The effect of ejaculation on albumin excretion rate.

Microalbuminuria predicts the development of diabetic nephropathy. Large daily variations in albumin excretion rates are frequently observed. Because seminal fluid contains protein and albumin, we reasoned that sexual activity, ejaculation, or residual urethral semen could contribute to albumin content in urine and thus effect determination of albumin excretion rate. Our study was designed to determine the effect of ejaculation of albumin excretion rate and to ascertain if patients routinely should be advised to refrain from sexual activity during or before the urine collection period. Ten normotensive, nondiabetic men (age 31.0 +/- 2.3 years) collected 24-h urine specimens on three occasions: after 3 days of abstinence from sexual activity, during a 24-h period which included one ejaculatory episode, and on a day following sexual activity. Results for albumin excretion rate were: abstinence day: 4.8 +/- 0.7 micrograms/min; sex day: 6.3 +/- 1.1 microgram/min; post-sex day: 4.9 +/- 1.0 micrograms/min. There was no significant difference between these values when compared directly or after log transformation. There also were no differences in urinary creatinine excretion or clearance. We conclude that in nondiabetic individuals ejaculation does not influence albumin excretion rate.

Oral hairy leukoplakia.

Oral hairy leukoplakia occurs almost exclusively in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and is predictive for the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It presents as a white plaque with a rough surface, most commonly on the sides of the tongue. The eruption is frequently overlooked, and, because it is commonly mistaken for oral candidiasis, its true incidence is unknown. The leukoplakia is the result of permissive infection of epithelial cells by the Epstein-Barr virus. Antiviral therapy that inhibits Epstein-Barr virus replication can result in clinical improvement. Oral hairy leukoplakia provides a unique clinical model for investigations on the pathogenesis of Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Comparison of the efficacy of surgery and acyclovir therapy in oral hairy leukoplakia.

To compare the therapeutic effects of surgical excision and orally administered acyclovir therapy on symptomatic oral hairy leukoplakia, 45 homosexual men who were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus participated in a 3-month open-label study. In the 14 patients who had surgical excision, pain resolved in four symptomatic patients and the leukoplakia did not recur in the areas of excision. New foci of leukoplakia, however, appeared in 10 patients after 3 months. Of the 16 patients who received acyclovir therapy, 12 had a clinical regression, although recurrences were noted in all patients after 3 months. Three patients had resolution of pain while taking acyclovir; in two the pain recurred after acyclovir was discontinued. No spontaneous remissions of the leukoplakia occurred in the 15 patients who refused therapy. We conclude that surgical excision is effective in patients with symptomatic oral hairy leukoplakia.

Dysgonic fermenter type 2 septicemia with purpura fulminans. Dermatologic features of a zoonosis acquired from household pets.

Dysgonic fermenter type 2, a gram-negative bacillus that is part of the normal oral flora of dogs and cats, is responsible for increasing numbers of cases of fulminant septicemia in humans. Patients usually have preexisting medical illnesses, but infection also occurs in otherwise healthy individuals. Most infections are acquired through animal contact. Dermatologic eruptions occur in half of the patients with dysgonic fermenter type 2 infection, and include petechiae, purpura, cellulitis, and gangrene.

Regression of oral hairy leukoplakia after orally administered acyclovir therapy.

To define the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the pathogenesis of oral hairy leukoplakia, 13 human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive men with clinical and histologic evidence of oral hairy leukoplakia were enrolled in an open-label trial of orally administered acyclovir therapy (3.2 g/d for 20 days). Of six patients who received therapy, five exhibited clinical regression. Once therapy was discontinued, recurrences occurred in all responders. Among seven patients who refused therapy, no spontaneous remissions occurred. Before therapy, EBV replication within the leukoplakia was demonstrated by immunofluorescence tissue staining or electron microscopy in five patients who were studied. Human papillomavirus was not detected by immunocytochemistry or electron microscopy from tissue specimens of six patients. After therapy, biopsy specimens from two patients with complete responses revealed a normalization of histologic abnormalities and an inability to detect EBV in previously involved mucosa by immunofluorescence or in situ DNA hybridization assays. It was concluded that EBV replication within the epithelial cells of the tongue is necessary for the development of oral hairy leukoplakia.