Allopurinol in the treatment of American cutaneous leishmaniasis

Article Abstract:

Patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis who are treated with allopurinol may have better recovery than those treated with meglumine antimoniate or a combination of both drugs. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a skin infection that causes large, ulcerated lesions. Out of 110 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, 25 received 20 milligrams (mg) a day of oral allopurinol per kilogram (kg) of body weight for 15 days, and 33 were injected with 20 mg of meglumine antimoniate daily for 15 days. Thirty-five received the same treatment with both drugs, and 17 did not receive either drug. Twenty patients (80%) treated with allopurinol, 26 (74%) patients treated with allopurinol plus meglumine antimoniate, and 12 (36%) patients treated with meglumine antimoniate were cured. The patients who received no treatment were not cured. Allopurinol is less expensive than meglumine antimoniate and easier to obtain in developing countries where leishmania is prevalent.

Drug therapy, Antimony, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous, Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Allopurinol

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Altered metabolism of mast-cell growth factor (c-kit ligand) in cutaneous mastocytosis

Article Abstract:

Cutaneous mastocytosis may be caused by alterations in the metabolism of mast-cell growth factor. Mastocytosis is characterized by abnormal deposits of mast cells in various tissues. Monoclonal antibodies against mast-cell growth factor were used to isolate mast cell deposits in skin samples from three patients with cutaneous mastocytosis. In healthy individuals, mast-cell growth factor is usually present inside cells such as keratinocytes, the primary skin cell. This form of the growth factor is membrane-bound. However, in the three individuals with mastocytosis, the growth factor was found in the extracellular space between cells. This form is called soluble mast-cell growth factor. It was also found in mast cells, which were present in greater than normal amounts. The source of the soluble form of the growth factor is unknown.

Analysis, Measurement, Skin, Growth factors, Mast cell disease, Mastocytosis

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Pemphigus -- decoding the cellular language of cutaneous autoimmunity

Article Abstract:

Pemphigus foliaceus appears to be triggered by some kind of infectious organism. Pemphigus is the general name for several skin diseases that involve severe blistering. They are caused by autoantibodies against specific proteins in the skin called desmogleins. In 2000, researchers published a study of an indian reservation in Brazil called Limao Verde. Half the natives in the village had autoantibodies against desmoglein 1. Many also had pemphigus foliaceus. This was a very high incidence of these autoantibodies, and indicates that some agent in the environment is responsible for triggering this autoimmune disease.

Brazil, Editorial, Autoimmune diseases, Pemphigus

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