Syphilis.

This is a case report of 51-year-old male patient with various symptoms including skin rashes, sensory disturbances, and non-cicatricial hair loss. Despite previous tests, the cause remained elusive until a dermatological examination revealed signs of syphilis. The patient's history, including his sexual relationships, became key in confirming the diagnosis, leading to treatment for neurosyphilis. With a rising incidence of syphilis in Denmark, this case highlights the importance of considering syphilis as a potential diagnosis across medical specialities because of the diverse and challenging clinical manifestations.

Cyclosporine and Extracorporeal Photopheresis are Equipotent in Treating Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Cross-Over Study Comparing Two Efficient Treatment Modalities.

BACKGROUND: Severe atopic dermatitis (AD) is a recurrent and debilitating disease often requiring systemic immunosuppressive treatment. The efficacy of cyclosporine A (CsA) is well proven but potential side effects are concerning. Several reports point at extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) as an alternative treatment modality with few and mild side effects. However, no direct comparison between CsA and ECP in the treatment of AD has been performed so far. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of CsA (3 mg/kg/day) and ECP (administered two consecutive days twice a month) in a cohort of patients with severe AD. METHODS: A randomized cross-over study involving twenty patients with severe AD (SCORAD index 41-89) refractory to other treatments. The patients were allocated to a 4-month course of either of the two treatment modalities. Individual relapse periods (2-8 weeks) were interspersed before cross-over to the other treatment modality. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by SCORAD, PRURITUS (VAS-index 0-10), "overall global assessment" and serological biomarkers; sIL-2Rα, sE-selectin, eosinophilocytes, basophilocytes, and sIgE. RESULTS: 15 patients completed treatment. Both treatments lead to a marked and significant decrease in SCORAD and pruritus index. The average reduction of the SCORAD and pruritus index, respectively was a little higher for ECP treatment compared to CsA treatment; however, the differences did not reach statistical significance. The "overall global assessment" was significantly better in patients who underwent ECP therapy as compared to CsA treatment. None of the biomarkers showed significant changes after either treatment when compared to the initial values. CONCLUSION: ECP administered on two consecutive days twice a month to patients with severe AD has similar potency as CsA administered daily in a moderate dose. ECP is a treatment alternative in patients with severe AD that do not tolerate or are refractory to conventional immunosuppressants.

[Actinic prurigo]. / Aktinsk prurigo.

A 7-year-old girl of Colombian descent was referred for diagnosis and treatment. She initially presented signs of universal itchy eczema in the spring of 2003. She responded to local treatment with topical steroids, but her symptoms rapidly re-emerged after discharge. Further investigations led to the conclusion that the patient suffered from Actinic Prurigo. The disease was very severe and there was a lack of response to treatment with oral prednisolone, antihistamines and pentoxyfyllin. Therefore the patient was treated with Thalidomide 50 mg/25 mg daily (alternating). This resulted in the complete clearance of her skin symptoms except postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

[A case of childhood granulomatous perioral dermatitis (CGPD) in a three year old boy from Madagascar]. / Granulomatøs perioral dermatitis i barnealderen hos et adoptivbarn fra Madagaskar.

A case of childhood granulomatous perioral dermatitis (CGPD)/facial Afro-Caribbean childhood eruption (FACE) in a three year old boy from Madagascar is described. This disorder occurs predominantly in black children until puberty. It is a relatively uncommon condition of unknown aetiology characterized by a monomorphic, papular eruption around the mouth, nose and eyes. The disorder looks like sarcoidosis, but it is benign and self-limited and not associated with any systemic manifestations. In our case we treated the patient with Elidel (pimecrolimus) with an excellent result.