Chronic Inflammatory Skin Disease (chronic + inflammatory_skin_disease)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Prevalence of the MspI and Ile462Val SNPs of Cytochrome P-450 1A1 in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2010
Ansgar Lukowsky
Please cite this paper as: Prevalence of the MspI and Ile462Val SNPs of Cytochrome P-450 1A1 in Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 541,542. Abstract:, Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects the hair follicles in the axillary, perianal and inguinal area. Its cause and pathogenesis are unknown, but cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing HS conceivably by accumulating toxic metabolites in sweat. The xenobiotic compounds from tobacco are metabolized by the cytochromes P-450. The cytochrome P-450 1A1 (CYP1A1), one of the most active isoenzymes, harbours several polymorphisms. Two of them, MspI and Ile462Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), are associated with enhanced activity and inducibility. Performing direct DNA sequencing, we investigated the frequencies of these SNP in 51 patients with HS, 45 of these were smokers. We found similar overall SNP rates in our patients in comparison with previous data for Caucasian or German controls. Obviously, there is no relation between the occurrence of these SNPs and the risk of developing HS. [source]


Common polymorphisms in the interleukin-22 gene are not associated with chronic plaque psoriasis

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2009
Wolfgang Weger
Abstract Background:, Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Among other cytokines, interleukin 22 (IL-22) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic plaque psoriasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate a hypothesized association between common IL-22 gene polymorphisms and chronic plaque psoriasis. Methods:, Genotypes of 10 common polymorphisms of the IL-22 gene were determined by fluorogenic 5, exonuclease assays (TaqMan) in 475 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 252 controls. Results:, Two blocks of high linkage disequilibrium, formed by eight polymorphisms upstream of exon 5 (rs2227485, rs2227491, rs2046068, rs1179251, rs1012356, rs2227501, rs2227503, rs976748) and two polymorphisms in the 3, near gene region (rs1182844, rs1179246), were observed within the IL-22 gene. Neither single polymorphisms nor haplotypes were significantly associated with the presence or clinical features of chronic plaque psoriasis (P > 0.05). Conclusions:, Our data suggest that the investigated IL-22 gene polymorphisms are unlikely major risk factors for chronic plaque psoriasis. [source]


STG does not associate with psoriasis in the Swedish population

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2004
Fabio Sánchez
Abstract:, Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is known to have a strong genetic predisposition. Several psoriasis-susceptibility loci have been previously found through genomic scans. Of these, psoriasis-susceptibility region 1 (PSORS1) on chromosome 6p21 remains the most consistently identified region across populations with the highest association with disease. STG is a gene that was previously isolated from rhesus monkey taste buds, and its ortholog in humans was found to be part of the cluster of genes in PSORS1, which is telomeric to HLA-C. Upon characterization of STG, we identified several sequence variants and investigated their association with psoriasis in cases and controls from the Swedish population. None of these STG single-nucleotide polymorphisms were found to be significantly associated with psoriasis. However, HLA-Cw*0602 status was strongly associated with disease. STG expression was investigated in human tissues and found not to be restricted to taste buds, with signals also being detected in skin and tonsils. [source]


Aberrant signalling and transcription factor activation as an explanation for the defective growth control and differentiation of keratinocytes in psoriasis: a hypothesis

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2003
R. C. McKenzie
Abstract:, Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by the accumulation of red, scaly plaques on the skin. The plaques result from hyperproliferation and incomplete differentiation of keratinocytes (KC) in a process that seems to be driven, in part by skin-infiltrating leucocytes. We believe that the KC have inherent defects in intracellular signalling which could be usefully targeted to allow the development of more effective therapies. We suggest that there are defects in the regulation of the transcription factors: signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT-1,), interferon regulated factor-1 (IRF-1) and NF,B which lead to loss of growth and differentiation control when the cells are subjected to physico-chemical and immunological stress. We also highlight recent studies that suggest that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, the notch receptor and defects in calcium and other ion transporting proteins may contribute to impairment in the ability of psoriatic KC to differentiate. The role of these systems in the development of the psoriatic phenotype and tests of these hypotheses are proposed. [source]


Detection of spirochaetal microorganisms by focus floating microscopy in necrobiosis lipoidica in patients from central Europe

HISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2008
K Eisendle
Aims:, Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with unknown aetiology. The aim was to determine the presence of spirochaetal microorganisms in NL. Methods and results:, Focus-floating microscopy (FFM) is a modified immunohistochemical technique that was developed to detect borrelial spirochaetes within tissue sections. It has proven to be more sensitive for the detection of spirochaetes than polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fifty-six cases of NL as well as 44 negative and 33 positive controls were investigated for the presence of Borrelia within tissue specimens. Using FFM, Borrelia could be detected in 42 cases (75.0%) and were seen significantly more often in histologically active inflammatory-rich (38/41, 92.7%) than in inflammatory-poor (4/15, 26.7%) cases of NL (P < 0.001). Seven cases investigated with a Borrelia- specific PCR (23s-RNA) remained negative. In contrast, FFM was positive in 30 of 33 (90.9%) positive controls of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans and 15 of the positive controls (45.5%) were also positive with PCR, whereas no negative controls revealed any microorganisms. Conclusions:, Detection of spirochaetes in NL points to a specific involvement of B. burgdorferi or other similar strains in the development of or trigger for this disease. [source]


Evidence-based (S3) guidelines for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris

JOURNAL DER DEUTSCHEN DERMATOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT, Issue 2007
Alexander Nast
Abstract Psoriasis vulgaris is a common and often chronic inflammatory skin disease. The incidence of psoriasis in Western industrialized countries ranges from 1 to 2%. Patients afflicted with severe psoriasis vulgaris may experience a significant reduction in quality of life. Despite the large variety of treatment options available, patient surveys have revealed lack of satisfaction with the efficacy of available treatments and a high rate of non-compliance. To optimize the treatment of psoriasis in Germany, the Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft (DDG) and the Berufsverband Deutscher Dermatologen (BVDD) initiated a project to develop evidence-based guidelines for the management of psoriasis. These resulting Guidelines focus on induction therapy in cases of mild, moderate, and severe plaquetype psoriasis in adults. The Guidelines include evidence-based evaluation of the efficacy of all currently available therapeutic options in Germany. In addition, they offer detailed information on how best to administer the various treatments and give information on contraindications, adverse drug reactions, and drug interactions as well as estimates of practicability and cost. The Guidelines were developed following the recommendations of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft wissenschaftlicher medizinischer Fachgesellschaften (AWMF). The therapeutic recommendations were developed by an expert group and finalized during interdisciplinary consensus conferences. [source]


Lymphocytapheresis in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris ,,

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 3 2006
Giancarlo Maria Liumbruno
Abstract Psoriasis is a common autoimmune chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects approximately 2% of the world's population; fundamental for its immunopathogenic mechanism is secretion of type 1 (Th1) cytokines by T cells and their activation. Since cytapheresis has been widely applied to autoimmune disorders, emphasizing the recently reported results of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis in psoriasis, a small series of psoriasis vulgaris (PV) patients underwent lymphocytapheresis (LCA) with the aim to remove lymphocytes. Five patients were submitted to weekly LCA. The severity of the disease had been evaluated through psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score before LCA and one week after the last apheresis. PASI score before: patient A: 66; patient B: 33; patient C: 50; patient D: 56; patient E: 29. All the patients showed improvement of skin lesions. PASI score after LCA: patient A: 24; patient B: 8; patient C: 5; patient D: 36; patient E: 2.1. No side effects linked to apheresis were reported. LCA seems to produce interesting results in PV, and PASI improvement related to apheresis is clinically significant. Further studies to address its mechanism of action and potential long-term side effects are needed. It could become a valuable therapeutic alternative or a complementary tool, which might even be used to reduce the dosages of conventional pharmacological therapies adopted for this chronic disease. J. Clin. Apheresis 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Adenosine deaminase activity, trypsin inhibitory capacity and total antioxidant capacity in psoriasis

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
M Hashemi
Abstract Background, Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by pathological skin lesions because of various exogenous and endogenous factors and associated with a number of biochemical and immunological disturbances. Objective, The aim of the present study was to determine the level of adenosine deaminase activity, serum trypsin inhibitory capacity and total antioxidant capacity of plasma in psoriatic patients. Subjects and methods, The study was performed in controls (n = 46) and in psoriatic patients (n = 40). The patients were scored with PASI (psoriasis area and severity index). The serum ADA activity was determined using Aguisti and Galanti method and serum trypsin inhibitory capacity (sTIC) were measured by enzymatic assay. Besides, serum total antioxidant capacity was measured using ferric reducing ability of plasma. Results, The serum ADA activity of the psoriatic patients was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that of the healthy control. We also found that the trypsin inhibitory capacity was significantly higher in patients than in control group (P < 0.001). Total antioxidant capacity of plasma was significantly lower in psoriatic patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.025). There were no significant correlations among ADA, TAC and TIC. Conclusion, Serum ADA activity and sTIC were increased in psoriatic patients. In parallel, serum total anti-oxidant activity was decreased in these patients. [source]


Atopic eczema: what's new?

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
M Möhrenschlager
Abstract Atopic eczema (AE) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurrent intense pruritus and a typical age-related distribution of skin lesions. Several new aspects with regard to the pathogenetic background as well as strategies for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of AE have emerged. There are ongoing studies on genetic susceptibility loci, as well as environmental and nutritional factors associated with an increase or a decrease of AE lesions. The atopy patch test is now available for identification of allergens in aeroallergen-triggered AE. New topical therapies, such as the calcineurin inhibitors, have broadened the therapeutic armamentarium substantially. In order to increase knowledge and coping strategies, patient education programs have been launched. Learning objective, Upon completing this paper, the reader should be aware of new developments in AE, especially on nomenclature, prevention strategies, diagnostic tests, as well as therapeutic options. [source]


The role of oxidants and antioxidants in psoriasis

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
M Yildirim
ABSTRACT Background Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by well-demarcated erythema and scaly plaques. The pathogenesis of psoriasis still remains unclear. An increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insufficient antioxidant activity have been determined in psoriatic lesions. Aim of the study To evaluate and compare superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GP) activity in erythrocytes, catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum of subjects with psoriasis and controls as well as MDA levels in skin biopsies from both groups. Study population Twenty-two psoriatic patients (12 women and ten men) and 22 (12 women and ten men) healthy controls were involved in this study. Findings Statistically significant decreased levels of erythrocyte SOD and GP activities were noted in psoriatic subjects. Furthermore, a statistically significant increased serum CAT activity was found in the psoriasis group. No statistically significant difference was found in the serum MDA levels in the two groups, however, statistically significant increased tissue levels of MDA were noted in the psoriasis group. Conclusions Our results support the hypothesis of an imbalance in the oxidant,antioxidant system in psoriasis. [source]


Treatment principles of atopic dermatitis

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 1 2002
K. Thestrup-Pedersen
Abstract Atopic dermatitis (AD) is today the most common, chronic inflammatory skin disease among children in developed countries. Its cumulative prevalence varies from 20% in northern Europe and the USA to approximately 5% in Mediterranean countries. As a chronic disease it puts a special demand on treatment. There is no curative therapy, but competent guidance on treatment principles can control the disease in most, if not all children. This article summarizes the evidence-based knowledge that relates to the treatment of atopic eczema. It also gives advice and opinions on prophylactic measures as these are the focus of interest from most parents. Learning objective This article should enable you to give advice and guidance to parents of children with AD, including what is necessary for diagnosis, what is of value and importance considering allergies and allergological investigations, allergen exposure, prophylactic measures, diets and indoor environment. Finally, you should be able to explain the diversity of treatment principles for parents. [source]


Association of the toll-like receptor 2 A-16934T promoter polymorphism with severe atopic dermatitis

ALLERGY, Issue 11 2009
D.-Y. Oh
Background:, Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a multifactorial pathogenesis and increasing incidence in the Western world. A genetically determined defective function of pattern recognition receptors such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) has been proposed as a candidate mechanism in the pathogenesis of AD. Aim:, To study the impact of genetic predisposition of five genes encoding for pattern recognition-related molecules for the phenotype of AD. Methods:, We examined nine different single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequencies in the genes encoding TLR1, -2, -4, -9 and the adapter molecule TIRAP by PCR with subsequent melting curve analysis in a case/control cohort of 136 adult AD patients and 129 age and gender matched non-atopic, healthy individuals. TLR2-expression and -function in cells from genotyped individuals were analysed. Results:, For the SNPs examined, similar genotype frequencies were found in both groups. In a subgroup of patients suffering from severe AD (SCORAD >50), a significantly increased representation of the A-allele in position ,16934 of the tlr2 gene was present (P = 0.004). Constitutive tlr2 mRNA expression in peripheral monocytes was independent of this tlr2 promoter SNP. Stimulation assays indicated that IL-6, but not TNF-, secretion following TLR2 stimulation is reduced in homozygous tlr2 -16934-A allele carriers. Conclusion:, These data indicate that TLR2 is relevant for the phenotype of severe AD in adults. [source]


Circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor correlate with disease severity in the intrinsic type of atopic dermatitis

ALLERGY, Issue 12 2006
U. Raap
Background:, Recent studies have shed light on the complex regulation of genetic, environmental, immunologic and pharmacologic factors, which contribute to the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, it is still unclear to which extent neuroimmune mediators have a role in AD. Aims of the study:, To assess peripheral neurotrophin levels and their correlation with scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) scores in both the intrinsic and extrinsic types of AD compared with patients with psoriasis and nonatopic healthy subjects. Methods:, Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were assessed in peripheral blood with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Based on IgE-mediated sensitization, AD was divided into the extrinsic and intrinsic type. Severity of AD was assessed with SCORAD score and with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) in patients with psoriasis. Results:, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and NGF were detectable in all the subjects studied. However, the levels of both neurotrophins were significantly higher in patients with extrinsic and intrinsic types of AD compared with patients with psoriasis and nonatopic healthy subjects (NGF: P < 0.001, BDNF: P < 0.001). NGF and BDNF levels were similar in the intrinsic and extrinsic type of AD. There was a significant correlation between BDNF and SCORAD score only in patients with the intrinsic type of AD (r = 0.57, P < 0.05). Conclusions:, This study shows for the first time that NGF and BDNF are increased in both, the extrinsic type and the intrinsic type of AD. This finding points to a similar pathophysiologic background implicating a neuroimmune network in both variants of this chronic inflammatory skin disease. Future studies are needed to show the direct mechanisms of neurotrophin action in chronic inflammatory skin. [source]


Low prevalence of the intrinsic form of atopic dermatitis among adult patients

ALLERGY, Issue 5 2006
R. Fölster-Holst
Background:, Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease commonly associated with respiratory allergies such as rhinitis and asthma, and a high serum level of IgE. In contrast to the ,classic' IgE-mediated allergic (extrinsic) form of AD, approximately 20% of the patients are reported to show normal IgE levels, lack of sensitizations towards environmental allergens, and absence of associated respiratory allergies. Accordingly, these patients are assigned to a nonallergic (intrinsic) form of the disease. Objectives:, In order to define these two forms of AD more closely, 259 adult patients with AD were investigated. Results:, After a thorough diagnostic workup there were 18 patients (6.9%), who fulfilled the criteria of intrinsic AD. After follow-up, four additional patients had developed respiratory allergies or IgE-mediated sensitizations resulting in an overall proportion for intrinsic AD of 5.4%. Conclusions:, Based on these figures the nature and relevance of the intrinsic form of AD deserves further evaluation. [source]


Phenotyping of epidermal dendritic cells allows the differentiation between extrinsic and intrinsic forms of atopic dermatitis

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2000
T. Oppel
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a clinically characteristic, chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown origin. IgE-mediated uptake and antigen focusing of environmental allergens by dendritic cells (DCs) is assumed to be a central immunopathogenetic event. A so-called intrinsic type of AD (IAD) has been delineated from the more common extrinsic AD (EAD) by normal serum IgE levels, negative RAST tests and negative immediate-type skin reactions towards environmental allergens. The recently characterized human autoantigen Hom S 1 has been proposed to play a part in the pathogenesis of IAD. Objectives,To compare clinical and laboratory data between patients with IAD and EAD, and to investigate potential differences in the inflammatory micromilieu of the epidermal compartment in IAD and EAD lesions. Methods,Epidermal DC phenotyping, a recently validated technique based on the three-colour flow cytometric analysis of Langerhans cells and the so-called inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells from epidermal single-cell suspensions, was performed on samples from 69 patients with AD (seven with IAD and 62 with EAD) and 94 controls. Results,Patients with EAD tended to have an earlier onset of disease but similar disease duration and family history of atopic diseases. Quantitative analysis of CD36 expression on DCs as a marker of inflammation, as well as the percentage of inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells in the CD1a+ epidermal DC pool, indicated a comparable disease activity in IAD and EAD. EAD was characterized by a significantly higher Fc,RI expression on the CD1a+ epidermal DCs than IAD. Using the Fc,RI/Fc,RII expression ratio as a disease marker for AD, values for IAD fell below the diagnostic cut-off level of 1·5 for this ratio. Conclusions,While IAD is clinically similar to EAD, the inflammatory microenvironment in this condition seems different from classical EAD and can be distinguished by phenotyping of epidermal DCs. [source]


Percutaneous application of peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus induces an increase in mast cell numbers in the dermis of mice

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 3 2005
K. Matsui
Summary Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with immunopathologic features that vary depending on the duration of the lesion. The dermis of lesional skin of AD patients shows an increased number of inflammatory cells such as mast cells, eosinophils and mononuclear cells and superficial Staphylococcus aureus colonization. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of peptidoglycan (PEG) from S. aureus on mast cell induction in murine skin. Methods PEG was applied to barrier-disrupted abdominal skin of mice every 5 days and the number of mast cells in the abdominal skin was counted 20 days after the first application. The cytokine response was investigated by RT-PCR and immunohistologic analysis. Results The number of mast cells in the skin of mice treated with PEG was increased significantly compared with that of mice given phosphate-buffered saline. In addition, application of PEG to the abdominal skin increased the expression of mRNA for transforming growth factor-,1 (TGF-,1), which supports mast cell migration, but not that for IL-3 or stem cell factor, which support both mast cell proliferation and mast cell migration. Immunohistologic analysis demonstrated that levels of TGF-,1 transcripts corresponded with those of protein synthesis in the epidermis. TGF-,1 was found to be highly expressed in keratinocytes of the basal epidermis of PEG-treated skin. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of anti-TGF-,1 antibodies neutralized the induction of mast cells into the skin. Conclusion These results suggest that PEG may have the ability to induce an increase in mast cell numbers in the skin through TGF-,1 production by epidermal keratinocytes. Skin inflammation might therefore be linked to colonization with S. aureus in AD patients. [source]