16 research outputs found
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
Primary cutaneous lymphomas : the analysis of cases treated in the Department of Dermatology University Hospital in Krakow
Early syphilis in patients treated in the Department of Dermatology at Jagiellonian University School of Medicine in Cracow in years 2006-2010
Molecular proof of a clinical concept : expression of estrogen alpha-, beta-receptors and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) in histologically assessed common nevi, dysplastic nevi and melanomas
Background and Objectives: Epidemiologic data show significant differences in melanoma incidence and outcomes between sexes. The role of hormonal receptors in the pathogenesis of melanocytic lesions remains unclear, thus we performed this study aiming to assess estrogen receptors expression in different melanocytic lesions. Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study that included 73 consecutively excised melanocytic lesions. Estrogen receptor alpha (ER伪), beta (ER尾), and G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) expression was analyzed in melanocytes and keratinocytes of common nevi, dysplastic nevi, melanoma, healthy skin margin, and in sebaceous and sweat gland cells. Results: ER尾 expression was higher in dysplastic nevi margin melanocytes compared to common nevi (p = 0.046) and in dysplastic nevi keratinocytes compared to melanoma keratinocytes (p = 0.021). ER尾 expression was significantly higher in margin melanocytes compared to melanoma melanocytes (p = 0.009). No difference in ER尾 expression was shown between melanocytes of three types of lesions. GPER expression was higher in nuclei and cytoplasm of dysplastic nevi (p = 0.02 and p = 0.036 respectively) and at the margin compared to melanoma. GPER expression was lower in sebaceous glands of tissue surrounding common nevi (p = 0.025) compared to dysplastic nevi. GPER expression was higher in skin margin tissue melanocytes (p = 0.016 nuclear, p = 0.029 cytoplasmic) compared to melanoma melanocytes. There were no differences in ER伪 expression between the melanocytic lesions. Conclusion: Further large-scale studies are warranted to investigate the potential role of ER尾 and GPER in the pathogenesis of melanocytic lesions