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Cell-mediated immunity using the E-rosette technique, the graft-versus-host reaction and intradermal skin tests were investigated in two groups of patients, twenty-two with benign lymphoproliferative diseases of the skin (lymphocytic infiltration of the skin and lymphadenosis benigna cutis) and nine with malignant lymphoproliferative diseases (mycosis fungoides and lymphoma cutis). The effect of thymic hormone upon T lymphocytes which proved to have impaired functional capacity was investigated. Seventeen of the twenty-two patients with benign lymphoproliferative diseases were found to have intact cellular immunity whereas seven of the nine patients with malignant disease proved to be immunodeficient. The determination of immune competence may be of help in establishing the correct diagnosis in doubtful cases and might also be useful in the follow-up of these patients. The improvement in functional capacity of T lymphocytes resulting from their interaction with a thymic hormone indicates that it holds therapeutic promise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoerythrocyte sensitization (AES) is a rare syndrome particularly among males. A young male with typical AES is herewith described. We review all seven published cases of AES in men for which details are available and compare the age of onset, somatic manifestations, associated diseases and psychiatric disturbances between the sexes. We emphasize that the criteria essential for a diagnosis of AES should include typical clinical presentation, longstanding clinical history and a positive skin test with the patient's blood. Because of the rarity of AES there is a lack of awareness regarding it among many doctors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A 70-year-old female who had been suffering from psoriasis vulgaris for 20 years, and from lymphoma for 5 years, developed a vesiculo-bullous eruption two weeks after exposure to radiotherapy. The histological and immunofluorescent findings confirmed the clinical diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris. Immunological tests revealed impaired cell-mediated immunity. It is suggested that the X-ray irradiation may have served as a provoking factor for the development of the pemphigus in a patient with underlying immunological disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 44-year-old woman presented with erythema multiforme minor followed by disseminated granuloma annulare 4 weeks later. The patient was not taking any medication and had no history of herpes simplex infection. Involvement of a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in the pathogenesis of these two well known disorders, as suggested by immunological investigations, may explain their concurrence in our patient. The substitution of the erythema multiforme minor lesions by an eruption of disseminated granuloma annulare at the same sites suggests the possibility of a Koebner phenomenon or an isotopic response.

A patient with a 46-year history of vitiligo who also presented rheumatoid arthritis and pernicious anemia is described. Meticulous physical examination excluded further systemic or cutaneous involvement. The immunological workup revealed a low CD4 cell percentage with T cells mostly composed of CD8 cells, a discrepancy between the high percentage of cumulative CD4 + CD8 cells and the measured CD3 proportions, very low NK cytotoxicity toward K562 cells, and almost negligible responses to PHA, Con A and PWM mitogens. The results point to severe T and NK cell functional defects. The pathogenetic significance of these data is discussed.

Dermatomyositis developed suddenly in a diabetic patient with CREST syndrome after the removal of a malignant tumor. Scrupulous physical examination excluded further systemic or cutaneous involvement. We raise certain still unsolved aspects regarding the association between dermatomyositis and neoplastic disorders.

A patient with chronic metal intoxication is described, presenting during four years after the cessation of her exposure to industrial substances, maculo-papular eruptions with several ulcerated lesions and excoriations on her abdomen and buttocks. She also had pallor of her face, greyish-dark discoloration of the hair, while the fingernails were brittle and sensitive. Scrupulous physical examination excluded further cutaneous involvement. The immunological workup revealed both phenotypic and functional defects in cellular immunity.

Vitiligo is a common dermatological manifestation of obscure etiology, affecting mostly healthy people. It has also been observed in association with sunburn, various chemicals, repeated friction, physical trauma, and numerous systemic and cutaneous diseases. However, white discoloration of teeth in these patients has not yet been reported. We describe a 14-year-old boy with vitiligo who presented with white patches on the surface of his upper, central incisors. Medical history and laboratory tests excluded those complications documented in the literature known to be associated with white discoloration of the teeth, such as disturbances of calcium and phosphate metabolism (as in vitamin D refractory rickets), hypoparathyroidism, gastroenteritis, celiac disease, premature birth, hyperplasia of the enamel and prolonged ingestion during tooth formation of water containing excessive fluoride.

A rare type of cutaneous papular sarcoidosis is the lichenoid form. We describe a 36-year-old woman who presented with a symmetrical, asymptomatic lichen-like eruption on her upper limbs. The biopsy showed a non-necrotizing granulomatous infiltrate compatible with sarcoid. Chest X-ray revealed Type I bilateral, asymptomatic, hilar adenopathy with no parenchymal abnormalities. High levels of angiotensin converting enzyme and a 67gallium lung scan supported the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

The commonest form of cutaneous tuberculosis is lupus vulgaris, whose incidence has steadily decreased during recent decades. We describe an 82-year-old man who presented with a large plaque of lupus vulgaris on his chin and upper neck which had been present for 71 years. This case clearly emphasizes the need for increased awareness of this disease, since its frequency may be greater than generally thought.