Enhancement of trans-resveratrol photostability by encapsulation in lipid microparticles: in vitro and in vivo studies

Lipid microparticles (LMs) loaded with the antioxidant polyphenol, trans-resveratrol were developed in order to enhance its photostability in topical formulations. The LMs were prepared by the melt emulsification technique, using tristearin as the lipidic material and hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine as the surfactant. The obtained microparticles were characterized by optical microscopy and release studies. The trans-resveratrol loading was 10.8% (w/w). Free or microencapsulated trans-resveratrol was introduced in model topical formulations (cream and hydrogel) and irradiated with a solar simulator. The light-induced degradation of trans-resveratrol was significantly reduced by incorporation into the LMs both in the cream (the trans-resveratrol loss decreased from 34.3% to 19.9%) and in the hydrogel (the trans-resveratrol decomposition decreased from 15.4% to 9.4%) vehicles. Moreover, the in vitro (i.e., antioxidant action) and in vivo (i.e., anti-inflammatory action) biological activities of trans-resveratrol in the cream preparation were not altered by the encapsulation process.

Prevalence of pityriasis versicolor in a group of Italian pregnant women

BACKGROUND

Although a predisposing role of pregnancy to Malassezia infections is referred, data on the prevalence of pityriasis versicolor (PV) in pregnant women are not available in literature.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the frequency of PV during pregnancy, 60 pregnant women were clinically and microscopically investigated during and after pregnancy.

RESULTS

Fifty-two women completed all visits; three women were affected by PV at first or third trimester of pregnancy, and none at 6 months after delivery. Colonization due to Malassezia yeasts was very significantly (P < 0.01) or significantly increased (P < 0.05) at the third trimester and 6 months after delivery, respectively. No variation was observed between the end of pregnancy and the postpartum (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Frequency of PV during pregnancy (5.7%) does not seem different from that reported in general population living in temperate climates (2-5%). However, higher degree of colonization by Malassezia resulted at the end of pregnancy and postpartum.

Primary cutaneous CD30+ large T-cell lymphoma in a patient with psoriasis treated with cyclosporine

We report the case of a 61-year-old woman who developed an anaplastic CD30+ cutaneous T-cell lymphoma during oral cyclosporine (CsA) therapy for recalcitrant psoriasis. Two months after CsA discontinuation, clinical and histological resolution of the lymphoma was observed. However, 3 years later extracutaneous involvement of the lymphoma could be detected. The association between CsA administration and the occurrence of the lymphoma may be casual, but a relationship with immunosuppression may also be hypothesized. We have reviewed all relevant data in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma in a patient treated with CsA for psoriasis.

Prevalence of superficial dermatomycoses in 73 renal transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Because of chronic immunosuppressive therapy, the skin of renal transplant recipients (RTR) is considered more liable to fungal infections.

AIM

The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of superficial dermatomycoses in a chronically immunosuppressed group of RTR who live in northern Italy and to verify the eventual relationship between the onset of mycoses, the immunosuppressive regimen and the interval of time elapsed after the transplantation.

METHODS

73 RTR were submitted to a complete dermatological examination for fungal infection. Skin scrapings were taken from the upper back, from the 4th toe web of all patients and from any suspicious lesion.

RESULTS

31 patients (42.5%) were affected by dermatomycosis. Pityriasis versicolor (PV) was present in 20 RTR (27.4%), fungal infection of the 4th toe web in 10 patients (13.7%) and onychomycosis in 9 RTR (12.3%). Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the most common dermatophyte. The prevalence of dermatomycoses was higher in the group of patients treated with azathioprine-cyclosporine-steroids and in those who had received their renal transplant in the previous 1-5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

PV was the most frequent dermatomycosis and showed a higher prevalence than in the normal population. The prevalence of fungal infection of the 4th toe web and onychomycosis was similar to that found in the immunocompetent population, but the length of interval after transplantation seemed to increase the probability of their occurrence and of mixed or simultaneous fungal infections in the same patient.

Relapsing tinea capitis by Microsporum canis in an adult female renal transplant recipient

Scalp ringworm is very uncommon in adults. The occurrence and the atypical clinical course of this unusual dermatophytosis in a female renal transplant recipient are described. Furthermore, the prevalence and the clinical features of superficial fungal infection in renal transplant recipients are reviewed. As immunosuppression enhances the risk of antifungal therapy failure, more prolonged treatment and careful follow-up are necessary to obtain complete recovery from any dermatophytosis in renal transplant recipients.

Vohwinkel syndrome (mutilating keratoderma) associated with craniofacial anomalies

We describe a female patient with Vohwinkel syndrome (mutilating palmoplantar keratoderma), who in addition showed cleft lip and palate, microcephaly, facial asymmetry, and other anomalies.

Cutaneous cryptococcosis in AIDS: successful treatment with itraconazole

A case of cutaneous cryptococcosis in a HIV-positive 46-year-old farmer is presented. The situation could be cured by applying itraconazole 400 mg day-1 for 45 days.