[Enlarged spectrum of tick transmitted spirochaetoses]. / Zum erweiterten Spektrum zeckenübertragener Spirochätosen.

After the successful identification of Borrelia burgdorferi as the cause of Lyme disease, a new tick-borne infection occurring in the United States, almost identical spirochaetes have been isolated from the tick Ixodes ricinus in Europe. As a result, the spirochaetal aetiology of skin diseases, which had long been recognized as tick-borne infections, namely erythema chronicum migrans with its neurological complications of the tick-borne meningopolyneuritis of Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth, acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans and lymphadenosis cutis benigna, could be confirmed by means of microbiological, histological and serological methods. On the basis of case histories it had already been assumed for some time that anetodermia maculosa and the localised sclerodermas might also be caused by a tick-borne agent. The results of serological investigations have now strengthened this assumption, although microbiological confirmation is still lacking.

Pool-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa dermatitis and other bathing-associated infections.

The growing popularity of heated pools, especially whirlpools and hot tubs, has been accompanied by increasingly frequent outbreaks of an illness produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The illness usually includes folliculitis, pruritic skin rash, and/or otitis externa and occasionally mastitis and systemic symptoms. Although usually self-limited, rare severe cases have been described. Motel and hotel whirlpools are most often implicated as the source of outbreaks. The relative importance of pool conditions and the bacteriology of P. aeruginosa in the pathogenesis of this illness remain to be elucidated. Implementing CDC Guidelines for public spas and hot tubs seem the most reasonable way of reducing the risk of large outbreaks. Prevention of cases arising from home hot tubs or whirlpools will be very difficult and may depend on extensive public education or the development of simple, inexpensive and effective disinfection systems.

Schistosome dermatitis--an unrecognized problem in South Africa?

Schistosome dermatitis is caused by penetration of the cercariae of avian blood flukes or schistosomes into human skin. It is a problem in many countries. In this article the condition is described and the evidence for its occurrence in South Africa examined. It is suggested that schistosome dermatitis is probably more common than reports indicate.

Nasal dermatitis in the Mongolian gerbil.

The prevalence of nasal dermatitis in two breeding colonies of Mongolian gerbils was determined; 56 of 302 (18.5%) were affected in Colony A, and 2 of 54 (3.7%) were affected in Colony B. The presence of nasal lesions did not correlate with sex, tail barbering, or epilepsy. There was a positive correlation between presence of nasal lesions and forepaw dermatitis, periocular alopecia, and protrusion of the nictitating membrane. Lesions were most common in the superior labial and lateral nasal regions. Histopathologic changes in the nasal area included acanthosis, mild hyperkeratosis, and inflammation of the dermis. Isolates of beta-hemolytic Staphylococcus aureus of several phage types were cultured from the nasal area of affected and nonaffected animals in both colonies. Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolates were associated with the development of early nasal lesions.