Cutaneous adenovirus infection in an immunocompromised child.

Adenoviruses are common viral pathogens in childhood; however, cutaneous manifestations are not well-documented. We present a rare case of cutaneous adenovirus infection in a 23-month-old boy with a background of CD40 ligand deficiency, post bone marrow transplant. The clinical morphology of the skin lesions in our patient, described as skin-colored papules with central crusting, has not been previously described and contributes to the growing literature of cutaneous adenovirus cases.

Treatment of cutaneous viral warts in children: A review.

Viral warts or verruca are very common skin infections in children. Although benign, lesions can be extensive, painful, bleed, or lead to cosmetic disfigurement. Although spontaneous resolution can occur, parents often bring their children for treatment, especially when they are symptomatic. Many publications have assessed the efficacy and safety of treatment of warts in adults. However, treatment in children can be challenging due to their immune responses and lower threshold for pain. We review the current literature on the methods, efficacy, and side effect profile of common treatment modalities for cutaneous viral warts in children. There is evidence that salicylic acid and cryotherapy are effective, and although cryotherapy is more effective, there is a higher risk of side effects such as pain and blistering. Combination treatment with salicylic acid and cryotherapy may reduce these side effects. Although there is limited data, other treatment options such as cantharidin, immunotherapy and other mechanical therapies, for example, carbon dioxide lasers, may also be considered, especially for recalcitrant lesions.

Comparison of exacerbation phenotypes among patients with severe asthma.

Background: Exacerbation phenotypes among patients with severe asthma have been largely characterized during stable periods. Little is known about severe asthma patients during exacerbation periods. Objective: To compare persistently frequent exacerbators (PFE), non-persistently frequent exacerbators (NPFE), and infrequent exacerbators (IFE) among patients with severe asthma during stable and exacerbation periods. Methods: Patients with severe asthma who were admitted for asthma exacerbations from 2011 to 2017 and on follow up at Singapore General Hospital were recruited and categorized as PFEs (two or more exacerbations per year over 2 consecutive years), NPFEs (two or more exacerbations in 1 year only), or IFEs (fewer than two exacerbations per year over 2 consecutive years). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at baseline and during exacerbation periods. Results: The participants were categorized as the following: 20 PFEs, 36 NPFEs, and 57 IFEs, with no significant demographic differences. The participants as PFEs (versus NPFEs and IFEs) were characterized by having a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders (25% versus 8% versus 5%; p = 0.046), more comorbidities (7 versus 4 versus 2; p < 0.001), and a higher steroid burden per year (1150 versus 456 versus 350 mg; p < 0.001). The participants who were PFEs (versus IFEs) had a higher total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level (625 versus 232 IU/mL; p = 0.046) and longer duration of admission stay (3 versus 2 days; p = 0.009). All three groups had higher blood neutrophil counts during exacerbation periods than during stable periods (p = 0.008 versus p < 0.001 versus p = 0.004). Conclusion: The participants categorized as PFEs were characterized by comorbidities, higher steroid burden, IgE levels, and longer hospital stays. Exacerbations in the participants with severe asthma, regardless of exacerbation phenotype, were characterized by neutrophilia. These findings provided insights into potential therapeutic strategies to reduce exacerbations in patients with severe asthma.

A case of Paget's disease of bone associated with hypomyopathic dermatomyositis.

Dermatomyositis is associated with malignancies and is known to have systemic involvement. However, associations with bone diseases have not been well described in the current literature. This article describes the second reported case of the co-existence of dermatomyositis and Paget's disease of bone (PDB), but this is the first report to describe such co-existence in a specific subtype of dermatomyositis-hypomyopathic dermatomyositis. Our patient was a 51 year old woman who presented with prolonged fever, myalgia, morning stiffness, and rashes pathognomonic of dermatomyositis. There was no muscle weakness clinically, although muscle enzymes were increased and electromyogram revealed myopathic changes. Further imaging showed the incidental finding of a T11 vertebral bone lesion, of which biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PDB. Our report illustrates the diagnostic approach to bone lesions in patients with dermatomyositis and takes a closer look at the pathophysiology and management implications of the co-occurrence of these two rare diseases.