The terms which includes dermatomes, Blaschko lines, Voight, Langer demercation lines are used while being described the localizations of several acquired and congenital diseases, drug eruptions in dermatology. But Blaschko lines may confuse with other patterns such as dermatomes and Langer’s lines. In this report, we review the knowledges of references and literature and we studied to determine the formation of Blaschko lines and associated with skin diseases.

Background and Design: Lathyrism is characterized by defective collagen synthesis due to inhibition of lysyl oxidase, which is essential for interfibrillar cross-linking. Lathyritic agent b-aminoproprionitrile (β-APN) accepted as a suitable agent for the study of connective tissue metabolism. Tetracyclines are known to inhibit the matrix metalloproteinases such as collagenase and gelatinase. Doxycyclin is the most potent matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor among antimicrobial tetracyclines. Our purpose was to investigate the role of doxycycline on collagen structure in experimentally induced lathyrism by electron microscopically and biochemically.
Materials and Methods: Thirty Wistar rats weighting between 250-300 gm were used in this study. Twenty rats were used as test (group 2 and 3) and 10 rats were used as control group (group 1). Experimental lathyrism was created with daily subcutaneous injection of lathyritic agent β-APN for 40 days in 20 rats (group 2 and 3). At day 40, skin biopsies were taken from 10 rats of the test group (group 2) to evaluate the effect of β-APN on dermal collagen. After 40 days, in the third group (10 rats) doxycycline 21 mg daily was administered orally for 15 days. In the first group (10 rats) no medication was performed after 40 days. At day 55, skin biopsies were taken from the first and third group. Serum IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA. Results: We did not observe remarkable improvement in the third group both electron microscopically and biochemically.
Conclusion: Administration of doxycycline by oral route did not improve the structure of collagen both morphologically and biochemically, in experimentally induced lathyrism.

Background and Design: Erythrodermic psoriasis is a severe form of psoriasis which is characterized by generalized erythema, desquamation and accompanying systemic symptoms of fever, lymphadenopathy and general poor health. In recent studies, it has been reported that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a cell surface glycoprotein, is expressed in the psoriatic keratinocytes regarding hyperproliferation and abnormal differantiation of these cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, CEA expression was investigated in the formalin fixed paraffin embedded
skin biopsies of 14 patients with erythrodermic psoriasis by immunohistochemical staining of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. The presence of CEA expression was also investigated with the same method, in the skin biopsies of 14 psoriatic patients who have other clinical forms of the disease. A colonic adenocarcinoma and eccrine glands and ducts of the psoriatic skin specimens served as positive controls. Serum CEA levels were measured syncronously in a total of 14 patients consisting of 12 erythrodermic psoriasis, 1 generalized plaque and 1 generalized pustular type of psoriasis. Results: Positive staining with polyclonal antibody was obtained in all of the patients with erythrodermic psoriasis, while none of them showed positive staining with monoclonal antibody. Mild to moderate staining of the epidermis was seen with polyclonal antibody in 13 of 14 patients presenting with other clinical forms of psoriasis. None of the patients had positive staining with monoclonal antibody. All of the measured serum CEA levels were in normal range. Conclusion: In this study, the CEA molecule which is recognized by monoclonal antibody we used, was not found in the epidermal keratinocytes of the patients either with erythrodermic or other clinical forms of psoriasis. However, the presence of the CEA in the epidermal keratinocytes which has been suggested in the previous studies, even if any exists in our cases, couldn’t have been showed because of the difference of the monoclonal antibody we used. On the other hand, determination of the positive reactivity with this monoclonal antibody in the eccrine glands and a colonic adenocarcinoma implied that there may be moleculer differences between the CEA found in this tissues and in the psoriatic keratinocytes.

Background: Despite its well known a variety of biological activities, it has been suggested that prolactin acts as an important in vivo modulator of cellular and humoral immunity and has some effects about skin epithelial cell proliferation and skin immune system. Objective: It was studied whether the relationship between psoriasis, which is a common inflammatory skin disease
of still obscure etiology characterized by epidermal hyperplasia and dyskeratinization, and serum levels of prolactin. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of prolactin were estimated in 34 patients with psoriasis and the results were compared with those in 21 normal control subjects. Serum levels of prolactin were measured with chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay by using DPC commercial kits on Immulite One hormone analyser. Results: When serum prolactin levels in patients with psoriasis (mean ± SD: 8,9±5,4 ng/ml) were compared with those in normal control subjects (mean ± SD: 9,13±5,18 ng/ml), it was no significant difference between two groups (p= 0.548). Conclusion: In recent years, it has become apparent that prolactin plays an important part in the immune reactions and exerts a proliferative effect on human keratinocytes. But in our study, serum prolactin levels were not found significantly higher in patients with psoriasis. When it was took into consideration that there were powerful data supported the role of prolactin in epithelial proliferation and immunoregulation, it was thought that it should be performed further studies on this topic.

Background and Design: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically, relapsing inflamatory skin disease which often starts in the first year of life. The pathogenesis of AD is still unknown but our knowledge of genetic, environmental, endogen, immunologic and pharmacologic factors contributes to the development of AD. Genetic factors, sunlight and UV light, hormones, and immunsupression display important roles in the development of melanocytic naevi. The purpose of this investigation was to point out the naevus profile in a group of patient with AD. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients with AD from our dermatology out-patient clinic included to the trial. AD was defined according to the criteria suggested by Hanifin and Rajka. The control group consisted of 50 subjects. These subjects were randomly selected from dermatology and pediactrics outpatient clinics of our hospital. All patients and controls were examined by the same doctor. The total body count of melanocytic naevi (MN), dysplastic naevi (DN) and skin type according to Fitzpatrick were noted. The results from study group compared with the control group. The patients with AD investigated for serum IgE and the relation between IgE and number of MN worked out. Results and Conclusion: The patients with AD had higher total body count of MN and DN compared with the control group, but diference in total body count of MN and DN between AD group and control group was not significant (p>0,05). There was also no correlation between total IgE and number MN in AD group. An altered immune response and inflammation in atopic skin, genetic factors and applied treatments may play role in the formation of MN. AD patients should be examined regulary for pigmented lesions because of their special immune status.

Background and design: Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) especially manifesting genital ulceration symptoms can sometimes coexist with hepatitis B, C or HIV infections or facilitate their transmission. Materials and methods: In this study 50 STD patients, in addition to their demographic properties were screened for hepatitis B, C and HIV infections. The history of previous STD with genital ulcerations was studied as a risk factor for these infections. Results: Among 50 patients included in this study, condyloma accuminata in 26 (52 %), syphilis in 9 (18 %), non gonococcal urethritis in 5 (10 %), molluscum contagiosum in 4 (8%), gonorrhea in 3 (6 %) and herpes
genitalis in 3 (6 %) patients were found. The rate of anti HBc seropositivity in the patients was found to be significantly higher as compared to control group. It was found that hepatitis B risk was not increased by STD with genital ulcerations or previous STD. Conclusion: As a result, prophylactic methods could prevent not only dermatologic or urologic STD but also hepatitis B infection as well.

Alkaptonuria is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of inborn errors of metabolism. It is characterised by “homogentisic acid” (HGA) deposition especially in the connective tissue as a result of deficient “homogentisic acid oxidase” enzyme which has a role in the catabolism of tyrosine and phenylalanine. Here is presented, a rare alkaptonuria case, manifested with adulthood signs, in whom the infantile and childhood signs were not observed.

Venous leg ulcerations are mostly caused by chronic venous insuffeciency dealing with trauma, thrombophlebitis or thrombotic syndrome. Various risk factors have been identified for the development of deep venous thrombosis. Activated protein C resistance has recently emerged as one of the most frequent causes of venous thrombosis. Activated protein C cannot inactivate thrombosis formation in the factor V Leiden mutation. Here we present a 23-year-old male patient with factor V Leiden mutation and activated protein C resistance. The algorythmic approach to investigate the etiopathology of the leg ulcers is emphasized.

Reticulated acropigmentation of Kitamura (RAPK) and Dowling-Degos Disease (DDD) are rare genodermatoses characterized by reticulated pigmented macules located especially on the dorsa of the hands and feet in RAPK and on the flexures in DDD. In recent years, it is postulated that these two genodermatoses are two different clinical projections of a complex entity. We report a case showing the futures of both RAPK and DDD, supporting the hypothesis that they are different phenotypes of one single entity.

Background: Purpura fulminans is a devastating disorder characterized by rapidly progressing hemorrhagic necrosis of the skin, vascular collapse, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Most often, the disorder results in severe skin loss, but it can also result in the need for extremity amputations. Observation: The case of a 57 year old female requiring debridmans and grafting of right gluteal and right-left thighs and crura due to purpura fulminans is presented.

Acroangiodermatitis (AAD) of Mali is an unusual cutaneous eruption consisting of violaceous, brown or dusky macules, papules, or plaques that may develop sometimes in band-like or bizarre configurations on the lower extremities. AAD of Mali usually develops as a sequel of increased venous pressure due to congenital vascular malformations or acquired circulatory abnormalities of the lower extremities. A 14-year-old girl presented with a three month history of an unusual cutaneous eruption that was slowly enlarging on the dorsal aspect of her right foot. Dermatological examination revealed band-like violaceus macule in bizarre configurations. The lesion was sharply circumscribed and there was no evidence of blanching after diascopy. Histopathological examination of the lesional skin biopsy revealed hyperkeratosis, alternating acanthosis, dilated vessels with perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate and fibrosis in the upper dermis.

Postherpetic neuralgia, is a chronic pain syndrome that is often refractory to treatment and can persist for years. This can result in physical, occupational and social disability, psychological distress. A wide range of treatment measures have been tried but until recently, very few of these had been shown unequivocally to be effective. In this review we provide an update on recent developments in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.