Molecular characterization of xerosis cutis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Xerosis cutis or dry skin is a highly prevalent dermatological disorder especially in the elderly and in patients with underlying health conditions. In the past decades, numerous molecular markers have been investigated for their association with the occurrence or severity of skin dryness. The aim of this review was to summarize the molecular markers used in xerosis cutis research and to describe possible associations with different dry skin etiologies. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of molecular markers of xerosis cutis caused by internal or systemic changes. References published between 1990 and September 2020 were searched using 'MEDLINE', 'EMBASE' and 'Biological abstracts' databases. Study results were summarized and analyzed descriptively. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO database (CRD42020214173). RESULTS: A total of 21 study reports describing 72 molecules were identified including lipids, natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), proteins including cytokines and metabolites or metabolic products. Most frequently reported markers were ceramides, total free fatty acids, triglycerides and selected components of NMFs. Thirty-one markers were reported only once. Although, associations of these molecular markers with skin dryness were described, reports of unclear and/or no association were also frequent for nearly every marker. CONCLUSION: An unexpectedly high number of various molecules to quantify xerosis cutis was found. There is substantial heterogeneity regarding molecular marker selection, tissue sampling and laboratory analyses. Empirical evidence is also heterogeneous regarding possible associations with dry skin. Total free fatty acids, total ceramide, ceramide (NP), ceramide (NS), triglyceride, total free amino acids and serine seem to be relevant, but the association with dry skin is inconsistent. Although the quantification of molecular markers plays an important role in characterizing biological processes, pathogenic processes or pharmacologic responses, it is currently unclear which molecules work best in xerosis cutis.

Dermatological complications of therapy with biologics in inflammatory autoimmune diseases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cutaneous adverse events (CAEs) occur in up to 10 % of patients with immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) treated with antitumor necrosis factor (TNF)α agents. The aim of this clinical study was to track and observe the course of CAEs in all biologic therapies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The population for this study consisted of patients with CAEs under biologic therapy who were examined by experienced board-certified dermatologists in the outpatient department of the University Hospital Essen, Department of Dermatology. RESULTS: Altogether 39 patients with a total of 45 CAEs were included in this study. In 60 % of the cases a form of paradoxical psoriasis was diagnosed. Two thirds (66.6 %) of the patients with CAEs were diagnosed with an underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). TNFα antagonists were the triggering agents in about 95 % of the cases. Changes in biological therapy were required in nearly half of the cases (46.2 %). Almost 90 % of the patients had either a complete (42.1 %) or a partial response (47 %). CONCLUSIONS: Management of CEAs under biological therapy can be challenging in clinical practice. Case discussions between gastroenterologists, rheumatologists and dermatologists should be undertaken to best manage patients with CAEs and avoid unnecessary changes of therapy.

Melanocytic lesions with eczematous reaction (Meyerson's phenomenon) - a histopathologic analysis of 64 cases.

BACKGROUND: Eczematous (spongiotic) reaction in melanocytic lesions (Meyerson's phenomenon) has not been systematically analyzed and has not been convincingly documented in melanoma. METHODS: We analyzed 64 consecutive melanocytic lesions with spongiotic reaction, occurring in 57 patients (age range 14-81 years; mean, 39 years; 30 females, 27 males) including 16 common acquired nevi, 3 nevi with congenital features, 2 Spitz nevi, 29 dysplastic nevi, 6 in situ and 8 invasive melanomas. RESULTS: The intensity of the spongiotic reaction was graded as mild in 24 (38%), moderate in 22 (34%) and marked in 18 (28%) lesions. It was moderate/marked in 6 of 14 (43%) in situ or invasive melanomas. Upward migration of melanocytes in the epidermis was noted in 7 (33%) non-dysplastic and 10 (34%) dysplastic nevi but was generally limited to the lower half of the epidermis. Moderate/severe cytologic atypia was found in 14 (48%) dysplastic nevi and all melanomas but not in non-dysplastic nevi. CONCLUSIONS: Prominent spongiotic reaction with eosinophils in the inflammatory infiltrate can affect all types of melanocytic lesions. Upward migration involving the uppermost layers of the epidermis, especially when extensive and present in areas with a less pronounced spongiotic reaction, and moderate/severe cytologic atypia indicate a melanoma.

[Disseminated perinaevic Meyerson phenomenon revealing melanoma]. / Phénomène de Meyerson périnævique disséminé révélateur d'un mélanome.

BACKGROUND: Meyerson phenomenon (MP) consists of an eczematous reaction occurring around a pre-existing dermatologic lesion that is usually melanocytic and generally benign, and which is known as a Meyerson naevus. We report a case of multiple Meyerson naevi revealing melanoma, which itself was surrounded by a halo of eczema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 55-year-old man of phototype III with atopic eczema presented for pruritic eczema present for a fortnight, found solely on and around the naevi on his trunk and at roots of his limbs. One of the melanocytic lesions affected by these Meyerson phenomena was clinically atypical and had been active for several years. Excision confirmed the diagnosis of level II extensive superficial melanoma measuring 0.75 mm in thickness and associated with lesional and perilesional eczematous remodelling. After surgery involving a 1-cm excision margin and local corticosteroid therapy of the eczema, the Meyerson phenomenon subsided with complete remission of the melanoma at 1 year. DISCUSSION: Meyerson phenomenon can affect one or more naevi at the same time; it is generally transient, may recur on occasion, and has a favourable outcome either spontaneously or with corticosteroid treatment. When not removed for histological verification, the melanocytic lesion regains its initial appearance following resolution of the phenomenon. MP differs from Sutton phenomenon (SP), which is a perinaevic vitiligo reaction leading to complete or partial regression of the melanocytic lesion, which may be either benign or malignant. CONCLUSION: This case of Meyerson phenomenon revealing melanoma shows that the melanocytic lesions targeted by MP are not necessarily benign.

Severe skin lesions cause patients with inflammatory bowel disease to discontinue anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Psoriasiform and eczematiform lesions are associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapies. We assessed clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of skin disease in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases that presented with psoriasiform and eczematiform lesions induced by anti-TNF-α agents. METHODS: We studied 85 patients (69 with Crohn's disease, 15 with ulcerative colitis, and 1 with indeterminate colitis; 62 women) with inflammatory skin lesions (62 psoriasiform and 23 eczematiform lesions). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients had a history of inflammatory skin lesions and 15 had a familial history of inflammatory skin disease. Locations of eczematiform lesions varied whereas scalp and flexural varieties were mostly psoriasiform. Skin lesions emerged but inflammatory bowel disease was quiescent in 69 patients following treatment with any type of anti-TNF-α agent (60 with infliximab, 20 with adalimumab, and 5 with certolizumab). Topical therapy resulted in partial or total remission in 41 patients. Patients with psoriasiform lesions that were resistant to topical therapy and that changed anti-TNF-α therapies once or twice developed recurring lesions. Overall, uncontrolled skin lesions caused 29 patients to stop taking TNF-α inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory skin lesions following therapy with TNF-α inhibitors occurred most frequently among women and patients with a personal or familial history of inflammatory skin disease; lesions did not correlate with intestinal disease activity. Recurring and intense skin lesions caused 34% of patients in this study to discontinue use of anti-TNF-α agents.

Meyerson phenomenon within a nevus flammeus. The different eczematous reactions within port-wine stains.

Only few reports about eczematous reactions overlying nevi flammei exist. All of them were observed in children. The description of an eczematous reaction within a congenital nevus flammeus on the left lower leg of a male adult gives reason to discuss this rare phenomenon. Eczema or inflammatory changes within a port-wine stain may mostly be a collision dermatosis with an atopic dermatitis, especially when they arise in children and are localized to the neck and face. When they are observed within a grossly visible vascular malformation, as for example in the Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, they may have a pathogenesis similar to stasis dermatitis. In rare cases, an eczematous reaction within a nevus flammeus may be the result of genetic mosaicism and is interpreted as a variant of the so-called Meyerson phenomenon.

The role of cytology in the diagnosis of Paget's disease of the nipple.

Although rare, eczematous skin changes ascribed to Paget's disease of the nipple nevertheless warrant timely diagnosis. However this may occasionally be delayed due to a reluctance to proceed to traditional diagnostic techniques of wedge biopsy, surgical excision or punch biopsy. In this communication we describe 11 cases of unilateral mammary Paget's disease, in which an unequivocal cytodiagnosis was made from nipple scrapings. In five of these cases an underlying ductal carcinoma of the breast was simultaneously diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of a palpable breast lump. All 11 cases were subsequently proven histologically to be Paget's disease. Despite the fact that the use in dermatology of scrape smears and fine needle aspiration cytology remains somewhat unpopular, it is suggested that the screening of any eczematous skin change of the nipple should be considered using the simple, reliable and non-invasive technique of scrape cytology.

[Halo eczema around a histiocytofibroma: the Meyerson phenomenon]. / Halo eczématiforme autour d'un histiocytofibrome: phénomène de Meyerson.

We report a case of dermatitis forming a halo around a dermatofibroma. This phenomenon has initially been described around a naevocellular naevus and called Meyerson's naevus, then around other non naevus skin lesions. So far, it had not yet been reported around a dermatofibroma. The condition seems to be non-specific reaction of unknown mechanisms that does not modify the course or the prognosis of this circumscribed lesion.