Occupational dermatosis among sanders in the furniture industry

The prevalence of occupational skin disease was found to be 3.8% in a study of 479 sanders in the furniture-making industry in Singapore. 17 species of wood imported from South East Asia were used. The most common dermatoses from wood dust were pruritus (1.6%), irritant contact dermatitis (1.6%) and xerosis (1.4%). 2 sanders had miliaria. None had allergic contact dermatitis from wood dust. The arms and trunk were the most common site for pruritus and dermatitis from wood dust. It appeared that the woods commonly used in the furniture making industry are weak sensitizers. Appropriate preventive measures against irritant dermatitis such as dust control, protective clothing, and good personal hygiene should be adequate to prevent occupational dermatoses among the sanders.     

抗磷脂综合征表现为视乳头水肿1例

目的:报告1例罕见抗磷脂综合征的患者,由于上矢状窦血栓形成而表现为双眼视乳头水肿及右眼第六颅神经麻痹,经抗凝和乙酰唑胺治疗后视乳头水肿恢复。方法:病例报告:一44岁中国男性,主诉为头痛、复视及轻度的视物模糊。临床检查发现右眼第6神经麻痹和双眼视乳头水肿,双眼视野盲点扩大和红绿色觉缺失,计算机断层摄影及核磁共振扫描显示上矢状窦血栓形成,血液学检查证实抗磷脂综合征是其潜在原因。结果:在联合应用抗凝和口服乙酰唑胺治疗3mo后,视乳头水肿恢复至正常的解剖,扩大的视野盲点降至正常水平,双眼红绿色觉恢复正常,伴随右眼视乳头水肿消退和视力改善表明这个患者视功能得以恢复。结论:抗磷脂综合征应与视乳头水肿鉴别诊断;对于顽固性的视乳头水肿,口服乙酰唑胺是抗凝治疗的重要辅助治疗,它可以保护视神经免受有可能导致失明后果的视神经损害。     

Cutting oil dermatitis on guinea pig skin

The effect of repeated exposure of cutting oil on 8 guinea pigs' skin was evaluated by visual scoring for erythema and skin water vapour loss (SVL) measurement over a 6-week period. The visual scores (measuring severity of erythema) and SVL values were significantly higher on skin treated with cutting oils (positive control) compared to untreated skin (negative control) throughout the study period. The scores and SVL values returned to near-baseline values when cutting oil application was stopped. In addition, the effect of 2 "after-work" emollient creams on 8 guinea pigs' skin repeatedly treated with a cutting oil was assessed by similar methods. The visual scores and SVL values of guinea pig skin that was repeatedly treated with the cutting oil and moisturized with "after-work" emollient creams, were significantly higher than negative and positive control guinea pig skin. It appeared that the 2 "after-work" emollient creams do not alleviate the irritant effect of the cutting oil on guinea pig skin. They appeared to aggravate the irritant effect of the cutting oil.     

Occupational dermatosis among chrome platers

14 (38%) of 37 chrome platers in 17 chrome electroplating factories surveyed had occupational contact dermatitis, chrome ulcers, or both. 7 had chrome ulcers, 6 had contact dermatitis and 1 had both. Another 16 (43%) workers had scars suggestive of previous chrome ulcers. Mucosal irritation was present in 57% of the workers. The most common was throat irritation (49%) followed by nasal irritation (41%). Mucosal irritation was more common in hard chrome platers, while skin ulcers and dermatitis were more common in bright chrome platers. Nasal septum perforation was seen in 1 worker. Skin ulceration appeared to be a more specific sign for occupational dermatosis in chrome platers than dermatitis when the prevalence rates were compared to controls. Of the 7 workers with chrome ulcers, only 1 was allergic to chromate. Of the 6 workers with dermatitis, 2 were allergic to chromate and 1 to nickel. The worker with ulceration and dermatitis was negative to chromate and nickel. Irritant factors are therefore important in the aetiology of contact dermatitis in these chrome platers.     

Tuberculosis or systemic lupus erythematosus? A diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma

The diagnosis of patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) is often problematic because the range of possible differential diagnoses is broad. We report on a case in which a patient presented with FUO and was subsequently found to have both a collagen vascular disease and an intercurrent infection. Treatment for the collagen vascular disease with corticosteroids exacerbated the intercurrent infection. The problems in the diagnosis and management of such cases are discussed.