Cutaneous aseptic neutrophilic abscesses and Yersinia enterocolitica infection in a case subsequently diagnosed as Crohn's disease.

We report the case of a man who presented cutaneous aseptic abscesses, a rare form of neutrophilic disease, associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection and who was later diagnosed as having Crohn's disease (CD). Genetic analysis showed that the patient had a mutation in the caspase activation recruitment domain 15/nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 gene (R702W heterozygote). This case is in keeping with recent evidence in the literature which suggests that CD is a disease linked to abnormal immune responses to enteric bacteria in genetically susceptible individuals. Further understanding of the innate immune system should provide new insights into the pathogenesis of these inflammatory diseases.

[Protein S100 beta and Melanoma Inhibitory Activity (MIA): a prospective study of their clinical value for the early detection of metastasis in malignant melanoma]. / Protéine S100 Béta et Melanoma Inhibitory Activity (MIA) sériques: étude prospective de leur valeur pour la détection précoce de métastases dans le mélanome.

BACKGROUND: We examined whether serum values for proteins S100B and MIA could allow early and reliable screening of metastatic growth in melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a prospective study from 1998 to 2005 in patients presenting non-metastatic melanomas with a Breslow score>0.75 mm. Four PS00B and MIA measurements per patient were performed at regular intervals over 1 to 2 years. Blood samples were analysed for PS100B and MIA using an ELISA technique. RESULTS: Fifty patients were analysed. The maximum interval between collection of samples was 8 months. Metastatic development was noted in 15 patients. Where melanoma progressed to stage III, sensitivity was 33% for PS100B and 25% for MIA. Where it progressed to stage IV, sensitivity was 50% for PS100B and 30% for MIA. A rise in these values preceded discovery of metastasis in 3 cases for PS100B and of MIA in 1 case. Specificity of the assays was 100% for PS100B and 91% for MIA. DISCUSSION: Sensitivity and specificity were better for PS100B than for MIA regarding detection of metastasis during follow-up of thick melanomas. The ELISA technique used in our study seemed to increase the specificity of the assay but not its sensitivity compared to other techniques used previously. We may thus confirm the benefits of PS100B assay for early detection of metastasis in melanomas. However, this laboratory surveillance method is not an acceptable substitute for regular clinical follow-up due to its low sensitivity.

[Cervicofacial ulcerations caused by dental infection in children]. / Ulcérations cervicofaciales liées à un foyer infectieux dentaire chez l'enfant.

UNLABELLED: In children, chronic cervicofacial ulceration related to dental infection is rare. Thus the diagnosis is often late and the treatment is consequently delayed. We report 2 new cases. CASES REPORT: A 13-year-old boy presented with a 1-year history of chronic and suppurative ulceration on the right cheek. Culture was positive for actinomycetes. In spite of a prolonged and miscellaneous antibiotherapy, the lesion recured. The ulceration healed after the eradication of infection on a right superior molar. A 12-year-old girl presented with a right sub-mandibular ulceration, which appeared 3 months before. This lesion did not respond to penicillinotherapy given during 3 months. An infection on a right inferior molar was diagnosed on a tomodensitometry. 3 months after the tooth extraction, the ulceration healed without recurrence. CONCLUSION: These cases emphasize the interest to look for a dental infection at the origin of chronic cervicofacial lesion.