| 11. |
- Hadad, Ronza, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of the new COBAS TaqMan CT test v2.0 and impact on the proportion of new variant Chlamydia trachomatis by the introduction of diagnostics detecting new variant C trachomatis in Örebro county, Sweden
- 2009
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Ingår i: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - London : BMJ Publishing Group. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 85, s. 190-193
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The new variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (nvCT), discovered in Sweden in 2006, contains a 377-bp cryptic plasmid deletion, which includes the targets for the COBAS Amplicor/TaqMan C trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoea and Abbott m2000rt C trachomatis/N gonorrhoea tests.Objectives: To evaluate the new real-time COBAS TaqMan CT test v2.0 (CTM CT v2.0) for C trachomatis diagnostics and to investigate whether the proportion of nvCT was affected by the introduction of genetic diagnostics detecting nvCT (LightMix 480HT) in Örebro county, Sweden.Methods: CTM CT v2.0 compared with LightMix 480 HT PCR for the diagnosis of C trachomatis was evaluated. Discrepant samples were analysed using BD ProbeTec ET and Abbott m2000rt RealTime CT II. All previously LightMix and cell culture-positive samples were analysed using an nvCT-specific PCR.Results: The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value of CTM CT v2.0 for examined samples (n = 1058) was 100%, 99.8%, 100% and 98.2%, respectively. Of 11 577 consecutive PCR samples, 9.4% (n = 1084) were positive and 34.3% (n = 372) of these were nvCT. Of 2306 consecutive culture samples, 5.0% (n = 116) were C trachomatis positive and 38.8% (n = 45) of these were nvCT.Conclusions: CTM CT v2.0 is a sensitive and specific method for C trachomatis detection. Studies including larger numbers of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients as well as genital and extragenital samples, and in comparison with other internationally validated and, ideally, US Food and Drug Administration-approved C trachomatis nucleic acid amplification tests are imperative. The proportion of nvCT remains high in Örebro county, Sweden, despite the introduction of genetic diagnostics to detect the mutant.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Josefson, Anna
(författare)
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Nickel allergy and hand eczema : epidemiological aspects
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Nickel allergy is the most prevalent contact allergy and has been discussed as a possible riskfactor for hand eczema. However, hand eczema is one of the most frequently occurring skindiseases and has multifactorial origin. The aim of this thesis was to study the association between nickel allergy and hand eczema in the general population. There are only a fewpopulation-based studies previously published, that include patch testing. In addition, this thesis aimed to evaluate methods to follow the prevalence of nickel allergy.The study cohort consisted of 908 women who had been patch tested for the occurrence of nickel allergy as schoolgirls. Twenty years later, they were invited to participate in a follow-up questionnaire study. The response rate was 81%. In total, 17.6% of respondents reported handeczema after the age of 15 years and there was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of hand eczema between those who were nickel-positive and those who were nickel negativeas schoolgirls. To further investigate possible links, another study was performed,which included a second questionnaire, a clinical investigation and patch testing. All schoolgirls from the baseline study who were still living in the area as adults were invited to participate and the participation rate was 77%. Patch test showed 30.1% nickel-positive individuals.When all participants were included in the analysis, there was no statistically significant difference between nickel-positive and nickel-negative women regarding occurrence of hand eczema. The most important risk factor for hand eczema was childhood eczema. Adjusted prevalence proportion ratio (PPR) for hand eczema after age 15 in relation to nickel patch testresults was 1.03 (95% CI 0.71--1.50) and in relation to childhood eczema 3.68 (95% CI 2.45--5.54). When women with and without history of childhood eczema were analyzed separately, the hand eczema risk was doubled in nickel-positive women without history of childhood eczema. In conclusion, the risk of hand eczema in nickel-positive women may previously havebeen overestimated. Next, the validity of self-reported nickel allergy was investigated. In the established cohort; two questions regarding nickel allergy were compared with patch test results. The validity of self-reported nickel allergy was low, and the questions regarding nickel allergy overestimated the true prevalence of nickel allergy. The positive predictive values were 59% and 60%. Another method for estimating the prevalence of nickel allergy, namely self-patch testing, was validated in the last study. In total, 191 patients from three different dermatology departments participated. The validity of self-testing for nickel allergy was adequate, with sensitivity 72%and proportion of agreement 86%.
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| 14. |
- Josefson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Nickel allergy and hand eczema : a 20-year follow up
- 2006
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Ingår i: Contact Dermatitis. - Oxford : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 55:5, s. 286-290
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of hand eczema after 20 years in women patch tested to nickel during childhood. In 1982-1983, 960 schoolgirls were patch tested for nickel allergy; its prevalence was found to be 9%. 20 years later, the same individuals received a questionnaire regarding hand eczema and factors of importance for the development of hand eczema. 735 of 908 women (80.9%) answered the questionnaire. In total, 17.6% of respondents reported hand eczema after the age of 15 years, and the 1-year prevalence was 12.8%. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of hand eczema between the groups who had previously tested positive and negative for nickel allergy. 38.3% of the respondents considered themselves to be nickel sensitive at the time they answered the questionnaire; in this group, the reported prevalence of hand eczema after age 15 was 22.5%. 31.4% of those with a history of atopic dermatitis reported hand eczema after age 15, compared with 10.6% of those without (P < 0.001). In conclusion, contact allergy to nickel in childhood did not seem to increase the prevalence of hand eczema later in life.
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| 15. |
- Josefson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Nickel allergy as risk factor for hand eczema : a population-based study
- 2009
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Ingår i: British Journal of Dermatology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0007-0963 .- 1365-2133. ; 160:4, s. 828-834
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: In population-based studies using self-reported nickel allergy, a hand eczema prevalence of 30-43% has been reported in individuals with nickel allergy. In a previous Swedish study, 958 schoolgirls were patch tested for nickel. In a questionnaire follow up 20 years later no association was found between nickel allergy and hand eczema. OBJECTIVES: To investigate further the relation between nickel allergy and hand eczema. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-nine women, still living in the same geographical area, now aged 30-40 years, were patch tested and clinically investigated regarding hand eczema. RESULTS: Patch testing showed 30.1% nickel-positive individuals. The adjusted prevalence proportion ratio (PPR) for hand eczema after age 15 years in relation to nickel patch test results was 1.03 (95% confidence interval, CI 0.71-1.50). A history of childhood eczema was reported by 35.9%, and the PPR for hand eczema in relation to childhood eczema was 3.68 (95% CI 2.45-5.54). When analysing the relation separately in women with and without a history of childhood eczema a statistical interaction was found. The hand eczema risk was doubled in nickel-positive women without a history of childhood eczema, with a PPR of 2.23 (95% CI 1.10-4.49) for hand eczema after age 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: A doubled risk for hand eczema was found in nickel-positive women without a history of childhood eczema. When analysing all participants, there was no statistically significant difference between nickel-positive and nickel-negative women regarding occurrence of hand eczema. The most important risk factor for hand eczema was childhood eczema. The risk for hand eczema in nickel-positive women may previously have been overestimated.
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| 16. |
- Josefson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Validation of self-testing as a method to estimate the prevalence of nickel allergy
- 2011
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Ingår i: Acta Dermato-Venereologica. - : Society for Publication of Acta Dermato-Venereologica. - 0001-5555 .- 1651-2057. ; 91:5, s. 526-530
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Valid epidemiological tools are required for surveillance of the prevalence of contact allergy. Population based studies including patch testing is the most reliable method, but implies heavy expenses and logistical problems. Clinical data are not representative for the general population and questionnaires concerning contact allergy have a low validity. Self-testing might be a useful method but it has to be validated and evaluated.Objectives: To investigate the validity of self-patch testing for nickel allergy. Methods: Patients from three dermatology clinics were included consecutively when referred to patch testing. In total, 191 patients participated and they were provided with a self-test package including written instructions. The self-test was applied on the arm by the patient, on the same day as the patch test was applied on the back, in the clinic. The patient evaluated the self-test before the patch test reading at the clinic.Results: Patch test at dermatology clinic (‘gold standard’) gave 46/191 (24%) nickel-positive individuals. The sensitivity of the self-test was 72% (95% CI 57–84), the specificity was 91% (95% CI 85–95) and the proportion of agreement was 86% (95% CI 81–91).Conclusions: The validity of self-testing for nickel allergy was adequate in the studied population. To determine whether self-testing is a useful tool for measuring the prevalence of nickel allergy in the general population further studies will be needed.
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| 17. |
- Josefson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Validity of self-reported nickel allergy
- 2010
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Ingår i: Contact Dermatitis. - Oxford : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 62:5, s. 289-293
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: To estimate the prevalence of nickel allergy, self-reports are sometimes used in epidemiological studies. Self-reports are practical and may facilitate estimation of prevalence provided that the questions are validated.Objectives: To investigate the validity of self-reported nickel allergy.Methods: Three hundred and sixty-nine women, aged 30–40 years, from the general population participated in the study. The participants answered a questionnaire before a clinical examination and patch testing. The two questions being validated were ‘Are you sensitive/hypersensitive/allergic to nickel?’ and ‘Do you get a rash from metal buttons, jewellery or other metal items that come in direct contact with your skin?’Results: Patch test showed nickel-positive reaction in 30% of the subjects. Self-reported prevalence of nickel allergy as indicated by the two respective questions was 40% and 35%. Positive predictive values for the two questions were 59% (95% CI 50–67) and 60% (95% CI 51–69). History of childhood eczema was over-represented among women with ‘false-positive’ self-reported nickel allergy (P = 0.008). Self-reported hand eczema or ‘high wet exposure’ did not influence the validity.Conclusions: The validity of self-reported nickel allergy is low. The questions regarding nickel allergy overestimate the true prevalence of nickel allergy.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Karlsson, Teresa, et al.
(författare)
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13-cis-retinoic acid competitively inhibits 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidation by retinol dehydrogenase RoDH-4 : a mechanism for its anti-androgenic effects in sebaceous glands?
- 2003
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Ingår i: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications - BBRC. - 0006-291X .- 1090-2104. ; 303:1, s. 273-278
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Retinol dehydrogenase-4 (RoDH-4) converts retinol and 13-cis-retinol to corresponding aldehydes in human liver and skin in the presence of NAD(+). RoDH-4 also converts 3 alpha-androstanediol and androsterone into dihydrotestosterone and androstanedione, which may stimulate sebum secretion. This oxidative 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSD) activity of RoDH-4 is competitively inhibited by retinol and 13-cis-retinol. Here, we further examine the substrate specificity of RoDH-4 and the inhibition of its 3 alpha-HSD activity by retinoids. Recombinant RoDH-4 oxidized 3,4-didehydroretinol-a major form of vitamin A in the skin-to its corresponding aldehyde. 13-cis-retinoic acid (isotretinoin), 3,4-didehydroretinoic acid, and 3,4-didehydroretinol, but not all-trans-retinoic acid or the synthetic retinoids acitretin and adapalene, were potent competitive inhibitors of the oxidative 3 alpha-HSD activity of RoDH-4, i.e., reduced the formation of dihydrotestosterone and androstandione in vitro. Extrapolated to the in vivo situation, this effect might explain the unique sebosuppressive effect of isotretinoin when treating acne.
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| 20. |
- Kubanova, A., et al.
(författare)
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National surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 2005-2006 and recommendations of first-line antimicrobial drugs for gonorrhoea treatment in Russia
- 2008
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Ingår i: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - London : BMJ Publishing Group. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 84:4, s. 285-289
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To investigate comprehensively the antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae during 2005-2006 in a national survey and to recommend effective antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of gonorrhoea in Russia.METHODS: The susceptibility of N gonorrhoeae isolates, cultured mainly from consecutive gonorrhoea patients (n = 1030) during the period January 2005 to December 2006 in Russia, to penicillin G, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and spectinomycin was analysed using the agar dilution method. Nitrocefin discs were used for beta-lactamase detection.RESULTS: All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone. During 2005 and 2006, however, 5%, 50%, 70% and 77% displayed intermediate susceptibility or resistance to spectinomycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and penicillin G, respectively. Furthermore, 4% of the isolates were beta-lactamase producing during these years. The different federal districts of Russia displayed substantial heterogeneities with regard to the prevalence of gonorrhoea and antimicrobial resistance among N gonorrhoeae isolates.CONCLUSIONS: In Russia, penicillins, ciprofloxacin, or tetracycline should definitively not be used in the empirical treatment of gonorrhoea. The recommended first-line antimicrobial drug should be ceftriaxone. If ceftriaxone is not available, spectinomycin ought to be used. Increasing levels of intermediate susceptibility and resistance to spectinomycin have, however, been observed during recent years and, accordingly, great care and monitoring should be undertaken when using this agent. Continuous local, national and international surveillance of N gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility, in order to reveal the emergence of new resistance, to monitor changing patterns of susceptibility and to be able to update treatment recommendations on a regular basis, is crucial.
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