[Current developments in dermatologic virology]. / Aktuelle Entwicklungen in der Dermatovirologie.

We give a survey of the latest developments in dermatovirology. The actual epidemiologic situation is described with special reference to the increasing incidences of AIDS, condylomata acuminata, mollusca contagiosa, and herpes simplex type 2. The dermatovirological progress achieved during the last few years is mostly due to improved diagnostic techniques, including electron microscopy, and to the introduction of specific virostatic agents.

[Keratoacanthoma and its clinical variants. Review of the literature and histopathologic analysis of 90 cases]. / Das Keratoakanthom und seine klinischen Varianten. Literaturübersicht und histopathologische Analyse von 90 Fällen.

Current knowledge about the etiology and histogenesis of keratoacanthoma (KA) is first reviewed, after which the various clinical and histological patterns of this tumor are presented. The differential diagnosis, particularly against spinocellular carcinoma (SCC), and possible forms of therapy are discussed. A series of 90 KAs seen in the period 1976-1986 were investigated histopathologically with reference to the overall architecture, the epithelial differentiation, the behavior towards the adjacent tissue, and the extent and composition of the cellular infiltrate. In addition to routine staining with hematoxylin-eosin and Giemsa, several files have been subjected to immunohistological analysis by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method (PAP) (keratin, lysozyme, epithelial membrane antigen, tissue polypeptide antigen). In 79 cases (88%) the overall architecture found was that of an endo-exophytic, dome-shaped structure with a central crater filled with a plug and with epithelial "lips" at the margins. In 3 KA (3%) a more endophytic picture was seen though no ulceration was observed. In 2 tumors in the very early stages (2%), there was no formation of horn crater and no epithelial lips. Similarly, 5 flat, plaque-like KA (6%) also showed no horn crater. With the exception of 3 aggregated (and/or multicentric) KA (3%), no solitary or multiple types were found. In 88 cases (98%), proliferation of the epidermis was observed mainly in the lateral and basal parts. In 86 KA (96%) there was a relatively well-demarcated, sharp border to the basal tumor portions. In 4 cases (4%) a less precise definition of the outer tumor margins was observed, because of a considerable pseudocarcinomatous, though not truly infiltrative, growth pattern. In 24 KA (27%) there was a strong tendency to formation of one or more sequesters. In the majority of cases, maturation of the epithelial cells was normal. Abnormal multipolar mitoses (7 cases; 8%) and relatively pronounced cellular atypies (8 cases; 9%) were occasionally observed. There was a clear correlation between the composition and extent of the inflammatory infiltrate and the tumor growth stage. In 78 KA (87%) large numbers of intraepithelial neutrophilic microabscesses were shown. In only 13 cases (14%) were substantial numbers of eosinophilic leukocytes observed, and 3 of these tumors (3%) later developed eosinophilic microabscesses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Some recent results and developments in dermatovenerology]. / Einige neuere Ergebnisse und Entwicklungen in der Dermatovenerologie.

Our own results in dermatology are highlighted, such as the oral "hairy" leukoplakia associated with AIDS, treatment with Acyclovir for herpetic infections, laser therapy for angiomas, Lyme disease, x-ray therapy in Kaposi's sarcomas, photosensitivity reactions by treatment with thiazid diuretics and follicular mucinosis associated with T-cell lymphomas (mycosis fungoides).

[Rules for the writing of scientific papers with remarks on the art of composition and nomenclature]. / Regeln für die Niederschrift wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten mit Anmerkungen zur Stilistik und Nomenklatur.

Students and young scientists are often helpless when writing their first paper. The author has observed over a period of time that poor style, misuse of the German language and inappropriate dermatological terminology have crept in that should be eradicated. In this paper, an attempt is made to provide constructive advice on how to organize a manuscript and how to give it better form.

[Pyoderma gangraenosum with special reference to immunologic and hematologic parameters]. / Das Pyoderma gangraenosum unter besonderer Berücksichtigung immunologischer und haematologischer Parameter.

Clinically, the diagnosis "pyoderma gangraenosum" can easily be made on the basis of typical skin features. It has been agreed, so far, that numerous immune deficiencies may play a key role in the pathogenesis of this disease. On reviewing the recent case reports, we observe a change regarding the associated diseases in more than 50%: Whereas earlier reports refer to ulcerative colitis as the most frequent concomitant disease, we now find increasing evidence of hematologic problems in association with pyoderm gangraenosum.

Oral acyclovir for herpes zoster: a double-blind controlled trial in normal subjects.

Sixty immunocompetent patients with herpes zoster of various dermatomes were treated 5 times a day for 5 days with either acyclovir at a dose of 400 mg or placebo. Acyclovir was shown to reduce significantly the time to full crusting (P = 0.02). There were also trends in favour of acyclovir for time to first dry vesicle and time to first day without macules or papules, but these were not statistically significant. There were no differences between the groups in the occurrence of adverse events or postherpetic neuralgia.

[Cowpox virus infection in a young girl]. / Infektion eines Mädchens mit Kuhpockenvirus.

An genuine cowpox virus was isolated in a 6-year-old girl with a circumscribed skin lesion between the thumb and forefinger. In the beginning, the lesion was a proliferating skin change, which later became ulcerative with central hemorrhagic necrosis (umbilicated pock). Electron microscopy as well as histological, biological (cell and host range) and serological methods were used to characterize the virus. Cats and rodents are discussed as potential virus carriers. Voluntary vaccination against orthopox should be provided for persons at risk of infection.

[Oral "hairy" leukoplakia--rapid electron optic diagnosis by negative staining procedures]. / Orale "hairy" Leukoplakie--elektronenoptische Schnelldiagnostik durch Negativ-Staining-Verfahren.

Using the electron microscopic technique of negative staining, viruses of the herpes group were detected in leukoplakic lesions on the tongue of a bisexual, HTLV-III-/LAV-infected male. Oral "hairy" leukoplakia was diagnosed, which was the first clinical symptom of on HTLV-III/LAV infection in this patient.

[Oral hairy leukoplakia--early symptom of HTLV-III/LAV infection]. / Orale "hairy" Leukoplakie--Frühsymptom bei HTLV-III/LAV-Infektion.

Epstein-Barr virus was demonstrated electronmicroscopically in a leucoplakic area of the tongue of a man infected with HTLV-III/LAV. Oral "hairy" leucoplakia, diagnosed from the clinical findings, histology and by electronmicroscopy, in this patients is to be interpreted as the initial sign of an HTLV-III/LAV infection.

[Infantile acro-localized papulovesicular syndrome]. / Infantiles papulovesikulöses akrolokalisiertes Syndrom.

Papular acrodermatitis (Gianotti-Crosti syndrome) was seen in a six-year-old girl. The disease was marked by the characteristic triad of a papular-vesicular rash, lymphadenopathy and liver damage. Serological findings suggest an infection with Epstein-Barr virus as the causative factor. In such cases hepatitis-B induced papular eruptive acrodermatitis should be considered in differential diagnosis.

[Heck's disease]. / Der Morbus Heck.

The clinical, microbiological, histological and electron microscopical findings in cases of oral papillomatosis (Heck's disease, focal epithelial hyperplasia), as well as differential diagnosis and therapy are presented. Electron microscopic investigations confirmed the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the lesions of Heck's disease.