2722
Syphilis: A historical depiction through artists eyes
Michelle Xu, SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY, United States;
Eve Lowenstein, MD, PhDSUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY,
United States
‘‘A night with Venus, a lifetime with Mercury’’ has been used to describe one of
humankind’s most feared diseases. Syphilis has garnered much attention in literary
and artistic realms, focusing on the horrors of its manifestations and implications.
Through artistic depictions, insights are gained as to how syphilis was experienced
and commonly understood and endured by its victims. This poster focuses on the
vantage and portrayal of syphilis through several works of art over the past few
hundred years including a 15th century European woodcut, Richard Tennant
Cooper’s Syphilis (1912), and Jan van der Straet’s Preparation and use of guayaco for
treating syphilis (1537-1612). A common theme shows syphilis viewed as
retribution and consequence of the sin of desire/lust. The artists’ portrayal of
syphilis throughout history allows us to see through a visual depiction the impact of
this infection on the lives of its victims. While medical textbooks and atlases can
impartially detail this disease, an artistic medium fluently communicates a human
perspective of syphilis in history.
Commercial support: None identified.
2830
The emerging trend of biohacking—self-implanted devices for human
enhancement
Shuai Xu, MD, MS, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine,
Chicago, IL, United States; Anne Laumann, MBChB, Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
Biohacking broadly encompasses the practice of individuals without a specific
disability applying technology to self-experiment with aspects of their own biology.
There have been limited studies on biohacking in the medical literature despite
popular media attention over the past several years. One video on biohacking has
over 100,000 views since 2012. Harvard Business School hosted an inaugural
conference in 2015. Multiple internet sites with active user bases are dedicated to
biohacking. Herein we review the available literature and popular media on the
more controversial and high-risk aspects related to self-implanted devices. The first
scientific paper on self-implantable magnets in the fingers was published in 2011.
These implants allow individuals to pick up ferromagnetic objects. In addition, the
magnets provide tactile feedback through Pacinian and Meissner corpuscles when
stimulated by electromagnetic fields produced by nearby electronics. Beyond
magnets, radiofrequency identification (RFID) chips are used for storage and
bidirectional wireless communication. The FDA approved a human RIFD technol-
ogy (VeriChip) in 2004 for implantation by a medical professional for patient
identification purposes. By 2007, numerous RFIDs had been self-implanted by
biohackers found on internet sources. RFIDs create an additional cyber security
threat—researchers have demonstrated their ability to store and transmit computer
viruses. Currently, online retailers offer magnetic and RFID implants directly for sale
to users. Self-implanted devices may lead to neurovascular injury and soft tissue and
bone infections. Subdermal magnetic implants have the potential to interfere with
the use of MRIs or implantable cardiac defibrillators. We offer the rise of tattoos as an
analogy for biohacking. From fringe use, tattoos have become prevalent with
significant medical complications. Subdermal implants for human enhancement
represent a new era with unknown risks and consequences. Physicians and
regulators should engage in a meaningful way. A suggested first step involves the
creation of a voluntary public registry to track devices and users. Although
biohacking implants do not claim to cure, treat or prevent an illness, private
companies that sell products claiming to enhance human ability should be
accountable to a regulatory agency. As physicians, we may have to alter our
definition of what a ‘condition’ really means in the future.
Commercial support: None identified.
AB30 J AM ACAD DERMATOL
3535
The evolution of laser technology in dermatology
Vidhi Shah, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States; Adam Aldahan,
University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States; Stephanie Mlacker, University of
Miami, Miami, FL, United States; Keyvan Nouri, University of Miami, Miami, FL,
United States
Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation [LASER] is a device that
amplifies light and produces coherent light beams. The root of its technological
innovation lies in fundamental physics research. Albert Einstein first proposed the
idea of stimulated emission in the early twentieth century and Theodore Maiman at
Hughes Aircraft Company created the first working laser in 1960. Dermatologists
have used artificial light sources for the treatment of skin conditions for centuries
including the Finsen lamp for lupus vulgaris (1899), wound healing and rickets
(1901), and psoriasis (1925). The construction of new laser systems led dermatol-
ogists to study the therapeutic effects of lasers. Dr Leon Goldman revolutionized the
idea of lasers and light sources in dermatology. His group reported successful
treatment of pigmented and vascular lesions using ruby and Nd:YAG lasers,
respectively (1963 to 1973). His ideas led to the rapid expansion of new treatment
concepts involving the helium neon, Q-switched, argon, and carbon dioxide lasers.
The introduction of selective photothermolysis in 1983 by Anderson and Parrish
established the framework for the treatment of vascular lesions. Modern devices
including the pulsed dye lasers, long-pulsed alexandrite lasers, pulsed diode lasers,
long-pulsed Nd: YAG lasers, and intense pulsed light sources have improved the
treatment of vascular lesions by minimizing side effects and maximizing clinical
outcomes. More recently, lasers have been FDA approved for cosmetic skin
resurfacing (2004) and melasma (2005). Lasers represent an exciting area in
dermatology with a rich history of progression. The therapeutic use of lasers for
skin conditions has surpassed expectations. Today, lasers have broad applications in
dermatology and are valuable treatment modalities for various skin conditions. Our
primary objective is to review the evolution of laser treatments in dermatology, with
a focus on the most recent developments and future directions.
Commercial support: None identified.
2646
The history of delusional infestation
Monica Anyasodor, MBBS, Watford General Hospital, West Hertfordshire
Hospitals NHS Trust, Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom; Claire Marshall,
MBChB, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, York, United Kingdom;
Anthony Bewley, MBChB, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust,
London, United Kingdom
Humanity has always been concerned about infection and infestations. There were
numerous references to devastating plagues in ancient sources, such as the writings
of the ancient Greeks and in the Old Testament. Delusional infestation (DI) is a
disorder in which patient have a fixed, false belief that they are infested with insects,
other organisms, fibers, or inanimate particles. The disease presentation has evolved
over time with society and culture, and its names have changed to reflect this. In
1894, the French dermatologist Thibierge gave the first detailed description of the
disorder calling it ‘acarophobie,’ highlighting that his patients falsely believed they
had scabies. The term ‘Ekbom’s syndrome’ came into use in the 1930s, named after
the Swedish neurologist who published several reports, identifying the disease as a
distinct isolated delusionary disorder. As medicine moved away from the use of
eponymous medical terms, ‘delusional parasitosis’ became the most widely used
term. In many cases, patients presented to their doctors with matchboxes
containing alleged parasites. However, with the decline in the use of matches,
patients are now more likely to transport their specimens in other small containers
or to record images with digital media, thus the so-called ‘matchbox sign’ has been
renamed the ‘specimen sign.’ More recently, the Morgellons disease phenomenon
has arisen in which affected patients believe they are being infiltrated with fibers,
threads, oils, or other nonorganic matter. The term ‘Morgellons’ was introduced by a
lay person after she saw similarities between her son’s supposed infestation with
fibers and descriptions of ‘The Morgellons’ by 17th century writer Thomas Browne.
DI is now the preferred term as it encompasses false beliefs of infestation with both
organic and nonorganic material, including Morgellons disease.
Commercial support: None identified.
MAY 2016