News

Study shows higher rates of streptococcus pyogenes colonization in oro-pharynx

New Orleans - The combination product containing clindamycin 1percent with benzoyl peroxide 5 percent in an aqueous vehicle base (BenzaClin)is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with moderateto moderately severe acne, according to the results of two randomized, controlled,double-blind studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Academyof Dermatology.

Compliance, treatment, and results differ vastly in post-teen populationthan in traditional groups

New Orleans - The growing emergence of resistant bacteria and confusion created by an expanding number of antimicrobial agents on the market make selection of effective antimicrobial therapy an increasing challenge for dermatologists, James Q. Del Rosso, D.O., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Buenos Aires - Conventional treatment regimens based on the use of topical and systemic retinoids and antimicrobial agents are effective in controlling the majority of cases of acne across the entire spectrum of disease severity, but there are a wide range of less commonly used modalities that can provide valuable alternatives in a number of clinical scenarios, Ana Kaminsky, M.D., Ph.D., said.

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Dallas - As an alternative to collagen injections, which are only a temporary fix, a synthetic material offers a permanent option to fill out thin lips and diminish facial creases, according to William P. Adams Jr., M.D.

New Orleans - Attention to bacterial balance is an integral component in effective local care of chronic wounds, R. Gary Sibbald, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

New York-The incidence of skin disease is not significantly different among Latinos than with other patient groups, but physicians who treat Latino patients need to be aware of some differences in the frequency of diagnosis as well as the cultural aspects of treatment, Miguel R. Sanchez, M.D., said.

New York - Awareness and sensitivity about beliefs and cultural practices are important tools in treating the Asian population - especially those that are newly immigrated, Henry W. Lim, M.D., said at the annual meeting of The Skin of Color Center, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York.

New Orleans -Developing an understanding of mechanisms of tumor metastasis is an important tool for clinicians, Tri H. Nguyen, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

New York - A number of drugs used commonly in dermatology have teratogenic potential, making careful screening and comprehensive and ongoing pregnancy prevention counseling a must when prescribing medications for female patients, Robyn Gmyrek, M.D., said.

Although the Bush Administration, in the person of the Solicitor General, filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court suggesting that it refuse to hear an appeal from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) on Maine's Rx prescription law, the court agreed to hear the case.

Rome - Human herpesvirus-8 has been implicated as the causative agent of Kaposi's sarcoma, often seen in patients with AIDS. Until recently, primary HHV-8 infection had been described only in immunocompromised patients, such as AIDS patients. Massimo Andreoni, M.D., and colleagues from Italy and Egypt presented the first report of primary HHV-8 infection in immunocompetent individuals (JAMA 2002; 287: 1295-1300).

New Orleans - The novel antifungal agent caspofungin (Cancidas) is a helpful addition to the armamentarium of medications that are currently used to treat aspergillosis, according to Tamara Koss, M.D. It may be a particularly appropriate modality in immunocompromised patients who have not responded to conventional antimycotics, she said.

New Orleans - As antipruritic drugs, newer second-generation oral antihistamines, including loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and desloratadine (Clarinex), offer several advantages compared with their predecessors. However, clinicians should be aware that these newer compounds are neither all alike nor routinely effective for controlling all types of cutaneous itch, Michael D. Tharp, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Washington - The executive committee of the Board of Directors of the American Medical Association approved the operating budget for Physicians for Responsible Negotiation, the physician's union launched by the AMA in 1999. The final vote from the full board was expected to take place in late July, and advocates were optimistic about the recommendation from the executive committee.

New York - Dermatologists should be aware of cosmetics and cosmetic products for people of color, if only because their patients are quite aware of them, Victoria L. Holloway, M.D., said at the Skin of Color Center's second annual meeting here at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center.

This month Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D. answers questions about shaving.

Despite continued concerns over terrorism and shenanigans by corporate executives that have sent the stock markets tumbling, there is some good news for dermatologists from Washington this summer. By the end of this session of Congress, there is a good chance that last year's Medicare fee cuts will be fixed and that Medicare patients will be given some form of prescription drug coverage.

There is no denying the atmosphere of providing medical care in this country has changed. Increased government regulations, large managed care companies and their restrictions, turf battles, and hospital chains have reduced physician control of medical care and increased competition for patients.

Most dermatologists are trying hard to maximize practice profitability. Trends over the past years have shown that more and more physicians are taking positive steps to assure the continued profitability and success of their practices.

Two recent experiences have prompted me to tilt at still another windmill - that of overuse of systemic antibiotics. The first occurred two weeks ago when my neighbor and friend asked me to evaluate him for a three-day history of a persistent headache. (Why is a dermatologist doing this?) A clinical examination revealed right supraorbital tenderness and a normal neurologic condition, including full function of the right eye muscles and pupils. A clinical diagnosis of right frontal sinusitis was made and he was started on azithromycin.

Coral Gables, Fla. - The Florida Board of Medicine agreed to compromisewith nurse anesthetists and plastic surgeons on a new rule that would putan end to certain office- surgery procedures.

Washington, D.C. - The Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992 reducedthe time the U.S. Food and Drug Administration needs to review and approvenew pharmaceuticals, said the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development.

You are about to subscribe to Dermatology Times Weekly, dermatology?smost timely, credible news source. With each issue, you'll receive thehottest news items of the week in Dermatology. As a bonus, you will alsoreceive our headline news service - quick announcements on drugapprovals and industry news as they happen. The voice you've grown totrust, Dermatology Times, now weekly and at your fingertips. COMING SOON!

Hanover, N.H. - Some medical press releases use formats that exaggeratethe perceived importance of findings and do not routinely highlight studylimitations, according to a study published in a recent issue Journal ofthe American Medical Assn.

Montville, N.J. - Berlex Laboratories announced last week the availabilityof a new, convenient 50-gram tube size for Finevin (azelaic acid cream)20 percent for the topical treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acnevulgaris.

Palo Alto, Calif. - Connetics Corp., based here, plans to start clinicaltrials on a new acne drug that some reports say is "cosmetically elegant."

The World Health Organization added to its arsenal in the fight againstskin cancer by offering guidelines that tell people when its safe to sunbathe.