Risk of Reactivation of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Psoriasis Patients Treated With Biologics: A Retrospective Analysis of 20 Cases From the BIOBADADERM Database.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: A 5% risk of reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been reported in patients with diseases other than psoriasis treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of HBV reactivation in patients with a past history of HBV infection who were receiving biologic therapy for psoriasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a multicenter study of 20 patients with psoriasis who were treated with at least 1 biologic agent. All the patients had serologic evidence of past HBV infection (positive total hepatitis B core antibody and negative hepatitis B surface antibody). We analyzed the clinical, serological, and liver function variables recorded before, during, and at the end of follow-up. The viral load at the end of follow-up was also analyzed for all patients. RESULTS: None of the patients fulfilled the criteria for HBV reactivation at the end of a median follow-up period of 40 months. Combining our data with data from other studies of psoriasis patients with a past history of HBV infection who were treated with a biologic, we calculated a maximum estimated risk of HBV reactivation for a mean follow-up period of 30 months of 2.7 reactivations per 100 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Biologic therapy did not cause HBV reactivation in our series of patients. Nonetheless, because of the potentially serious complications associated with HBV reactivation, it is important to measure viral load in patients with a history of HBV infection prior to initiation of biologic therapy to rule out occult carriage. These patients should also be monitored regularly in conjunction with a hepatologist.

The Keystone Flap in Dermatology: Clinical Experience with 18 Patients. / Aplicación del colgajo de keystone en dermatología. Experiencia clínica en 18 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The keystone flap is a fasciocutaneous flap supplied by perforating arteries. It is used in dermatology to repair surgical defects in areas with low skin extensibility (the upper and lower limbs and the back). We review the clinical experience gained with keystone flap reconstruction at our hospital and report on the surgical outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive retrospective study of patients with malignant skin tumors on the lower limbs who underwent keystone flap reconstruction. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (mean age, 77.83 years) underwent keystone flap reconstruction using the Behan technique in 17 cases and the modified Moncrieff technique in one. Basal cell carcinomas accounted for 38.8% of the tumors excised, squamous cell carcinomas 33.3%, and malignant pigmented tumors 27.7%. Cardiovascular risk factors were observed in 72.2% of patients. Minor complications occurred in 38.8% of patients, and there were no cases of partial or total flap necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: We consider the keystone flap to be a good alternative to other flaps and grafts for the surgical reconstruction of lower limb defects. The success rate was high, and the cosmetic and functional outcomes were good.

[Misdiagnosed childhood sarcoidosis as non-Langerhans' cell histiocytosis treated with tumor necrosis factors-α antagonists]. / Sarcoidosis simulando una histiocitosis no Langerhans, tratada con antagonistas del factor de necrosis tumoral α

Sarcoidosis is a chronic multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown origin. Generalised eruptive histiocytosis is a rare, benign, self-healing, non-Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (non-LCH). We report the case of an 8-year-old girl with sarcoidosis who was misdiagnosed as non-LCH. She was treated with oral corticosteroids, methotrexate and adalimumab, but there was insufficient control of ocular disease. The introduction of infliximab achieved a control of the uveitis and enabled the corticosteroid dose to be tapered. In some cases of sarcoidosis the lack of well-organised granuloma formation at the beginning of the disease, and the presence of prominent giant cells may suggest alternative diagnoses, such as non-LCH. Although the experience of tumour necrosis factor-α antagonists use in children with sarcoidosis is limited, these drugs may be helpful for those patients experiencing a severe and refractory disease.