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We present the case of a 66-year-old bisexual patient suffering from painful bloody defecation, linked to rectal thickening, rectovesical fistula and enlarged lymph nodes in the mesorectal area. The patient was misdiagnosed with rectal cancer (T3 N2) on MRI but the symptoms of the patient were due to lymphogranuloma venereum. After adequate treatment with doxycycline, symptoms faded within days; a control MRI showed complete regression of all pathologic alterations.

The case report literature on ulcus vulvae acutum Lipschütz (UVAL) is scant, and specific guidelines on its diagnosis and treatment are lacking. Our study's aim was to perform a systematic literature review of UVAL in order to formulate a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. Using the PRISMA criteria, we searched PubMed and MEDLINE for the terms ‘ulcus vulvae acutum’, ‘Lipschütz ulcer’ and ‘acute genital ulcer AND vulva’. We extracted relevant data on ‘type of article’, ‘patients’ age’, ‘amount and localization of ulcers’, ‘presence of flu‐like symptoms’, ‘prior sexual contacts’, ‘diagnostic workup’ (including histology, blood count and serology such as Epstein–Barr virus testing) and ‘treatment/outcome’. Data were meta‐analysed and comparative analyses were discussed in order to create a diagnostic algorithm and recommendations for management. Twenty‐one publications reporting a total of 60 cases of UVAL were included for analysis. On this basis, we formulated a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm defined by two major and four minor criteria. The major criteria were (i) acute onset of one or more painful ulcerous lesions in the vulvar region and (ii) exclusion of infectious and non‐infectious causes for the ulcer. The minor criteria were (i) localization of ulcer at vestibule or labia minora, (ii) no sexual intercourse ever (i.e. patient was a virgin) or within the last 3 months, (iii) flu‐like symptoms and/or (iv) systemic infection within 2–4 weeks prior to onset of vulvar ulcer. Use of a symptom‐based treatment algorithm based on our proposed major and minor criteria will improve the diagnosis and management of UVAL.

Dear Editor, Genital lesions are estimated to occur in 30–40% of patients with psoriasis, with a slight predominance in men. Less frequently they are the first and rarely the sole presentation of this common inflammatory disease in only 2–5% of affected patients.1 Therefore, its differential diagnosis can be wide, including mainly inflammatory diseases. As genital psoriasis is also a source of anxiety and sexual embarrassment, with other quality of life limitations, mostly in young patients, a fast and preferably noninvasive diagnosis is needed.2 Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) have been developed in recent years, aiming for a higher accuracy in in vivo diagnosis. They can be of particular interest as complementary tools in the examination of sensitive areas like genital skin.3-6 The aim of our study was to describe RCM features of biopsy‐proven psoriatic balanitis in patients with no other skin or nail involvement from psoriasis, with dermoscopic and histopathological correlation. Seven male patients were consecutively recruited (mean 36 years of age, range 26–53). The genital lesions were first assessed using dermoscopy and RCM (Table 1). A punch biopsy from each suspicious glans lesion was also performed for histopathological examination. RCM imaging was obtained using a near infrared, reflectance mode, confocal laser scanning microscope (VivaScope1500®; Caliber I.D., Rochester, NY, U.S.A.).

An observational, exploratory, cross-sectional study was performed to assess whether the presence of atypical naevi (AN) in adolescents is associated with psychological and psychovegetative stress parameters. Fifty-one students of a secondary school in Graz, Austria, completed a defined test procedure consisting of an initial period of rest, a standardised mental stress task, another period rest and a questionnaire, the change-sensitive symptom list (ASS-SYM). Electrocardiogram and blood pressure were recorded continuously. The study population was divided in two groups: probands without AN (NAN, n = 33), and probands with at least one AN (n = 18). We found higher values for the AN group in all scales of ASS-SYM, reaching statistical significance in the dimensions "nervousness and mental tension" (p = 0.025), "psychophysiological dysregulation" (p = 0.020), burden of pain" (p = 0.023) and "general symptoms and problems" (p = 0.031). Regarding physiological parameters, the AN group showed higher vegetative strain reflected in heart rate and heart rate varibility during the periods of rest as well as a reduced baroreceptor sensitivity. On the basis of our results, the presence of AN in adolescents seems to be associated with a higher vegetative arousal. Additionally, participants with AN complained significantly more often about stress-associated general psychological symptoms and problems.

In accordance to the International Conference on Harmonisation–Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) the patient confirmed his willingness to participate in the imaging procedure, after having been informed of all aspects of the trial. The informed consent was documented by a written, signed, and dated informed consent form.

Background New diagnostic tools such as the basophil activation test (BAT) and component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) are promising for hymenoptera venom or food allergy. A clear benefit for inhalant allergens has not yet been shown. Our aim was to compare new and established tests for grass pollen allergy. Methods Forty-nine patients with grass pollen allergy and 47 controls were prospectively enrolled in the study. A symptom score was calculated for each patient. Conjunctival provocation tests (CPT), skin prick tests (SPT), BAT, and sIgE determination including CRD were performed. Sensitivity and specificity were compared and results were correlated with the symptom score. Results Single determination of sIgE to rPhl p 1 showed the best balance between sensitivity (98%) and specificity (92%). Use of additional components, such as rPhl p 2 and 5, did not increase sensitivity. Generally, sensitivity of tests was high: SPT 100%, ISAC-112 100%, sIgE to timothy grass 98%, BAT 98%, ISAC-103 84%, and CPT 83%. Specificity ranged from 79% (SPT) to 96% (CPT). All test results and calculated values (e.g. ratio sIgE/tIgE) did not correlate with symptom severity. Asymptomatic sensitization to timothy grass in controls was rare in the CAP (11%) and predominantly due to Phl p 1 sensitization. Conclusion rPhl p 1 was sufficient to diagnose grass pollen allergy, and sIgE patterns were the same in symptomatically and asymptomatically sensitized subjects. The testing of multiple components was of minor importance, and no test correlated with symptom severity.

The abrupt onslaught of the syphilis pandemic that started in the late fifteenth century established this devastating infectious disease as one of the most feared in human history1 . Surprisingly, despite the availability of effective antibiotic treatment since the mid-twentieth century, this bacterial infection, which is caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (TPA), has been re-emerging globally in the last few decades with an estimated 10.6 million cases in 2008 (ref. 2). Although resistance to penicillin has not yet been identified, an increasing number of strains fail to respond to the secondline antibiotic azithromycin3. Little is known about the genetic patterns in current infections or the evolutionary origins of the disease due to the low quantities of treponemal DNA in clinical samples and difficulties in cultivating the pathogen4. Here, we used DNA capture and whole-genome sequencing to successfully interrogate genome-wide variation from syphilis patient specimens, combined with laboratory samples of TPA and two other subspecies. Phylogenetic comparisons based on the sequenced genomes indicate that the TPA strains examined share a common ancestor after the fifteenth century, within the early modern era. Moreover, most contemporary strains are azithromycin-resistant and are members of a globally dominant cluster, named here as SS14-Ω. The cluster diversified from a common ancestor in the mid-twentieth century subsequent to the discovery of antibiotics. Its recent phylogenetic divergence and global presence point to the emergence of a pandemic strain cluster. Fil: Arora, Natasha. Universitat Zurich; Suiza Fil: Schuenemann, Verena J.. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen. Institute For Archaeological Sciences.; Alemania Fil: Jäger, Hünter. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.; Alemania Fil: Peltzer, Alexander. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.; Alemania Fil: Seitz, Alexander. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.; Alemania Fil: Herbig, Alexander. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.; Alemania Fil: Strouhal, Michal. Masaryk University; República Checa Fil: Grillová, Linda. Masaryk University; República Checa Fil: Sánchez Busó, Leonor. Universidad de Valencia; España. University of Cambridge; Reino Unido Fil: Kühnert, Denise. Universitat Zurich; Suiza Fil: Bos, Kirsten I.. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen. Institute For Archaeological Sciences.; Alemania Fil: Davis Rivero, Leyla. Universitat Zurich; Suiza Fil: Mikalová, Lenka. Masaryk University; República Checa Fil: Bruisten, Sylvia. Public Health Laboratory. Department of Infectious Diseases; Países Bajos Fil: Komericki, Peter. Medical University of Graz; Austria Fil: French, Patrick. The Mortimer Market Centre ; Reino Unido Fil: Grant, Paul R.. University College London; Estados Unidos Fil: Pando, María de los Ángeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Gallo Vaulet, Maria Lucia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina Fil: Rodríguez Fermepin, Marcelo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina Fil: Martinez, Antonio. Hospital General Universitario de Valencia; España Fil: Lara, Arturo Centurión. University of Washington; Estados Unidos Fil: Giacani, Lorenzo. University of Washington; Estados Unidos Fil: Norris, Steven J.. UTHealth McGovern Medical School. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Estados Unidos Fil: Smajs, David. Masaryk University; República Checa Fil: Bosshard, Philipp P.. Universitat Zurich; Suiza Fil: González Candelas, Fernando. Universidad de Valencia; España Fil: Nieselt, Kay. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.; Alemania Fil: Krause, Johannes. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.; Alemania Fil: Bagheri, Homayoun C.. Universitat Zurich; Suiza

Syphilis swept across the world in the 16th century as one of most prominent documented pandemics and is re-emerging worldwide despite the availability of effective antibiotics. Little is known about the genetic patterns in current infections or the evolutionary origins of the disease due to the non-cultivable and clonal nature of the causative bacterium Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum. In this study, we used DNA capture and next generation sequencing to obtain whole genome data from syphilis patient specimens and from treponemes propagated in laboratory settings. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the syphilis strains examined here share a common ancestor after the 15th century. Moreover, most contemporary strains are azithromycin resistant and members of a globally dominant cluster named here as SS14-Ω. This cluster diversified from a common ancestor in the mid-20th century and has the population genetic and epidemiological features indicative of the emergence of a pandemic strain cluster.

SummaryBackground Incomplete resorption of fructose results in increased colonic hydrogen production and is a frequent cause of abdominal symptoms. The only treatment available is diet. Aim To study whether orally administered xylose isomerase (XI), an enzyme that catalyses the reversible isomerisation of glucose and fructose, can decrease breath hydrogen excretion in patients with fructose malabsorption. Methods Patients received 25 g fructose in 100 mL water together with either placebo or XI capsules. Primary endpoint was the reduction in breath hydrogen excretion, as assessed by the area under the breath hydrogen curve over 4 h (AUC). A secondary endpoint was the reduction in abdominal pain, bloating and nausea assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS, range: 0–10). A P value

Heparins are widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism. Several types of immunologically mediated reactions to heparins are reported, among them delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions with erythematous, infiltrated itchy plaques at injection sites. We describe a female patient, whose localized reaction from dalteparin was followed by a generalized rash presenting as acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. Subcutaneous provocation testing showed cross-reactions to enoxaparin, certoparin, reviparin, nadroparin, danaparoid, fondaparinux, but not to pentosan polysulfate. The danaparoid and in a lesser extent the nadroparin patch showed pustules. Within the next day, a generalized rash developed. The upper aspect of her trunk was highly affected and showed discrete pustules. Despite the fact that low molecular-weight heparins are widely prescribed, this is, to our knowledge, the first observation of a pustular drug eruption attributable to this class of substances.

The increase in minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cephalosporins for Neisseria gonorrhoeae has given rise to concerns regarding potentially untreatable gonococcal infections. The goal was to ascertain the prevalence of gonorrhea in a Viennese patient group and determine resistance patterns. Another objective was to evaluate resistance profiles and MIC values of gonococcal isolates in an Austria-wide surveillance project.From 1999 to 2014, 350,000 individuals were tested for gonococci at the Viennese Outpatient Clinic. In addition, from 2010 to 2014, the MICs of recommended antibiotics was determined in 3,584 gonococcal isolates, initially by agar dilution and breakpoint determination, and, from 2012 onwards, by Etest®.During the observation period, the prevalence of gonorrhea increased eightfold, with a significantly greater number of quinolone, penicillin, and tetracycline- resistant strains. In gonococcal strains isolated from across Austria, there was an increase in cefixime and ceftriaxone MICs toward breakpoints. Twenty-one isolates showed cefixime resistance, and while there was an increase in azithromycin resistance from 0.9 % (2013) to 3.2 % (2014), no resistance to ceftriaxone was observed.Currently, there is no imminent risk of untreatable gonorrhea in Austria. However, continuing the use of gonococcal cultures as a diagnostic tool for establishing resistance profiles is essential in order to monitor trends in the development of Neisseria (N.) gonorrhoeae resistance.

BACKGROUND: Perianal dermatitis is probably the most common cutaneous disorder of the genitoanal area. Studies on the epidemiology of causative factors are rare. METHODS: Over a 4-year period we prospectively studied 126 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of anal eczema. The diagnostic algorithm comprised medical history, inspection, microbiology, laboratory chemistry, patch tests, proctoscopy, and biopsy if appropriate. RESULTS: The age range was 7–82 years and the majority of patients were male (57.1%). Periods of anal symptomatology ranged from 6 days to 120 months and most of the patients (51.6%) had complaints for more than 12 months. The clinical diagnosis in 68 patients (54%) was: intertrigo/candidiasis (42.9%), atopic dermatitis (6.3%), pruritus ani (5.6%), psoriasis (3.2%), skin atrophy from steroid use (2.4%), lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (n = 2), herpes simplex (n = 1), and condylomata acuminata (n = 1). Contact eczema was suspected in 58 patients (46%), but 25 of these (43.1%) showed no contact sensitization. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients with symptoms of anal eczema suffer from intertrigo/candidiasis, and relevant, causative contact sensitization may be found in only some of them. Patch-testing is a valuable investigative tool only when the patients' own products are included in the test series. Most patients suffer from their perianal complaints for more than 12 months, therefore diligent evaluation is warranted.

A 40-year-old man developed anaphylactic shock during surgical replacement of a prolapsed mitral valve during general anaesthesia and an attenuated reaction (Grade 2), three days later during a blood transfusion. Human serum albumin, a component of the fibrinogen concentrate used postoperatively with the erythrocyte concentrate, was identified as the trigger, confirmed by positive skin prick and intradermal tests. Any anaphylaxis during the peri-operative period should cause the clinician to perform allergy tests for identification of the culprit drug and, sometimes, culprit additive. Testing of human serum albumin, acting as hidden allergen, should be included, especially where there has been a blood transfusion.

Background: Anogenital warts are a common sexually transmitted disease caused by human papillomaviruses. Despite the fact, that imiquimod and podophyllotoxin represent common topical agents, direct comparative studies lack. This work compares the effectiveness and safety of self-applied imiquimod 5% cream and podophyllotoxin 0.5% solution. Methods: Within 2 years, consecutive patients presenting with untreated anogenital warts were included in a randomized, open label trial. The primary endpoint was complete clearance at the end of treatment (4 weeks after the start with podophyllotoxin, 16 weeks after the start of imiquimod therapy). Side effects were evaluated as a secondary endpoint. Results: A total of 45 patients, 7 women and 35 men, of whom 5 were circumcised, concluded the treatment and were eligible for evaluation. The rates of clearance of baseline warts among treatment groups were 72% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52%-86%) in the podophyllotoxin group and 75% (95% CI, 53%-98%) in the imiquimod group. Statistically, clearance rates were identical (P = 1). The differences in side effects between treatment groups were statistically not significant (P = 0.24). Conclusions: The current study, a direct comparison of both, confirms the previously obtained mathematical data, that imiquimod 5% cream and podophyllotoxin 0.5% solution have an identical beneficial effect on anogenital warts and are associated with identical and acceptable side effects. Both substances constitute effective and safe treatments of untreated anogenital warts in immunocompetent individuals.

Background Acne is an important health issue with a major psychological impact in addition to the physical problems it causes. Objectives To investigate the superiority of mobile teledermatology in the care of patients with high-need facial acne in comparison to outpatient services with particular attention to treatment efficacy, safety, and patient compliance. Further, patient satisfaction with remote care was evaluated. Methods Sixty-nine consecutive patients (f: 25, m: 44, median age: 19 years, range: 13–37 years) were randomly allocated to either the teleconsultation (TCA) or the outpatient consultation (OCA) arm of the trial to receive isotretinoin treatment in weight and severity-dependent dosages over 24 weeks. Acne grading was performed by one examiner using the Global Acne Severity Scale (GEA) and the total lesion counting (TLC). Results Due to noncompliance issues, 17 of 69 (24.6%) patients were excluded from the study, of who 10 had been assigned to the TCA (10/34; 29.4%) and 7 to the OCA (7/35; 20%). Both, in the TCA (GEA-score: ∆ = 2.25; TLC: ∆ = 89.08) and in the OCA (GEA-score: ∆ = 2.0; TLC: ∆ = 91.21) excellent and almost equivalent therapeutic outcomes were achieved. In the TCA, however, less patients experienced adverse reactions (P = 0.55). Even though additional live supervision would have been appreciated in some teledermatology cases, patients were satisfied with the mobile service and no consultation request was created. Conclusion Mobile teledermatology is an efficient, safe and well-accepted tool among patients with high-need acne constituting at least a valuable adjunct to outpatient care services. Further larger studies would be useful to confirm our findings.

Background According to current guidelines, skin testing for hymenoptera venom allergy should be performed in a stepwise manner, maintaining 15- to 20-min intervals between the injections of venom. Given the long-winded procedure of sequential skin testing, we retrospectively explored the safety of simultaneous intradermal testing. Methods Four hundred and seventy-eight consecutive patients with a convincing history of an anaphylactic reaction after a hymenoptera sting were tested. All venom concentrations (0.02 ml of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 μg/ml of honey bee and wasp venom) were administered simultaneously to the skin. Results Four hundred and seventy-two (98.7%) patients tolerated the simultaneous intradermal test without any side-effects. Only three subjects (0.6%) had a presumed allergic reaction during the test; another three reactions were considered vasovagal. Conclusion Our skin test protocol with four simultaneously injected concentrations of two hymenoptera venoms is safe and permits the investigator to draw rapid conclusions about the individual's sensitization pattern.

In recent years, cutaneous complications have been reported after implantation of medical devices as a result of their widespread use. We report a case of reticular telangiectatic erythema (RTE) after replacement of a spinal cord stimulator. To date, the pathogenesis of RTE has been poorly understood. Some reports have suggested that heat is involved, whereas others seem to contradict this observation. In our thermographic study, we found that heat can cause RTE.

An observational, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was performed to assess whether differences in coping behaviour (positive and negative strategies) between patients with either a recent diagnosis of malignant melanoma (MM) or with benign dermatological disease, were predictive of the diagnosis. Coping strategies were assessed with the German version of the stress-coping questionnaire (SVF 120) in 46 inpatients for whom surgery was planned at the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Austria. Subjects were divided into two groups: patients with non-metastatic MM, and patients with benign dermatological diseases (controls). The risk for the diagnosis "melanoma" decreased with higher values of "situation control" (p = 0.007) and increased with higher values of resignation (p = 0.035) and trivialisation (p = 0.039). More-over, the risk for having a MM with thickness > 1 mm decreased in patients with higher values in positive coping strategies (p

Basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis are frequent neoplasms. Topical treatments include the recently approved imiquimod cream. We describe here the case of a 68-year-old man with multiple actinic keratosis on the forehead, upper trunk and on the left cheek. In addition, an exulcerated basal cell carcinoma was observed. The patient was advised only to treat lesions on the forehead with imiquimod cream. This resulted in complete clearance of actinic keratosis within 6 weeks. At follow-up, a planned surgical excision of the basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis on the cheek was carried out. Histopathologically, both excision specimens no longer showed features of basal cell carcinoma or actinic keratosis, despite the fact that the imiquimod treatment was not applied to the cheek. Imiquimod cream is a topical immune response modifier, which has shown antiviral and anti-tumorous properties by inducing the production of cytokines as well as by stimulating dendritic cells and lymphocytes. Our observation supports the concept of lymphatic transport of immune cells and factors with subsequent immunological curing of tumours, not only in the treated area, but also those in the area between the imiquimod application site and the regional lymph nodes (the "lymphatic field clearance").

An 8-year-old boy developed vesicular lesions on the skin in different parts of the body, occurring four to six times a year. He had a history of eczema herpeticum as a young child. We confirmed a diagnosis of multifocal herpes simplex infection, and hypothesize that this was a result of his previous eczema herpeticum, an unusual complication, in an otherwise healthy and immunocompetent child.

OBJECTIVES: The term histamine intolerance stands for a range of symptoms involving various effector organs after the consumption of histamine-rich food. Our intention was to objectify and quantify histamine-associated symptoms and to analyse whether oral administration of the histamine-degrading enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) caused a reduction of symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four Austrian centres participated. Patients suspected to be histamine intolerant were recruited. The first step consisted in the open oral provocation of these patients with 75 mg of liquid histamine. Patients who developed symptoms were tested in a randomised double blind crossover provocation protocol using histamine-containing and histamine-free tea in combination with DAO capsules or placebo. Main and secondary symptoms (strongest and weaker symptoms based on a ten-point scale) were defined, the grand total of all symptoms of the individual provocation steps was determined and changes in symptoms after administration of DAO were measured. RESULTS: Thirty nine patients reacted to the open histamine provocation and were enrolled in the blinded part. Here, both the main and secondary symptoms were not reproducible. Subjects reacted sometimes unexpectedly and randomly. Regarding the total symptom scores, the differences between the three treatment groups were statistically significant. The intake of DAO demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of histamine-associated symptoms compared to placebo (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Oral provocation with 75 mg of liquid histamine failed to reproduce histamine-associated single symptoms in many patients. One may suggest that histamine-intolerant subjects reacted with different organs on different occasions. As a consequence, reproducibility of single symptoms alone may not be appropriate to diagnose histamine-intolerance whereas a global symptom score could be more appropriate. The fact, that the intake of DAO capsules compared to placebo led to a statistically significant reduction of total symptom scores, may indirectly point in the same direction.

Perianal dermatitis is probably the most common cutaneous disorder of the genitoanal area. Studies on the epidemiology of causative factors are rare.Over a 4-year period we prospectively studied 126 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of anal eczema. The diagnostic algorithm comprised medical history, inspection, microbiology, laboratory chemistry, patch tests, proctoscopy, and biopsy if appropriate.The age range was 7-82 years and the majority of patients were male (57.1%). Periods of anal symptomatology ranged from 6 days to 120 months and most of the patients (51.6%) had complaints for more than 12 months. The clinical diagnosis in 68 patients (54%) was: intertrigo/candidiasis (42.9%), atopic dermatitis (6.3%), pruritus ani (5.6%), psoriasis (3.2%), skin atrophy from steroid use (2.4%), lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (n = 2), herpes simplex (n = 1), and condylomata acuminata (n = 1). Contact eczema was suspected in 58 patients (46%), but 25 of these (43.1%) showed no contact sensitization.The majority of patients with symptoms of anal eczema suffer from intertrigo/candidiasis, and relevant, causative contact sensitization may be found in only some of them. Patch-testing is a valuable investigative tool only when the patients' own products are included in the test series. Most patients suffer from their perianal complaints for more than 12 months, therefore diligent evaluation is warranted.

not available

Background In the last years the Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, already known to be resistant to penicillins, tetracyclines, macrolides and fluoroquinolones has raised attention by developing resistance and consequently treatment failures in some cases to the recommended first line treatment: extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefixime). Therefore bacterial culture, the gold standard for definite diagnosis should be performed for antibiotic susceptibility testing, beside the widely used nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). However we could observe discrepancies between cefixime susceptible N. gonorrhoeae cultures and clinical treatment failures for some years. Methods In this retrospective study, 2006–2012, clinical outcome data of patients with acute gonococcal urethritis/cervicitis, oral cefixime treatment (400mg, one dose) and cefixime susceptible N. gonorrhoeae culture were collected at the STD outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Austria. The diagnosis was made by microscopy (Gram or methylene blue staining), culture including antimicrobial susceptibility testing and in situ hybridization (GenProbe Pace II) of urethral/cervical swab specimens. Control urethral/cervical swaps were performed within one to two weeks. Results Out of total 218 patients with gonorrhoea, 120 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 14 of 120 (11.7%) showed a treatment failure after oral cefixime despite a positive susceptibity testing. Most treatment failures were observed in 2011 (3/11; 21.4%) and 2012 (4/17; 19%). Rates for 2007, 2008 and 2009 were 2/12; 14.3%, 3/16; 15.8% and 2/11; 15.4%. In 2006 and 2010, no treatment failure in cefixime susceptible N. gonorrhoeae infections was seen. Conclusion Culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing remains essential in gonorrhoea management in regard of recent surveillance data suggesting that cephalosporins are becoming less effective in the treatment of gonorrhoea. Our data suggest that treatment failures with oral cefixime may occur even in infections with cefixime susceptible N. gonorrhoeae strains.

Background The Austrian Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases started a surveillance project in 2010 to evaluate the gonococcal resistance in Austria. Methods In 2010 and 2011 a national network of 39 centres was established to collect 1569 gonococcal isolates and the anamnestic data of the patients. Gonococcal culture plates were sent from the participating laboratories to the Outpatient´s Center in Vienna, where gonococcal resistance testing was performed by disc diffusion test, agardilution breakpoint technique, agardilution, and Etest. The following antibiotics were tested: cefixime, ceftriaxone, penicillin, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, tetracycline, spectinomycin, and gentamicin. Results were interpreted according to CLSI and EUCAST guidelines. Results In Vienna, 1456 isolates were collected, whereas 111 strains were sent from the federal states. Of all collected isolates 87% were genital, 5% pharyngeal, and 7% rectal isolates, respectively. Gonococci were collected more often from men (56%) than from women, 10% of men reported homosexual contacts. A concurrent infection with Chlamydia trachomatis was observed in 15% of all patients. While 2010 all isolates displayed susceptibility to third generation cephalosporines, in 2011 7 gonococcal strains were resistant to cefixime (MIC > 0.125 µg/ml) but still susceptible to ceftriaxone (MIC ≤ 0.125 µg/ml). Furthermore, an increase of MIC values for cefixime as well as for ceftriaxone was observed in 2011. Resistance to azithromycin increased from 1% in 2010 to 1.5% in 2011. Resistance to quinolones was detected in 58% in 2010 rising to more than 60% in 2011, respectively. Conclusion Third generation cephalosporines still represent the most appropriate drug for gonococcal therapy. As Azithromycin resistance is low in Austria it is suitable for alternative therapy especially in case of coinfection with C. trachomatis . Due to the increasing MIC values for cephalosporines and the rising rates for azithromycin resistance it is highly recommended to determine the resistance pattern of the respective gonococcal strain by culture performance.

Importance: Zoon plasma cell balanitis is a benign inflammatory disease of genital skin. It may be difficult to clinicallydistinguishbetweenbalanitisandcarcinomain situ (CIS); thus, a biopsy may be needed to exclude malignant disease. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an in vivo imaging method to get morphologic information about architecture and single cells in the skin. Objective: To evaluate the ability of RCM to differentiate between balanitis and CIS compared with the gold standard histopathologic methods. Design: Observer blinded study. Setting: A referral center. Participants: Fifteen patients with balanitis or CIS. Intervention: Patients were assessed by clinical, histologic, and RCM findings. All lesions were imaged with theVivascope1500.In5casesofbalanitis,thesurrounding, noninvolved skin also was evaluated. Main Outcome Measures:Local recurrence, nodal metastasis, disease-specific death, overall death. Results: The clinical diagnoses showed 9 cases of balanitis and 6 cases of CIS. With histopathologic analysis, 12casesofbalanitisandcasesofCISwerediagnosed,and RCMevaluationconfirmedthesediagnoses.ThemostrelevantRCMcriteriaforCISwereatypicalhoneycombpattern, disarranged epidermal pattern, and round nucleated cells. Balanitis showed a nucleated honeycomb patternandvermicularvessels.Scatteredsmallbrightcells and round vessels were present in all lesions. The adjacent normal skin showed a typical honeycomb pattern and round papillary vessels. Conclusions and Relevance: We were able to differentiatebetweenbalanitisandCIS.Reflectanceconfocalmicroscopy may help to avoid biopsies at this sensitive site.