Clinical and experimental dermatology
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Clin. Exp. Dermatol. · Apr 2014
Case ReportsPresence of the HLA-A*3101 allele in a familial case of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, secondary to carbamazepine.
Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine and phenytoin are associated with adverse skin reactions ranging from maculopapular exanthems to more severe reactions, including drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. In addition to their antiepileptic role, anticonvulsants are also used to treat pain syndromes including trigeminal neuralgia. Until recently, the associated skin reactions were thought to be unpredictable; however, the current literature suggests a genetic predisposition involving the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) in cutaneous reactions associated with carbamazepine usage. We present two familial cases of DRESS secondary to carbamazepine, in which an underlying genetic predisposition and allelic association were identified.
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Clin. Exp. Dermatol. · Mar 2014
Assessment of nailfold capillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis by different optical magnification methods.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by target-organ fibrosis and microvascular dysfunction, which can be assessed using nailfold capillaroscopy. Dermoscopy is a useful and easily performed method for diagnosing skin lesions. ⋯ Both polarized and nonpolarized dermoscopy are reliable methods for valuation of nailfold capillaroscopy in patients with SSc. They are easy to perform, with good rates of accuracy and results that are comparable with traditional capillaroscopy.
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Clin. Exp. Dermatol. · Dec 2013
Meta AnalysisAssociation of the tumour necrosis factor-α polymorphisms rs361525 and rs1800629 with susceptibility to psoriasis: a meta-analysis.
Evidence has suggested that tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α may be involved in the aetiology of psoriasis, but the underlying association of the TNF-α polymorphisms -238G/A (rs361525) and -308G/A (rs1800629) with the risk of psoriasis is still unconfirmed. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggests that the TNF-α -238 and -308 promoter polymorphisms may play different roles in conferring susceptibility to psoriasis. Functional and well-designed studies should be conducted to confirm these results.