TOLL-LIKE RECEPTORS (TLR) 2 AND 4 EXPRESSION OF KERATINOCYTES FROM PATIENTS WITH LOCALIZED AND DISSEMINATED DERMATOPHYTOSIS

There are few studies on the role of innate immune response in dermatophytosis. An investigation was conducted to define the involvement of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 in localized (LD) and disseminated (DD) dermatophytosis due to T. rubrum. Fifteen newly diagnosed patients, eight patients with LD and seven with DD, defined by involvement of at least three body segments were used in this study. Controls comprised twenty skin samples from healthy individuals undergoing plastic surgery. TLR2 and TLR4 were quantified in skin lesions by immunohistochemistry. A reduced expression of TLR4 in the lower and upper epidermis of both LD and DD patients was found compared to controls; TLR2 expression was preserved in the upper and lower epidermis of all three groups. As TLR4 signaling induces the production of inflammatory cytokines and neutrophils recruitment, its reduced expression likely contributed to the lack of resolution of the infection and the consequent chronic nature of the dermatophytosis. As TLR2 expression acts to limit the inflammatory process and preserves the epidermal structure, its preserved expression may also contribute to the persistent infection and limited inflammation that are characteristic of dermatophytic infections

Distribution pattern of psoriasis, anxiety and depression as possible causes of sexual dysfunction in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis may significantly impair sexual function. Depression and organic factors appear to play a key role in this relation. However, beyond genital psoriasis, the importance of the disease's distribution patterns has not been considered. OBJECTIVES: To research sexual function in psoriasis patients and investigate the roles of anxiety, depression and psoriasis' distribution patterns in sexual dysfunction. METHODS: A comparative study matched for sex and age was performed. Eighty patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and 80 healthy controls were included. The participants completed the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Self-Administered Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. RESULTS: Psoriasis was associated with sexual dysfunction, odds ratio=5.5 (CI 95% 2.6-11.3; p<0.001). Certain distribution patterns of psoriasis, involving specific body regions, were associated with an increase in sexual dysfunction in the group presenting the disease, odds ratio 7.9 (CI 95% 2.3-33.4; p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified anxiety and depression, and the involvement of these specific areas, as possible independent risk factors for sexual dysfunction in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. CONCLUSION: This study identifies body areas potentially related to sexual dysfunction, independently of anxiety and depression, in psoriasis patients. The results suggest that the assessment of sexual dysfunction and the involvement of these body areas should be considered as disease severity criteria when choosing the treatment for psoriasis patients

Evaluation of the occurrence of sexual dysfunction and general quality of life in female patients with psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis has a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). Sexual life can also be affected, with sexual dysfunction being reported by 25-70% of patients. Objectives: To determine the occurrence of sexual dysfunction and evaluate QoL in women with psoriasis. Methods: This case-control study included women aged 18-69 years. The validated Brazilian Portuguese versions of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were administered to all participants to assess sexual function and QoL, respectively. Patients with psoriasis underwent clinical evaluation for the presence of comorbidities, especially psoriatic arthritis and other rheumatic manifestations. Location of lesions and the extent of skin involvement were also assessed. Results: The sample consisted of 150 women, 75 with diagnosis of psoriasis and 75 healthy controls. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction was high in women with psoriasis (58.6% of the sample). Prevalence was statistically higher in women with psoriasis than in controls (P = 0.014). The SF-36 domain scores were also lower in women with psoriasis, with role limitations due to physical health, limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health being the most affected domains. Study limitations: Sample size was calculated to evaluate the association between the occurrence of sexual dysfunction and psoriasis, but it did not include the determination of the possible causes of this dysfunction. Conclusions: QoL and sexual function were altered in women with psoriasis and should be taken into consideration when assessing disease severity

7th Drug hypersensitivity meeting: part two

No abstract availabl

SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The aim of this study was to determine synergistic effects of meropenem and ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter strains isolated from intensive care unit (ICU) infections. A total of 18 P. aeruginosa and 17 Acinetobacter strains were tested. MICs were determined using the broth microdilution method. The synergy of meropenem and ciprofloxacin was investigated in glass tubes using time-kill methodology. The synergistic effect of meropenem and ciprofloxacin in combination was found to be 22% at 0.5 x the MIC and 61% at 1 x the MIC in P. aeruginosa strains. Two strains (11%) showed synergy at both 0.5 and 1 x the MIC. Of the 18 P. acruginosa strains, 1 strain (6%) did not show a synergistic effect at either 0.5 or I x the MIC. In Acinetobacter strains, the synergistic effect of meropenem and ciprofloxacin in combination was found to be 29% at 0.5 x the MIC and 18% at 1 x the MIC. One strain (6%) showed synergy at both 0.5 and 1 x the MIC. Of the 17 Acinetobacter strains, 8 strains (47%) did not show a synergistic effect at either 0.5 or 1 X the MIC. According to the results of this study, the combination of meropenem and ciprofloxacin is more effective than either antibiotic alone in ICU infections due to P. acruginosa strains

In vitro effectiveness of quinupristin/dalfopristin against Staphylococcus aureas strains

WOS: 000183033400018PubMed ID: 1272708