Expression Levels of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress-Related Genes in Skin Biopsies and Their Association with Pityriasis Alba.

Background and objectives: Pytiriasis alba (PA) is a common skin disorder which affects 80% of children between six and 16 years. The etiology of PA is unclear, but hypo-pigmented patches in photo-exposed zones characterize the disease. Because the high ultraviolet exposition of the skin promotes an acute inflammatory response and an increase of oxidative stress (OS), this study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of inflammatory and OS-related genes in skin biopsies, and their association with PA. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. Skin biopsies of the lesion sites and healthy skin (controls) from 16 children with PA were evaluated. The tissue expression of IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, TNFα, INFγ, IL-1ß, SOD1, and HMOX1 was analyzed by qRT-PCR, using SYBR Green and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene as the endogenous control. Results: There were differences in the ΔCq values of HMOX1, SOD1, IL-6, and IFNγ between tissue with lesions and healthy skin (p < 0.05). Compared with healthy skin, IL-6, IFNγ, HMOX1, and SOD1 were predominantly under-expressed in the lesion sites. However, 25% of skin biopsies with lesions showed over-expression of these four genes. Positive correlations between the expression of IL-6 and HMOX1, SOD1, and IFNγ (p < 0.05) were also observed. Conclusions: Our results suggest the presence of molecular stages of PA, defined according to the over-expression (first stage) or under-expression (second stage) of the HMOX1, SOD1, IL-6, and IFNγ genes in abnormal skin tissue. These findings may have implications for the selection of treatment for PA-related lesions.

Skin diseases associated with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disorder, characterized by an abnormal skin barrier, immune dysfunction, and an altered skin microbiome. Atopic dermatitis may be seen in conjunction with a variety of other skin disorders due to the complex pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, involving genetic and environmental factors that are associated with immune dysfunction, barrier defects, and altered skin microbiomes. Skin disorders associated with atopic dermatitis include diseases sharing similar genetic origins like ichthyosis vulgaris, infectious diseases such as impetigo, and eczema herpeticum, in addition to the cutaneous autoimmune diseases, alopecia areata, and vitiligo. Atopic dermatitis is also often linked to such benign conditions as pityriasis alba and keratosis pilaris. This review discusses the cutaneous comorbidities of atopic dermatitis and their relationship via their occurrence in conjunction with atopic dermatitis.

Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pitiriasis alba en población de 6 a16 años en colegios nacionales del distrito de Manuel A. Mesones Muro, Lambayeque, Perú / Clinico-epidemiological fetaures of pityriasis alba in six- to sixteen- year old children in public schools in Manuel A. Mesones-Muro district Lambayeque, Perú

Objetivo: Describir las características clínico-epidemiológicas de la pitiriasis alba en la población de 6 a 16 años en los colegios nacionales del distrito de Mesones Muro, durante el periodo MarzoûJunio 2010. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y transversal. Se usó una ficha de recolección de datos clínicos- epidemiológicos y una ficha de patologías asociadas y antecedentes dirigida a padres o apoderados. Se utilizó el programa Epidat v.3,1, para hallar el índice kappa que indicó la fiabilidad de concordancia entre evaluadores. Se utilizó toda la población de 6 a 16 años de colegios nacionales que pertenecen a la jurisdicción educativa del distrito. Se usó estadística descriptiva y analítica, con nivel de significancia p<0,05. Para el análisis se empleó el programa SPSS v.17,0. Resultados: De 548 estudiantes, 390(71,2%) presentaron pitiriasis alba. La edad promedio fue de 10,16±2,99 años; sexo masculino 52,6%; etapa adolescente 55,1%; localización más frecuente cara con 93,6%; lesiones múltiples en 92,3%; fototipo de piel más afectado IV con 61,8%; tiempo de enfermedad fue 5,34 ±6,85 años. Hay asociación entre pitiriasis alba con: patologías asociadas de acné; antecedentes personales de pitiriasis alba y atopía; y antecedentes familiares de pitiriasis alba y rinitis alérgica, encontrada con prueba chi2 y test exacto de Fisher con p<0,05. Conclusiones: La pitiriasis alba en Mesones Muro es un problema común. Las características epidemiológicas difieren de las encontradas en otras poblaciones, las características clínicas son similares a otras poblaciones. Se encontró asociación entre pitiriasis alba con patología asociada de acné; antecedentes personales de pitiriasis alba y atopía; mas no se encontró asociación de pitiriasis alba con sexo y edad por etapas de vida.

Objective: To describe clinical and epidemiological features of pityriasis alba in a 6- to 16- year old population of students from public schools in Mesones-Muro district, from March to June 2010. Materials and methods: This is a descriptive, prospective and crosssectional study. We collected clinical and epidemiological data, including associated diseases and clinical history in a specially designed form, which was administered to parents and/or guardians. We used the Epidat v. 3.1 software, in order to find the kappa index which indicated the reliability of agreement between raters. We surveyed the whole 6- to16- year old schoolchildren population from public schools belonging to this district educational jurisdiction. We used descriptive and analytical statistics, and significance was fixed with using a p <0.05 value. SPSSv.17.0. software was used for data analysis. Results: Out of 548 students assessed, 390 (71.2%) had pityriasis alba.Their average age was 10.16 ± 2.99 years, 52.6% were male, and 55.1% were adolescents. Facial lesions were found in 93.6%, multiple lesions in 92.3%, the skin phototype IV was most frequently affected (61.8%), and the time with the condition was 5.34 ± 6.85 years. We found an association between pityriasis alba and the following conditions: acne, a history of atopy, and a family history of pityriasis alba and allergic rhinitis, according to chi2 testing and FisherÆs exact test all with p <0.05. Conclusions: Pityriasis alba is a common problem in Mesones-Muro district. Its epidemiological characteristics differ from those found in other populations, but its clinical features are similar to those reported in other populations. There was an association between pityriasis alba with associated conditions, such as acne and a history of atopy, but there was no association between pityriasis alba and sex and life development stages.

Pityriasis alba revisited: perspectives on an enigmatic disorder of childhood.

Pityriasis alba (PA) is a localized hypopigmented disorder of childhood with many existing clinical variants. It is more often detected in individuals with a darker complexion but may occur in individuals of all skin types. Atopy, xerosis, and mineral deficiencies are potential risk factors. Sun exposure exacerbates the contrast between normal and lesional skin, making lesions more visible and patients more likely to seek medical attention. Poor cutaneous hydration appears to be a common theme for most risk factors and may help elucidate the pathogenesis of this disorder. The end result of this mechanism is inappropriate melanosis manifesting as hypopigmentation. It must be differentiated from other disorders of hypopigmentation, such as pityriasis versicolor alba, vitiligo, nevus depigmentosus, and nevus anemicus. Alleviation of the various risk factors via patient education on proper skin care and hygiene, use of lubricants and emollients, topical corticosteroid therapy in the presence of inflammation, and the novel administration of topical anti-inflammatory drugs such as calcineurin inhibitors can play a crucial role in promoting remission or resolution.

Estudo epidemiológico da pitiríase versicolor na cidade de João Pessoa, PB, de 1999 a 2008 / Epidemiological studies of pityriasis versicolor in the city of João Pessoa,PB, from 1999 to 2008

A Pitiríase versicolor(PV) é uma micose superficial causada por leveduras do gênero Malassezia. Caracteriza­-se por manchas de tonalidades diversas, arredondadas, que podem formar placas, com descamação furfurácea. 0 diagnóstico de PV é clínico, associado ao exame micológico direto e cultura. Buscou-se avaliar a epidemiologia da PV na cidade de João Pessoa, PB, correlacionando sexo, faixa etária, raça, localizações das lesões e exame direto e cultura. 0 estudo exploratório e descritivo foi realizado no Laboratório de Micologia do Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas/CCS da Universidade Federal da Paraíba de 1999 a 2008. Em 196 pacientes com suspeita clínica de PV, houve predomínio no gênero feminino (62,24%). A faixa etária de 21 a 30 anos de idade foi a mais acometida. Houve registro de 53,57% pardos, 46,42% brancos, sem registro de negros. A região anatômica mais envolvida foi o trance (71,36%). 0 exame direto e cultura foram realizados para confirmar o diagnóstico. A PV ocorre em todas as idades, em especial adolescentes e adultos, sendo o gênero feminino e indivfduos da cor parda os rnais afetados.

Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a superficial mycosis caused by yeasts of the genus Malassezia. It is characterized by round patches of various shades, which can form plaques with desquamation furfuracea. The diagnosis of PV is clinical and it is associated with the direct mycological examination and culture. The exploratory and descriptive study was conducted at the Laboratory of Mycology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences /CCS,Universidade Federal da Paraiba from 1999 to 2008. In 196 patients with clinical suspicion of PV, there was a predominance in females (62.24%). The age group 21 to 30 years of age was the most affected. There was record of 53.57% brown, 46.42% white, with no record of blacks. The most involved anatomical region was the trunk (71.36%). The direct examination and culture were performed to confirm the diagnosis. The PV occurs in all ages, especially adolescents and adults, being the females of brown color the most affected individuals.

Levantamento de casos de pitiríase versicolor em Goiânia-GO, Brasil / Research on pityriasis versicolor cases of Goiânia-GO, Brazil

A pitiríase versicolor é uma infecção fúngica superficial e cosmopolita, provocada por leveduras do gênero Malassezia. Indivíduos humanos, após a puberdade, são os mais suscetíveis à manifestação dessa micose, devido à característica lipofílica do fungo. Um estudo retrospectivo foi realizado no período de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 1999, sendo analisadas 1.805 fichas de pacientes atendidos no setor de micologia de um laboratório da rede privada de Goiânia-GO, Brasil. No grupo de indivíduos humanos acometidos de micoses superficiais, a prevalência de pitiríase versicolor foi de 17,0 por cento. No estudo realizado a maioria dos pacientes com essa micose era do sexo feminino, na faixa etária entre 31 e 40 anos, pele de cor morena e possuía lesões furfuráceas hipopigmentadas na região dorsal do corpo. Assim a pitiríase versicolor continua sendo uma das doenças fúngicas relevantes dentro das micoses que acometem a superfície da pele do homem.

Pityriasis rotunda in childhood.

Pityriasis rotunda is a rare disease characterized by round or oval patches, localized mainly on the trunk, arms, and legs. The patches are usually lighter than the surrounding skin, but sometimes may be darker, and are covered by fine, adherent scales. Two types of pityriasis rotunda have been described. Type I has been observed mainly in oriental and black patients older than 60 years of age, and is often associated with systemic disease or malignancy. Type II has been observed in white patients younger than 40 years of age, is often familial, and has never been observed in association with malignancy or internal disease. On Sardinia, a cluster of patients with type II pityriasis rotunda has been described. From 1981 until 1998, 51 cases of this disease have been observed in the Department of Dermatology, University of Sassari; 32 of them were children. The great prevalence of pityriasis rotunda on Sardinia, an island which until 40 years ago had limited contact with the Italian mainland, and the presence of a large number of familial cases suggest that type II pityriasis rotunda should be considered a genetically determined disease. The trend toward spontaneous resolution after the age of 20 years suggests that pityriasis rotunda should be considered a genodermatosis with a temporary phenotypic expression.

[Pityriasis rotunda: second Tunisian case]. / Pityriasis rotunda: 2ème cas Tunisien.

Pityriasis Rotunda is a dermatosis well known in Japan and Black Africa. Its unusual in Europe and North Africa. Several authors consider that Pityriasis Rotunda is an acquired ichtyose and that it represents a real paraneoplastic syndrome. We report the case of Tunisian men suffering from a Pityriasis Rotunda associated to a dilatation of branch.

The prevalence of skin conditions in Romanian school children.

Virtually nothing is known about the prevalence of skin conditions in children in the general population. Although we know something about the relative frequency of skin conditions seen by dermatologists, we do not know how such referrals are influenced by factors such as social class, accessibility to medical services or educational and cultural background. In order to estimate the burden and relative frequency of dermatological disease in children in the community, we measured the point prevalence of skin conditions in 1114 Romanian schoolchildren aged 6-12 years, using the British Association of Dermatologists diagnostic index. The overall point prevalence of children with one or more skin diseases was 22.8%, with no significant differences according to age group or sex, except for pityriasis alba which showed a male predominance (P = 0. 007). The most common diseases were infectious dermatoses such as viral warts and insect bites (6.3%), dermatitis/eczema (5.1%), pityriasis alba (5.1%), keratosis pilaris (4.0%) and urticaria (1. 9%). Together, these five groups accounted for more than 84% of the cases. Of the 1114 children, 213 (19.1%) had only one skin disease and 41 (3.7%) had two skin diseases. While acknowledging the limitations in defining which skin conditions can benefit from medical care, this study suggests that skin disorders are common in Romanian schoolchildren, affecting about one-quarter of 6-12 year olds. Such a point prevalence is likely to be conservative because of the tendency of prevalence estimates to exclude many other dermatoses of short duration. The finding that over 80% of the disorders can be grouped into fewer than six categories is important in informing training programmes and delivery of service for primary health care teams. This study provides a baseline for further studies into the morbidity and use of health care services by children with skin disease in the community.

Pitiríase versicolor: atualizaçäo bibliográfica / Tinea versicolor: bibliographic review

Com base em importantes trabalhos da literatura internacional realizados na última década sobre Pitiríase versicolor, os autores fazem uma extensa revisäo bibliográfica do tema, abordando especialmente aspectos históricos, etiológicos, etiopatogênicos, epidemiológicos, histopatológicos, clínicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos

Clinicopathologic study on pityriasis alba.

Pityriasis alba (PA) is a relatively common skin disorder usually seen in children and young adults characterized by the presence of superficial hypopigmented macules. A clinicopathologic study on pityriasis alba was undertaken which showed an increased occurrence of the disease in preadolescent children with an equal incidence in boys and girls, and a predominance of white over black patients. There was an increased personal history of atopy and the skin lesions were found to occur most frequently in the arms and face followed by the legs and the trunk. Histologic evaluation of biopsy specimens of PA showed consistent spongiosis, follicular spongiosis, focal parakeratosis and acanthosis in the epidermis together with a superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate.

Clinicopathologic study on pityriasis alba

Pityriasis alba (PA) is a relatively common skin disorder usually seen in children and young adults characterized by the presence of superficial hypopigmented macules. A clinicopathologic study on pityriasis alba was undertaken which showed an increased ocurrence of the disease in preadolescent children with

Censo Epidemiológico de lesôes e afeccôes cutâneas em escolares de Ribeirâo Prêto, S. P., Brasil / Epidemiologieal census of cutaneous lesions in schoolchildren of R. Preto, S.P., Brazil

Um total de 5150 escolares de 6 a 16 anos foram examinados em uma cidade subtropical. Excluídas cicatrizes e lesôes traumáticas a prevalência de dermatoses foi de 72%. As mais comun (>2%) foram nevos pigmentados (72%),cicatrizes e lesôes residuais (36%), efélides (19,6%), pediculose (19,6%), dermatite seborréica (19,5%), dermatoviroses (18,6%), acne (15,7%), lesôes traumáticas (9,5%), pitiríase capitis (5%), piodermites (4,3%), dermatite eozematosa (2,6%), estrófulo + picada de inseto (3,1%), ceratose palmar el ou plantar (2,1%) e disidrose (2%). Muitos doentes apresentaron dois ou mais tipos de lesoes ou affeccôes cutâneas. A prevalencia de vibix, estomatite angular, dermatoses actínicas, ictiose, pele xerótica, intertrigo, milia, livedo reticular, hipertricosee escabiose foi menor porén relativamente elevada (de 1,61 a 0,66%). A prevalencia foi discretamente maior em escolares de sexo masculino que no feminino e as diferencas estatisticamente significantes (p<0,001). A diferenca de prevalência entre os grupos etarios nâo foi significante para masculinos e femininos. As meninas aprentaron taxa mais elevada de pediculose, enquanto em meninos prevaleceram pitiríase alba (dartro volante), pitiríase versicolor e piodermites. As condicôes sócioeconômicas parecen ter tido influencia nas taxas de prevalênia de pediculose, pitiríase alba e "tinea pedis", mas nâo nas de dermatoviroses, pitiríase versicolor e piodermite. Os resultados e comentários sâo válidos para uma àrea subtropical semelhante à de Ribeirâo Prêto, com as mesmas características ecológicas, socio-econômicas e de populacâo. Quando se planeja um programa de saúde pública em escolas é importante realizar antes um censo epidemiológico ou estudo piloto, a fim de obter as relevantes informacôes bàsicas.

Influencia de la temperatura y la humedad en la frecuencia de pitiriasis versicolor, estudio epidemiológico en el Estado Falcón, Venezuela / Influence of the temperature and humidity on the frequency of pitiriasis versicolor, epidemiological study in Falcon State, Venezuela

Se realizó una encuesta en 1.546 personas en tres localidades del Estado Falcón con características climáticas diferentes. El diagnóstico de pitiriasis versicolor se confirmo por microscopia. Se encontró aumento notable de la frecuencia durante y después de la pubertad. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las frecuencias de P.V. en zona semiárida (9%) y subhúmeda (12%). La menor frecuencia correspondíó a la zona de clima templado de La Sierra de Falcón (4%). Se demuestra por primera vez que un clima cálido y húmedo favorece el parasitismo por Malassezia sp

Eficacia del Ketoconazol en crema, en champu y del sulfuro de selenio en champu, en el tratamiento de la pitiriasis versicolor / Ketoconazole crean and shampoo efficacy, and selenium sulfide shampoo in the treatment of pytiriasis versicolor

En una poblacion de 51 pacientes con Pitiriasis Versicolor clinica comprobada por examen microscopico y Luz de Wood, se realizo el presente estudio experimental para evaluar la respuesta clinica con tres medicaciones diferentes. Estas se asignaron de acuerdo al numero de llegada de los paciente, resultando 19 casos para ketoconazol en champu al 2% (2 aplicaciones de 15 minutos dos dias no consecutivos de una semana), 18 para ketoconazol en crema al 2% (una aplicacion diaria por siete dias), y 14 para sulfuro de selenio champu al 2.5% (como con el ketoconazol champu). Se analizo la respuesta clinica por un sistema de puntaje disenado para el estudio. Las evaluciones se practicaron al completar la terapia (una semana) y en la post-terapia (4, 12, 24 semanas). A la semana ningun paciente habia curado ni clinica ni micologicamente. A las cuatro semanas se observo mejoria en mayor porcentaje en los pacientes tratados con ketoconazol champu al 2%, encontrandose este medicamento en su presentacion en crema al 2% como el mas efectivo en lograr la desaparicion del prurito y el eritema. Las tres drogas suprimieron la descamacion en forma semejante, por el contrarion, la hiper y la hipopigmentacion persistian en casi todos los casos, independientemente de la droga utilizada. A la cuarta semana (despues de haber suspendido el tratamiento a la primera semana) mas de la mitad de los pacientes tratados con ketoconazol en crema o champu, habian curado o tenian buena mejoria. Por el contrario, muchos de los pacientes tratados con sulfuro de selenio presentaban poca mejoria

Dermatomicosis: análisis retrospectivo de 2,336 pacientes, 1976-1980

Se presentan 2,336 casos de dermatomicosis observados en el periodo 1976-1980 en el Laboratorio de Micología de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. El diagnóstico de dermatofitosis se comprobó en 1.276 casos (52.1 por ciento); candidiasis se presentó en 870 casos (35.5 por ciento), pitiriasis en 150 casos (6.1 por ciento), tricosporiasis en 90 casos (3.7 por ciento), geotricosis en 52 casos (2.1 por ciento) y varios en 13 casos (0.5 por ciento); de estos últimos es de resaltar el aislamiento de dos casos de M. persicolor y dos de T. verrucosum. El dermatofito más frecuentemente aislado fue el T. mentagrophytes (32.7 por ciento) seguido por el T. rubrum (23.0 por ciento), el E. floccosum (21.7 por ciento), el T. tonsurans (11.7 por ciento) y en último lugar los Microsporum sp. (10.9 por ciento)