Nail dystrophy after practolol

Metoprolol-induced psoriatic nail disease

We describe the development of psoriatic nail disease due to metoprolol in a 58-year-old woman who was being treated for cardiac arrhythmias. The nail condition was unresponsive to topical and systemic treatments but resolved completely with the withdrawal of metoprolol. The reaction recurred with drug rechallenge and resolved when the drug was ceased.

Secondary structural changes of proteins in fingernails of chronic fatigue syndrome patients from Fourier-transform infrared spectra

BACKGROUND

Generally, nails can be an index of health, with abnormalities sometimes found under diseased conditions. Fatigue is also supposed to affect the condition of nails. Possible differences in infrared (IR) spectra of nail plates of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients compared to healthy control subjects were investigated in this study.

METHODS

Using an attenuated total reflection (ATR)-Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, spectra in the region of 4000-600 cm(-1) were obtained. The amide I region was then separated by Fourier deconvolution and curve fitting based on the Gauss and Lorentz formula and revealed differences in the secondary structural content of proteins compared to healthy donors.

RESULTS

The specific secondary structural pattern commonly observed in nails of male and female CFS patients in the absence and presence of medication indicated a decreased alpha-helix content and increased beta-sheet content, suggesting reduced levels of normal elements of the nail plate.

CONCLUSIONS

This provides the first evidence of alterations in the fingernails of CFS patients which could be detected by IR spectroscopy. Possible explanations for the alterations will be discussed.

Nail changes secondary to systemic drugs or ingestants

Systemic drugs often affect the nails. These changes range from mild pigmentation abnormalities to nail shedding and matrix scarring. The purpose of this article is to provide a handy reference for the physician who is confronted with nail disorders that may be due to systemic drugs or ingestants.

Nail disorders. A review

The nail is capable of only a limited number of pathologic responses. Some of these alterations, including idiopathic disorders, infections, tumors, and drug-induced reactions, are reviewed in the light of recent observations. Whenever possible, clinicopathologic correlation has been emphasized. Specific suggestions are made for diagnostic technics and treatment modalities.