Primary cutaneous nocardiosis in 2 patients on immunosuppressants

Two female cases of primary cutaneous nocardiosis due to Nocardia brasiliensis are described. The first was associated with polymyositis and the second with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Both patients had received corticosteroids. In both cases the responsible actinomycetes were sensitive to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. This drug was administered to both patients with excellent results. Treatment was continued for 3 months to prevent recurrence, a common consequence of short-term therapy. N. brasiliensis should be included in the differential diagnosis of any case of nodular lymphangitis, especially in immunocompromized patients.     

Fibrinolytic and coagulation pathways after laparoscopic and open surgery: a prospective randomized trial

Background  

Tissue injury poses increased risk for postoperative thromboembolic complications. Laparoscopic surgery, by causing limited tissue injury, is associated with lower risk for thromboembolism than is open surgery. We conducted a prospective randomized study in order to detect potentially existing differences in activation of coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways between open and laparoscopic surgery.     

Rosacea: clinical presentation and pathophysiology

Acne rosacea is one of the most common diagnoses seen in the clinical dermatologic practice. The classic presentation of rosacea, acneiform papules, and pustules on a background of telangiectasia, is often easily identified by primary care physicians, patients, or their similarly afflicted friends or family members. However, rosacea actually represents a spectrum of disease from chronic skin hypersensitivity and flushing to rhinophyma. Although the pathogenesis of rosacea remains unknown, it is important to understand its various presentations and possible etiologies prior to developing individualized treatment protocols.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with a horseshoe kidney and renal carcinoma: a case report

A horseshoe kidney is the most common renal embryological abnormality, but its association with an abdominal aortic aneurysm is rare. The conbination of a horseshoe kidney with a renal carcinoma and an abdominal aortic aneurysm is extremely rare and, to our knowledge, has only been reported twice in the English literature (Hinyokika kiy 46 (2000) 15; Eur J Vasc Endovas Surg 22 (2001) 280).     

Inhibition of Leukotriene (SRS-A)-Mediated Acute Lung Anaphylaxis by Azelastine in Guinea Pigs

Azelastine hydrochloride, chemically known as 1(2H)-phthalazinone, 4-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-(hexahydro-1-methyl-1H-azepine-4-yl)-, monohydrochloride, is a novel, orally effective, long-acting, antiallergic/antiasthmatic agent. The ability of azelastine and selected antiallergic drugs to inhibit SRS-A (leukotriene)-mediated acute lung anaphylaxis in guinea pigs (Konzett-Rossler method) was investigated. Azelastine and ketotifen were administered p.o. 2 and 24 h before antigen challenge; disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) was administered i.v. immediately before antigen challenge. The oral dose of azelastine required to inhibit leukotriene-mediated allergic bronchospasm by 50% (ID50: mg/kg) was 0.063 at 2 h and 0.120 at 24 h. Ketotifen at a dose of 0.05 to 10 mg/kg at 2 and 24 h, p.o., as well as DSCG at a dosage of 0.3 to 10 mg/kg at 0 min, i.v., produced weak, inconsistent and nondose-related antianaphylactic effects. Azelastine is an orally effective and long-acting inhibitor of in vivo synthesis and/or release of leukotrienes.