Skin reaction in antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C: a role for polyethylene glycol interferon?

In the past decade, different modalities of antiviral therapy have been adopted aimed at eradicating hepatitis C virus infection. Initially, interferon was used in monotherapy, then interferon combined with ribavirin and amantadine. Recently, interferon has been conjugated with polyethylene glycol to allow optimization of its pharmacokinetic properties and to improve its antiviral activity. This study focused on the characteristics of the skin reactions that we observed in 27 patients with na?ve hepatitis C who received polyethylene glycol interferon-ribavirin-amantadine or polyethylene glycol interferon-ribavirin and in 10 previous non-responders to interferon monotherapy who were retreated with triple therapy. In 9 patients (7 on triple therapy) dermatitis-like lesions were observed, and in 5 the severity of the lesions necessitated withdrawal from therapy.     

Localized Panniculitis and Subsequent Lipoatrophy with Subcutaneous Glatiramer Acetate (Copaxone®) Injection for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Glatiramer acetate (copolymer 1, Copaxone) is a mixture of synthetic polypeptides and is used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. It has been shown to possess beneficial effects in reducing the relapse rate in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Its main mechanism of action is regarded as a switch of the immune reaction from a T helper (Th)1 to a Th2 cell type. Glatiramer acetate is administered by subcutaneous injection once daily. As described in previous reports, the most common adverse effects are pain, inflammation, and induration at the injection site, occurring in approximately 20-60% of patients. A rare adverse effect is a localized lipoatrophy at the site of injection, which has previously been observed and described in 11 patients. It has been reported that these atrophic areas remain unchanged and localized lipoatrophy may be preceded by a subcutaneous panniculitis. In this article, we describe another case of subcutaneous changes following repeated glatiramer acetate injection, presented as localized panniculitis in the area around the injection sites, in a 46-year-old female patient who was treated with glatiramer acetate for 18 months.     

The effects of cardiovascular dynamics monitoring in the outpatient management of pregnancy hypertension

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the effects of the adjunctive use of cardiovascular dynamics monitoring in the ambulatory management of 199 pregnant patients with severe hypertension. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, observational study was performed. Determinants of mean arterial pressure were computed by using the Hon monitor. Indicators of arterial compliance and effective blood volume were developed. All patients were monitored in the outpatient clinic; additionally, 19 patients self-tested at home. No rigid medication protocol was followed, but furosemide was used in most cases when cardiovascular dynamics monitoring patterns were consistent with volume loading. Otherwise, vasodilators were prescribed. The t test for independent samples was used to compare the home-monitored subgroup with the outpatient-only group. RESULTS: Pregnancy was prolonged by 74 +/- 63.9 days (mean +/- SD). Mean gestation was 37.6 +/- 2.9 weeks, and mean birth weight was 2882.4 +/- 837 g. The primary cesarean delivery rate was 23.7%, but only 15 (7.5%) cesarean deliveries were performed because of failed therapy. The 19 home-monitored patients gained 108 +/- 75 days (83.1 +/- 42.2 days beyond 20 weeks). CONCLUSION: Adjunctive cardiovascular dynamics monitoring may have a role in the evaluation and management of hypertension during pregnancy.     

An unusual family with multiple movement disorders

Multiple movement disorders presenting in the same family are rare. We present an unusual family where generalized dystonia, Huntington's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy and secondary paroxysmal dyskinesia co-exist. The index case presented with young-onset dystonia and tested negative for the DYT1 gene deletion. Her father was similarly affected. The father's brother (paternal uncle of the index) also had abnormal movements-a mixture of chorea and dystonia-and tested positive for the HD expansion. His son had secondary paroxysmal dyskinesia, and tested negative for the HD expansion. The index case and her father were also negative for the HD expansion. A paternal aunt of two of the cases had a clinical diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy.Dystonia is known to be a genetically heterogeneous condition. The co-existence of inherited generalized dystonia with other movement disorders may provide clues to its genetic localization.     

Palifermin for oral mucositis in the high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant setting: the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre experience

Goals of work the aim of this paper was to review the initial use of Palifermin(rHu-KGF1) in a single institution, for the prevention of oral mucositis in high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.Methods the case records of the first five patients treated with Palifermin at the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre were reviewed, and incidence,severity and duration of the oral mucositis were recorded, as well as demographics and toxicities.Results two of the five patients developed grade 4 mucositis, and the remaining three patients developed grade 2 mucositis. Palifemin was well tolerated with only one patient developing a rash.Conclusions the severity of oral mucositis was less than would be expected in these patients without anti-mucositis therapy. Palifermin was well tolerated. Obviously this single institution report is from a very small cohort of patients, but it is encouraging for the ease of use of this drug in the future.