Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy finding of different anatomic sites of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

BACKGROUND: Recognizing Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) might be a challenge due to its rarity. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and dermoscopy were emergent promising non-invasive technique as auxiliary tools in diagnosis of different skin conditions. However, the RCM and dermoscopic features of LCH had been less investigated. To reveal the common RCM and dermoscopic features of LCH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty cases of LCH were retrospectively analyzed according to age, locations, clinical, RCM, and dermoscopic features from September 2016 to December 2022. To reveal the differences and common in clinical, RCM, and dermoscopic features that occur in different anatomic location. RESULTS: In the study, sites of predilection include the trunk 31/40 (77.5%), extremity 21/40 (52.5%), face 14/40 (35%), scalp 11/40 (27.5%), vulvar 4/40 (10%), and nail 2/40 (5%). All LCHs had the common RCM features. There were significant differences in clinical and dermoscopic features for age and lesion anatomic site. The common dermoscopic features for scalp, face, trunk, and extremity were the erythematous scaly rash, purplish-red globules or patches, scar-like streaks with ectatic vessels. While the features for nail LCH were purpuric striae, onycholysis and purulent scaly rash, and the erosive erythematous plaque and purulent scaly rash for vulvar LCH. The common RCM features of all LCH showed a focal highly reflective dense image in the surface keratin layer, epidermis architectural disarray, obscuration of dermo-epidermal junction, numerous polygonal, large, medium reflective, short dendrites cells in the epidermis, and dermis. All LCH involving the vulvar and nail did not manifest skin lesions. CONCLUSION: RCM and dermoscopy showed promising value for diagnosis and differentiation of LCH.

Clinical efficacy and safety of two different hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether-mediated photodynamic therapy regimen in Chinese children with port-wine stain.

Hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether-photodynamic therapy (HMME-PDT) has achieved encouraging clinical outcomes in adult port-wine stain (PWS). Optimal treatment option for children with PWS was minimal. To compare whether the clinical effectiveness of HMME-PDT with the 5-min (fast) administration treatment regimen (FATR) was better than the 20-min (slow) administration treatment regimen (SATR) for PWS of children in vivo and in vitro. Thirty-four children with PWS were divided into two groups including FATR and SATR. The two groups received three times HMME-PDT, respectively. Treatment efficacy and safety were evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Erythema index (EI) was used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Both FATR and SATR were effective and safe in children with PWS after HMME-PDT. There were significance differences between the two groups in reductions of EI after the second treatment (p < 0.001) and the third treatment (p < 0.001) with HMME-PDT. The serum HMME concentration reach the peak level at short time compare with SATR group. A significance increased superoxide levels were observed in FATR group compare to SATR groups in vitro (p < 0.05). Our study suggested that HMME-PDT was effective and safe for children with PWS, the therapy regimen with FATR was better in clinical efficacy than that of the SATR.

Anxiety, depression and associated factors among caretakers of children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among caretakers of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and associated factors is unclear. The study was designed to explore anxiety and depression symptoms among caretakers of AD, and screen factors associated with anxiety and depression symptoms. METHODS: A total of 901 children with AD and their caretakers were continuously enrolled and interviewed at dermatology department of Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China. Children's medication was administered by their caretakers. Caretakers' anxiety and depression symptoms were evaluated by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, while medication compliance was evaluated and divided into poor (< 6 points), moderate (6-7 points), and good (> 7 points) by Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Multilevel ordered logistic regression was used to screen factors associated with caretakers' anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Among caretakers, 41.5% had anxiety symptoms, 39.6% had depression symptoms, 51.4% have any of the two and 29.7% had both of the two. Factors associated with caretakers' anxiety symptoms included longer duration of the illness (OR, 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99) and taking care of children with severe AD (OR, 2.55, 95% CI 1.43-4.55). Factors associated with caretakers' depression symptoms included higher educational level (OR, 0.56, 95% CI 0.39-0.80), taking care of children with moderate (OR, 2.01, 95% CI 1.15-3.50) and severe AD (OR, 3.99, 95% CI 2.10-7.59) and poor medication compliance (OR, 3.45, 95% CI 1.13-10.56). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among caretakers of AD were high. Attention should be paid to caretakers of AD at higher risk for those psychological problems.

Cheek Microbial Communities Vary in Young Children with Atopic Dermatitis in China.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent skin condition with recently increased incidence in younger children. AD development has been correlated with the skin microbiome, and Staphylococcus aureus enrichment causes significant increases in skin lesions. OBJECTIVE: Our objectives were to compare the microbial diversity of the cheek skin of children with or without AD aged 0-1 years in China, and to determine whether 4 types of skin-isolated bacteria could inhibit S. aureus in vitro. METHODS: The skin microbial samples of cheek skin of children were sequenced by 16S rRNA V1-V2 region. Four skin isolated bacterial fermentation supernatants were tested for effects on S. aureus growth, membrane formation, and induction of cytokine secretion from HaCaT cells. RESULTS: Bacterial diversity decreased significantly in skin with severe AD compared to healthy skin (p < 0.01). Seven phyla had content >1%, 4 of which differed in AD (p < 0.05). 38 genera had content >1%, 15 differed (p < 0.05). Differences in 8 species were observed (p < 0.05). In vitro antibacterial and cellular experiments showed that S. aureus growth, biofilm formation, and induction of interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-6 secretion from HaCaT cells were significantly inhibited by Klebsiella oxytoca, Kocuria rhizophila, and Staphylococcus epidermidis culture supernatants (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Skin microbiome changes in children varied with age and with AD. There were complex interactions between skin isolated bacteria and S. aureus which could inhibit S. aureus growth and biofilm formation in vitro, suggesting that these microorganisms could be used in AD treatment.

Shifts in the skin microbiome associated with diaper dermatitis and emollient treatment amongst infants and toddlers in China.

BACKGROUND: The microbiological basis of diaper dermatitis has not been clearly elucidated; however, a better understanding of microbial colonization may be vital for developing appropriate therapies. METHODS: Using 16S-rRNA gene sequencing technology, we characterized and compared the bacterial communities obtained from the buttock skin sites of children with diaper dermatitis and from healthy controls. Bacterial diversity in the buttock lesion area and subsequent recovery after emollient treatment have been discussed herein. RESULTS: In buttock skin of children with or without diaper dermatitis, Staphylococcus and Anaerococcus were predominant in the total skin microbiome. Compared with the healthy group, the overall skin bacterial richness and diversity were higher in children with diaper dermatitis, with the abundance of Proteobacteria being significantly higher. In the diaper dermatitis group, the richness of Enterococcus, Erwinia and Pseudomonas was significantly higher, and the levels of Clostridium and Actinomyces were significantly lower than those in healthy children. Richness of Staphylococcus aureus was significantly higher in the diaper dermatitis group, whereas that of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bifidobacterium longum was lower. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus, the dominant species found in buttock skin, were observed to recover earlier after the disease had improved through emollient treatment. CONCLUSION: Staphylococcus epidermidis, as skin probiotic bacterium, and B longum, Clostridium butyricum and Lactobacillus ruminis, which are intestinal probiotic bacteria, are significantly decreased in diaper dermatitis lesions. These changes in the buttock skin microflora indicate an imbalance in the microflora and suggest that the intestinal microflora may be undergoing dynamic changes. The results of this study suggest that probiotic bacterial supplementation may be useful in the treatment and prevention of diaper dermatitis.

Alterations in the skin microbiome are associated with disease severity and treatment in the perioral zone of the skin of infants with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic relapsing inflammatory pruritic skin disorder with a unique pathophysiology, has a high incidence in the perioral zone among infants. This study aimed to analyze the association of skin microfloral dynamics with disease severity and treatment of AD in 0-1-year-old infants. Based on the eczema area and severity index, subjects were divided into five groups, i.e., mild, moderate, severe, and severe post-treatment, with a healthy control group, and bacterial density at the perioral lesion, disease severity, and treatment were assessed in 0-1-year-old infants with AD. The perioral lesions were colonized predominantly by Firmicutes, followed in abundance by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. In the phylum Firmicutes, Streptococcus was the most predominant genus. In AD infants, the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Fusobacterium decreased significantly with an increase in disease severity (p < 0.01). The abundance of 6 genera, including Prevotella, decreased significantly with an increase in disease severity (p < 0.05). The abundance of Prevotella melaninogenica decreased gradually with an increase in disease severity and increased after treatment; this trend was reversed for Corynebacterium simulans. A reduction in the abundance of Staphylococcus and an increase in that of skin microflora including Prevotella spp., Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Erwinia dispersa were associated with treatment and clinical improvement. Skin bacterial composition varies with AD severity, and Corynebacterium simulans and Prevotella melaninogenica are positively and negatively correlated with AD severity, respectively. This study provides a theoretical basis to identify potential biomarkers AD occurrence and pathogenesis.

SATB1 overexpression promotes malignant T-cell proliferation in cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disease by repressing p21.

Cutaneous CD30(+) lymphoproliferative disease (CD30(+)LPD), characterized by the presence of CD30(+) anaplastic large T cells, comprises the second most common group of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). However, little is known about the pathobiology of the CD30(+) lymphoma cells, as well as the mechanisms of disease progression. Here we report that Special AT-rich region binding protein 1 (SATB1), a thymocyte specific chromatin organizer, is over-expressed in CD30(+) lymphoma cells in most CD30(+)LPDs, and its expression is upregulated during disease progression. Our findings show that SATB1 silencing in CD30(+)LPD cells leads to G1 cell cycle arrest mediated by p21 activation. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase assays, and mutational analysis, we demonstrate that SATB1 directly regulates the transcription of p21 in a p53-independent manner. Moreover, DNA demethylation on a specific CpG-rich region of the SATB1 promoter is associated with the upregulation of SATB1 during disease progression. These experiments define a novel SATB1-p21 pathway in malignant CD30(+) T lymphocytes, which provides novel molecular insights into the pathogenesis of CD30(+)LPDs and possibly leads to new therapies.

The association of BRAF V600E gene mutation with proliferative activity and histopathological characteristics of congenital melanocytic nevi in children.

BACKGROUND: A lot of congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) carry the somatic mutation in the oncogene BRAF V600E. But the detailed histopathologic characteristics and the proliferative activity of CMN with BRAF V600E gene mutation have not been systematically documented. OBJECTIVE: To identify the proliferative activity and histopathological features correlating them with BRAF V600E gene mutation status in CMN. METHODS: CMN were retrospectively identified from the laboratory reporting system. Mutations were determined by Sanger sequencing. The CMN were divided into a mutant group and control group according to whether there was BRAF gene mutation and were strictly matched according to gender, age, nevus size, and location. Histopathological analysis, analysis of Ki67 expression by immunohistochemistry and laser confocal fluorescence microscopy were performed. RESULTS: The differences in Ki67 index, the depth of nevus cell involvement and the number of nevus cell nests between the mutant group and the control group was statistically significant, with p-values of 0.041, 0.002 and 0.007, respectively. Compared with BRAF V600E negative nevi, BRAF V600E positive nevi often exhibited predominantly nested intraepidermal melanocytes, and larger junctional nests, but the difference in this data sets were not statistically significant. The number of nests (p = 0.001) was positively correlated with the proportion of Ki67 positive cells. STUDY LIMITATIONS: A small sample of patients were included and there was no follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: BRAF V600E gene mutations were associated with high proliferative activity and distinct histopathological features in congenital melanocytic nevi.

Application of lipidomics to reveal differences of facial skin surface lipids between atopic dermatitis and healthy infants.

BACKGROUND: The current knowledge about potential risk factors for atopic dermatitis (AD) is primarily based on the structure and function of the stratum corneum, which is characterized by osmotic defects and abnormal antibacterial function. There are no studies on the difference between facial lipids in infants with AD and healthy infants. AIMS: We sought to explore significantly different lipid markers for infants with AD presenting with lesions and healthy infants aged 0-2 years to guide treatment strategies. METHODS: Twenty-eight patient infants with AD and 32 healthy infants were recruited. Each infant received its surface skin lipids (SSL) on the right cheek. The components of skin lipids were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupoletime-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) to explore significantly different lipid markers by analyzing the detection results using orthogonal partial least squares analysis(OPLS-DA). RESULTS: There were clear distinctions in the components of SSL between the two groups. Twenty-nine significantly different lipid markers (P ≤ .05) were found. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that there were significant differences in the components of the SSL between AD infants with lesions and healthy infants, but also found lipid types, lipid contents, and lipid structures as AD-related risks.