Rhodamine B: a tracer of follicular keratinization (author's transl)

The mixture at equal volumes of a 0.1 p. 100 solution of rhodamine B in distilled water and of a 0.25 p. 100 solution of toluidine blue in Walpole's pH 4.4 buffer dyes each pilar sheath differently. At the level of the medulla, the granules fix rhodamine B, so do the cortical cells at the level of the keratogenic zone. Once they are keratinized, however, cortical cells remain colorless. Concerning the cells of the inner root sheath, on the other hand, their trichohyaline granules are dyed by rhodamine B, whereas the keratinized cells turn dark blue under the effect of toluidine blue. The trichilemmal keratin both of the isthmus of the anagen hair and of the follicular sac becomes light red. This technique, which can be easily applied to the trichogram, allows us to identify more or less mature pilar anlages in in adnexal tumors, to differentiate keratinizing cysts and to trace various pathological keratins. Thanks to a chemical study, it was shown that the mixture rhodamine B-toluidine blue is only a mechanical mixture which works through its acide-bases properties.     

Subungual tumours (author's transl)

The differential diagnosis of subungual tumours is often very difficult, since the same tumor located in another area looks entirely different. Former infections or traumata may further mask the tumour. Pain is usually not characteristic. Infection and the history of a trauma may further mask this tumour. Pain is usually not characteristic. both malignant and benign tumours may develop from all tissues present in the distal phalanx. Subungual melanomas are the most common malignant subungual tumours, whereas a variety of benign tumours occurs in the subungual region, the most characteristic of them is the glomus tumour.     

Porphyria and oral anticonceptives (author's transl)

A 21-year-old woman with no prior personal or family history of porphyria developed porphyric skin disorders (porphyria variegata) after using an oral contraceptive composed of .05 mg ethinyl estradiol and .5 mg norgestrel. Even after the discontinuation of oral contraceptive use, the administration of sodium bicarbonate and other treatments had no effect on the porphyria. Remission began only after blood-letting (200-400 ml/wekk) was initiated. It is possible that the patient's use of alcohol complicated the condition.     

Impetigo herpetiformis and PUVA-treatment (author's transl)

Report on a 20 years old pregnant woman, who fulfilled the criteria of the impetigo herpetiformis as well as later those of the pustular psoriasis Zumbusch in her clinical course. The impetigo herpetiformis is interpreted as a variant of the pustular psoriasis occurring during the pregnancy with lowered calcium-level, which increases the endogeneous eruption pressure. After negative attempts of treatment with Prednisolon, antibiotics, and later with Methotrexat an excellent therapeutic effect could be achieved by oral PUVA-treatment.     

Human papillomavirus and oncogenesis (author's transl)

Various types of human papillomavirus (HPV) are responsible for different warts. Characteristic of HPV infections is a lowered cell-mediated immunity (CMI), especially defective in cases of epidermodysplasia verruciformis induced by HPV5. The malignant transformation seems to be related with the type of HPV, and not with the grade of CMI defect and duration of the infection. A life-long infection with HPV3 in cases of EV does not induce a malignant transformation in spite of heavily depressed CMI. The oncogenic potential has seemingly HPV5 responsible for red plaques and pityriasis versicolor-like lesions characteristic of EV. Malignant transformation, although rare, may also occur in long-lasting cases of genital warts (Buschke-Loewenstein-disease) and juvenile larynx-papilloma. The most important problem is an early diagnosis and prophylaxis of genital cancers in women. This was made possible by cytological and virological studies of cervical dysplasia. In the condylomatous and non-condylomatous lesions of the colli uteri virus particles have been found using the immunoperoxidase technique and immunserum against disrupted viral particles, i.e. against the common HPV antigen. However, the type of HPV can not be determined by this method. Using the same immunsera virus particles were found also in the bowenoid genital papules. The best model for human oncogenesis remains EV. The clinical and pathological morphology, virological and immunological studies on the non-specific and HPV-type specific humoral and cellular immunity are presented in detail.     

Acquired nevoid telangiectasia (author's transl)

Clinical and ultrastructural study of three cases of acquired nevoid telangioectasia: (1) angioma serpiginosum, (2) angiokeratoma neviformis, and (3) unilateral nevoid telangiectasia. Despite the clinical similarities, the ultrastructural aspects of these lesions are different, showing: (1) ectasia of arteriolar type, (2) budding of capillaries, and (3) ectasia of venular type. The physiopathological mechanism of these lesions seems to be different.     

Atrophodermia vermiculata vera (author's transl)

A net of yellow reticular ledges with red pseudoatrophic areas in between developes on both cheeks of a 16 years old boy, increasing since about 4 years. Additionally there are some milia and comedones. Histologically large amounts of elastic material are to be seen in the interfollicular spaces. This material does not perforate the epidermis. The boy's mother has similar but less pronounced skin changes.