Nailfold capillaroscopic changes in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Nailfold capillaroscopy is a highly sensitive, inexpensive, simple, safe, and noninvasive technique used in the investigation of the microcirculation. However, the diseases having a vasculitic component can cause changes in the nailfold capillaries like viral hepatitis, the microvascular characteristics of the nailfold area in HBV and HCV infected individuals have not been systematically investigated. In this study, we investigated possible dermoscopic differences in the vascular appearance of the nailfold capillaries and their association with the disease's clinical status. METHOD: A hundred and forty-seven patients and 147 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The patients' group consisted of chronic viral hepatitis B (CHB: 54 cases), chronic hepatitis C (CHC: 36 cases) and carrier of hepatitis B virus infection (CRHB: 57 cases). Nailfold capillaroscopy was performed using a digital dermoscope (Molemax II, X30). All capillaroscopy images were evaluated for capillary density, capillary loop enlargement, capillary tortuosities, branching vessels, micro hemorrhages, avascular areas and splinter hemorrhages, and routine laboratory examinations of all patients were performed. RESULTS: Statistical differences in all of the categories of capillary morphology were prominent between the capillary abnormalities of Hepatitis B and the control group, also the capillary abnormality was significant between hepatitis C and the control group (p < 0.01). None of the 147 healthy control had any nailfold capillary changes. There was a significant difference between the CHB-Control and CRHB-Control groups in all of the capillaroscopic changes (p < 0.01). The avascular area was also the most common finding in Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B infected individuals, and capillary dilatation (CD), capillary tortuosity (CT) and capillary enlargement (CE) were the major nailfold capillary changes in both of two diseases. CONCLUSION: Nailfold capillary abnormalities are one of the extrahepatic dermatologic finding which could be a sign of the endothelial tissue damage in chronic viral hepatitis, we do not have any data about the effects of these two usual infections on the nailfold capillary morphology. This is the first study evaluating the microvasculature abnormalities of the nailfold capillaries in hepatitis B and hepatitis C infected individuals by capillaroscopic examination.

The prognostic role of the new entity butterfly-like facial rash and cutaneous findings in patients with crimean congo haemorrhagic fever.

BACKGROUND: Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a deadly fever caused by Nairovirus (family Bunyaviridae). It is an important public health problem in hyperendemic regions with a high mortality rate. There have been many studies on cutaneous findings in other viral infections, however, our knowledge is limited regarding CCHF. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cutaneous manifestations of CCHF and their relationship with mortality. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed CCHF between April 1 and September 1, 2011 were enrolled in this study. Dermatologic examination and laboratory analysis were obtained during hospitalization. RESULTS: A new entity that is first reported in this study as a butterfly-like facial rash was recognized in 76 patients (42.9%). It was not correlated with mortality but could coexist with other dermatological signs of CCHF. The major outcome was the increased mortality rate with other cutaneous findings (especially ecchymosis, purpura and petechia) (P < 0.01). While 12 deceased individuals had one or more skin findings, only one patient died without any cutaneous manifestations. Mortality rate was higher in patients with purpura than the patients with pethesia. The statistically significant correlation was observed between cutaneous manifestations and elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (P = 0.009). Platelet levels were lower in patients with cutaneous involvement (P < 0.01). No statistically significant relationship was found between cutaneous findings and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), white blood cell (WBC), Haemoglobin (Hb), creatinine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. LIMITATIONS: Histopathologic examination of facial rash could not be done because of haemostatic failure. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm that cutaneous findings can be a clue regarding the prognosis of the patients with CCHF. Physicians should be aware that CCHF may present with a butterfly-like rash on the face.

Axillary hair removal with 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser increases sweat production.

BACKGROUND: Laser-assisted hair removal has become a popular treatment for eradication of body hair. Many studies have been published concerning the safety and efficacy of several laser systems. Adverse events are hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, erythema, oedema, scarring, pain and blistering. Changes in sweating have not previously been reported. AIM: To investigate the effects on axillary sweating of hair removal by a 1064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. METHODS: The sweating function of both axillae was evaluated objectively by the iodine starch test for planimetry measurement and subjectively using a visual analogue scale (VAS) before the treatment, and 1 month and 1 year after the last session. RESULTS: The difference in hyperhidrotic activity before and after treatment was significant (P < 0.05), and these differences persisted 1 year after the last evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that treatment of axillary hair using the 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser can cause hyperhidrosis, and this effect is not transient. We did not evaluate the eccrine glands histologically, which is a limitation of the study.