Certain skin disorders have now been demonstrated to be affected by alcohol misuse, in particular psoriasis and discoid eczema. The pattern of involvement in psoriasis differs from psoriasis vulgaris in character and distribution, and tends to be more difficult to treat. Discoid eczema appears to be specifically related to alcohol excess and is associated with deranged liver function tests. Rosacea, post-adolescent acne, superficial infections and porphyria cutanea tarda may also be markers of alcohol misuse. These disorders occur early and are quite distinct from the traditional cutaneous stigmata of established liver disease. The association between alcohol and skin disease is under-reported, as alcohol misuse may go undetected in a general clinic unless specifically sought. Alcohol has a profound influence on immune function and induces changes in the cutaneous vasculature. The relevance of these effects to the pathophysiology of alcohol-related skin disease is discussed.

Initial anecdotal evidence that both smoking and drinking have an influence on psoriasis have been borne out in more detailed epidemiological studies. However, there appears to be some geographical variation between populations and a marked gender bias. The possibility that simple modifications in lifestyle may reduce both the prevalence and severity of psoriasis offers an exciting potential adjunct to treatment in the future.

Objective To determine whether Chinese herbal creams used for the treatment of dermatological conditions contain steroids. Design 11 herbal creams obtained from patients attending general and paediatric dermatology outpatient clinics were analysed with high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

The first isolation in the UK of Balamuthia mandrillaris amoebae from a fatal case of granulomatous amoebic meningoencephalitis is reported. Using primary cultures of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), amoebae were isolated from the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The cultures showed a cytopathic effect at 20-28 days, but morphologically identifiable B. mandrillaris amoebae were seen in cleared plaques in subcultures at 45 days. The identification of the organism was later confirmed using PCR on Chelex-treated extracts. Serum taken while the patient was still alive reacted strongly with slide antigen prepared from cultures of the post-mortem isolate, and also with those from a baboon B. mandrillaris strain at 1 : 10 000 in indirect immunofluorescence, but with Acanthamoeba castellanii (Neff) at 1 : 160, supporting B. mandrillaris to be the causative agent. If the presence of amoebae in the post-mortem CSF reflects the condition in life, PCR studies on CSF and on biopsies of cutaneous lesions may also be a valuable tool. The role of HBMECs in understanding the interactions of B. mandrillaris with the blood-brain barrier is discussed.