highlights a delayed diagnosis of scabies, initially presenting as urticaria in a 26-year-old active duty male living in military barracks where multiple previous outbreaks were identified. Providers should be aware of the oftentimes-elusive diagnosis of scabies and the many nonclassic dermatologic manifestations. A thorough skin examination with skin scrapings and examination of the finger web spaces should be considered in those with ambiguous skin rashes who are particularly at risk for scabies infection, such as military recruits, submariners, and other service members living in communal settings. Timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment is crucial to prevent reinfection and spread of scabies throughout these communal living settings.

An outbreak of Leptospirosis among United States military personnel in Guam.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe and discuss the clinical course of a leptospirosis outbreak in a running club called the hash house harriers on Guam. CONCLUSIONS: Leptospirosis is a potentialy life threatening disease, and has had a reemergence given the popularity of travel adventure sports, teams, and clubs around the world. This case presentation highlights the robust prescence of leptospirosis on Guam.

Marker rescue mapping of the combined Condit/Dales collection of temperature-sensitive vaccinia virus mutants.

Complementation analysis of the combined Condit/Dales collection of vaccinia virus temperature-sensitive mutants has been reported (Lackner, C.A., D'Costa, S.M., Buck, C., Condit, R.C., 2003. Complementation analysis of the Dales collection of vaccinia virus temperature-sensitive mutants. Virology 305, 240-259), however not all complementation groups have previously been assigned to single genes on the viral genome. We have used marker rescue to map at least one representative of each complementation group to a unique viral gene. The final combined collection contains 124 temperature-sensitive mutants affecting 38 viral genes, plus five double mutants.