Skin capacitance imaging of acne lesions.

in Skin Research & Technology (2007), 13(1), 9-12

BACKGROUND: Little information is available about specific functional characteristics of skin in acneic patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine a capacitance mapping of lesional skin in acne in order to predict ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: Little information is available about specific functional characteristics of skin in acneic patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine a capacitance mapping of lesional skin in acne in order to predict drug affinity according to the hydrophilic-lipophilic characteristics. METHOD: Skin capacitance imaging based on silicon image sensor technology was used with the SkinChip device. RESULTS: The non-optical images obtained by this means clearly identified low capacitance comedones contrasting with a perifollicular rim of high capacitance in inflammatory papules. This method also showed sweating and the follicular pores distributed in a pinpoint pattern. CONCLUSION: The objective mapping of skin surface capacitance showed large differences between acne lesions and the surrounding skin. The low capacitance of comedones contrasted with the high capacitance of the perifollicular area in inflammatory papules. These electrometric characteristics reflecting the corneocyte hydration may influence drug affinity to acne lesions. [less ▲]

Skin capacitance mapping of psoriasis.

in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology (2006), 20(10), 1261-5

BACKGROUND: The pathobiological dynamics of psoriatic lesions are complex and difficult to perceive by clinical inspection alone. Non-invasive bioengineering methods may prove to be useful in this field ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: The pathobiological dynamics of psoriatic lesions are complex and difficult to perceive by clinical inspection alone. Non-invasive bioengineering methods may prove to be useful in this field. OBJECTIVE: To identify some subtle capacitance variations in the stratum corneum of chronic psoriasis lesions. METHOD: The newly developed method of skin capacitance imaging was used to provide non-optical images of the hydration of the superficial layers of the stratum corneum. RESULTS: Compared to the uninvolved skin, psoriatic lesions usually showed an overall lowered capacitance, admixed with foci of moderately higher capacitance. Still other sharply circumscribed blotches with higher capacitance were present. The latter aspect corresponded to inflammatory areas. Sweating appeared markedly impaired inside the lesions. The fingerprint of some patients was altered, thus potentially interfering with the current biometric security procedures using the same method. CONCLUSION: Skin capacitance imaging is a non-invasive, non-optical method that distinguishes three contrasting levels of stratum corneum hydration in psoriatic lesions. The lowest capacitance level probably corresponded to xerotic orthokeratosis. The medium capacitance level presumably identified foci of parakeratosis and clumps of neutrophils. The highest capacitance level suggested exsudation at the site of prominent vessel dilation and dermal inflammation. Impaired sweating in the psoriatic lesions may potentially interfere with body thermoregulation. [less ▲]

Skin compatibility of cyclodextrins and their derivatives: a comparative assessment using a corneoxenometry bioassay.

in European Journal of Pharmaceutics & Biopharmaceutics (2004), 57(3), 479-82

Few studies have been performed to assess the risk of skin damage by cyclodextrins (CD) and they have yielded contradictory results. The present study was conducted using the corneoxenometry bioassay on ... [more ▼]

Few studies have been performed to assess the risk of skin damage by cyclodextrins (CD) and they have yielded contradictory results. The present study was conducted using the corneoxenometry bioassay on human stratum corneum to compare the skin compatibility of CD currently used in pharmaceutical preparations (betaCD, gammaCD, Rameb, Dimeb, Trimeb, HP-betaCD and HP-gammaCD) and that of new amphiphilic CD derivatives, namely, the phospholipidyl-CD (DMPE-Dimeb and DMPE-Trimeb). All the tested CD were well tolerated by the stratum corneum at a concentration of 5%. However, inter-individual reactivity was larger for DMPE-Dimeb, suggesting a more aggressive trend for this compound. Cutaneous Index of Mildness values obtained confirm that Dimeb is able to extract some skin components and shows that DMPE-Dimeb performs similarly. [less ▲]

Skin diseases associated with Bartonella infection: facts and controversies.

in Clinics in Dermatology (2010), 28(5), 483-8

The genus Bartonella is composed of a series of species and subspecies. Ten of them are responsible for human infections. The best-identified diseases are cat scratch disease (B henselae and possibly B ... [more ▼]

The genus Bartonella is composed of a series of species and subspecies. Ten of them are responsible for human infections. The best-identified diseases are cat scratch disease (B henselae and possibly B clarridgeiae), trench fever (B quintana), bacillary angiomatosis (B quintana and B henselae), and the spectrum of verruga peruana, Carrion disease, and Oroya fever (B bacilliformis). Controversies exist about the implication of a few other microorganisms being involved in these diseases. Several other conditions have been associated with the presence of Bartonella spp, but these observations await confirmation. [less ▲]

Skin fungal biocontamination and the skin hydrogel pad test.

in Archives of Dermatological Research (2008), 300(4), 167-71

Previous observations have revealed that environmental nondermatophyte molds (NDM) can grow inside specific hydrogel pads (LaserAid). Some of these NDM might be responsible for superficial and invasive ... [more ▼]

Previous observations have revealed that environmental nondermatophyte molds (NDM) can grow inside specific hydrogel pads (LaserAid). Some of these NDM might be responsible for superficial and invasive mycoses as well as for allergic respiratory and cutaneous disorders. The load of NDM propagules in the environment is considered to be an important risk factor for all these diseases. It is postulated that the quantification of the responsible fungi deposited at the skin surface may be an indicator of a recent exposure to environmental fungi. The aim of the present study was to assess using the LaserAid hydrogel pads, the density of living NDM adhering to the skin surface of healthy subjects. Sterile hydrogel pads were applied in a repeat procedure onto the normal-looking skin of the palms and face of 35 healthcare workers who were active in low exposure areas. Similar samplings were performed after washing the skin with a regular skin cleanser, or after applying an alcohol solution or a povidone iodine solution. As controls, 20 sterile pads were exposed for a few minutes to ambient air of the laboratory without any contact with the skin. Each of these samples was stored for 2 weeks at room temperature in a clean protected environment. After that period, visual inspection of the pads was followed by microscopic examination of PAS-stained 6 microm-thick sections. In addition, mycological cultures were performed from pieces of the pads deposited onto Sabouraud agar plates. While 19/20 air-exposed samples were not contaminated by environmental air-borne fungi, 61/70 of the initial skin samplings and 6/70 of the repeat skin samplings showed foci of fungal colonization confirmed by microscopic examination. No specific differences were disclosed between the face and palm samplings. Cultures revealed the presence of NDM in the majority (64/67) of the colonized pads, and a few Candida albicans contaminations (3/67) were also disclosed. The cleansing with a non-antimicrobial product as well as disinfecting procedures performed before sampling markedly decreased the mycoflora without, however, clearing the skin of NDM and yeasts. In conclusion, the hydrogel pad procedure brings information about potential environmental skin contamination by NDM and commensal yeasts. The regular cleansing and disinfecting procedures do not eradicate these fungi from the skin surface. [less ▲]

Skin homing of Treponema pallidum in early syphilis: an immunohistochemical study.

in Applied Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Morphology (2009), 17(1), 47-50

The incidence of syphilis is increasing in most parts of the world including some major European cities. The lesions developing during secondary syphilis may be difficult to diagnose clinically. Similarly ... [more ▼]

The incidence of syphilis is increasing in most parts of the world including some major European cities. The lesions developing during secondary syphilis may be difficult to diagnose clinically. Similarly, the histopathologic changes do not always fulfill the typical diagnostic criteria. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of immunohistochemistry for the identification and localization of Treponema pallidum on the skin. We retrieved from our files 12 paraffin-embedded biopsies of skin lesions, which had posed diagnostic problems in the past. Only a serologic test had proven that the patients had syphilis. Controls consisted of lichenoid dermatoses unrelated to syphilis and borreliosis. Immunohistochemistry using an antispirochete (T. pallidum and Borrelia) antibody was performed retrospectively. In all samples from primary and secondary syphilis, T. pallidum was highlighted, but none of the control lesions unrelated to syphilis showed positivity. Interestingly enough, T. pallidum present in the lower mid-part of the epidermis often outnumbered that in the dermis. This difference was more striking in secondary syphilis compared with primary syphilis. Immunohistochemistry for T. pallidum considerably increased the sensitivity and the specificity of the histologic diagnosis. The strong epidermal homing of T. pallidum is highlighted in early syphilis. [less ▲]

Skin immunoglobulin deposition following intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in toxic epidermal necrolysis.

in Experimental Dermatology (2006), 15(5), 381-6

Human intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) which contain anti-CD95 antibodies have been proposed to treat toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Presently, there is no evidence that IVIg reach the keratinocytes ... [more ▼]

Human intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) which contain anti-CD95 antibodies have been proposed to treat toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Presently, there is no evidence that IVIg reach the keratinocytes in TEN patients. The aim of this study was to assess the Ig distribution in the serum, blister fluid and skin of six consecutive TEN patients treated with IVIg (1 g/kg/day) for 3 days. They were compared with five TEN patients who only received supportive therapy. In all patients, IgA, IgM and IgG concentrations were measured in the serum and blister fluid using an immuno-nephelometric method. Immunohistochemistry was performed on skin biopsies taken from both TEN clinically involved and uninvolved skin to search for IgG deposits. On admission, the IgG concentrations were significantly higher in both TEN serum and TEN blister fluid compared with their respective IgA and IgM contents. The IgG, IgA and IgM concentrations in blister fluid were significantly lower than their respective serum concentrations. The serum and blister fluid IgG concentrations, but not that of IgA and IgM, were markedly increased at the completion of the IVIg treatment. By contrast, they remained unchanged in the TEN patients that were untreated with IVIg. In the IVIg-treated patients, the IgG intraepidermal deposits raised markedly in both TEN-involved and uninvolved skin. This was not the case in patients who did not receive IVIg. These results suggest that IVIg perfusions brought a prominent increase in IgG concentration in the serum, blister fluid and epidermis of both TEN-involved and clinically uninvolved skin. The presence of potentially protective IgG in TEN epidermis following IVIg treatment could help limiting the disease progression. [less ▲]

The skin ivory spot. A possible indicator for skinfield photocarcinogenesis in recreational sunbed addicts.

in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2012), 9

Skin manifestations of Bartonella infections.

in International Journal of Dermatology (2002), 41(8), 461-6

Skin penetration behaviour of liposomes as a function of their composition

in European Journal of Pharmaceutics & Biopharmaceutics (2011), 79