Alison Palkhivala

Montreal - Physicians must use information obtained about Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus learned through basic research to help prevent and treat KS in the clinical setting, a virology expert said.

Barcelona, Spain - Identifying the cause of itch is the key to treating it. New research is helping better characterize pruritus, leading to more effective therapies for this frustrating condition, according to physicians reporting at the 2003 meeting of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV).

Barcelona, Spain - New research demonstrates the pathophysiology of itch may be more complex than once believed. Recently discovered pruritic pathways, such as those involving proteases or neuropeptides, are opening doors to new therapeutic targets for this uncomfortable, hard-to-control phenomenon.

Montreal - Mycobacterial infections are on the rise. Physicians should be aware of the key clinical features of these conditions and use microbiology laboratory facilities to confirm diagnoses. While some of these infections respond to antimicrobials, others require more intensive therapy, such as surgery.

Montreal - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, once believed to be a problem of hospitals only, have hit the community. Now, more than ever, clinicians must adopt basic infection-control practices, both in hospital and in their clinics, to prevent further spread of these problem pathogens.

Montreal - Diagnosing unusual sexually transmitted infections can be a unique challenge, particularly for physicians lacking expertise in this area.

Montreal - Whether caused by an infection or a drug, severe cutaneous reactions must be quickly identified and treated, as many are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

New Orleans - Some patients who undergo laser hair removal are experiencing disturbing hair regrowth on or near the treated area. To make matters worse, this new hair can be thicker, more abundant, and more difficult to treat.

San Francisco - Use of silicone for cosmetic purposes remains controversial, with some experts declaring it inherently unsafe and others insisting that as long as it is used carefully, it can be used safely. Clearly, doctors who take precautions can at least reduce the risk, if not eliminate complications. In either case, FDA studies are still underway.

San Francisco - Dermatologists are currently fine-tuning their use of UVB phototherapy for specific applications in order to reduce the risk of burns, minimize patients' cumulative exposure to UVB light, and optimize patient responses.

San Francisco - A multitude of conditions, from systemic diseases to conditions affecting only the mouth or the alimentary tract, can cause oral ulcers. Recognizing subtle differences in symptoms and knowing which conditions are most common can help dermatologists make accurate diagnosis.

San Francisco - The known teratogenicity of isotretinoin, as well as a possible link to psychiatric illness, means that physicians prescribing the drug must carefully follow risk-management guidelines. These guidelines are mandated by the FDA.

San Francisco - Several recent studies have demonstrated some interesting phenomena in the area of pediatric dermatology. Howard B. Pride, M.D., an associate in the department of dermatology at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., presented some highlights.

San Francisco - Not only are warts a cosmetic nuisance, they may also cause considerable discomfort and even be linked to higher cancer rates. Clearing warts, therefore, is an important consideration for dermatologists. Nanette Silverberg, M.D., director, pediatric dermatology, department of dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers, New York City, provided some tips on how best to do that.

San Francisco - In many women, acne can have a hormonal cause that points to a more severe underlying disorder. Being able to appropriately identify such disorders can help dermatologists better treat the acne as well as help prevent more serious long-term selequae.

San Francisco - Designed to treat difficult cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, photopheresis is proving to have several more potential clinical applications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and lichen planus.

San Francisco - Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is at least as effective as conventional treatments for superficial epithelial cancers - but according to the latest research, it offers superior cosmetic results. Over the long term, however, patients are still being followed-up to see if remission rates remain low.

Maui, Hawaii - Applied in a foam, ketoconazole may penetrate more easily -- and treat cutaneous fungal infections more effectively - than it does in the cream formulations currently on the market, Dr. Sheila Fallon-Friedlander, M.D.

San Francisco - The presence of leukoplakia in the oral cavity may be a harbinger of malignancy. Dermatologists must be able to identify these lesions and manage patients appropriately to help prevent a largely avoidable cancer.