Cell adhesion molecules in inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are cell surface glycoproteins expressed on several different cell lineages and involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in various physiological and pathological conditions.
Numerous studies have shown that CAMs, a very substantial class of molecules subdivided into four families (integrins. the immunoglobulin-gene family, cudherins and lectin-like CAMs). are involved in the interaction of lymphocytes with keratinocytes, endothelial ceils and inter-and perivascular connective cells.
Researchers have found a marked increase in the expression of CAMs with respect to normal skin in a variety of dermatoses, such as cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis. capillarities from unknown origin (purpura pigmentosa chronica). alopecia areata, lichen planus, systemic selerosis, psoriasis, etc. In the inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases considered in this review, the adhesion molecules found to be chiefly expressed are ELAM-1, ICAM-I and LFA-I. This suggests that, predominantly, these adhesion molecules participate in the complex pathogenetic mechanisms conditioning the onset and development of these diseases. Knowledge of interaction mechanisms has led to identification of the role played by CAMs in the pathogenesis of these diseases and may represent a useful aid in the diagnosis and perhaps treatment of numerous skin pathologies.     

Predisposing factors in occupational skin diseases

Work-related skin disorders do not appear randomly; they are the result of certain predisposing factors in the environment and the host. These factors can be isolated and recognized, and awareness of these factors by employers and affected employees should have a significant impact on work-related skin disease. The role of a dermatologist in providing this information is essential.     

Autoimmune bullous skin diseases. Part 1: Clinical manifestations

Autoimmune bullous skin diseases are characterized by autoantibodies against adhesion molecules of the skin. Pemphigus is a disorder with an intraepidermal loss of adhesion and is characterized by fragile blisters and erosions. Pemphigus vulgaris often shows extensive lesions of the oral mucosa, while pemphigus foliaceus is commonly restricted to cutaneous involvement with puff pastry-like scale formation. Paraneoplastic pemphigus is obligatorily associated with malignancies and often presents as hemorrhagic stomatitis with multiforme-like exanthems. IgA pemphigus typically presents with pustules and annular plaques but not with mucosal involvement. The clinical spectrum of the pemphigoids includes tense blisters, urticarial plaques, and prurigo- like eczematous lesions. Pemphigoid gestationis mostly occurs during the last trimester of pregnancy and mucous membrane pemphigoid primarily involves the oral mucosa and conjunctivae and leads to scarring. Linear IgA bullous dermatosis manifests with tense blisters in a "cluster of jewels"-like pattern in childhood and is more heterogeneous in adulthood. Classical epidermolysis bullosa acquisita shows extensive skin fragility. Dermatitis herpetiformis is associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy and manifests clinically with severe itching and papulovesicles on the extensor surfaces of the extremities and the lumbosacral area. The intention of the review is to demonstrate the heterogeneous clinical spectrum of autoimmune bullous disorders.     

Medicolegal aspects of occupational skin diseases

Skin diseases, including chemical burns, are the most frequently reported of all occupational illnesses. More than 90 per cent of work-related dermatologic problems are contact dermatitis, and there is rarely anything about the location and appearance of these lesions to differentiate clearly from a dermatitis of nonoccupational origin. A complete and time-consuming history must therefore be taken, including documentation of nonwork activities.     

Increase in occupational skin diseases of dental personnel

Occupational diseases of dentists and dental nurses were compiled from the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases. The cases were recorded during 3 3-year observation periods, namely 1982-1984, 1986-1988, and 1992-1994 (i.e., 9 observation years). The relative risk of developing occupational allergic contact dermatitis in different occupations was calculated from the statistics of the years 1986-1991, and was expressed as the age-standardized rate ratio (SRR). During the 9 observation years, the majority of registered occupational diseases of dentists and dental nurses were skin diseases (221/312; 70.8%), followed by occupational repetitive strain injuries (61/312; 19.6%) and occupational respiratory diseases (20/312; 6.4%). The incidence rate (IR) for allergic contact dermatoses/10,000 workers (contact urticaria included) increased from 26 (95% confidence interval (CI) 16-40) in 1982-1984 to 79 (95%, CI 64-97) in 1992-1994. The IR/10,000 of allergic contact dermatoses increased especially for dentists, from 5.4 (95% CI 0.7-19) in 1982 to 67 (95% CI 45-95) in 1992-1994. The increase of the IR/10,000 dental nurses was smaller: from 43 (95%, CI 26-66) in 1982-1984 to 87 (95% CI 67-111) in 1992-1994. There was no increase in the IR/10,000 cases of irritant dermatoses. The most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis were plastics, disinfectants and antimicrobials, rubber chemicals, and mercury/mercury salts. The most common causes of irritant contact dermatitis were detergents, wet and dirty work, plastic chemicals and antimicrobials. Currently, Finnish dentists have the highest risk and dental nurses have the 4th highest risk of any occupation for developing occupational allergic contact dermatitis: the risk was 6.4-fold (SRR 6.4) in dentists and 6.1-fold in dental nurses, as compared to the general working population. It is evident that safer acrylics and protective gloves, better product declarations and material safety data sheets, as well as more information about protective measures, including non-touch working techniques, are needed.     

Exposure, skin protection and occupational skin diseases in the glass-fibre-reinforced plastics industry

A total of 100 workers, 86 from the glass-fibre-reinforced plastics (GRP) industry, 11 from polystyrene production and 3 from polyester resin coating manufacture, were examined for occupational skin hazards and for evaluation of skin protection. The workers had been exposed to many chemicals. Those working in the GRP industry had also been exposed to glass fibre and to dust produced by finishing work. 94% used protective gloves. 22 workers, all employed in the GRP industry, had contracted occupational skin disorders. 6 had allergic and 12 irritant contact dermatitis. 4 workers had an accidental injury caused by a peroxide catalyst, fire, hot air and Constant mechanical friction. Allergic dermatoses were due to natural rubber (latex) (4 cases) in protective gloves, phenol-formaldehyde resin (1 case) and cobalt naphthenate (1 case). Irritant hand dermatoses (5 cases) were caused by the combined hazardous effect of unsaturated polyester or vinyl ester resins, organic solvents, glass fibre and dust from finishing work on the skin. Other cases of irritant dermatoses (7 cases) were due to the dust, promoted by mechanical Friction of clothes. Skin disorders in the GRP industry were common (26%) but the symptoms were mild and only 3 patients had been on sick leave because of occupational skin disease.     

Papuloverrucous colloid milium: an occupational variant

We report a case of adult colloid milium in a 47-year-old mechanic with a long history of professional contact with lubricating oils and of sun exposure. In addition to the typical translucent papules seen on the forehead, there were warty papules on the backs of both hands with unusual histological and ultrastructural features: marked hyperplasia of the epidermis with orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis and papillary deposits of colloid material that were contiguous with the basal layer of the epidermis. The hand lesions caused by occupational exposure to mineral oils and solar radiation represent an occupational variant of adult colloid milium.