Otitis Media and Otitis Externa Laura L. Bio Infections of the ear are a common problem in children due to anatomical predisposition, but they can also affect adults. Acute otitis…

Ophthalmic Disorders Joshua J. Spooner There are many conditions and disorders of the eye, but only a few, such as blepharitis and conjunctivitis, should be diagnosed and treated by a…

Acne Vulgaris and Rosacea Virginia P. Arcangelo ACNE VULGARIS Acne vulgaris is viewed by many as a rite of passage during the adolescent years. Up to 90% of all teenagers…

Psoriasis Shelly Schneider Psoriasis is a debilitating disease characterized by recurrent exacerbations and remissions. It affects between 2% and 3% of the U.S. population, with a higher incidence in whites…

Bacterial Infections of the Skin Jason J. Schafer Maria C. Foy Bacterial skin infections range from those that are minor and heal without consequence to those that are more severe…

Viral Infections of the Skin Virginia P. Arcangelo Viruses producing skin lesions may be categorized into three groups: herpes viruses, papillomaviruses, and pox viruses. Herpes and papillomaviruses each affect approximately…

Fungal Infections of the Skin Virginia P. Arcangelo Fungi live in the dead, horny outer layer of the skin. The organisms penetrate only the stratum corneum—the surface layer of the…

Contact Dermatitis Virginia P. Arcangelo Dermatitis is an alteration in skin reactivity caused by exposure to an external agent. It is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It can…

Pharmacogenomics Isabelle Mercier Andrew M. Peterson Amalia M. Issa PHARMACOGENOMICS AND PERSONALIZED MEDICINE Interpatient variability in drug therapy response is a well-known pharmacotherapeutic concept. Indeed, as far back as 1892,…