Syndrome of severe skin disease, eosinophilia, and dermatopathic lymphadenopathy in patients with HTLV-II complicating human immunodeficiency virus infection
Article Abstract:
DNA is a type of genetic material whose chief function is to store information about the correct structures of proteins, for purposes of replication. In most organisms, the information from DNA is copied into RNA, another type of genetic material, which then serves as a template for protein synthesis. However, retroviruses carry RNA and, when present in organisms they have invaded, cause DNA to be made according to the viral RNA structure. HTLV (human T-cell leukemia virus) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the cause of AIDS, are retroviruses. HTLV type I causes hairy cell leukemia with proliferation of T cells, infection-fighting white blood cells. New techniques have been developed that increase the ability to detect carriers of HTLV type II, which appears to be prevalent among intravenous drug users (IVDUs) in New Orleans and New York. Although cases of patients with both HTLV-II and HIV-1 infections have been described, no disorder has been found that uniquely characterizes coinfection. Two cases of IVDUs, coinfected with the two viruses, are described. Both developed a severe dermatitis with infiltration of lymphocytes into the upper dermis (level below the skin surface). The skin changes featured thickening and hardening, fissures, and ulceration. They both also had dermatopathic lymphadenopathy (swelling of lymph nodes with proliferation of cells associated with skin diseases) and eosinophilia, elevation in the level of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell. The report suggests that HIV-1 infection may accelerate disease caused by HTLV-II. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1991
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Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis in autoimmune thyroid disease
Article Abstract:
Many endocrine gland diseases are associated with autoimmune disorders, or conditions in which cells attack the body's own tissues. Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PGA) is a condition characterized by the development of two or more endocrine gland disorders. Previous studies have shown immune abnormalities to be associated with multiple glandular disorders. Thyroid disease has been also associated with the development of lymphocytic mastitis, the inflammation of the breast with the accumulation of lymphocytes, a type of immune cell. Cases are described of four patients with autoimmune thyroid disease associated with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis. This lung disorder is characterized by inflammation and disruption of the walls of the alveoli, the gas-exchanging units of the lungs, and the accumulation of lymphocytes. Two of the patients also had diabetes mellitus. Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis has been associated with other autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The patients responded to treatment with steroids, but relapsed after the steroids were discontinued, which is indicative of impaired immune function. Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis may be another sign of impaired immune function from underlying autoimmune thyroid disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1991
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