Use of autografts for the treatment of leg ulcers in elderly patients

Human keratinocytes obtained from seven elderly patients who had long-standing leg ulcers of venous or rheumatoid origin were grown into sheets for autografting on to their ulcers on at least one and, in some cases, two occasions. Following the application of the autografts on to the ulcers the appearance of the ulcer base improved with an increase in the vascularity of the granulation tissue and decrease in the amount of exudate. An‘edge effect’was also noted in five cases, with the previously indolent-looking edge of the ulcer appearing healthier and more active. However, over a 4-month follow-up period there was no complete re-epithelialization in any of the ulcers despite these initial improvements.     

The Clinical and Epidemiologic Features of Tropical Ulcer (Tropical Phagedenic Ulcer)

A comparative survey of patients with tropical ulcer has been carried out in Zambia, Gambia, Southern India and Papua New Guinea. The clinical features, socioeconomic background and nutritional correlates have been compared in 170 patients. In 96% of cases the condition occurred on the foot or lower leg. In only 10 instances did the ulcer last for over six months. There was one patient with a squamous cell carcinoma arising in situ from the ulcer margin. No significant differences in clinical features were seen in the countries surveyed. In all areas apart from southern India most cases were seen in the rural population and in children or teenagers. There was no correlation between the development of an ulcer and nutritional status found in this survey. Evidence is presented that there is an association between tropical ulcer and exposure to mud or slow moving fresh water.     

静脉曲张性溃疡临床特征分析

目的分析静脉曲张性溃疡的临床表现、细菌感染和药敏特征。方法对2011年1月—2015年1月确诊的92例静脉曲张性溃疡住院患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果92例静脉曲张性溃疡患者中男68例,女24例,平均年龄61岁,静脉曲张平均病程15年,溃疡平均病程3.47年,溃疡平均面积10.37 cm2。41例细菌培养阳性患者中金黄色葡萄球菌占26.8%(11例),铜绿假单胞菌占21.9%(9例)。金黄色葡萄球菌对青霉素100%耐药,铜绿假单胞菌对医院常用抗生素如氨苄西林、头孢曲松、头孢呋辛钠等耐药。结论静脉曲张性溃疡好发于老年男性,病程和住院时间长,溃疡面感染细菌以铜绿假单胞菌、金黄色葡萄球菌为主,根据细菌分布及药敏分析,需要高度重视这些细菌种类的演变和耐药。     

A prospective study of cutaneous adverse events induced by low-dose alpha-interferon treatment for malignant melanoma

INTRODUCTION: alpha-Interferon is associated with numerous cutaneous side effects, but the accurate incidence of these complications is not clearly known. OBJECTIVES: A prospective study was designed to evaluate the incidence and clinical pattern of cutaneous side effects in a cohort of patients receiving adjuvant therapy with low-dose interferon for malignant melanoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of 33 patients with stage IIA and IIB melanoma treated with low-dose alpha-interferon (3 MIU 3 times a week for 18 months) were prospectively enrolled in a single-center study. The patients responded to a questionnaire on their medical history and were systematically examined for any cutaneous lesions before treatment and every 3 months afterwards. RESULTS: 29/33 patients (87%) experienced 1 or more cutaneous side effects. The most frequent was hair loss and occurred in 16 cases (48.4%). Hair discoloration was noted in 6 cases (18%). Eczematous reactions at injection sites or at remote sites were observed in 13 patients (39%). Pruritus occurred in 10 cases (30%). Xerostomia, Raynaud's phenomenon or livedo reticularis were observed in 10 patients, associated with an increase in circulating autoantibody titer in 2 cases. Some rare side effects were observed: urticaria (1 case) or angioedema (1 case), worsening of preexisting seborrheic dermatitis (3 cases), herpetic recurrence (2 cases), pityriasis versicolor (1 case), worsening of recurrent buccal aphthous ulcer (1 case) and vitiligo (1 case). CONCLUSION: Cutaneous adverse events during adjuvant immunotherapy of melanoma with low-dose alpha-interferon seem to be frequent but do not result in treatment discontinuation. A good awareness of these side effects may be useful for a more accurate survey and clinical management of patients receiving this treatment.     

压疮危险因素量化评价在肝移植围手术期的效果观察

目的观察应用压疮危险因素量化评价对肝移植围手术期患者压疮发生率的影响。方法通过随机抽样产生选取肝移植住院患者120例,分为治疗组（n=67）,对照组（n=53）,治疗组患者白手术前应用压疮危险因素量化评价,并根据评分分级制定相应的护理措施。结果治疗组的压疮发生率（1．49％）显著低于对照组（9．43％,P〈0．01）。结论压疮危险因素量化评价可有效减少肝移植患者围手术期压疮的发生率。     

Negative-pressure dressings in the treatment of pressure ulcers

Applying negative pressure to wounds may speed the formation of granulation tissue, decrease the amount of localized edema, increase blood flow, and accelerate healing. In the present study, we treated ten patients with stage IV chronic pressure ulcers using this negative pressure dressing technique. The long (A) and short (B) diameters of each ulcer were measured to determine size, and the vertical distance from the skin to the deepest point of the ulcer was measured to determine depth. Lesions were measured initially and at weekly intervals. The area of each lesion was taken to be 3.14 x A/2 x B/2 (cm(2)). When we compared the area of ulcer before and after the treatment, the area had been reduced in all cases, and the average reduction was 55.1%. The depth of ulcer also decreased in all cases, and the average reduction was 61.2%. Over the period of evaluation, the method was considered markedly effective in reducing the size and depth of ulcers.     

麻风患者下肢溃疡的流行情况及其损伤因素分析

目的　了解麻风下肢溃疡流行情况及其直接原因。方法　使用专题调查表,对128名麻风寄养病人下肢溃疡情况逐一检查。结果　麻风下肢溃疡占病例的53．1％,占下肢的36．3％,2个及以上溃疡下肢占8．20％,足部,踝部,小腿溃疡分别占71、67％,21．6％,6、67％。溃疡单纯性占55％,复杂性占45％;麻风下肢溃疡损伤的直接原国以行走最多见,占54-17％,其次为摩擦（20．0％）,刺伤（7．5％）,静脉曲张（5．85％）,剪切伤（4．17％）。结论　为降低较高的下肢溃疡患病率需重点防治单纯性溃疡,同时要最大可能减少远程行走,摩擦,刺伤等溃疡直接损伤因素,并在麻风病人中推广足自我护理。     

Leg and foot ulcers. Nursing care in Malm?, Sweden.

Questionnaires concerning nursing care of leg and foot ulcer patients in three major care-giving sectors of the national health service, namely the Department of Dermatology, general hospital wards/clinics, and primary care, have been analysed. The overall response rate was 88% (primary care: 100%). Forms regarding 193 patients with leg ulcers and 64 patients with foot ulcers were analysed. Substantial differences in nursing care were noted between the three sectors. In 55% of the leg ulcers and 45% of the foot ulcers fibrin slough was present in the ulcer. Black, necrotic tissue was present in 8% of the leg ulcers and 22% of the foot ulcers. Profuse ulcer-exudation was most commonly reported for leg ulcer patients treated at the Department of Dermatology, while the majority of foot ulcers had only a mild exudation. Frequency of dressing changes varied between 1.4 times/week for leg ulcers at the Department of Dermatology and 9.2 times/week (foot ulcers 11.6) at general hospital clinics. Local wound dressings were exclusively chosen by physicians at the Department of Dermatology, mainly by physicians at general hospital clinics, and equally often by physicians and nurses in primary care. Time since last evaluation of the ulcer by a physician varied. At the general hospital clinics, 89% of the patients with leg ulcers had been seen by a physician within the last 2-month period. At the Department of Dermatology, 89% and in primary care 61% of the patients were examined within this period. 11% of the patients in primary care had never consulted a physician for their ulcers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Herpes simplex virus infection and genital ulcer disease among patients with sexually transmitted infections in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The relative importance of Haemophilus ducreyi and Treponema pallidum in genital ulcer disease in Africa has decreased recently, whereas that of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 has increased. We analysed 301 lesional specimens from Tanzanian patients with genital ulcer disease for the presence of H. ducreyi, T. pallidum and HSV-1/HSV-2 by performing a separate PCR for each pathogen. Infectious agents were detected in 211 (70%) of the cases. A single pathogen was found in 191 samples and two or more pathogens in the remaining 20. HSV-2 represented 83% of all identified pathogens, HSV-1 8%, T. pallidum 4% and H. ducreyi 5%. HSV-1 was identified as a single pathogen in four samples, in combination with others in an additional 14 samples. Thus, HSV-1 can also be the cause of genital ulcer disease in Africa. Regular surveillance of genital ulcer disease aetiology is important in programs for management of genital ulcer disease and HIV in Africa.     

富血小板血浆治疗麻风溃疡三例

目的：评价自体富血小板血浆(platelet-rich plasma，PRP)治疗麻风溃疡的疗效。方法：采用麻风3例患者的自体血10~20mL，经2次离心后，获取高浓度的富血小板血浆，在麻风溃疡周边及溃疡面内注射治疗，观察不同治疗次数情况下，麻风溃疡的愈合时间、愈合面积等情况。结果：3例患者中，2例患者的3处溃疡得到治愈，1例患者的溃疡面积缩小了95%。结论：PRP疗法治疗麻风溃疡简单、安全、有效。     

Ki67在瘢痕癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的探讨Ki67在瘢痕癌组织中的表达及与患者临床特征的关系。方法应用免疫组化SP法检测Ki67在27例患者瘢痕癌组织中的表达,并结合瘢痕癌患者的临床特征进行分析。结果 27例患者瘢痕癌组织的Ki67检出率为100%。根据Ki67阳性细胞百分率将患者分为3组,≤10%组10例,11%~40%组10例,≥41%组7例。进一步分析发现各组的Ki67阳性细胞百分率与瘢痕溃疡持续时间长短、浸润深度和手术后复发相关,Ki67阳性细胞百分率越高,溃疡持续时间越短(P0.05)、浸润越深(P0.01)、手术后越易复发(P0.05);而与瘢痕病程、溃疡面积无关(P0.05)。结论 Ki67的表达在瘢痕癌浸润深度和术后复发的临床评估中具有重要的指导意义。     

1010例麻风畸残预防及康复项目3年评价

目的：评价英国国际麻风救济会和江苏省盐城市麻风康复合作项目的效果。方法：在广泛宣传传动员社区参与的基础上,由康复专业医生与乡村初保医生一道对１０１０例康复对象进行定期康复干预,其中８８例参加了神经炎早期发现和治疗项目,９２０例参加了眼手足自我护理项目,５９２例参加了防护鞋的使用和观察项目,１５３例参加了复杂性足底溃疡综合防治项目,１２例参加了假肢安装与使用项目。     

外用硫酸镁溶液浸泡麻风足底溃疡30例疗效观察

目的：评价硫酸镁溶液外用治疗麻风足底溃疡的临床疗效。方法：采用2％硫酸镁溶液每天一次浸泡溃疡面60分钟，连续浸泡6个月。结果：麻风足底溃疡治愈率为56．67％，总有效率为80％。结论：外用硫酸镁溶液治疗麻风足底溃疡疗效确切，安全性好。     

Erythema multiforme, Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in northeastern Malaysia

Background Previous studies have reported that drugs and infections are common causes of erythema multiforme (EM) and Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS). Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is mainly related to drugs. No study has been conducted in Kelantan, the northeastern state of Malaysia, to assess these cutaneous reactions. Methods A retrospective study of all hospitalized cases of EM, SJS, and TEN was conducted covering an 8-year period from 1987 to 1994. Results There were four cases (13.8%) of EM, 22 cases (75.9%) of SJS, and three cases (10.3%) of TEN. Drugs as a definitive cause was observed in one case (25%) of EM, 12 cases (54.5%) of SJS, and two cases (66.7%) of TEN. Drugs as a probable cause was observed in seven cases (31.8%) of SJS and one case (33.3%) of TEN. The male to female ratio was equal in EM and SJS. Antiepileptics were the commonest culprits, followed by antibiotics. One patient died of SJS and one patient died of TEN, giving mortality rates of 4.5% and 33.5% respectively. Fever was noted in 18 patients (62.1%). Leukocytosis was noted in 10 patients (34.5%), and nine patients (31.0%) had elevated liver transaminase enzymes. No significant correlation was noted between these biochemical changes and cutaneous eruption. Secondary infections were observed in 11 patients (37.9%): Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest isolated organism. Conclusions This study shows that drugs remain the commonest culprit in SJS and TEN. Despite adequate treatment, the mortality rate remains high, especially in TEN. These findings are similar to those of other reported studies.     

15例坏疽性脓皮病临床分析

目的为进一步了解坏疽性脓皮病的临床资料、组织病理特点及治疗方法。方法对15例坏疽性脓皮病(PG)患者进行回顾性分析。结果 15例确诊患者中男9例,女6例,男∶女为1.5∶1;溃疡型PG有10例(66.67%),并发的相关内科疾病有类风湿关节炎、溃疡性结肠炎、慢性乙型肝炎、肺部感染、重度贫血。对溃疡周围卫星灶非溃疡皮损行组织病理检查,发现明显的血管炎性组织病理改变。结论溃疡型PG为其主要临床类型,不同部位取材其组织病理表现不同,沙利度胺联合环磷酰胺治疗PG有效,且随访复发率较低。     

白塞病64例临床分析

目的：探讨白塞病的临床特点及实验室改变。方法：对64例BD患的临床及实验室资料进行统计分析。结果：口腔溃疡61例,外生殖器溃疡44例,眼部损害21例,皮肤损害33例,针刺反应阳性39例。首发症状以口腔溃疡最常见（42例）。6例并发心血管系统损害,5例并神经系统损害,1例并急性肾功能衰竭,1例并食道下段溃疡并出血;实验室检查有多项免疫学指标的异常,12例检测到自身抗体（12／40）;皮肤及粘膜组织活检病理改变均符合小血管炎症。结论：白塞病是累及全身多系统器官以血管炎改变为基础的免疫性疾病,皮质类固醇激素或激素并免疫抑制剂治疗有较好的临床疗效。     

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and genital ulcer disease in South Africa: the herpetic connection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: While genital ulcers are a risk factor in HIV infection, the association of specific agents of genital ulcer disease (GUD) with HIV infection may vary. GOAL: To determine the etiology of GUD in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, South Africa, and the association of previous and current sexually transmitted infections with HIV infection in men with ulcerative and nonulcerative STDs. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of 558 men with genital ulcers and 602 men with urethritis. RESULTS: Patients with GUD were more likely to be infected with HIV than patients with urethritis (39.4% versus 21.4%, P< or =0.001). Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) was the most common agent identified in ulcer specimens (35.9%), and was detected in a significantly higher proportion of ulcer specimens from HIV-infected patients than in specimens from HIV-uninfected patients (47.4% versus 28.2%, P< or =0.001). Patients infected with HIV-1 were significantly more likely to have HSV-2 infection, as measured by the presence of the antibody to glycoprotein G-2, than patients not infected with HIV (63.1% versus 38.5%, P< or =0.001). Patients infected with HIV-1 were also significantly more likely to have initial HSV-2 infection than HIV-uninfected patients with GUD (50.0% versus 31.6%, P = 0.007). Haemophilus ducreyi was detected in 31.7% of ulcer specimens; prevalence did not vary by HIV-infection status. Treponema pallidum DNA was detected significantly less frequently in ulcer specimens from patients infected with HIV than in specimens from patients not infected with HIV (10.2% versus 26%, P< or =0.001); no association was found between HIV-infection status and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test seroreactivity, even when men with M-PCR-positive syphilis lesions were excluded from the analyses. CONCLUSION: The authors found that HSV-2 is a more common etiology of GUD than has been suggested by previous studies conducted in South Africa; serologic evidence of HSV-2 infection and current cases of genital herpes are strongly associated with HIV infection among men who present to STD clinics with GUD or urethritis.     

Aetiology of sexually transmitted infections and response to syndromic treatment in southwest Uganda

OBJECTIVE: To determine the aetiology of genital ulcers and discharges in rural south western Uganda and to assess response to syndromic treatment. METHOD: A longitudinal, prospective study using laboratory testing and questionnaires to evaluate 561 adult men and women presenting with clinically verified genital ulcers, urethral, or vaginal discharge at a general outpatient clinic and two health centres between December 1999 and July 2001. RESULTS: One third of patients had genital ulcers and two thirds discharges. There was good response to treatment in 461/508 patients (90.7%). Herpes simplex virus type 2 was found in 95/217 (43.8%) genital ulcers. In 24.1% of ulcer cases there was also a genital discharge. HIV seropositivity was high in ulcer cases (63.2%), with significantly more HSV2 and secondary bacterial infection than in seronegative cases. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was found in 135/204 (66.2%) male genital discharges. Female genital discharges were mostly associated with bacterial vaginosis (36.1%), Trichomonas vaginalis (18.9%), and candidiasis (18.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The aetiological pattern of STI syndromes reported will help inform revision of national STI guidelines. The importance of herpes simplex virus type 2, the variation in causes of genital ulcers according to HIV serostatus, the high frequency of multiple infections and secondary bacterial contamination of genital ulcers are notable. These results help explain the lack of effect of an STI intervention on HIV incidence in a recent trial in this area.     

Prostaglandin E1 treatment of leg ulcers caused by venous or arterial incompetence

An open and a double-blind study were undertaken on patients with leg ulcers caused mainly by venous (VI) or arterial incompetence (AI). They were treated with intravenous infusions or injections of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Eight of 10 patients in the open study experienced relief of pain and a complete or almost complete healing of their ulcers. In the double-blind study (20 patients) 4 out of 5 patients with a history of leg ulcers due to VI for more than 5 year responded to the PGE1 treatment, compared with one of 5 treated with saline. In the saline group 3 more patients with VI of shorter duration improved. In 3 of 5 patients of PGE1 with ulcers due to AI the original ulcer area was reduced by 78--65% after 70 days, while in the 2 remaining cases healing occurred later on. No effect was noted in the 2 patients with ulcers due to AI who received saline infusions. The results indicate the beneficial effect of PGE1 on pain and healing in leg ulcers caused by peripheral vascular disease.     

The local treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids with topical retinoic acid

In a clinical trial twenty-eight intractable cases with scars were treated with daily applications of a 0.05% solution of retinoic acid. The results were evaluated objectively and subjectively. Slight to marked reduction of the size of these scars and decrease of such complaints as itching were noted in the majority of the cases. A favourable result was obtained according to the patients in 79%, and according to the opinion of the medical examiner in 77% of the patients.