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To investigate the clinical significance of the enhanced sensitivity of antibody detection by radio immunoprecipitation assays (RIPA), using in vitro translated HPV-16 E6 and E7 proteins, over synthetic-peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), RIPA for HPV-16 E6 and E7 were performed. The results obtained with E6 and E7 RIPA were related to clinico-pathological data from cervical carcinoma patients positive for HPV type 16 DNA in their primary tumour. The data obtained with E6 and E7 RIPA were then compared to the results obtained using the E7/6-35 synthetic-peptide ELISA. The prevalence of antibodies to E6, E7, E6 and/or E7 and E6 and E7, as determined by RIPA, was significantly higher in cervical cancer patients than in both controls and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia patients. Odds ratios, calculated for cervical carcinoma patients versus controls, ranged from 7.4 to 15.4. Antibodies to E6 and/or E7 were largely restricted to patients with HPV DNA in their primary tumour. Analysis of the relation between prevalence of antibodies to E6 and E7 and clinico-pathological parameters was limited to 85 patients positive for HPV-16 DNA. The strongest relation with clinico-pathological data, such as lesion size, lymph node involvement, and prognosis, was found for E7 synthetic-peptide ELISA, whereas E6 and E7 RIPA did not reach significance. The significance of these findings is discussed.

AIMS--To investigate the correlation between antibodies to the transforming protein E7 of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and clinicopathological indices in women with cervical squamous carcinoma. METHODS--A synthetic peptide of the HPV type 16 E7 protein (amino acids 6 to 35) was used to screen sera from 29 children, 130 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, 443 women with cervical cancer, and 222 controls, for antibodies against this viral antigen. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the correlation between the serological status in the pretreatment sera and clinicopathological indices (size of the lesions, histological grade, stomal infiltration, vascular invasion, and nodal spread). Survival analysis was done using the Cox regression model for all FIGO stages and stages IB and ILA. RESULTS--Cervical carcinoma patients had a significantly higher prevalence of antibodies to synthetic peptide E7/6-35 than women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (17.7% v 7%, p < 0.005) or controls (17.7% v 11%, p < 0.05). Bivariate analysis of the data on the presence of anti-E7/6-35 antibodies in the pretreatment sera from these patients and clinicopathological indices showed a significant correlation between the presence of anti-E7/6-35 antibodies and the size of the lesion (p = 0.0009), histological grade (p = 0.0031), and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.01). 0.011). In addition, the Cox regression model, analysing four risk factors which can be determined before treatment, showed a significant correlation between the presence of anti-E7/6-35 antibodies and a worse prognosis (p = 0.003). Survival analysis revealed that both for all FIGO stages (p = 0.0005) and for stages IB and IIA alone (p = 0.0021), anti-E7/6-35 positive patients before treatment had a significantly shorter life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS--The presence of antibodies against E7/6-35 in pretreatment sera from patients with cervical carcinoma correlates with the size of the lesions, lymph node involvement, and a worse prognosis.

The Clearview Chlamydia test (CV; Unipath Ltd., Bedford, United Kingdom), the Magic Lite Chlamydia test (ML; CIBA Corning, Medfield, Mass.), a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and cell culture (CC) were evaluated for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urogenital specimens. Specimens were collected from 283 men and 724 women visiting the outpatient clinic for Sexually Transmitted Diseases at the University Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ML, PCR, and CC were all performed on the same sample to prevent swab-to-swab variability. CV was performed on a separate sample. Analysis of discordant results was performed by application of the following confirmatory assays: first, PCR on the CC, second, ML was repeated, and third, PCR was repeated by using a different DNA extraction protocol. If more than one test was positive, the sample was considered true positive. If only one test was positive, which was confirmed by the confirmatory assay, the sample was also considered true positive. By using these interpretations, the following results were obtained. The sensitivity and specificity of CV for samples from men were 60.4 and 86.3%, respectively. For samples from women, these values were 62.3 and 99.7%, respectively. The low specificity for samples from men was caused by unidentified substances in the swab that was used. The use of CV on samples from men is not recommended by the manufacturer. For samples from women, the specificity of CV was high, but the low sensitivity of CV limits its use for diagnostic purposes. The sensitivities of ML were low for samples from both men and women (68.8% and 50.9% respectively), while specificities were excellent for samples from both groups (100 and 99.9%, respectively). The low sensitivity of ML limits its diagnostic value. The PCR technique was highly specific for samples from both men (99.6%) and women (99.9%). The sensitivity of PCR, however, was unexpectedly low for samples from both groups (men, 87.5%; women, 79.2%), most likely because of the sample treatment method used. The sensitivity and specificity values of CC for samples from men were 95.8 and 100%, respectively. For samples from women, these values were 100 and 99.9%, respectively. In the present study, CC was the most reliable technique for the detection of C. trachomatis.

Background. Medical treatment for port-wine stains frequently is cosmetically unsatisfactory. An alternative possibility is cosmetic medical tattooing. Methods. By means of a traditional Japanese tattooing technique, five patients were treated in multiple sessions until the color of the lesion matched that of the surrounding skin. Results. The results were excellent, the skin texture remained normal, and the patients could discontinue cosmetic camouflage. Discussions. Cosmetic medical tattooing when carefully done is a valuable addition to the medical armamentarium and may replace more aggressive techniques.

We present a study of biopsies taken from skin lesions of 44 patients presenting with primary or secondary syphilis. In most primary lesions erosion or, more often, ulceration was present, with a dense inflammatory infiltrate. In secondary syphilis a wide variety of histological changes was present. Blood vessels were frequently involved, with marked endothelial swelling and often proliferation. Treponemes were demonstrated with the Steiner staining method in all investigated cases of primary syphilis and in 71% of secondary syphilis cases. Treponemes were present throughout the dermis, particularly perivascularly, and in the dermal–epidermal junction zone. In two specimens of secondary syphilis treponemes were located predominantly in the epidermis, but there were always some microorganisms demonstrable in the dermis. The inflammatory infiltrate was often located in a perivascular coat-sleeve-like arrangement. In this study plasma cells and lymphocytes were present in all specimens of primary and secondary syphilis. Syphilitic lesions differed from yaws lesions mostly in the location of treponemes and the affection of blood vessels. In this histopathological study of early syphilis, treponemes did not show the epidermiotropic character of yaws, and blood vessel changes were more pronounced than in yaws. Unfortunately, due to the protean histopathological manifestations described in venereal syphilis and in yaws, these two treponemal diseases cannot always be differentiated on histological grounds alone.

The results of a yaws survey on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia are presented. The prevalence of yaws in the investigated region was found to be very high, a minimum of 300 cases per 100,000 individuals, which indicates that yaws is far from being eradicated and that campaigns for treatment are necessary. Patients suffering from early infectious yaws showed florid skin lesions. Of 101 serum samples from such patients, 100 had a positive reaction in one or more treponemal tests. The Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay was found to be the most sensitive test (97% positive) in detecting antibodies against Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue, followed by the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (94%), the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test and the TmpA enzyme immunoassay (91%), and analysis by Western blot using Treponema pallidum antigens (88%). Of 42 asymptomatic contacts of yaws patients 32 showed positive reactions in one or more tests, indicating that many people in the investigated region have been infected with treponemes. Eight new Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue strains were isolated from yaws skin lesions. In vitro amplification of treponemal DNA and hybridisation with specific DNA probes showed that all eight strains were identical with Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue CDC 2575, with regard to the subsp. pertenue specific tyfl gene.

A panel of 17 mouse monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) raised against Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) antigens was used to detect antigenic determinants in normal human skin. An indirect immunoperoxidase technique was used. Eight of the MoAb detected epidermal antigens similar to patterns well known for human sera. Five of these MoAb detected determinants in the dermis, too. These observations may indicate a certain degree of similarity between the antigenic determinants occurring in M. leprae and in the human host. We propose that such a similarity on the one hand may facilitate the survival of M. leprae in the human host when the antigens are not recognized as “non-self,” a situation which seems to occur in lepromatous leprosy, when the patients' tissues are loaded with bacteria virtually without any immune response. On the other hand, M. leprae antigens which mimic host antigens may induce an auto-immune reaction against the host's own antigens, which could explain the immune reaction in tuberculoid leprosy and during a “reversal reaction” when M. leprae is not observed in the host tissues, but extensive granuloma formation occurs.

The Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay (GP) in combination with a modified collection system was compared with cell culture (CC) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urethral specimens from males. Analysis of discordant results was performed by PCR. The modifications, i.e., application of a more rigid swab type and a 50% reduction in the amount of transport medium, were made to improve the sensitivity of the assay. By using the modified GP on 302 urethral specimens from males, a sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 100% were determined. In addition, performance of a probe competition assay on all GP samples with a result > 0.6 and < 1.0 times the cutoff factor (gray zone) detected three more true-positive samples. The sensitivity of GP in combination with the probe competition assay increased to 94.9%, with a specificity of 100%. This was identical to the performance of CC. The modified GP offers a very sensitive and specific alternative to CC.

To investigate the humoral immune response to transforming proteins E6 and E7 of human papillomavirus type 16 before and after treatment and during follow-up, consecutive serum samples from 36 cervical cancer patients whose tumours were found to contain human papillomavirus type 16 DNA by use of the polymerase chain reaction were tested using in vitro translated proteins E6 and E7 in a radioimmunoprecipitation assay and in an E7 synthetic peptide enzyme immunoassay. Antibody levels against E6 and E7 as measured by radioimmunoprecipitation assay showed a nearly identical pattern. Seronegative patients remained seronegative throughout treatment and follow-up. Seropositive patients showed either a decrease in antibody level or stable antibody levels during treatment. In contrast to patients without evidence of disease at the end of the study, the majority of patients with recurrent disease showed increasing antibody levels during the follow-up period. These results indicate that, in patients who are seropositive before treatment, antibody levels against E6 and E7 of human papillomavirus type 16 after treatment are closely linked to treatment response. The use of the more sensitive radioimmunoprecipitation assay did not lead to a better correlation of antibody levels with clinical disease status of the patients than the use of the enzyme immunoassay.

A 3 1/2-year-old boy, born and living in Indonesia, experienced disseminated skin lesions and an ulcerated, crusted, papillomatous lesion on the prepuce of his penis. This location suggested venereal syphilis, but on clinical, serologic, and epidemiologic grounds a diagnosis of early yaws was made. This treponemal disease should be considered in children who have traveled to or migrated from remote tropical regions, and who have unusual skin lesions in combination with a positive treponemal serology. Although yaws is considered a rare and exotic disease in the United States and Europe, it is still widespread in some parts of the world.

The prognostic value of detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 DNA in histologically cancer free lymph nodes was assessed in left obturator lymph nodes from cervical cancer patients with HPV-16 positive primary tumours. HPV-16 DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in 12 of 35 patients with histologically cancer free lymph nodes. Of these 12 patients, only one developed a recurrence, suggesting HPV-16 DNA detection in cancer free lymph nodes has no prognostic value.

We have compared the efficacies of three general primer pairs for the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded carcinomas. The use of these primer pairs leads to underestimates of the HPV prevalence (GP5/6, 61.1%; CPI/IIG, 57.4%; MY09/11, 46.9%; combined, 72.8%). The efficacy of each primer pair seemed to be inversely correlated to the length of the amplimer produced. By using newly developed type-specific primer pairs (amplimer length, approximately 100 bp), an increase in HPV DNA detection (87.6%) was found.

A synthetic peptide comprising amino acids 6-35 of HPV-16 E7 was used in an ELISA to screen sera taken from 31 cervical carcinoma patients. Sera obtained before and during treatment, and in follow-up, were tested for the presence of antibodies to this peptide. Sixteen patients with negative pretreatment serum determination remained negative during treatment and follow-up. Of the 15 patients with positive pretreatment sera, 12 showed a decrease in anti-E7 6-35 antibody level during treatment. During follow-up an increase in anti-E7/6-35 antibody level was observed in 6 out of 7 patients with progressive or recurrent disease, whereas all patients who remained in complete remission showed stable or further decreasing antibody levels. During the course of disease of the 15 seropositive patients, serum anti-E7/6-35 antibody levels were compared with serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) profiles, a clinically useful tumor marker in the management of cervical cancer patients. Similar patterns were observed in 10 out of 15 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In the present study, it was demonstrated that the sensitivity of the PCR for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis is influenced by the volume of the clinical sample which is processed in the PCR. An adequate sensitivity for PCR was established by processing at least 4%, i.e., 80 microliters, of the clinical sample volume per PCR. By using this preparation procedure, 1,110 clinical samples were evaluated by PCR and by cell culture, and results were compared. After discordant analysis, cell culture resulted in a sensitivity of 79.1% and PCR resulted in a sensitivity of 92.7%. Furthermore, it was shown that treatment with antibiotics immediately resulted in negative cell culture results but that PCR could give positive results up to 2 weeks posttreatment.

The diagnostic value of serum IgG, IgM and IgA in patients with uncomplicated urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection was compared with isolation in cell culture. C. trachomatis specific antibodies were determined with an enzyme linked immunofluorescent assay using elementary bodies from C. trachomatis serotypes E,F,H,I,J and LGV2as antigens. At least two sera from each patient were tested and cultures were also established on the same day. Excluding the IgM titres in men, significantly more IgG, IgA and IgM and combinations of these antibodies were observed in culture positive patients. The sensitivity with which IgG titres in men or IgG and/or IgM titres in men and women could be determined, was significantly lower using C. trachomatis LGV2as the only antigen than when all 6 antigens were used. The presence of 10 or more leucocytes in the urine sediment of men correlated positively with an IgG or an IgG and/or IgM titre.

The influence of variations in the pH, NaCl concentration, temperature, and concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions on the survival of Chlamydia pneumoniae elementary bodies (EBs) outside the host cells was investigated. The survival was determined after various incubation periods by counting the inclusion-forming units after C. pneumoniae was cultured for 72 h on monolayers of HL cells. The normal physiological conditions were restored prior to infecting the HL cells with C. pneumoniae. Declines in the infectivities of C. pneumoniae EBs were observed at pH values of lower than 5 and higher than 8 or at NaCl concentrations of less than 80 mM. The viability of C. pneumoniae EBs in SPG medium decreased as the temperature and/or incubation period increased. Incubation temperatures of up to 20 degrees C and incubation periods of up to 48 h did not affect the viability of C. pneumoniae. One hundred percent of the C. pneumoniae EBs were infective after 1 h of incubation at 35 degrees C, whereas 90, 50, and 40% survived after incubations of 8, 24, and 48 h, respectively. The viability of C. pneumoniae was unaffected within the investigated range of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ion concentrations in the medium. The presence of 10% fetal calf serum in the incubation medium had a stabilizing effect on the viability of C. pneumoniae. This effect became more pronounced as the incubation period increased.

Apart from infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), other microorganisms may be involved in the development of cervical neoplasia. To study concomitant infections with HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis, cervical specimens from 4 groups of women were examined for the presence of these microorganisms by the polymerase chain reaction. The first group consisted of 143 consecutive samples from women with no cytological abnormalities who participated in a triennial screening program to prevent cervical cancer. In this group 2 samples were found positive for HPV and 2 additional samples were found positive for C. trachomatis. In the second group of 46 cytologically abnormal smears, HPV DNA was detected in 71.7% of the samples and C. tra chomatis in 4.3%. In a third group of 94 histological abnormal biopsies, the HPV prevalence ranged from 15% in mild dysplastic lesions up to 92% in invasive cervical carcinomas. Only 2 biopsies of this group (2.1%) were found positive for C. trachornatis. Finally, a group of cervical scrapes was obtained from women attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. In 52 samples positive for C. trachornatis and 60 samples negative for C. trachomatis, no significant (P = 0.57) difference in the frequency of HPV infections was found (1 1.5% and 8.3%. respectively). The data show that in these study groups HPV and C. trachomatis are independently occurring agents. 0 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

In the US and northern Europe, the prevalence of pregnant syphilitic women is estimated at .1-.6%, while in South Africa it was 7.6% in 1982. In 1978, there 108 cases in the US which increased to 268 reported cases in 1985. The increase of congenital syphilis (CS) by 25% from 1985 to 1988 was attributed to the spread of crack cocaine in the US. The rate was 10.5 cases/100,000 live births in the US during this period, a 21% increase. In contrast, in the Netherlands there were 2.5 cases/100,000 live births during 1982-85. Clinical symptoms appear 3 weeks after birth, but some are present at birth such as hepatosplenomegaly, bloated abdomen, cutaneous lesions, and nasal discharge turning into purulent rhinitis. Anemia occurs in 90% of children with CS. Generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly with hepatomegaly, and syphilitic hepatitis may also occur. Syphilitic skeletal abnormalities include osteochondritis, periostitis, osteomyelitis, and osteitis. Meningovascular syphilis produces nervous system effects. CS complications include nephrotic syndrome and acute glomerulonephritis. Ocular abnormalities are caused by treponemes found in the cornea, sclera, uvea, retina and the optic nerve. Chorioretinitis and iridocyclitis are common ocular lesions. The pathogen Treponema pallidum can be diagnosed by dark field microscopy, by immunofluorescence, or by histopathological examination of silver-stained preparations. Pregnancy women with syphilis are treated with penicillin although failures have been reported after single or 2 or 3 in administrations of 2.4 MU benzathine penicillin and after giving tetracycline in 3rd trimester pregnancy. The CDC recommendation for treating infants with CS is iv 50,000 U/kg penicillin G every 8-12 hours for 10-14 days or im 50,000 U procaine penicillin once daily for 10-14 days. Single administration of 50,000 U/kg benzathine penicillin is recommended for newborn children whose mothers have been treated with erythromycin.

A 15-year-old girl presented with the typical clinical, serological, and pathological lesions of yaws. The patient was a native of Sumatra. The important diagnostic criteria and the relationship to venereal syphilis were discussed.

The psychological characteristics and the hair problems of 58 females with androgenetic alopecia were compared with a group of women with non-apparent dermatological diseases, and with a group of men with androgenetic alopecia. The women with androgenetic alopecia had higher scores for self-sufficiency and social inadequacy compared to women with non-visible dermatological complaints, and they scored higher for inadequacy, rigidity and general psychological maladjustment than the men and had lower scores for injuredness self-evaluation and self-esteem. The women with androgenetic alopecia had more psychosocial problems, which they attributed to the hair loss, than the other groups.

Psychologic characteristics were studied in a sample of 168 men with alopecia androgenetica who participated in a clinical trial on the efficacy of minoxidil gel. In general, no evidence of psychologic malfunctioning was found. Instead, a slightly more adequate psychologic state was indicated. However, specific problems associated with hair loss were reported by a substantial number of men. Responders with cosmetic improvement in the group over 35 years of age improved more regarding general psychologic maladjustment, inadequacy, and self-evaluation than those who did not respond. A reverse trend was, however, found in the group younger than 35 years of age, where the nonresponders improved more. An explanation for these findings is derived from the theory of cognitive dissonance.

Eighty-three 4- to 12-year-old children, scheduled for curettage of at least five molluscum contagiosum lesions, participated in a double-blind study. The children were randomly allocated to receive lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA) cream (n = 58) or placebo cream (n = 25), applied 15, 30, or 60 minutes before treatment. The pain was assessed by the children and the physician as none, slight, moderate, or severe. In addition, the children rated the pain on a visual analog scale. EMLA cream effectively prevented the pain after all three application times (p less than 0.01). No significant difference in pain was observed among the 15-, 30-, and 60-minute EMLA-treated groups, but the proportion of children reporting no pain on the verbal scale increased from 36% in the 15-minute group to 61% in the 60-minute group. In the placebo group, only one of 24 children (4%) reported no pain. Transient local redness was the only skin reaction noted. In conclusion, an application time of EMLA cream of less than 60 minutes is satisfactory for the curettage of molluscum contagiosum in children.

There are only a few reports of the association of immune-complex glomerulonephritis with bullous pemphigoid. The occurrence of immune-complex nephritis with linear IgA bullous disease has not been previously reported. We report two cases, one a case of bullous pemphigoid and the other a case of linear IgA bullous disease, both of which were associated with immune-complex glomerulonephritis. The clinical and immunomorphologic data are briefly discussed.

The Gonozyme test (Abbott Laboratories) is a new enzyme immunoassay for detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens in specimens from the urethra in men and the endocervix in women. To evaluate the usefulness of the assay 249 patients were investigated. The results obtained with the immunoassay were compared with those of culture and microscopy of Gram-stained smears. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were high in men with urethritis and acceptable in different groups of women. As the sensitivity of the Gonozyme test was much higher than that of microscopy for endocervical specimens it might be useful as a rapid screening test for the detection of gonorrhoea in women.

In a selected group of 8 patients with progressive alopecia areata (AA) leading to AA universalis, immunological aspects (in the peripheral blood and the tissue) were studied during the period of the initial attack of the disease. The peripheral T-cell helper/suppressor ratio appeared not to be a reliable parameter for the disease activity. The intrabulbar and peribulbar distribution of T-cells, Langerhans cells and of HLA-DR expression in and around the anagen hair follicles in the progressive areas of the disease (region of exclamation-mark hairs) may suggest a T-cell-mediated injury primarily in the peribulbar regions of the follicles. The data presented tend to support the possibility that in the early development of AA, the dermal pailla (capillary network?) may be the prime target of immunologic injury.

Summary A scanning electron microscope was used to compare the distal ends of exclamation mark hairs from alopecia areata patients with the fracture surface of normal hair fibres, mechanically broken by traction. The exclamation mark hairs shows minimal damage to the cuticular cell pattern of the hair shaft. Where the cuticle was absent, cortex and medulla showed low-density features fanning out into a fringe-like structure at the distal ends. The fracture surfaces of normal hair fibres, mechanically broken by traction showed a markedly abnormal cuticular scale-pattern, whereas the features of cortical and medullary tissue were normal. These morphological differences between the fracture surface of exclamation mark hairs and normal hair fibres, mechanically broken by traction, may enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of alopecia areata.

In a double-blind, randomized study the efficacy of oral ketoconazole (400 mg for 5 days) was compared with that of topical miconazole (1200 mg a single dose) in the treatment of 42 patients with vaginal candidosis. One week after the start of therapy the mycological cure rate was 87% in the ketoconazole group and 95% in the miconazole group, indicating that both regimens are equally effective. No major side-effects were observed.

The sensitivity of four groups of gonococcal strains to ampicillin (Am), penicillin (P), tetracycline (T), rifampicin (Ri), spectinomycin (Sp), sulphamethoxazole (Su), trimethoprim (Tr), and a combination of Su and Tr in the ratio 5:1 (Su/Tr 5:1) has been determined. The various groups of strains were isolated from male civilians (MC), female civilians (FC), and sailors (S) in Rotterdam (R) in 1972, and from FC in Amsterdam (A) in 1967. The S-R strains, which may be regarded as mainly imported, were compared with the MC-R and FC-R (which may be considered as mainly of Dutch origin). Also investigated was whether the incidence of relative resistance to the antibiotics investigated among Dutch strains has changed in the period from 1967 to 1972. For this purpose, the FC-A and FC-R strains were compared. The MC-R and FC-R strains were also compared with one another. Finally, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient r were calculated between the sensitivity distributions for each pair of antibiotics investigated, for all strains. The S-R strains were significantly less sensitive to Am, P, T, Ri, and Tr than the MC-R and FC-R strains. Comparison of the FC-A and FC-R strains revealed that the FC-R strains were significantly less sensitive only to Su/Tr 5:1. A possible explanation for this finding is given. With the exception of one FC-A strain, all gonococcal strains were sensitive to Sp. High values of r (larger than or equal to 0.50) were found between Am and P, Am and T, and P and T for all groups of strains. The values of r between any pair of the antibiotics Am, P, T, Ri, and Tr (with the exception of the pair Am-P) were always highest for the S-R strains. High values of r (larger than or equal to 0.50) were found between Su and Su/Tr 5:1 for all groups of strains. The FC-A strains, unlike the R strains, gave low values of r between Su and Tr and between Tr and Su/Tr 5:1. A possible explanation for this is given. Finally, a hypothesis is put forward to explain the fact that no significant changes were found in the sensitivity of Dutch gonococcal strains to Am, P, T, Ri, Sp, Su, and Tr in the period from 1967 to 1972, while the S strains (which may be regarded as imported) showed a significantly higher percentage of strains relatively resistant to Am, P, T, Ri, and Tr.

Certain chemicals such as persulphates and formaldehyde are able to induce both immediate and delayed type reactions in the skin. The levels of delayed type response to persulphates (at 48 and 74 h), obtained by epicutaneous tests were subjected to comparative studies of shifts (48 versus 72 h) and statistical analysis. The 95% confidence limit of the mean value of shifts to persulphates was significantly higher than that of a standard routine battery as a whole and, with the exception of formaldehyde, also to that of other individual constituents of this battery. In the case of persulphates, this difference in shifts was due to an extremely low mean value of delayed-type response read at 48 h. The possible underlying mechanisms and the possible limiting rôle of vaso-active amines in the early evolution of delayed-type response is discussed.

In two cases of elastosis perforans serpiginosa (EPS) new clinical and laboratory data are described and discussed. In Case 1, EPS was triggered by penicillamine-D within an unusually short period (about one year). In Case 2, EPS was apparently primarily triggered by a vena puncture. In both cases the light and electron microscopic findings were strictly compatible with EPS. These findings are summarized. In the active lesions of botli cases increased numbers of helper T-cells and Langerhans cells were shown, while cytotoxic-suppressor T-cells were nearly completely absent. Leu 3a+ cells and Leu 6+ cells were also present in the inactive central area of the lesions. The data presented may cast doubt on the relationship of immunological findings to pathogenetic events in the disease.

We report the case of a 30-year-old female patient with non-von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. In our opinion it does not fit within a system of classification recently described. Clinically, the abnormality resembled a giant pigmented nevus; however, light- and electron microscopy findings were consistent with those of a neurofibroma. No other symptoms of classic neurofibromatosis or other diseases were present. The family history showed no evidence of neurofibromatosis. To the best of our knowledge this manifestation of non-von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis has not been previously described. The cause and the inheritance pattern of this variant are not clear.

Tissue speciments were taken from three regions in a patient with oral progressive lupus erythematosus (LE): the tongue, the buccal mucosa and clinically uninvolved cutaneous tissue. They were subjected to immunocytochemical studies by use of markers. HLA-DR antigen expression on mucosal epithelial cells was found in association with a predominance of activated helper T-Cells in the lesional tissue. Langerhans cells (OKT-6) and B-cells (Leu-IO, B1 and B2) were nearly absent in the mucosal lesions. The presence of populations of macrophages (MY-4) in the lesional epithelium might suggest an important role for these cells, rather than for Langerhans cells, in the afferent limb of cellular immunity in this case of LE.

Psychological characteristics were studied in 85 healthy men with early-stage alopecia androgenetica who participated in a double-blind clinical trial on the effect of minoxidil. No evidence of psychosocial malfunctioning was found in the group suffering from hair loss as indicated by personality traits, general psychological adjustment and social functioning. These subjects were less rigid and more self-confident than comparable norm groups. However, specific problems attributed to hair loss were present in more than 30%. More psychological improvement, with regard to hair problems, social discomfort, and self-esteem occurred in the minoxidil group than in the placebo group. The findings are exploratory, because the pretest data were obtained in retrospect.

SUMMARY The effectiveness of cyclosporin A (CyA) in low dosages (mean 5 mg/kg/day) for short-term treatment of severe psoriasis was studied. Of five patients with severe progressive psoriasis vulgaris (mean PASI score 43.8), an almost complete remission in three patients, and a large reduction in PASI score in the remaining two patients, was obtained within 4 weeks. No important clinical side-effects were found but there was biochemical evidence of slight renal dysfunction in one patient. The mean percentage reduction in the PASI score was 84%. It was concluded that the results reported justify further study of the use of CyA in the treatment of severe psoriasis.

We investigated the peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate in 22 basal cell carcinoma (BCC) from 18 patients using a series of monoclonal antibodies. In all the 22 BCC the infiltrate consisted mainly of T cells (55 +/- 15%) and only in three cases an invasion of the tumor nests by these cells was observed. The T helper (TH) subset predominated over the T suppressor/cytotoxic (TS/C) subset (TH/TS/C ratio of 1.9 +/- 0.8). In 8 of 22 BCC mild infiltrate was observed with 48 +/- 13% T cells and a TH/TS/C ratio of 1.5 +/- 0.6. In 14 of 22 BCC moderate to heavy infiltrate with 59 +/- 15% T cells and a TH/TS/C ratio of 2.0 +/- 1.0 was observed. There was a significant difference in the percentage of T cells in BCC with moderate to heavy infiltrate and that in BCC with mild infiltration. The mean percentage of HLA-DR+ cells was 54 +/- 11%; Langerhans cells (LC) 4 +/- 5%; and Leu-M5+ (monocytes and macrophages) 16 +/- 11%. Less than 2% Leu-14+(B) cells were seen in the infiltrate. The mean percentage of Leu-7+ (natural killer) cells was 4 +/- 4%, and only 1 of 22 BCC Leu-7+ cells invaded tumor nests, contacting with tumor cells. From these results we concluded that T cells play a major role in the defence against BCC proliferation. The main role of Langerhans cells and Leu-M5+ cells may be that of antigen presentation. B cells and NK cells probably play a minor role in the local defence against BCC proliferation.

Antibodies to pilar antigens of two gonococcal strains isolated in Rotterdam (6650 and 1443) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Paired sera (the first sample taken at the first examination (D1) and the second 11-22 days later (D2)) from women with and without gonorrhoea attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic were studied. The sensitivity of the ELISA using gonococcal pili 6650 as antigen (ELISA 6650) was significantly higher than that using gonococcal pili 1443 as antigen (ELISA 1443). The specificity of the two tests differed little. On D1 the sensitivity in women with uncomplicated gonorrhoea was 69% in the ELISA 6650 and 45% in the ELISA 1443; the corresponding values in asymptomatic infected women were 75% and 57% respectively. The agreement (both in positive and in negative results) between the two tests was less than might have been expected (kappa = 0.41).

The case history of a man with primary syphilis of the right hand is described. This type of luetic condition nowadays is rare. The incidence of genital, anorectal, and extragenital primary syphilis in both men and women and in sailors presenting at the Venereological Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Dermatology of the University Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt during a period of seven years was studied. In sailors and women only genital primary lesions were found, whereas in male civilians 6.3% of cases of primary syphilis had anorectal lesions. The primary lesions in this study were different from those reported in earlier literature.

Results of the Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), rapid plasma reagin (RPR), Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA), T. pallidum immobilisation (TPI), and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) tests on sera of 661 children from a region where yaws is hypoendemic are compared. For 107 (16.2%) out of 661 sera the FTA-ABS test was the only one showing reactivity; in these instances the test was weakly reactive (intensity of fluorescence scored as +) and the children had no history and no signs or symptoms of treponemal disease. A solitary, weakly reactive FTA-ABS test result seems to have no clinical significance in these cases. The FTA-ABS test can be used as a confirmatory test for yaws instead of the TPI test, if only the results of sera showing an intensity of fluorescence scored as ++ or more are considered to be positive. There appeared to be no significant differences in the results of the VDRL, RPR, and TPHA tests as screening tests for yaws when the TPI or FTA-ABS tests were used as reference tests.

The incidence of chancroid in Rotterdam has increased by more than five-fold during 1977-78. In a retrospective study of 53 patients with chancroid seen at this clinic during this period, the results of smears were positive in 82% and of cultures in 84% (of those for whom cultures had been performed). Symptoms were generally mild. Treatment with co-trimoxazole was highly effective clinically, as confirmed by in-vitro sensitivity studies.