majorhan
11-24-07, 12:37 AM
http://i2.tinypic.com/8esgunt.jpg
A MAN who grew tree-like growths covering his body might have a chance of recovery.
Indonesian fisherman Dede, 35, has had warty “roots” growing out of his arms and feet after he cut his knee as a teenager.
As the branch-like growths continued to grow across his body, Dede was unable to do everyday things and lost his job – forced to work in a freak show to make a living.
His wife also left him and he was left to bring up his two children on his own, ridiculed by many of his local rural community south of Jakarta.
But an American skin expert claims to have identified the condition – and says he could find a treatment to change his life.
Dr Anthony Gaspari of the University of Maryland tested samples Dede’s lesions and his blood – first suspecting that he may have the Aids virus as his white blood cell were so low.
He eventually found that the affliction was actually far rarer, and caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
The infection, which causes small warts, is fairly common.
But Dede also has a rare genetic fault that hampers his immune system so the virus was able to “hijack the cellular machinery of his skin cells”.
It means the warts spread unchecked and the tree-like growths, known as “cutaneous horns” have grown on his hands and feet.
"The likelihood of having his deficiency is less than one in a million," Dr Gaspari said.
He now believes that by taking daily doses of a synthetic form of Vitamin A, which has been shown to stop the growth of warts in severe cases of HPV, Dede’s skin can be largely cleared up.
Any warts that remain could be frozen off, and the growths on his hands and feet surgically removed.
“He won't have a perfectly normal body but the warts should reduce in size to the point where he could use his hands," Dr Gaspari said.
"Over the course of three to six months the warts should be come smaller and fewer in number. He will be living a more normal life."
Dr Gaspari hopes to get the necessary drugs free of charge – and would like to try to fly Dede to the States for further examination.
"I would like to bring him to the US to run tests on where his immune condition has come from, but I would need funding and to get him a visa as well as someone to cover the costs of the tests," he said.
"I've never seen anything like this in my entire career."
A MAN who grew tree-like growths covering his body might have a chance of recovery.
Indonesian fisherman Dede, 35, has had warty “roots” growing out of his arms and feet after he cut his knee as a teenager.
As the branch-like growths continued to grow across his body, Dede was unable to do everyday things and lost his job – forced to work in a freak show to make a living.
His wife also left him and he was left to bring up his two children on his own, ridiculed by many of his local rural community south of Jakarta.
But an American skin expert claims to have identified the condition – and says he could find a treatment to change his life.
Dr Anthony Gaspari of the University of Maryland tested samples Dede’s lesions and his blood – first suspecting that he may have the Aids virus as his white blood cell were so low.
He eventually found that the affliction was actually far rarer, and caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
The infection, which causes small warts, is fairly common.
But Dede also has a rare genetic fault that hampers his immune system so the virus was able to “hijack the cellular machinery of his skin cells”.
It means the warts spread unchecked and the tree-like growths, known as “cutaneous horns” have grown on his hands and feet.
"The likelihood of having his deficiency is less than one in a million," Dr Gaspari said.
He now believes that by taking daily doses of a synthetic form of Vitamin A, which has been shown to stop the growth of warts in severe cases of HPV, Dede’s skin can be largely cleared up.
Any warts that remain could be frozen off, and the growths on his hands and feet surgically removed.
“He won't have a perfectly normal body but the warts should reduce in size to the point where he could use his hands," Dr Gaspari said.
"Over the course of three to six months the warts should be come smaller and fewer in number. He will be living a more normal life."
Dr Gaspari hopes to get the necessary drugs free of charge – and would like to try to fly Dede to the States for further examination.
"I would like to bring him to the US to run tests on where his immune condition has come from, but I would need funding and to get him a visa as well as someone to cover the costs of the tests," he said.
"I've never seen anything like this in my entire career."