Congenital ichthyosis presentation and outcome - A case series.

The ichthyosis, also called disorders of keratinization or cornification, are heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by a generalized scaling of the skin of varying severity. The majority of ichthyosis is inherited but acquired forms can develop in the setting of malignancy, autoimmune or infectious disease, and nutritional deficiency. Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis, which include lamellar ichthyosis, congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, and harlequin ichthyosis, are rare; their overall incidence has been estimated at approximately 1 in 300,000 births. In this article, we described four cases of congenital ichthyosis, their potential complications, causes of morbidity and mortality, and discussed the management and importance of genetic testing for diagnosis as definitive diagnosis is important for long-term management and counseling of the parents.

Ictiosis Laminar. Un caso familiar recurrente

Introducción: Las ictiosis hereditarias pueden ser sindrómicas y no sindrómicas, estas últimas, de acuerdo con la expresión fenotípica cutánea, incluyen, ictiosis comunes, ictiosis recesiva ligada al cromosoma X, ictiosis congénita autosómica recesiva, ictiosis queratinopática y otras formas. La ictiosis congénita autosómica recesiva, incluye tres fenotipos principales: La ictiosis arlequín, ictiosis laminar y eritrodermia ictiosiforme congénita. Comunicamos un caso clínico de ictiosis laminar recurrente en una familia. Reporte de caso: Recién nacido pretérmino, tiene hermana de 6 años, con diagnóstico de ictiosis lamelar. Madre niega consanguinidad con esposo, y parientes con esta enfermedad. Al nacer se observa cubierto de membrana colodión en toda la piel, ectropión y eclabio. El manejo inicial, fue gasa vaselinada, lagrimas artificiales, gasas húmedas en los ojos. Actualmente baños con crema de ducha, Shampoo y Aceite mineral, cremas y loción hidratantes y Acitretina, está en franca mejoría. Conclusiones: Con la historia clínica y los antecedentes familiares es posible diagnosticar ictiosis laminar. El manejo es multidisciplinario.

Introduction: Hereditary ichthyosis can be syndromic and non-syndromic, the latter, according to the cutaneous phenotypic expression, include common ichthyosis, X-linked recessive ichthyosis, autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis, keratinopathic ichthyosis and other forms. Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis includes three main phenotypes: harlequin ichthyosis, lamellar ichthyosis, and congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma. We report a clinical case of recurrent lamellar ichthyosis in a family. Case Report: Preterm newborn, has a 6-year-old sister, diagnosed with lamellar ichthyosis. Mother denies consanguinity with husband, and relatives with this disease. At birth, it is observed covered with collodion membrane throughout the skin, ectropion and eclabio. The initial management was Vaseline gauze, artificial tears, wet gauze in the eyes. Currently baths with shower cream, Shampoo and mineral oil, moisturizing creams and lotions and Acitretin, is clearly improving. Conclusions: With the medical history and family history it is possible to diagnose lamellar ichthyosis. Management is multidisciplinary.

A multicenter study on quality of life of the "greater patient" in congenital ichthyoses.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyoses (ARCI) are a genetically heterogeneous group of rare and chronic disorders characterized by generalized skin scaling and hyperkeratosis, erythroderma, and palmoplantar keratoderma. Additional features include ectropion, eclabium, ear deformities, foul-smell, joints contractures and walking problems, recurrent infections, as well as pruritus and pain. No curative therapy is available and disease care mainly relies on daily application of topical emollients and keratolytics to the whole-body surface. Altogether, disease signs and symptoms and treatment modalities have a major impact on quality of life of patients and their caregivers. However, very few studies have evaluated the family disease burden in ARCI. METHODS: We have performed an Italian multicenter cross-sectional study to assess the secondary disease impact on family members of pediatric and adult patients with ARCI, using a validated dermatology-specific questionnaire, the family dermatology life quality index (FDLQI). Disease severity was assessed by the dermatologist in each center. RESULTS: Seventy-eight out of 82 patients who were accompanied by at least one family member filled the FDLQI. Forty-eight (61.5%) patients were aged less than 18 years. The mean FDLQI score was 10.3 (median 10), and the most affected dimensions were (1) time needed for care, (2) extra-housework, and (3) household expenditure. Higher total FDLQI score significantly correlated with more severe disease score (P = 0.003). Features associated with greater family burden included recurrent infections (P = 0.004), foul-smell (P = 0.009), palmoplantar keratoderma (P = 0.041), but also presence of scales on the face (P = 0.039) and ear deformities (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the major socio-economic and psychological burden imposed by ARCI on the QoL of family caregivers. In addition, they show that global evaluation of disease impact also on family members is an essential part of patient-reported outcomes. Finally, our data underline the need to develop specific measures for family support.

Molecular profiling of lamellar ichthyosis pathogenic missense mutations on the structural and stability aspects of TGM1 protein.

Lamellar ichthyosis (LI) is a rare inherited disease where affected infants present a extensive skin scaling characterized by hyperkeratosis. Inherited mutations in the Transglutaminase 1 (TGM1) protein is one of the known causative genetic factor for the LI. The main objective of this study is to explore the impact of LI causative missense mutations on the structural and stability aspects of TGM1 protein using structural modeling, molecular docking and molecular dynamics approaches. By testing all LI causative TMG1 mutations against multiple stability prediction methods, we found that L362R and L388P mutations positioned in the Transglut_core domain were most destabilizing to the stability of TGM1 protein. These 2 mutations were 3D protein modeled and further analyzed by molecular docking and dynamic simulation methods. Molecular docking of these TGM1 mutant structures with chitosan, a natural polyphenolic compound and known inducer for transglutaminase enzyme, has shown stable molecular interactions between the native TGM1-chitosan and TGM1(L388P)-chitosan complex, when compared to the TGM1(L362R)-chitosan complex. Interestingly, molecular dynamics analysis have also yielded similar findings, where L388P-chitosan complex is shown to develop B-sheets and attain better stability, whereas TGM1-L362R complex possessed coils over the simulation period, pointing its highly destabilizing behavior on the protein structure. This study concludes that missense mutations in Transglut_core domain of the TGM1 are deleterious to the stability and structural changes of TGM1 protein and also suggest that chitosan molecule could act as a natural activator against few pathogenic TGM1 mutations. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Combined medical and surgical management for cicatricial ectropion in lamellar ichthyosis: A report of three cases.

Ichthyosis is a rare inherited skin disorder characterized by abnormal keratinization of the epidermis. Cicatricial ectropion is the most common ophthalmic feature of congenital ichthyosis. Progressive subepithelial cicatrization and abnormal cornification of eyelid skin cause progressive ectropion in both eyelids, leading to lagophthalmos and corneal exposure. Surgical correction of cicatricial ectropion in these cases is challenging with unsatisfactory results. Proper processing of the donor and recipient site with lubricants and topical retinoids before surgery makes grafting easier and its survival better. We present three cases of lamellar ichthyosis with cicatricial ectropion managed with combined preoperative topical therapy followed by surgery. All patients had extremely good surgical outcomes, with none of them requiring repeat surgery.

Novel progressive acrodysostosis-like skeletal dysplasia, cerebellar atrophy, and ichthyosis.

Acrodysostosis refers to a rare heterogeneous group of bone dysplasias that share skeletal features, hormone resistance, and intellectual disability. Two genes have been associated with acrodysostosis with or without hormone resistance (PRKAR1A and PDE4D). Severe intellectual disability has been reported with acrodysostosis but brain malformations and ichthyosis have not been reported in these syndromes. Here we describe a female patient with acrodysostosis, intellectual disability, cerebellar hypoplasia, and lamellar ichthyosis. The patient has an evolving distinctive facial phenotype and childhood onset ataxia. X-rays showed generalized osteopenia, shortening of middle and distal phalanges, and abnormal distal epiphysis of the ulna and radius. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed cerebellar atrophy without other brainstem abnormalities. Genetic workup included nondiagnostic chromosomal microarray and skeletal dysplasia molecular panels. These clinical findings are different from any recognized form of acrodysostosis syndrome. Whole exome sequencing did not identify rare or predicted pathogenic variants in genes associated with known acrodysostosis, lamellar ichthyosis, and other overlapping disorders. A broader search for rare alleles absent in healthy population databases and controls identified two heterozygous truncating alleles in FBNL7 and PPM1M genes, and one missense allele in the NPEPPS gene. Identification of additional patients is required to delineate the mechanism of this unique disorder.

Molecular Functionality of Cytochrome P450 4 (CYP4) Genetic Polymorphisms and Their Clinical Implications.

Enzymes in the cytochrome P450 4 (CYP4) family are involved in the metabolism of fatty acids, xenobiotics, therapeutic drugs, and signaling molecules, including eicosanoids, leukotrienes, and prostanoids. As CYP4 enzymes play a role in the maintenance of fatty acids and fatty-acid-derived bioactive molecules within a normal range, they have been implicated in various biological functions, including inflammation, skin barrier, eye function, cardiovascular health, and cancer. Numerous studies have indicated that genetic variants of CYP4 genes cause inter-individual variations in metabolism and disease susceptibility. Genetic variants of CYP4A11, 4F2 genes are associated with cardiovascular diseases. Mutations of CYP4B1, CYP4Z1, and other CYP4 genes that generate 20-HETE are a potential risk for cancer. CYP4V2 gene variants are associated with ocular disease, while those of CYP4F22 are linked to skin disease and CYP4F3B is associated with the inflammatory response. The present study comprehensively collected research to provide an updated view of the molecular functionality of CYP4 genes and their associations with human diseases. Functional analysis of CYP4 genes with clinical implications is necessary to understand inter-individual variations in disease susceptibility and for the development of alternative treatment strategies.

Long-term safety and efficacy of continuous acitretin monotherapy for three children with different severe hyperkeratotic disorders in China.

Long-term systemic treatment with acitretin for severe hyperkeratotic disorders is needed to maintain quality of life of afflicted patients, but treatment has been limited owing to its potential side-effects including skeletal malformations, particularly for children during their growth and development. A retrospective investigation was conducted with three children afflicted with a severe hyperkeratotic disorder, namely Darier's disease, bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma or lamellar ichthyosis, who were continuously maintained on 0.2-0.3 mg/kg per day acitretin for more than 12 years after an initial period at a larger acitretin dose to bring each disease under control. The patients had good responses to acitretin treatment, which was assessed for safety, skeletal abnormalities, growth retardation and other potential side-effects. Acitretin monotherapy was an effective treatment for these children, and maintenance doses were well tolerated with no skeletal or other observable side-effects during the course of the study.

An IL-17-dominant immune profile is shared across the major orphan forms of ichthyosis.

BACKGROUND: The ichthyoses are rare genetic disorders associated with generalized scaling, erythema, and epidermal barrier impairment. Pathogenesis-based therapy is largely lacking because the underlying molecular basis is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize molecularly cutaneous inflammation and its correlation with clinical and barrier characteristics. METHODS: We analyzed biopsy specimens from 21 genotyped patients with ichthyosis (congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, n = 6; lamellar ichthyosis, n = 7; epidermolytic ichthyosis, n = 5; and Netherton syndrome, n = 3) using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR and compared them with specimens from healthy control subjects, patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), and patients with psoriasis. Clinical measures included the Ichthyosis Area Severity Index (IASI), which integrates erythema (IASI-E) and scaling (IASI-S); transepidermal water loss; and pruritus. RESULTS: Ichthyosis samples showed increased epidermal hyperplasia (increased thickness and keratin 16 expression) and T-cell and dendritic cell infiltrates. Increases of general inflammatory (IL-2), innate (IL-1ß), and some TH1/interferon (IFN-γ) markers in patients with ichthyosis were comparable with those in patients with psoriasis or AD. TNF-α levels in patients with ichthyosis were increased only in those with Netherton syndrome but were much lower than in patients with psoriasis and those with AD. Expression of TH2 cytokines (IL-13 and IL-31) was similar to that seen in control subjects. The striking induction of IL-17-related genes or markers synergistically induced by IL-17 and TNF-α (IL-17A/C, IL-19, CXCL1, PI3, CCL20, and IL36G; P < .05) in patients with ichthyosis was similar to that seen in patients with psoriasis. IASI and IASI-E scores strongly correlated with IL-17A (r = 0.74, P < .001) and IL-17/TNF-synergistic/additive gene expression. These markers also significantly correlated with transepidermal water loss, suggesting a link between the barrier defect and inflammation in patients with ichthyosis. CONCLUSION: Our data associate a shared TH17/IL-23 immune fingerprint with the major orphan forms of ichthyosis and raise the possibility of IL-17-targeting strategies.

Triallelic Inheritance of TGM1 and ALOXE3 Mutations Associated with Severe Phenotype of Ichtyosis in an Iranian Family - A Case Report.

Lamellar ichthyosis is one form of congenital autosomal recessive ichthyosis. To date, seven causative genes for ARCI have been identified. To understand further the genetic spectrum of the disease, we analyzed a four-generation Iranian family with ARCI that had observable inheritance. Exome sequencing data for one of the affected individuals with ichthyosis from a consanguineous Iranian family was analyzed. Potential candidate mutations were analyzed in additional family members to determine if the putative mutation segregated with disease status. A novel homozygous mutation (p.D414V) in TGM1 and rs3027232 in ALOXE3 gene in heterozygous form were identified which segregated with disease status in the family. Bioinformatic studies with Polyphen-2 and SIFT showed that these variants are damaging. We identified a possible triallelic inheritance in this study. Moreover, this paper illustrates how advances in genome sequencing technologies could be utilized to rapidly elucidate the molecular basis of inherited skin diseases which can be caused by mutations in multiple disease genes.

A case of lamellar ichthyosis with rickets and carcinoma of the hypopharynx.

Lamellar ichthyosis (LI) is an autosomal recessive disorder rarely associated with systemic organ involvement and development of carcinoma. Rickets has occasionally been described with LI owing to impaired vitamin D synthesis following altered keratinization. There has also been a high association of cutaneous cancers in patients of LI. We as Dermatologists should therefore be very meticulous while doing a full work up of these patients. We report here a case of LI associated with rickets and carcinoma of the hypopharynx.

Ictiosis congénita tipo laminar: reporte de un caso / Congenital lamellar ichthyosis: a case report

INTRODUCCIÓN: La ictiosis tipo laminar es una enfermedad dermatológica infrecuente perteneciente al grupo de las llamadas genodermatosis. Es una forma de ictiosis congénita que es evidente desde el nacimiento. PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: Recién nacido por cesárea, sexo masculino, de 36 semanas de gestación, adecuado para la edad gestacional y con APGAR 8. Antecedentes familiares: padres no consanguíneos y hermano con ictiosis tipo laminar. Luego de nacer es hospitalizado en la Unidad de Neonatología del Hospital de San Fernando, por presentar piel de aspecto rojo brillante, engrosada en cara y parte anterior de tronco con algunas fisuras en zona torácica, sin presencia de láminas de queratina, por lo que estableció el diagnóstico clínico de ictiosis tipo laminar. Se manejó con precauciones de contacto, analgesia, lubricación de la piel y suplementación con ácido retinoico. Evolucionó con descamación y aumento delas fisuras, las que posteriormente empezaron a disminuir quedando una membrana residual y con una adecuada hidratación de piel. Durante su estadía presentó alzas febriles intermitentes por lo que se realizó un hemocultivo que fue positivo a Staphylococcus aureus y cultivos de axilas, ombligo y zona inguinal que resultaron positivos para Enterococcus y Staphylococcus aureus, iniciando tratamiento con Vancomicina. Luego de 7 días de tratamiento, evolucionó favorablemente con disminución de sus lesiones dermatológicas por lo que se dio alta médica. DISCUSIÓN: El diagnóstico oportuno en base al cuadro clínico y manejo adecuado de este paciente ha permitido una adecuada evolución en ausencia de complicaciones.

INTRODUCTION: Lamellar Ichthyosis is a rare skin diseases belonging to the Group of the so-called genodermatoses. It is a form of congenital ichthyosis evident at birth. CASE REPORT: Male neonate, born at 36 weeks of gestation via cesarian section, appropriate for gestational age and Apgar Score 8. Nonconsanguineous parents. Affected brother with Ichthyosis lamellar. Is hospitalized in the Neonatal Intermediary Care Unit of the Hospital of San Fernando due to presence of Glossy red skin, thicker in face and fissures in the chest without collodion membrane. The patient was diagnosed with Lamellar Ichthyosis. Treatment was initiated with insolations precautions, pain relievers and lubrication of the skin, as well as retinoic acid supplementation. Progressed with cracked skin and scaling that subsequently improves leaving a residual membrane and an adequate skin hydration. During his stay, he also presented intermittent fever. Blood culture was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Skin cultures of Armpits, navel and groin were positive for Enterococcusand Staphylococcus aureus, so treatment with vancomycin was started. After 7 days of antibiotic treatment and a favourable evolution with evident improvement of his skin lesions, the patient was discharged from hospital for outpatient management. DISCUSSION: Early diagnosis based on clinical presentation and an appropriate management of this patient, allowed an adequate evolution in the absence of complications.

Bebê arlequim: revisão de literatura e relato de caso / Arlequim baby: literature review and case report

As ictioses correspondem a um grupo heterogêneo de genodermatoses caracterizadas por defeito da queratinização. Existe uma classificação das ictioses dividindo-as em dois grupos: hereditárias e afecções ictisiformes adquiridas; a forma lamelar é a mais grave dessa entidade com incidência de 1:300.000 nascimentos. Relatamos um caso de bebê arlequim, apresentando ao nascimento escamas largas com fissuras difusas e transversais na pele de todo o corpo, ectrópio, eclábio e má formação do pavilhão auricular. Iniciado o uso de antibioticoterapia e acitretina, ao 13º dia apresentou indicativos inflamatórios de sepse, evoluindo para o óbito ao 14° dia de vida. Realizamos revisão bibliográfica da etiologia da ictiose fundamentada em bases genéticas, a forma de realizar o diagnóstico e sua evolução clínica...

Spontaneous corneal perforation in a patient with lamellar ichthyosis and dry eye.

We report spontaneous corneal perforation in a patient with lamellar ichthyosis. The patient presented with complaints of pain, redness, diminished vision, and discharge in her right eye for 15 days. Visual acuities were light perception in the right and 20/400 in the left eye. Cicatricial ectropion in both lower eyelids and 2 mm perforation site in the center of the right cornea were observed. Lamellar ichthyosis was suspected because of scaling and excessive dryness of entire body skin and was confirmed by skin biopsy. Amniotic membrane transplantation and transient tarsorraphy was performed and systemic anti-ichthyosis therapy was started. The follow-up visits were not possible because of patient inconsistency. In patients with cicatricial ectropion secondary to ichthyosis, corneal health should be closely monitored because of the perforation risk.