Suspicion of pulmonary embolism during treatment of pemphigoid gestationis

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG), first described in 1872 by Laws Milton, is a rare autoimmune bullous disease of pregnancy and puerperium. Pemphigoid gestationis has been estimated to occur in 1 : 50 000 pregnancies and usually presents in the second or third trimester with exacerbation after partum. This disease is caused by circulating IgG1 immunoglobulin against hemidesmosomal protein bullous pemphigoid BP180 (BPAG2) type XVII collagen and less frequently BP230. We present a case of pemphigoid gestationis in primigravida with complications during treatment due to the suspicion of pulmonary embolism

Expression of metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in basal-cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to compare the expressions of mRNA for metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and type IV collagen in two different histological types of basal-cell carcinoma (BCCs; nodular and infiltrative) and in normal tissues from the tumor interface. The study included biopsy specimens of the skin involved with BCC and normal skin adjacent the lesion. The expressions of mRNA for MMP-2, MMP-9 and type IV collagen were determined by means of RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). The level of type IV collagen mRNA in nodular and infiltrative BCCs turned out to be significantly lower, and the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA significantly higher than in normal tissues adjacent to these tumors. The expression of mRNA for MMP-9 but not for MMP-2 was significantly higher in infiltrative BCCs than in the nodular BCCs. In turn, normal tissues adjacent to nodular BCCs showed significantly higher levels of mRNA for MMP-2 and significantly lower levels of type IV collagen mRNA than the normal tissues from the interface of infiltrative BCCs. The findings suggest that MMP-2 and MMP-9 could be used as prognostic factors of BCCs

The role of focal infections in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and chronic urticaria

Introduction: The Focal Infection Theory, originally presented at the beginning of the 20th century, postulates that systemic diseases can be caused by microorganisms that arise from the focus of infection. Foci of infections have been described as sinuses, adenoids, tonsils, teeth, genitourinary tract, gall bladder and kidneys. A focus of infection is defined as the area that can occur in any part of the body, contains a pathogen (microorganism) and is usually asymptomatic. There are discordant opinions about the role of focal infections in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and urticaria. Aim: To establish whether there is a higher incidence of focal infections in patients with chronic urticaria and psoriasis. Material and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 129 patients with a history of psoriasis and chronic urticaria: 58 women and 71 men treated in the Department of Dermatology of the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow. Results: In the analyzed group, 11 patients had a dental consultation, 58 - laryngological consultation and 29 women had a gynecological consultation. The most common examples of focal infection were tonsillitis, upper respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, dental caries and genitourinary tract infections. Aggravating factors were similar to previously described. Conclusions: A high incidence of focal infections in patients with psoriasis and urticaria suggests that infections may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of these skin disorders. Treatment of infection foci may play the key role in the remission of skin changes

Diagnostyka chorób nowotworowych skóry na podstawie oznaczenia ekspresji metaloproteinaz

Praca recenzowana / peer-reviewed paperMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc- dependent endopeptidase. A characteristic feature of MMPs is the ability of degradation of at least one component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Degradation of ECM components like collagen proteins, proteoglycans and laminins leads to change in tissue structure, which enables the migration of tumor cells. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the skin. BCC is derived from cells of the basal layer of the epidermis. Basal cell carcinoma is characterized by a slight ability to metastases. BCC is most common in Caucasians and the main cause of this type of tumor is the solar radiation. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of mRNA for MMP-2 and MMP-9 in basal cell carcinoma tissue and bordering healthy skin tissue (control sample). Both, examined and control tissues, were taken from the same patients. Skin tissues were obtained from 15 patients diagnosed as BCC nodularis skin cancer. Using the method of RT-PCR showed signifi cant increase in expression of mRNA for MMP-2 and MMP-9 in tumor tissue compared to non tumor skin tissue. It can be assumed that the molecular study of MMPs expression in skin tissue may be a useful and complementary diagnostics test in histopathologic diagnosis of skin cancer. Diagnostic tests, complemented with molecular markers, may allow for precise definition of the border margin of excised tumor, which is an important prognostic factor

Level of inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor α\alpha, interleukins 12, 23 and 17 in patients with psoriasis in the context of metabolic syndrome

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with immunologic etiology. Aim: To investigate the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor \alpha ($TNF-\alpha$), interleukin 23 (IL-23) and IL-17 in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with concomitant metabolic syndrome. Material and methods: This study included 60 patients with severe psoriasis. Results: In patients with arterial hypertension concomitant with psoriasis, no statistically significant differences in cytokine levels were observed. On the other hand, in the group of patients diagnosed with diabetes, an increased level of IL-17 was observed. In patients with lipid disorders, the results were similar to the results of patients with diabetes. Conclusions: It is very important to study immunologic mechanisms responsible for the presence and severity of psoriasis, in order to personalize the therapy in the future and optimize the effect of action on the basic disease and on concomitant disorders