The use of calcipotriol in HIV-related psoriasis

We report the case of a 28-year-old homosexual man with advanced HIV disease (CDC classification group IV A) who developed erythrodermic psoriasis which responded to calcipotriol, a topical vitamin D analogue. We believe this to be the first reported case of HIV-related psoriasis responsive to this form of treatment. Systemic therapy for HIV-related psoriasis is limited because of immunosuppressive effects. We suggest that calcipotriol may prove to be a useful therapeutic option in these patients.     

ANTI-PROTEUS ANTIBODIES IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SAME-SEXED SIBSHIPS

One hundred and forty-two RA patients and 121 of their healthysame-sexed siblings were tested for antibodies (Abs) to Proteusmirabilis and Escherichia coli by indirect immunofluorescence.Eighty-five individuals had active RA (CRP>10 mg/l) and 57inactive RA. The anti-Proteus Ab titre in the active RA groupwas significantly higher than in the inactive RA and non-RAgroup (P<0.0001 in both cases). Anti-Proteus Abs were significantlyelevated in 30 individuals with active RA compared with theirhealthy HLA-identical same-sexed siblings (P>0.001). In 42HLA-DR4 positive and 15 HLA-DR4 negative active RA patients,the Ab titre was non-significantly higher in the former group.Anti-E. coli Abs were not significantly elevated in any of thegroups. Longitudinal data on 36 RA patients demonstrated a significantpositive correlation between changes in CRP and changes in anti-Proteusantibody titres (r=0.52, P<0.001). These observations requirean explanation. KEY WORDS: Active disease, Inactive disease, HLA-identical, HLA-DR4, Escherichia coli, C-reactive protein, Rheumatoid factor