Introduction. Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rate autosomal recessive disorder related to DNA repair defects. Recently, modifications of oncogenes and mutations of the p53 suppressor gene have been reported in skin tumors of XP patients. The purpose is to study, through a series of 40 patients admitted to the Dermatologic Clinic of Algiers, the characteristics of XP in Algeria. Patients and methods. For each patient, familiality, clinical and biological examinations and therapeutic results were studied. Biological studies have been axed mainly on analysis of DNA extracted from skin tumors of 18 patients to detect oncogene modifications by Southern blot and hybridization. A technic, based on single strand DNA conformation polymorphism (SSCP), has been carried out to detect rapidly mutations on the p53 gene. Results. A consanguinity in the first degree is noted in 95 p. 100 of cases and a familiality in 63 p. 100 of cases. The median age of patients is 10 years; sex ratio is close to one; 32 patients (80 p. 100) are classic XP and 8 (20 p. 100) are XP variant. In 18 tumors analysed, the Ha-ras gene is amplified and/or modified in 50 p. 100 of cases. Only 3 tumors (16.6 p. 100) show mutations of the p53 gene (transitions C --> T). Surgical treatment isolated or associated to polychemotherapy permitted to resolve tumors in 75 p. 100 of cases. Discussion. In Algeria, XP are mainly classic with a particularly high frequency of occular (62 p. 100) and neurological manifestations (62 p. 100). Genetic studies confirm modifications of the Haras gene in direct relation with unrepaired UV lesions in classic XP and mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene characteristic of mutation spectra induced by UV. Surgery is the treatment of choice for tumors; polychemotherapy is an alternative in advanced cases.

INTRODUCTIONXeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rate autosomal recessive disorder related to DNA repair defects. Recently, modifications of oncogenes and mutations of the p53 suppressor gene have been reported in skin tumors of XP patients. The purpose is to study, through a series of 40 patients admitted to the Dermatologic Clinic of Algiers, the characteristics of XP in Algeria.PATIENTS AND METHODSFor each patient, familiarity, clinical and biological examinations and therapeutic results were studied. Biological studies have been axed mainly on analysis of DNA extracted from skin tumors of 18 patients to detect oncogene modifications by Southern blot and hybridization. A technic, based on single strand DNA conformation polymorphism (SSCP), has been carried out to detect rapidly mutations on the p53 gene.RESULTSA consanguinity in the first degree is noted in 95 p. 100 of cases and a familiarity in 63 p. 100 of cases. The median age of patients is 10 years; sex ratio is close to one; 32 patients (80 p. 100) are classic XP and 8 (20 p. 100) are XP variant. In 18 tumors analysed, the Ha-ras gene is amplified and/or modified in 50 p. 100 of cases. Only 3 tumors (16.6 p. 100) show mutations of the p53 gene (transitions C-T). Surgical treatment isolated or associated to polychemotherapy permitted to resolve tumors in 75 p. 100 of cases.DISCUSSIONIn Algeria, XP are mainly classic with a particularly high frequency of occular (62 p. 100) and neurological manifestations (62 p. 100). Genetic studies confirm modifications of the Haras gene in direct relation with unrepaired UV lesions in classic XP and mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene characteristic of mutation spectra induced by UV. Surgery is the treatment of choice for tumors; polychemotherapy is an alternative in advanced cases.

Detection of human papilloma virus in genitals lesions by molecular hybridization. Some H.P.V. types are sexually transmitted and infect genital organs. We have used molecular hybridization to examine the distribution of H.P.V. 6 or II and H.P.V. 16 in benign, premalignant and malignant genital lesions from 344 patients. The frequency of H.P.V. 16 positive cases increases as the cervical lesions progress to malignancy: 57/78 are positive (73%) in the carcinomas, 29/83 are positive (35%) in mild or moderate dysplasia. The majority of benign condylomata acuminata harbors DNA of other types, namely H.P.V. 6 and II.

Using a microimmunofluorescence test, the prevalence of antichlamydial immunoglobulin (Ig) G in 720 people in Algiers was studied. 34 (36%) of women with low genital infection, 28 (30%) of 91 patients attending a cancer screening clinic, and 44 (100%) of prostitutes had antichlamydial IgG at a titre greater than or equal to 1:16. Among 180 women seeking a rubeola test, 48 (26.6%) had IgG titres greater than or equal to 1:16. 144 infants less than 3 months old were also tested and 16.6% of them had IgG titres greater than or equal to 1:160; 20 (20.7%) of 97 men with chronic urethritis had IgG titres greater than or equal to 1:16. Antibody titres suggesting active disease in prostitutes, patients attending the cancer screening clinic and women with low genital infection were found in 95%, 11% and 17% respectively.

The prevalence of anti-Chlamydia antibodies was studied among 329 patients divided into 5 groups, 34 (36%) of the women with a low genital infection have antibodies at a titre greater than 16 versus 12 (17%) of the patients attending the women's clinic for routine pelvic examination. 44 (100%) of 44 prostitutes had antibodies greater than 16 meanwhile only 2 (7%) of 30 women attending an obstetric clinic had antibodies greater than 16. Titres suggesting active chlamydial infection were found in prostitutes (95%), women with low genital infection (17%) and patients attending a cancer screening clinic (11%). In other hand, using immunofluorescence test with monoclonal anti Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies, 20 (45.5%) of the prostitutes were found antigen positive.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of herpes simplex virus antibodies among the population in Algiers. Anti-bodies to HSV1 are acquired rapidly between the ages of 1 and 6 years and 81.25% of the population is HSV1 seropositive by 15 years of age. Patients suffering from genital disorders possess HSV type 2 antibodies at a rate significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than in the control group.