The effect of gastric Helicobacter pylori eradication on recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been suggested to be associated with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) as well as many other diseases. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on a total of 23 patients with RAS to investigate the relationship between H. pylori and RAS as well as the effect of eradication therapy on the recurrence. All patients underwent endoscopic examination and gastric biopsy. The biopsy materials were examined histopathologically whether they contained H. pylori or not. The density of H. pylori was also noted. The patients with H. pylori infection were followed up for up to 1 year after starting the eradication therapy. RESULTS: Gastric mucosal H. pylori colonization was + in 39%, ++ in 39%, +++ in 9%, and - in 13% of the patients, respectively. There were statistically significant decreases in the recurrence rate and amelioration time of RAS by eradication therapy. There were no significant correlations among the intensity of H. pylori with the recurrence rate, number, diameter, and amelioration time of the lesions in 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that eradication of H. pylori may have reducing effects on the recurrence and amelioration period of the RAS.

Intertriginous plasmacytosis with plasmoacanthoma: report of a typical case and review of the literature.

Clinical manifestations of benign (reactive) plasma cell proliferations of the skin and mucosa consist of a relatively rare and distinct group in dermatologic disorders. They have generally been named according to their localization. We report a typical case of mucocutaneous plasmacytosis located on intertriginous areas of the skin as well as mucosa with a perianal tumoral mass diagnosed as plasmoacanthoma. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed case report, at least in English literature.

Comparison of the Tzanck test and polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of cutaneous herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus infections.

BACKGROUND: Although the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections is usually made clinically, the Tzanck test, electron microscopy, viral culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and serologic tests can be utilized to verify the diagnosis. METHODS: We conducted a study on a total of 98 patients (77 patients with recurrent herpes simplex and 21 patients with herpes zoster) to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of the Tzanck test in comparison with PCR. RESULTS: In herpes virus infections, the general positivity rates of the Tzanck test and PCR were 61.2% and 79.6%, respectively. The difference between the positivity rates of the two tests was statistically significant. The positivity rates of the tests differed according to the type and duration of the lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Although PCR was superior to the Tzanck test, the Tzanck test has also been proven to be a reliable diagnostic method, with a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 100%. We recommend the use of this easy, quick, reproducible, and inexpensive diagnostic test more often in dermatologic practice, especially in cutaneous herpes virus infections.

Incidence of atopic stigmata and prick test results in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis.

Allergic diseases are part of the 'modern lifestyle' and their incidence is still increasing. Cutaneous markers (stigmata) usually provide valuable clues for the diagnosis of atopic diseases. This study evaluated the prevalence of the four major and twenty-one minor criteria of Hanifin and Rajka in a total of 246 patients with mucosal allergies (99 asthma, 108 allergic rhinitis, and 39 allergic conjunctivitis). The two most prevalent major criteria were history of atopic diseases and pruritus. The most prevalent three minor criteria were periorbital darkening, influence of environmental factors and xerosis. The most common prick test-positive allergens were grass and mite allergens. Despite evidence for a high co-morbidity between atopic diseases, in daily clinical practise diagnostic and therapeutic procedures generally focus on the most predominant disease. We concluded that it may be important to screen subjects with mucosal allergies for the presence of major and minor cutaneous stigmata. Screening for cutaneous manifestations and subsequent treatment might further enhance the quality of life of these patients.

Amyloidosis cutis dyschromica: a case treated with acitretin.

We report a case of amyloidosis cutis dyschromica with diffuse postinflammatory-type hypo- and hyperpigmentation all over the body. The diagnosis was confirmed with routine light microscopic and immunohistochemical staining methods. The patient was treated with acitretin with a good response.

A case of sporotrichosis treated with itraconazole.

Lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis is caused by Sporothrix schenckii, a dimorphic fungus commonly existing on decaying plants and in the soil. The fungus has a worldwide distribution but is more prevalent in temperate and tropical climates. Infection may result from traumatic inoculation of contaminated material such as soil, hay, moss, plant debris, splinters, thorns and barbs. Inoculation is also possible through some animal scratches and bites. We describe a typical case of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis, which was confirmed by clinical, histological and microbiological features. The patient was successfully treated with 400 mg daily systemic itraconazole for 4 months.

A case of lupus vulgaris with unusual location.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest diseases of our planet; today, it still is a serious medicosocial problem in both developing and developed countries. Cutaneous tuberculosis is part of the small percentage of extrapulmonary forms of the disease and has considerable morphological variability. It is often confused with various cutaneous disorders and some other granulomatous processes of the skin. Here, we present a case of long-standing and atypically-located lupus vulgaris in an old man. The patient was successfully treated with triple antituberculous therapy.