Iranian Journal of Dermatology

Abstract Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of theskin. The etiology of psoriasis is not known exactly. Recently, ithas been suggested that an imbalance in the oxidant- antioxidantstatus due to an increased reactive oxygen species production and/or deficient function of the antioxidant system may be involvedin the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The aim of this study was toevaluate the antioxidant defense status in patients with psoriasisand to look for a correlation, if any, between the antioxidantdefense status and the severity of psoriasis.Method: Sixty patients with psoriasis and an equal number ofage and sex matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study.Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione(GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and antioxidant potential(AOP) were measured in cases as well as controls.Result: Patients with psoriasis were found to have significantlyhigher levels of plasma SOD (P < 0.001) and MDA (P < 0.001)and lower levels of GSH (P < 0.001) than controls. Plasma AOPwas not significantly different between patients and controls(P= 0.822).Conclusion: The results of our study support the hypothesisof an imbalance in the oxidant –antioxidant status in psoriasis,which could contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Abstract Background: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common papulosquamousskin disorder that is suspected to have an infectious etiology.We aimed to study the role of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) inthe pathogenesis of PR.Method: We used immunohistochemical (IHC) assays to detectHHV-6 in patients with PR. Fifty-one patients with PR and 35 ageand sex matched healthy control samples were enrolled in thestudy. The intensity and percentage of cell staining for HHV-6infection were evaluated and recorded.Result: The intensity of IHC staining was negative in 25 (49.01%)patients and 24 (68.58%) control samples while it was +1 in 6(11.77%) patients and 11 (31.42%) control samples, +2 in 4 (7.85%)patients and +3 in 16 (31.37%) of them. The incidence of moderateand intense staining for HHV-6 was significantly higher amongpatients with PR than the control group (P value < 0.01).Conclusion: We concluded that HHV-6 infection may play arole in some patients with PR. The rate of HHV-6 infection wassignificantly higher in PR patients than the control group.

Abstract Background: The diagnosis of herpes simplex virus may requirevirological confirmation. Tzanck smear is an old, rapid, costeffective but nonspecific method that has been recently re-evaluatedas a method for the diagnosis of herpes virus infection. This studywas conducted to compare Tzanck smear and viral culture in thediagnosis of herpes simplex virus infection in patients clinicallysuspected to be infected with this virus.Method: Materials obtained from a fresh vesicle were used toprepare Tzanck smears and viral cultures.Result: In this study, 40 (71.4%) of the 56 samples were culturepositive while Tzanck smears were positive in 36 (64.3%) patients.We found that the sensitivity and specificity of the Tzanck testwas 90% and 100% respectively when compared to cell culture.Moreover, the positive predictive value (PPV) and negativepredictive value (NPV) of the Tzanck test was 100% and 80%,respectively.Conclusion: The Tzanck smear has its limitations but is still asuitable rapid, easy, and cost effective diagnostic method forherpes simplex virus infections, especially when viral cultureor other virological methods are not available.

Abstract Background: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease ofunknown etiology that may involve mucocutaneous tissues. Themain aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of oral andgenital lichen planus in men and women affected by skin lesions.Method: A total of 132 patients with clinical and histopathologicaldiagnosis of lichen planus were evaluated for oral and genitalinvolvement. All data was analyzed by SPSS version 19. Chisquare test and t-test were used for statistical analysis.Result: Of 132 patients enrolled in this study, 72 were men and60 were women. Genital and oral lichen planus

Abstract Background: Psoriasis is an immune mediated skin disorderwhich is mainly characterized by abnormal proliferation anddifferentiation of keratinocytes. It is believed that Debaryomyceshansenii (Candida famata) can colonize skin and mucous membranesof psoriatic patients and exacerbate psoriatic lesions via toxins,antigens, and proteins. The aims of this study were to evaluateDebaryomyces hansenii colonization and its protein profile inpsoriatic patients.Method: Fifty-one patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 51 healthyindividuals were enrolled in the study. Skin and oral specimensfrom all participants were cultured on the CHROMagar Candidamedium. Isolated yeast like fungi were identified using thesequence of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene. Debaryomyceshansenii proteins were analyzed using Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Result: Debaryomyces hansenii was only isolated from the oralcavity of 7.84% of the patients. The extracts obtained from variousDebaryomyces hansenii isolates had 45 protein bands, which rangedfrom 18 to >180 kDa. Secretory proteins were seen only in twoisolates, which ranged from 35 to100 kDa.Conclusion: Debaryomyces hansenii can colonize oral cavity ofpatients with psoriasis. In addition, various Debaryomyces hanseniiisolates have different somatic proteins, which may have a rolein provocation and exacerbation of psoriasis.

Abstract A 23-year old man was presented with multiple papules andnodules (25 lesions) on the trunk and proximal extremities(Figure 1). Two or three lesions were appeared at childhood andincreased to 25 lesions in early adulthood. There were variationsin size from several millimeters to 2 cm with spontaneous andinducible pain especially in exposure to the cold environment.Same lesions were present in his brother, aunt and uncle. Weperformed biopsy from one of the lesions on the trunk.

Abstract We would like to draw the attention of thedermatological fraternity to the concept ofmultidisciplinary team meetings. This concept,although novel in dermatology, has been in voguefor optimal oncological management in variouspremier cancer set-ups worldwide. MultidisciplinaryTeam Meetings (MDTs) or tumour boards are agroup of dedicated personnel aimed at optimisingthe management of cancer patients in an integratedmanner, so as to standardize care, to ensure timelyand appropriate attention from skilled professionals,and to enable patients to receive the best levels ofmanagement in a consistent manner. The teamusually comprises surgeons, oncologists, radiologists,pathologists, nurses, and an MDT co-ordinator.

Abstract Skin biopsy is an essential investigation fordermatologists. The technique used to obtain aspecimen for microscopic evaluation and mayhave a significant impact on the ability of the

Abstract Kaposi’s varicelliform eruption (KVE) is a typeof skin disorder caused mainly byherpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and2 and occasionally by coxsackie A 16 and vacciniavirus, which is commonly found in the second andthird decades of life. It is predominantly associatedwith atopic dermatoses. Therefore, it is also termedeczema herpeticum (EH) 1. Herein, we report acase of Kaposi’s varicelliform eruption triggeredby HSV infection.

Abstract The patient was a female neonate bornprematurely at 36 weeks of gestation by a Cesareansection. During pregnancy, the mother had nohistory of fever, drug use, or X-ray exposure.The mother was gravida 2 and had no history ofabortion. Her first child was healthy. There wasno record of birth trauma. The perinatal historywas negative for intrauterine trauma, the use ofantithyroid medication, or misoprostol.