BACKGROUND Microvascular lesions are a predominant feature in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and seem to play a central pathogenetic role. Recently, we graded scleroderma microangiopathy by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) into three NVC patterns (early, active and late). The aim of the present study was to confirm, in a larger number of SSc patients, the presence of three patterns of microvascular...

BACKGROUND The complement system has been implicated in pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The goal of the present study was to evaluate improved complement biomarkers in SSc. METHODS The presence of C4d, reflecting activation of the classical/lectin pathways, C3bBbP corresponding to activation of the alternative pathway, and soluble terminal complement complexes (all complement pathwa...

Scleroderma or systemic sclerosis is a rare condition with many clinical manifestations including Raynaud's phenomenon. As with many other rarely encountered diseases, drug therapy for scleroderma is often empirical with little evidence in the form of randomised controlled trials to aid drug choice. Raynaud's phenomenon has been recognised for well over 100 years. A considerable number of clini...

BACKGROUND Localized scleroderma is characterized by a thickening of the skin from excessive collagen deposits. It is not a fatal disease, but quality of life can be adversely affected due to changes in skin appearance, joint contractures, and, rarely, serious deformities of the face and extremities. We present six cases of localized scleroderma in face from our surgical practice. METHODS We ...

OBJECTIVE To assess the frequency and clinical correlates of the systemic sclerosis-related autoantibodies to RNA polymerases in Italian patients. METHODS Sera from 115 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 10 patients with systemic sclerosis-overlap syndromes recruited from a single center in northern Italy were investigated for antibodies to RNA polymerase I, II, and III by means of im...

To assess potential abnormalities in collagen metabolism in systemic scleroderma, skin fibroblast lines from patients with this disease were established and compared to control cell lines derived from healthy subjects. For studies on the biosynthesis of procollagen, the cells were incubated with [(14)C]proline in a medium supplemented with ascorbic acid and beta-aminopropionitrile, and the synt...

Morphea is a localized form of scleroderma characterized by sclerotic plaques limited to the skin. Although its cause is unknown, genetic, infectious and autoimmune mechanisms have been suggessed in the pathogenesis of the morphea. It is more common among childen and young women. Although the prognosis is generally good, it sometimes causes significant morbidity. Morphea has five subtypes as pl...

OBJECTIVE Enfuvirtide is the first of a new class of antiretroviral agents. The drug is safe and well tolerated; injection site reactions are the most common adverse events. The aim of this study was the clinical and histopathological evaluation of injection site reactions in patients treated for 80 weeks. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six patients were evaluated. Five of them underwent cutaneous bio...

Objective. We report a rare case of keloidal scleroderma and provide an analysis of similar cases. Results. A 41 year-old woman presented with dark brown, indurated, exophytic nodules over the chest along with smaller hyperpigmented plaques scattered over the abdomen, with concomitant sclerodactyly.The clinical, laboratory, and pathological findings were consistent with a diagnosis of keloidal ...

OBJECTIVES There have been many studies suggesting that localized scleroderma has a strong autoimmune background, although the lesions are usually limited to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Here we summarize previous data on the autoimmunity of localized scleroderma, mostly published in the last two decades, because there has not been a review paper summarizing autoimmunity in this disorder. ...