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Acute hepatitis C (AHC) infection resolves spontaneously in 15% to 40% of patients. Factors favoring spontaneous viral clearance remain undefined. In this study, predictors of spontaneous viral clearance in patients with symptomatic AHC were investigated. Epidemiological, clinical, and virologic parameters were also examined. Patients with symptomatic AHC were enrolled and followed up prospectively. The patients were followed up every 2 weeks in the first month and then monthly for the following 5 months, with a follow‐up visit 6 months after the last hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐RNA negative sample for those who had cleared the virus. Interleukin (IL)‐28B.rs12979860 single‐nucleotide polymorphism and HCV genotype were tested at baseline. HCV‐RNA was tested during each visit. Patients who remained RNA‐positive at 24 weeks were treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for 24 weeks. A total of 30 patients, mostly with iatrogenically acquired AHC genotype 4 infections completed 6‐months' follow‐up, to either spontaneous clearance or start of treatment. The mean age of the patients was 37 ± 13 years. In total, 67% of patients were females, and the mean incubation period was 7.6 ± 3.5 weeks. Viral clearance occurred spontaneously in 19 (63.3%) patients. The average time to clearance was 24.3 ± 9.6 weeks. A total of 11 patients received therapy, and 8 (72.7%) cleared the virus and had a sustained virologic response to the treatment 24 weeks after the therapy. A total of three patients were treatment nonresponders. IL28B.rs12979860 CC genotype, female gender, and viremia level were not associated with self‐limiting AHC in this cohort. In conclusion, patients with symptomatic AHC genotype 4 infection caused by an iatrogenic exposure had higher rates of spontaneous resolution than previously reported. Predicting spontaneous viral clearance after iatrogenic AHC exposure was not possible in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (OCI) was reported in an apparently disease-free state in the absence of liver disease, anti-HCV and HCV-RNA in the serum. The existing data examining the clinical significance of OCI and its potential as a source of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients are very limited. We examined the presence of OCI among patients on maintenance hemodialysis at Minia Governorate, Egypt; an HCV endemic country. A total of 81 subjects with negative markers for HCV were enrolled. HCV-RNA was tested in PBMCs by real-time PCR. For the 81 subjects, the average dialysis duration was 32.7 ± 21.7 months and the average ALT level (±SD) was 26 ± 12 U/L while that of AST was 29 ± 16 U/L. Out of the 81 subjects, three (3.7%) were HCV-RNA positive in PBMCs in the absence of serum anti-HCV and HCV-RNA indicating OCI. The viral load of the OCI subjects ranged from 172 to 4150 IU/ml. History of liver disease was positive in one of the three positive patients. These results highlight the potential risk of HCV transmission from patients within hemodialysis units in Egypt. J. Med. Virol. 88:1388-1393, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physicomechanical behavior and flammability properties of waste polyethylene and recycled waste rubber powder blend (WPE/RWRP/MA) filled with antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), at different contents 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt %, and irradiated with different gamma radiation doses, namely 50, 75, 100, and 150 kGy, were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements. Tensile strength, elongation at break, elastic modulus, hardness, swelling properties, and electric conductivity behaviors were also investigated. Experimental results emphasized that Sb2O3 particles retard degradation and flammability of the composite. The LOI increases from 16 to 20.9 with 20 wt % Sb2O3 specimen irradiated with 150 kGy. Improvement in thermal stability at conditions of 15 wt % Sb2O3 and a dose of 75 kGy was demonstrated by TGA.DSC measurements showed that T m significantly increased in the presence of the filler. Mechanical characterization tests showed a significant increase in tensile strength within the range 5-10 wt % Sb2O3. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 54-year-old patient received medical consultation for an acrokeratosis paraneoplastica in association with antidiuretic syndrome that revealed a small cell epidermoid and anaplastic bronchial cancer. Treatment of the neoplasm by polychemotherapy with Adriblastine, Carboplastine and Vepeside rapidly cured the acrokeratosis. Similarly, the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion was also completely controlled by hydrous restriction and treatment with demeclocycline. Our observation illustrates quite well the paraneoplastic aspect of acrokeratosis whose association with antidiuretic syndrome has been rarely reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor on the side effects of acetaminophen in neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis treatment is presented.

A letter to the editor is presented that discusses a study which found that palmoplantar pustulosis should not be considered a variant of psoriasis.

A letter to the editor on Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens which is a chronic relapsing disease of the scalp is presented.

The article presents information on generalized eczema elicited by trace elements in a nickel-sensitised patient. Systemic contact allergy to nickel is well-known reactivation of eczema after intake of the metal can be localized or generalized. Several arguments support a generalized systemic contact dermatitis from nickel, atopy in a woman, history of contact allergy to metals, hypocaloric diet rich in nickel in vegetables, fruit, poultry, etc., intake of nickel in trace elements. Thus, in view of the technical difficulties involved in performing a blood or urine assay of nickel, it would be preferable to check for the absence of either atopy or contact dermatitis from nickel before prescribing catalytic trace elements is containing nickel.

A case of a patient with eczema on the excision area of a benign tumor of the back has been discussed in the article. The lesions has begun after starting topical treatment with Rifocine antibiotic for secondary infection with staphylococcus aureus. Avoiding the application of Rifocine and local treatment with corticosteroids completely healed the lesions. In Rifocine, propylene glycol is the major cause of contact dermatitis in several cases. Cases of propylene glycol mediated contact dermatitis have been common in wide variety of topical preparation.

This article presents a case study of a 42-year-old-woman who developed contact urticaria when she carried a plastic handbag or when she applied a sticking plaster to her skin. Lesions appeared 10 to 30 mm after contact and regressed completely 30 mm after contact ceased. She had a long history of delayed pressure urticaria, without dermographism, controlled by a gluten-free diet but no previous history of atopy or medical treatment. The most common sources of skin sensitization to colophony are glues, adhesive tapes, papers, mastics, printing inks, cutting oils, soaps, cosmetics and medicaments. Abietic acid is a major component of rosin. In contact with air, it is oxidized and becomes allergenic.

Cinnamic aldehyde is used as a flavouring agent, ingredient or fragrance in soft drinks, ice cream, dentiftices, pastries, chewing gum, etc. Allergic reaction may be assessed by patch testing with cinnamic ahiehyde I or 2 percent pet, as in the case. At higher concentrations, cinnamic aldehyde provokes an irritant reaction. The positive reaction to benzaldehyde may have been due to the aldehyde function cross-reacting with cinnamic aldehyde. The mechanism of cinnamic aldehyde sensitization is still unclear. Earlier reports suggested that aldehydes react with c-amino groups of Lysine residues on protein side chains.

This article discusses a case study related to contact urticaria from formaldehyde in a root-canal dental paste. A 37-year-old woman presented, a few hours after a dental appointment, with itchy urticaria of the lower jaw that rapidly cleared with oral corlucosteroids. Questioning her dentist revealed that he usually used Spad root canal filling material for the treatment of infected teeth. Root-filling is done by first irrigating the root canal with sodium hypochlorite, acidified with sulfuric acid, dried with hot air and then controlled by absorbing paper points.

This article presents a case study of a 16 year old women presented with acute urticaria of the trunk and arms that had appeared 4 days previously. Patch testing with Raphanus niger as is was negative at 20 and 40 min. Scratch test with Raphanus was moderately positive (+) at 40 min. Scratch-chamber test using Raphanus was applied as follows: drug put in chamber and applied to 10-mm-long scratches; chamber removed after 20 min. A strong reaction with papules and pruritus was seen, persistent for I hour. Further control patients showed no such reactions.

The article presents information on a case of pigmented contact dermatitis from cosmetics. A fifty-six year old woman presented with reticulate pigmented macules on the outer forearms, which had appeared one year previously, with no preceding eczema and were moderately pruritic. She gave a history of daily application of various cosmetic creams containing perfume, but there was no previous history of atopy or drug treatment. Histologic examination showed basal liquefactive degeneration and melanophages in the upper dermis, spongiosis was absent. Patch testing showed a positive reaction to fragrance mix. By avoiding contact with her cosmetics lesions cleared within one month.

A 35-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of eczema of the right palm, associated with pruritus of the face. Local treatment with corticosteroids was ineffective. He frequently applied Oléophytal® topical solution to the right hand and face. By avoiding contact with Ol&eacuteophytal® and with local treatment with corticosteroids, the lesions completely regressed. Oléophytal® is an oily mixture of plant extracts, frequently used in parapharmacy for its skin softening properties.

The article presents a report on scratch-chamber tests in meat handler's dermatitis. Dermatitis from lamb meat can be a protein contact dermatitis. Similar to that provoked by many other foods. Delayed contact dermatitis from food is difficult to assess. Scratch-chamber tests were used successfully for both immediate and delayed reactions to foods, whereas patch testing was frequently negative on intact skin. This method should be more widely recommended for contact dermatitis in food handlers.

The article presents a case report of a 55-year-old woman who had a 10-month history of eczema of the axillary folds, elbow flexures and neck, which rapidly cleared with topical corticosteroid. There was no previous history of atopy or topical treatment. Patch testing with the European standard series showed a positive reaction to potassium dichromate. Cement containing chromate may cause airborne contact dermatitis. The fact that the eczema was found only in the skin folds may be explained by a recent study on risk factors for cement eczema. Exposure to wet cement increases the risk of developing irritant contact dermatitis.