[Treatment of juvenile pemphigus vulgaris with intravenous immunoglobulins]. / Liecba juvenilného pemphigus vulgaris intravenóznymi imunoglobulínmi.

Juvenile pemphigus vulgaris (JPV) is a rare autoimmune disease. It is treated by different immunosuppressive drugs, which may have serious side effects. Such problems are most apparent in the therapy of children and adolescents. The use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) is a safe and effective method and therefore it can replace or at least postpone the initiation of the combined immunosuppressive therapy. The article reports experience with the IVIG therapy of severe JPV in 16-year-old female patient. The double combination of IVIG and prednisone was used. IVIG were administered in a dose of 400 mg/kg/day during three consecutive days with the intervals of 1-2 months. Totally 5 cycles were applied. The therapeutic effect was excellent, it started within few days, but it was only temporary and lasted for 1-2 months. IVIG therapy enabled the dose of prednisone to be reduced from 50 mg/day to 15 mg/day. Following the cessation of IVIG, the double combination therapy of prednisone and azathioprine was initiated, but it was unsuccessful in controlling the disease. Remission of JPV achieved with triple combination of prednisone (25 mg/day), azathioprine (100 mg/day) and dapsone (50 mg/day) was comparable to that of IVIG and prednisone combination. On the basis of their positive experience the authors recommend to use IVIG also for cases of childhood and juvenile pemphigus, in which this therapy can delay the need for administration of immunosuppressive drugs with potential of serious adverse effects.

The effect of nickel sulphate, potassium dichromate, cobalt nitrate and cadmium sulphate on the proteins of cellular contacts and actin skeleton of cultivated human keratinocytes.

UNLABELLED: The authors tested the effects of known allergens, namely nickel sulphate, potassium dichromate, cobalt nitrate and cytotoxic cadmium sulphate on the proteins of cellular contacts (vinculin, talin, E-cadherin, desmoplaktin) and actin cytoskeleton (actin filaments) of cultivated human keratinocytes. The localisation of proteins of cellular contacts was detected by means of direct immunofluorescence. The authors have detected a decrease in, and destruction of cellular contact proteins and actin cytoskeleton after testing the effect of all allergens, while the most significant changes were detected in E-cadherin, vunkulin and actin filaments. Desmoplaktin and talin were less damaged. Potassium dichromate caused damage already in concentration of 1 microg/ml. A similar effect of the other two tested haptanes was brought about in concentration being 100-fold higher. CONCLUSION: the gained results indicate that the investigation of cellular contact proteins and actin cytoskeleton of cultivated human keratinocytes can possibly become a part of the testing of allergy-triggering potential of chemical substances. (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 18.)

[Is allergy a contraindication for tonsillectomy?]. / Je alergia kontraindikáciou tonzilektómie?

Many immunologists indicate that tonsillectomy (TE) performed in patients with allergy has an unfavourable impact on the development of allergy and asthma. This warning has significantly decreased the number of TE in children, and resulted in an increase in the occurrence of peritonsillar abscesses, and high incidence of obstructive breathing disturbances during sleep associated with developmental physical and mental consequences in children. The subjective of this study was to find out the influence of TE on the development of allergy in 29 children, in whom their allergy was confirmed 1-5 years after TE. The allergic disease has improved or disappeared in 24 children (82.8%), no changes were recorded in 4 children (13.8%), deterioration has occurred only in 1 child (3.4%) who developed asthma, while in common population, asthma occurs in 10% of children. The results of this study confirm that TE does not have an unfavourable impact on the development of allergy, and therefore allergy does not represent a contraindication for tonsillectomy. (Fig. 1, Ref. 22.)

[An epidemic of Trichophyton tonsurans trichophytosis in wrestlers (1994-1996)]. / Pohlad na epidémie trichofýcií Trichophyton tonsurans medzi zápasníkmi (1994-1996).

During the period between September 1994 and August 1996 the authors detected an epidemic of trichophytia superficialis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans among wrestlers (age 10-19 years) of three sports clubs in southwestern Slovakia following their participation in international contests. Underrating of the initial symptoms of the disease, lack of adherence to the ban to engage in contests before complete cure, the relative resistance to topical and systemic treatment etc. led to the development of infection in 52 wrestlers (37% exposed ones). The authors recommend as one of the measures to prevent further import and spread of dermatophytoses measures prohibiting participation of infected sportsmen in any contests at home and abroad.

Long-term trends of the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhoea in the Slovak Republic during 1947-1994, with special regard to young age groups.

During the Second World War and after the War venereal diseases (Syphilis and Gonorrhoea) were wide-spread. By a single census in October 1947 were notified 2960 syphilitic patients. In the years 1949-1951 intensive and effective preventive measures were introduced as compulsatory notification system of venereal diseases, sexual contact-tracing investigations, correct and rapid diagnosis of venereal diseases, rapid and efficient therapy of patients with syphilis, followup (post-treatment observations) for all patients, routine serological tests for syphilis, in expectant mothers at ante-natal clinics, periodical screening of high-risk groups, patients in each calendar year at their hospitalization, to taking up a post and a special drive against syphilis ("PN-action"). The results of these measures are manifested by substantial fall in the number of cases of syphilis and gonorrhoea. In the years 1948-1955 18,151 patients suffering from syphilis were notified. The changes of the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhoea are illustrated by statistical data (Tab. 1-9). Syphilis congenita occurs sporadicly, there is a substantial fall in the number of syphilitic pregnant. After 1989 there has been a greater group mobility and a substantial rise in active and passive tourisms and occupational travel activity, especially abroad. Changes of the sexual behaviour were expressed, especially a greater tolerance whether heterosexual or homosexual, sexual freedom, sexual promiscuity and especially prostitution.