Influence of phototherapy in psoriasis on Ki-67 antigen expression: a preliminary study.

Antigen Ki-67 is a non-histone nuclear protein, closely connected with cell proliferation. Determining Ki-67 allows for a quick and reliable evaluation of the growth fraction of the studied cell population. It serves as a marker of proliferative activity in neoplasms and other diseases with excessive cell proliferation such as psoriasis. Evaluation of Ki-67 expression in epidermal cells was performed in 10 individuals suffering from plaque psoriasis, before and after one of three methods of phototherapy: broadband UVB, narrowband UVB or PUVA. We observed increased Ki-67 antigen expression in psoriatic lesions. The percentage of Ki-67 positive nuclei in the epidermis affected by the disease ranged from 0 to 30% and in the macroscopically healthy surrounding tissue the percentage was from 0 to 10%. After phototherapy the expression in lesional skin decreased (p < 0.01). The greatest decrease was observed after the application of PUVA therapy (from 25 to 10% of cells, p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the perilesional skin with regard to Ki-67 antigen expression before or after phototherapy. On the basis of our own study and studies conducted by other researchers, it can be concluded that reduced Ki-67 expression after the application of PUVA and UVB therapies in the psoriatic epidermis is not a characteristic result of phototherapy only. It is a characteristic property of any effective psoriasis therapy.

Occupational contact dermatitis to acrylates in a manicurist.

We report the case of a manicurist who developed an allergic skin reaction to acrylates, manifested by bullous lesions on fingertips and eczema of the hands and ears. Patch tests showed positive reactions to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, 1,6-hexandiol diacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and triethyleneglycol diacrylate. Because of her skin disorder, she had to give up her job. She was not correctly advised on retraining and started to work as a dental nurse. Soon after re-exposure to acrylates in dental materials, she experienced recurrence of the skin symptoms.

Occupational allergy to squid (Loligo vulgaris).

Occupational allergy from exposure to squid has been rarely described, mainly as contact dermatitis or urticaria. Our report presents the first case of occupational asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and contact urticaria to squid in a 33-year-old seafood production worker, with documented increased eosinophilia in the nasal and tear fluids after specific inhalation challenge test (SICT) with squid. IgE-mediated sensitization to squid was confirmed by positive skin prick test and opened skin test with squid extract. SICT demonstrated a direct and significant link between the exposure to squid and the allergic response from the respiratory system and conjunctiva.