Novel dermoscopic features of pityriasis versicolor–like macules in epidermodysplasia verruciformis

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) manifests early in childhood as pityriasis versicolor (PV)–like macules on sun-exposed sites such as the face. These hypopigmented lesions closely resemble commoner pediatric dermatoses such as PV or pityriasis alba. In this report of two cases, we describe the distinguishing dermoscopic features of PV-like macules in EV. Unfocused dotted vessels in a hypopigmented or erythematous background with whitish scales and pigment diluted vellus hairs on dermoscopy should raise the suspicion of EV in children presenting with PV-like lesions.     

The spectrum of Malassezia species isolated from students with pityriasis vesicolor in Nigeria

Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a common superficial fungal infection of the skin caused by Malassezia. Initially M. furfur was suggested as its main aetiological agent; however, more recent studies suggest M. globosa as the dominant species. The possibility of a variance in predominant species based on geographical basis has not been fully evaluated. The objective of this study was to identify the Malassezia species on affected and non‐affected skin of students with PV who reside in a tropical environment (Abuja, Nigeria) and correlate them to clinical characteristics. In this study, the literature on prevalence of Malassezia genus in PV was also reviewed. Samples were taken from 304 PV lesions and 110 normal appearing skin. Microscopy, culture and identification of Malassezia species utilising polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis were performed. Three Malassezia species were detected in PV with the major species being M. furfur. On normal appearing skin, M. furfur (77.6%) and M. restricta (10.4%) were both detected. No case of M. globosa was identified in this study. There was no significant difference between species identified and clinical features of PV. M. furfur is probably still the most predominant species causing PV in the tropical environment.     

A randomized double-blind,non-inferiority Phase II trial,comparing dapaconazole tosylate 2% cream with ketoconazole 2% cream in the treatment of Pityriasis versicolor

Objectives: The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of a new antifungal imidazole, dapaconazole tosylate, in the treatment of Pityriasis versicolor (PV).

Design and methods: Sixty patients with clinical and mycological diagnosis of PV were randomly assigned to receive either 1 g dapaconazole tosylate 2% cream or 1 g ketoconazole 2% cream. Treatments were applied once a day for 28 days. A dermatologist evaluated efficacy and safety daily, and weekly laboratorial tests were performed. The primary end point was a clinical and mycological cure of lesions after 28 days of treatment. The secondary end point was the time to clinical healing assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis and Log-rank testing.

Results: Fifty-three patients adhered to protocol rules. Clinical and mycological cure was achieved in 84.6% (22/26) and 92.6% (25/27) of patients treated with ketoconazole and dapaconazole, respectively (difference [effect size] = 8.0%, Standard error of difference: 8.69%, 95% CI: –6.3 to 22.3%). Median time to healing was 23.5 and 21 days for ketoconazole and dapaconazole, respectively (p = 0.126). Adverse events occurred only in ketoconazole-treated patients (13%; 4/30).

Conclusion: Dapaconazole tosylate is non-inferior to ketoconazole when used at a dose of 20 mg/day for 28 consecutive days for the treatment of PV. Dapaconazole also demonstrated a good safety profile.     

Adapalene gel 0.1% vs ketoconazole cream 2% and their combination in treatment of pityriasis versicolor: A randomized clinical study

Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a chronic superficial fungal infection. Management using azole drugs leads to drug resistance. The present study aimed to compare the clinical outcome of 0.1% adapalene gel vs 2% ketoconazole cream and their combination in PV. This randomized double‐blinded study was conducted on 90 PV patients divided into three equal groups. GI was treated with topical ketoconazole 2% cream twice daily and placebo, GII was treated with topical 0.1% adapalene gel twice daily and placebo and GIII was treated with topical combination of 0.1% adapalene gel (at night) and ketoconazole 2% cream (in the morning). All patients received medications for 4 weeks. Evaluation was done at 2 and 4 weeks and included clinical assessment, laboratory assessment, and patient satisfaction. We found that after 4 weeks of treatment, all groups showed significant improvement. There was better response in GIII in terms of lower rate of positive potassium hydroxide staining, higher rate of significantly improved cases and higher rate of well‐satisfied patients. However, the difference fell short of statistical significance. We concluded that a combination of adapalene gel and ketoconazole cream is very effective in treatment of PV with no or mild side effects.     

云芝多糖对机体细胞因子影响的研究进展

国内外研究发现云芝糖肽的免疫调节作用、抗感染、抗肿瘤等作用的发挥与其对细胞因子的调节密切相关。文章对云芝多糖的对机体细胞因子的影响做简要的综述。     

杂色曲霉菌变应原分离、鉴定及纯化

目的 对杂色曲霉菌变应原蛋白进行分离、鉴定与纯化.方法 提取杂色曲霉菌蛋白质,通过十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)分离,用免疫印迹(western-blot)鉴定变应原成分,用western-blot法鉴定出了6种变应原,通过离子交换和凝胶过滤层析纯化变应原.结果 碳酸氢盐-盐水提取液(Coca'...     

Mesure des mycotoxines aéroportées

The aim of this study was to apply a new methodological approach to estimate the exposure of individuals to airborne moulds. We have developed a method that allows us to measure three mycotoxins (sterigmatocystin, deoxynivalenol and ochratoxin A) present in the indoor environment. The method we developed allows us to identify and to quantify these toxins at concentrations of 30 μg/L (N = 30, σ/m = 3,9%), 20 μg/L (N = 10, σ/m = 5,5%) et 20 μg/L (N = 10, σ/m = 7,6%, respectively. Using this analytical method and a rotating foam air sampler, previously validated, it was possible to measure the concentrations of the three airborne mycotoxins with a detection limit of 60 pg/m³. The results of this study of the transfer of mycotoxins from their substrate into the air showed that the quantity that was aerosolized was not proportional to that present on contaminated materials. In addition, measurement of airborne mycotoxins appears be a more relevant means to evaluate the level of exposure in populations.     

Single‐dose oral fluconazole versus topical clotrimazole in patients with pityriasis versicolor: A double‐blind randomized controlled trial

This study was designed to compare the therapeutic effects of topical clotrimazole and systemic fluconazole in pityriasis versicolor. A double‐blind randomized controlled trial was carried out in the dermatological clinic of Gorgan, northern Iran, between April 2006 and May 2007. All consecutive patients with pityriasis versicolor were included and randomly divided into two groups. In the first group (G1), patients underwent treatment with a single dose of fluconazole capsule (400 mg) and placebo cream. In the second group (G2), patients underwent treatment with clotrimazole cream (twice daily) and placebo capsule. The course of treatment was 2 weeks. All subjects were re‐evaluated 2, 4 and 12 weeks after the end of the therapeutic course. After 2 weeks, the rate of complete resolution of disease was significantly higher in G2 than G1 (49.1% vs 30%). After 4 weeks, 41 patients (81.2%) of G1 and 52 patients (94.9%) of G2 showed complete resolution. After 12 weeks, 46 patients (92%) in G1 and 45 patients (81.8%) in G2 showed complete resolution. Recurrence rate in G1 and G2 were 6% and 18.2%, respectively. No complications were seen in either group. In this study, clinical response at week 4 was greater in the clotrimazole group than the fluconazole group. Recurrence at week 12 after treatment was less with oral fluconazole than clotrimazole cream. So, for better evaluation, more studies need to be done.     

海洋来源真菌杂色曲霉的化学成分及其抗肿瘤活性研究

目的研究一株海洋来源真菌Aspergullus versicolor NM-021杂色曲霉的化学成分及其抗肿瘤活性。方法利用硅胶柱色谱、Sephadex LH-20凝胶柱色谱、半制备HPLC等色谱技术对其化学成分进行分离、纯化;通过NMR、MS方法,结合与文献报道的数据比对,对化合物的结构进行鉴定。运用细胞毒活性筛选模型对其抗肿瘤活性进行初步评价。结果从该菌株中分离得到了2个蒽醌类化合物2H-6-O-Methylaverufin（1）和6-O-Methylaverufin（2）。生物活性测试结果表明,化合物1对人结肠癌和食管癌具有一定的抑制活性。结论从该菌株中分离得到1个新的具有细胞增殖抑制活性的蒽醌类化合物（1）。     

Skin Characteristics in Patients with Pityriasis Versicolor Using Non-Invasive Method, MPA5

Background

Skin pigmentary changes of pityriasis versicolor may occur as either hyperpigmented or hypopigmented lesions, depending on the outcome of interactions between Malassezia yeasts and the skin, such as lipoperoxidation process, stimulus of inflammatory cell to melanocytes, and increased thickness of keratin layer.

Objective

To investigate skin characteristic factors that enhance the susceptibility to Malassezia yeasts and provoke different color changes of pityriasis versicolor patients.

Methods

To clarify these factors, we investigated the skin characteristics of pityriasis versicolor patients, using a non-invasive method known as MPA 5® (Courage and Khazaka, Germany). A total of 90 normal healthy subjects and 30 pityriasis versicolor patients were included in this study.

Results

Both hyperpigmented and hypopigmented pityriasis versicolor skin lesions showed higher humidity, increased sebum excretion rate and increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values than normal healthy subjects. But no significant difference of specific Malassezia yeasts species between hyperpigmented and hypopigmented skin lesions was evident.

Conclusion

These results indicate that higher humidity and increased sebum level provide a better growing environment of Malassezia yeasts in the skin, leading to the assumption that interaction between Malassezia yeasts and skin barrier materials makes disruption of skin barrier causing increased TEWL.