A study evaluating the therapeutic effect of recombinant interferon-a ointment on several viral skin diseases was done. A total of 204 patients, 92 of herpes simplex, 90 of herpes zoster and 22 of varicella, were included in this study. Two different concentration of recombinant interferon-a ointment(l*10IU/g; group A, 1*10IU/g; group B) and placebo vehicle(control group) were applied topically on the early lesion of the disease. The evaluation of therapeutic effect was done by the measurement of time interval from the day of vesicle formation to the day of crust formation, The results were as follows; 1. Herpes sirnplex: Crust formation observed within 6 days in 70. 1% of group A. 63.9% of group B and 26.7%, of control group. The time of crust formation of group A and B was shorter than that of control group (p<0.01, P<0.05). 2. Herpes zoster: Crust formation observed within 10 days in 64. 3% of group A. 46.7% of group B and 33. 3% of control group. The time of crust formation of group A was shorter than that of control group (p<0.05). 3. Varicella: Crust formation observed within 6 days in 87. 5% of group A, 72.7% of group B and 66.7% of control group. Therefore we have been impressed that recombinant interferon-a ointment is an effective topical therapeutic agent and 1*10IU/g recombinant interferon-a clintment is more effective than 1*10IU/g recombioant interferon-a ointment for above viral skin diseases.
Chickenpox ; Herpes Simplex ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Interferons* ; Skin Diseases, Viral*

Dermatomycoses ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; drug therapy ; Skin Diseases ; drug therapy ; Skin Diseases, Viral ; drug therapy

Increased incidences of Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoid malignancies have been observed in patients with pemphigus, and the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is very strongly associated with these tumors. Because the virus may be one of the triggering factors of pemphigus, we undertook this study to screen for the presence of HHV-8 in chronic blistering skin diseases including pemphigus. A total of 45 paraffin-embedded specimens were studied using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers to amplify a 160-base pair HHV-8 fragment. HHV-8 DNA could be detected in 7 of 9 patients with pemphigus vulagris, and 1 of 2 with pemphigus foliaceus. All specimens of other blistering skin diseases were negative for HHV-8. On sequencing PCR products, the sequences were almost identical with the prototypic sequence for HHV-8, and a few base- pair substitutions at 1086C-T and 1139A-C were detected. The results of our study suggests that HHV-8 might have trophism for pemphigus lesions. Further studies including comparison of HHV-8 DNA load in both lesional and normal skin in the same patient, serological and animal studies would be helpful to study the relationship between HHV-8 and pemphigus.
Adult ; Comparative Study ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Viral/genetics ; DNA, Viral/analysis+ACo- ; Female ; Herpesviridae Infections/virology+ACo- ; Herpesviridae Infections/epidemiology ; Herpesvirus, Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated/pathogenicity ; Herpesvirus, Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated/isolation +ACY- purification+ACo- ; Herpesvirus, Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated/genetics ; Human ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Paraffin Embedding ; Pemphigus/virology+ACo- ; Pemphigus/etiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/virology+ACo- ; Skin Diseases, Viral/virology+ACo- ; Skin Diseases, Viral/epidemiology ; Tissue Fixation

Increased incidences of Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoid malignancies have been observed in patients with pemphigus, and the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is very strongly associated with these tumors. Because the virus may be one of the triggering factors of pemphigus, we undertook this study to screen for the presence of HHV-8 in chronic blistering skin diseases including pemphigus. A total of 45 paraffin-embedded specimens were studied using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers to amplify a 160-base pair HHV-8 fragment. HHV-8 DNA could be detected in 7 of 9 patients with pemphigus vulagris, and 1 of 2 with pemphigus foliaceus. All specimens of other blistering skin diseases were negative for HHV-8. On sequencing PCR products, the sequences were almost identical with the prototypic sequence for HHV-8, and a few base- pair substitutions at 1086C-T and 1139A-C were detected. The results of our study suggests that HHV-8 might have trophism for pemphigus lesions. Further studies including comparison of HHV-8 DNA load in both lesional and normal skin in the same patient, serological and animal studies would be helpful to study the relationship between HHV-8 and pemphigus.
Adult ; Comparative Study ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Viral/genetics ; DNA, Viral/analysis+ACo- ; Female ; Herpesviridae Infections/virology+ACo- ; Herpesviridae Infections/epidemiology ; Herpesvirus, Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated/pathogenicity ; Herpesvirus, Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated/isolation +ACY- purification+ACo- ; Herpesvirus, Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated/genetics ; Human ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Paraffin Embedding ; Pemphigus/virology+ACo- ; Pemphigus/etiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/virology+ACo- ; Skin Diseases, Viral/virology+ACo- ; Skin Diseases, Viral/epidemiology ; Tissue Fixation

BACKGROUND: Although there are varied etiological factors in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, recent data where viral hepatitis is more frequently found in psoriasis patients than in the normal population, suggests the possibility that some kinds of viral antigens may participate as causative factors of psoriasis. Hepatitis C virus(HCV) in particular, which has been proven to be associated with many dermatoses such as porphyria cutanea tarda, lichen planus and vasculitis, is currently suspected as a possible pathogen in psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of viral hepatitis infection among psoriasis patients in Korea where it is known to be endemic. Additionally, we analysed the relationship between the clinical severity of psoriasis and viral hepatitis according to the serotypes. METHODS: In this study, we looked for the presence of HCV, HBV, HAV, HDV and HEV infection in 65 enrolled psoriasis patients and 98 non-psoriatic patients by enzyme immunoasay, recombinant immunoblotting, radioimmunoassay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions. RESULTS: 1. We found a higher prevalence of viral hepatitis in the psoriasis group(70.8%) than the control group(45.9%). 2. 10.7% of patients were shown to be infected with HCV in the psoriasis group, in comparison with 2% in the control group. Also 52.7% of psoriatic patients were positive to HBV markers as HBcAb and HBsAg in comparison with 38.8% in the control group. 3. There was a statistically significant correlative relationship between the clinical severity of psoriasis and the presence of viral hepatitis. 4. We could establish a significant association among higher titers of ALT, positivity of HBcAb and HBsAg, and HCV hepatitis in psoriatic patients. CONCLUSION: Psoriatic patients had a higher prevalence of viral hepatitis than normal controls. Also psoriatic patients with viral hepatitis showed relatively different clinical features and labaratory results in comparison with those without it.
Antigens, Viral ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis C ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Korea ; Lichen Planus ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Porphyria Cutanea Tarda ; Prevalence ; Psoriasis* ; Radioimmunoassay ; Reverse Transcription ; Skin Diseases ; Vasculitis

BACKGROUND: There have been many reports that have focused on the incidence of skin diseases in big cities or provinces. However, there have been no reports concerning the data of a new town such as Goyang City. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To study the prevalence of common dermatoses in the new town and to compare this with the previous reports, we reviewed the records of 15,064 outpatients who visited the Department of Dermatology at Myongji Hospital from 2004 to 2008, and we statistically analyzed the findings. RESULTS: The study results are summarized as follows: Of the 15,064 outpatients, the total number of male patients was 6,779 (45.0%), and the number of female patients was 8,285 (55.0%). The most frequent age group was the fourth decade followed by the first decade, third decade and fifth decade, and these 4 age groups comprised 63.7% of the total outpatients. The 15 most common dermatoses were found to be viral warts, dermatophytosis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, pruritus, urticaria, irritant contact dermatitis, herpes zoster, alopecia, allergic contact dermatitis, acne, other eczema, melanocytic nevus, molluscum contagiosum and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. For the occurrence of dermatoses as disease groups, 1) viral diseases, 2) diseases resulting from fungi and yeasts, 3) atopic dermatitis, eczema and noninfectious immunodeficiency disorders, 4) contact dermatitis and drug eruptions, 5) pruritus and neurocutaneous dermatosis, 6) seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, recalcitrant palmoplantar eruptions, pustular dermatitisand erythroderma, 7) erythema and urticaria, 8) Melanocytic nevi and neoplasm, 9) disturbances of pigmentation, and 10) diseases of skin appendages constituted 82.2% of the total. CONCLUSION: The distinct characteristic of skin diseases of the new town Goyang City showed a high incidence of viral warts and viral skin diseases, as compared to the previous reports.
Acne Vulgaris ; Alopecia ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatitis, Exfoliative ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Dermatology ; Drug Eruptions ; Eczema ; Erythema ; Female ; Fungi ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Incidence ; Male ; Molluscum Contagiosum ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Outpatients ; Pigmentation ; Prevalence ; Pruritus ; Psoriasis ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Skin Diseases, Viral ; Statistics as Topic ; Tinea ; Urticaria ; Virus Diseases ; Warts ; Yeasts

Only a few reports have focused on ocular motor paralysis in herpes zoster ophthalmicus. We report a case of ocular motor paralysis resulting from herpes zoster. The patient, an 80-yr-old woman, presented with grouped vesicles, papules, and crusting in the left temporal area and scalp, with diplopia, impaired gaze, and severe pain. Her cerebrospinal fluid analysis was positive for varicellar zoster virus IgM. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to rule out other diseases causing diplopia; there were no specific findings other than old infarctions in the pons and basal ganglia. Therefore, she was diagnosed of abducens nerve palsy caused by herpes zoster ophthalmicus. After 5 days of systemic antiviral therapy, the skin lesions improved markedly, and the paralysis was cleared 7 weeks later without extra treatment.
Abducens Nerve Diseases/*complications/*diagnosis/therapy ; Acyclovir/*therapeutic use ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; Female ; Herpes Zoster/*complications/*diagnosis/therapy ; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus/complications/diagnosis ; Humans ; Skin Diseases, Viral/complications/diagnosis/therapy ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The association of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated human herpesvirus, or human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) with various skin diseases has been described in many reports. However, only 3 human diseases: Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman disease were proved to be associated with HHV8. In addition to Karposi's sarcoma, sarcoidosis and Kikuchi's disease were also described to be associated with HHV8. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was aimed at the association of HHV8 with various skin diseases, such as Kaposi's sarcoma, sarcoidosis, and Kikuchi's disease. METHODS: We performed PCR to examine whether the 233-bp segment of the viral DNA of HHV8 was detected in Korean patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, sarcoidosis, Kikuchi's disease, angiosarcoma, and angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia. The medical records and histopathological specimens of patients diagnosed at Asan Medical Center from 1989 to 1999 were reviewed. RESULTS: HHV8 DNA sequences were identified in 9 (69%) of sarcoid tissues from 12 patients with sarcoidosis and in all (100%) of from 8 patients with Kaposi's sarcoma but not in 2 tissues from 2 patients with Kikuchi's disease, in 3 tissues from 2 patients with angiosarcoma and 2 tissues from 2 patients with angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia. CONCLUSION: HHV8 may be strongly associated with the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma and sarcoidosis. However, the association with Kikuchi's disease, angiosarcoma, and angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia was denied in this study. Further extensive study will be needed.
Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia ; Base Sequence ; Chungcheongnam-do ; DNA, Viral ; Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia ; Hemangiosarcoma ; Herpesvirus 8, Human* ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis ; Humans* ; Lymphoma, Primary Effusion ; Medical Records ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Sarcoidosis ; Sarcoma ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; Skin Diseases

OBJECTIVETo investigate in vitro and in vivo anti-human herpes simplex virus effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA).

METHODSGuinea pigs model of cutaneous herpes virus infection was applied, and Vero cells infected by HSV-I and HSV-II were used as experimental systems to observe the antiherpes effect of ALA-PDT.

RESULTSThe in vitro experiments showed that ALA-PDT has antiherpes effect on HSV-I and HSV-II, its effect was similar to that of acyclovir. The results of animal experiments showed that ALA-PDT had significant therapeutic effect on guinea pigs model of cutaneous herpes virus infection, the effect was dose-related.

CONCLUSIONALA-PDT could be effective in treating HSV infections, which may provide a new approach to the treatment of viral infections.

Aminolevulinic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Herpes Simplex ; drug therapy ; virology ; Male ; Photochemotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Simplexvirus ; drug effects ; Skin Diseases, Viral ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vero Cells

OBJECTIVESTo study the clinicopathologic features of Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), expression of various antigens, human herpes virus type 8 (HHV8), human papillomavirus (HPV)-DNA and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-mRNA, and compare the findings with those in the literature.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic findings of 16 Rosai-Dorfman disease cases were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical study for S-100 protein, CD68 (PG-M1), CD163, CD21, CD1a, CD20, CD45RO, CD4, CD8, M-CSF and HHV8 was carried out in 9 of the 16 cases. In-situ hybridization for EBV-mRNA and HPV-DNA was also performed.

RESULTSThe male-to-female ratio of the patients was 4.33:1. Amongst the 16 cases studied, 62.5% (10/16) presented nodal RDD, with cervical lymph node predominantly involved. Half of these cases had affected lymph nodes in more than one anatomic site. Extranodal RDD represented 37.5% (6/16) of the cases. The relapse rate of extranodal RDD was higher than that of nodal RDD. Histologically, nodal RDD was characterized by dilated sinuses filled with large polygonal histiocytes which contained lymphocytes and plasma cells. For extranodal lesions, various degrees of stromal fibrosis were seen in association with mixed inflammatory cells (especially plasma cells). The large polygonal histiocytes varied in number and were distributed in clusters or patches. Immunohistochemical study showed that the abnormal histiocytes were strongly positive for S-100 protein. They also expressed CD68, CD163 and M-CSF, but were negative for CD1a, CD21 and HHV8. The lymphocytes in cytoplasm of these histiocytes were positive for both T and B cell markers (with T cell predominance, including a mixture of CD4- and CD8-positive cells). HPV-DNA and EBV-mRNA were not detected by in-situ hybridization. To date, 62 cases of RDD have been reported in mainland China, including 34 cases of nodal RDD and 18 cases of extranodal RDD. The remaining 10 cases involved both lymph nodes and extranodal sites. Compared with overseas reports, RDD occurring in China tended to affect older patients and with slight male predilection.

CONCLUSIONSRosai-Dorfman disease is relatively rare in China. Pathologic diagnosis of extranodal RDD may be difficult. The demographic data of RDD in China, including age and sex of patients, are different from those in the literature.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Bone Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Child ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Herpesvirus 8, Human ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Histiocytosis, Sinus ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; RNA, Viral ; analysis ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Skin Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Young Adult