International journal of dermatology
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Chronic urticaria is a persistent urticaria lasting longer than 6 weeks, affecting 20% of the general population. Various infectious agents have been reported as causes of urticaria, including Helicobacter pylori, which is a common worldwide bacterial infection. Its role in inducing allergic conditions, such as chronic urticaria, has been suggested in some reports and ignored in others. ⋯ Helicobacter pylori may have a role in the exacerbation of urticarial symptoms, even though it is not involved directly in its etiology, and its eradication may lead to symptom improvement in a considerable number of infected urticaria patients. The severity of symptoms is dependent on the density of bacterial infection and the intensity of inflammatory infiltrate in the gastric biopsy.
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Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically determined molecule whose role has been implied in cardiovascular pathology, and whose levels have been reported to be elevated in patients with psoriasis. Aim To assess the serum levels of Lp(a) in patients with psoriasis, and to investigate the associations of Lp(a) with other lipids and with psoriasis severity. ⋯ Lp(a) may be a factor contributing to an increased cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriasis. A pathogenetic link may exist between this lipoprotein and psoriatic pathophysiology.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparative study of the diagnosis of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iraq by polymerase chain reaction and microbiologic and histopathologic methods.
The diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) largely depends on the clinical appearance, especially in endemic areas. A diagnostic challenge arises when the lesions appear in nonendemic areas, when the clinical picture is distorted, or when an atypical variant is seen, even in endemic regions. Aim To assess the correlation of microbiologic and histopathologic diagnosis with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) findings in clinically diagnosed cases of CL. ⋯ The PCR technique is highly specific (100%) and sensitive (92.5%) for the diagnosis of CL. In addition to the confirmation of the diagnosis, it may be useful in identifying a relationship between the type of microorganism and the clinical presentation of the disease.
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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing skin disease characterized by xerosis and pruritus. As pruritus is an unpleasant sensation and the associated scratching aggravates the skin eruption considerably, it is important to control this symptom when treating AD. Dry skin is generally considered to be a potential cause of pruritus in xerotic skin diseases, but a clear correlation between pruritus and atopic xerosis has not been demonstrated. Aim To examine the contribution of atopic xerosis to the development of pruritus in AD. ⋯ Our data suggest that the severity of disease (or skin inflammation) provides a greater contribution than xerosis to the development of pruritus in AD.
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Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis is an acute pustular eruption occurring after infection and/or drug ingestion, with spontaneous cure after a single eruption. ⋯ Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis is considered to be a distinct clinical and histopathologic entity. Because of its self-resolving character, early recognition can help to avoid unnecessary diagnostic studies and treatments.