Clinicopathological features of cutaneous reactions after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous reactions, mostly on injection site after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, have been reported but not with detailed histopathological characterization. OBJECTIVES: Characterization and classification of these reactions in a clinical and pathological point of view. METHODS: Monocentric case series of 11 patients with cutaneous manifestations, clinically and histologically characterized after COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS: From January to June 2021, we recorded 11 cutaneous reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from BNT162b2 (n = 8) and mRNA-1273 (n = 3). Generalized reactions showing erythematous rash or purpura were the most common clinical presentation, and drug-reaction-like pattern was the most common histological finding. CONCLUSIONS: A proper clinicopathological classification will be helpful in the early diagnosis and management of the cutaneous reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Gender and age significantly determine patient needs and treatment goals in psoriasis - a lesson for practice.

BACKGROUND: Though patient needs are key drivers of treatment decisions, they are rarely systematically investigated in routine care. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at analysing needs and expectations from the patient perspective in the German and Swiss psoriasis registries PsoBest and Swiss Dermatology Network of Targeted Therapies (SDNTT) with respect to treatment choice, age and gender. METHODS: The German and Swiss psoriasis registries observe patients recruited at first-time use of systemic drugs. Within 10 years, clinical [Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Body Surface Area (BSA)] and patient-reported outcomes are documented, including the Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) and the Patient Benefit Index (PBI), characterizing patient needs for treatment. The analysis data set includes n = 4894 patients from PsoBest and n = 449 from SDNTT with mean follow-up time of 7.5 months. RESULTS: A total of 5343 patients registered between 2008 and 2016 were included in the analyses (at baseline: 59.6% male, mean age 47.6 years ± 14.5, PASI 14.2 ± 9.7, BSA 22.7 ± 19.7, DLQI 11.3 ± 7.2). The most important patient needs were to 'get better skin quickly' and to 'be healed of all skin defects'. Subgroup analyses by age revealed significant differences in needs, especially higher needs regarding social impairments in patients younger than 65 years. Patients 65 years or older attributed more importance to sleep quality, less dependency on medical visits, fewer side-effects and confidence in the therapy. Out of 25 items reflecting patient needs, 20 items were rated significantly more important by women than men, with the greatest differences regarding feeling of depression, sleep quality and everyday productivity. Divided by treatment, needs were rated differently, recommending individualized and targeted choice of therapy. CONCLUSION: Age and gender stratify patient needs. Women showed higher expectations and rated specific needs in psoriasis treatment higher than men. Analysing the patient needs on an individual level will facilitate shared decisions by patient and physician in finding the optimal personalized treatment.

Linkage between patients' characteristics and prescribed systemic treatments for psoriasis: a semantic connectivity map analysis of the Swiss Dermatology Network for Targeted Therapies registry.

BACKGROUND: Several treatment options are currently available for the treatment of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the main associations between patients' characteristics and systemic treatments prescribed for psoriasis in a large group of patients observed in real-life clinical practice. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of baseline data collected within the Swiss Dermatology Network for Targeted Therapies registry in Switzerland between March 2011 and December 2017. Semantic map analysis was used in order to capture the best associations between variables taking into account other covariates in the system. RESULTS: A total of 549 patients (mean age 46.7 ± 14.7 years) were included in the analysis. Conventional therapies such as retinoids and methotrexate were associated with no previous systemic therapies for psoriasis, a moderate quality of life (QoL) at therapy onset and older age (≥60 years). Fumaric acid derivatives were associated with mild psoriasis (psoriasis area severity index < 10) and long disease duration (≥20 years). On the other side, cyclosporine and psoralen and ultraviolet A/ultraviolet B treatments were linked to a more severe condition, including impaired QoL, hospitalization and inability to work. Regarding biological therapies, both infliximab and adalimumab were connected to the presence of psoriatic arthritis, severe disease condition and other comorbidities, including chronic liver or kidney diseases and tuberculosis. Etanercept, ustekinumab and secukinumab were all connected to a complex history of previous systemic treatments for psoriasis, moderate disease condition, overweight and university education. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis shows multifaceted associations between patients' characteristics, comorbidities, disease severity and systemic treatments prescribed for psoriasis. In particular, our semantic map indicates that comorbidities play a central role in decision-making of systemic treatments usage for psoriasis. Future studies should further investigate specific connections emerging from our data.

[Pityriasis rubra pilaris]. / Pityriasis rubra pilaire.

Pityriasis rubra pilaris is a rare heterogeneous dermatosis associating three clinical signs to different degrees: follicular corneal papules, reddish-orange palmoplantar keratoderma and erythematosquamous lesions that may in some cases be very extensive, interspersed with patches of healthy skin. The aetiology is unclear, and in most cases, the trigger factors consist of trauma or infection, probably in subjects with an existing predisposition. In other cases, the condition is associated with immunological disorders or, in familial cases, genetic keratinisation abnormalities similar to ichthyosis. Given the widely varying signs, several classifications have been proposed, based on clinical criteria and outcomes. The outcome varies in accordance with the clinical forms involved. Therapeutic approaches are poorly qualified and there have been no clinical trials due to the rarity of the disease. However, the best results appear to have been obtained using oral retinoids, with second-line therapy comprising methotrexate and cyclosporine. The landscape of therapeutic strategy seems to be changing with the advent of new anti-tumour necrosis factor and anti-interleukin-12/23 antibodies.

Swiss S1 guideline for the treatment of rosacea.

Rosacea (in German sometimes called 'Kupferfinne', in French 'Couperose' and in Italian 'Copparosa') is a chronic and frequently relapsing inflammatory skin disease primarily affecting the central areas of the face. Its geographic prevalence varies from 1% to 22%. The differential diagnosis is wide, and the treatment is sometimes difficult and varies by stage of rosacea. For erythematous lesions and telangiectasia, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and lasers are popular treatment option. In addition, a vasoconstrictor agent, brimonidine, has recently been developed. For papulopustular rosacea, topical antibiotics, topical and systemic retinoids, as well as systemic antibiotics are used. A topical acaricidal agent, ivermectin, has undergone clinical development and is now on the market. In the later stages, hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands develops, resulting in phymatous growths such as the frequently observed bulbous nose or rhinophyma. Ablative laser treatments have largely replaced classical abrasive tools. Here, we reviewed the current evidence on the treatment of rosacea, provide a guideline (S1 level) and discuss the differential diagnosis of rosacea.

[Atypical scurvy associated with anorexia nervosa]. / Scorbut atypique associé à une anorexie mentale.

INTRODUCTION: Scurvy, or "Barlow's disease", is a widely described disease involving cutaneous and mucosal lesions resulting from vitamin C deficiency. Herein, we report a case of scurvy in a 48-year-old woman that was unusual in its atypical cutaneous-mucosal presentation as well as its association with anorexia nervosa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 48-year-old woman treated for depression for several years was admitted to hospital for her impaired general state of health. Over the last year, she had presented palmoplantar rash and episodes of perimalleolar oedema. The clinical examination showed the patient to have wasting syndrome, with a BMI of 11.9kg/m2, lower-limb oedema, palmoplantar fissures, geographic tongue, telogen effluvium and purpuric petechiae on her right knee. However, no gingival bleeding was noted and there was no loss of tooth enamel. The remainder of the clinical examination was normal. Blood tests revealed extremely low vitamin C levels without any other associated deficiencies, as well as laboratory signs of cytolysis and anicteric cholestasis without inflammatory syndrome. The diagnosis of anorexia nervosa was made by psychiatrists, despite the unusual age of onset. Favorable clinical outcome was rapidly achieved via a one-month course of vitamin C supplements at a daily dose of 1g. DISCUSSION: The absence of classical buccal-dental symptoms and the presence of keratotic dermatosis with fissures and ulcers on the hands and feet are atypical in scurvy; however, this diagnosis was confirmed by the existence of purpura evoking capillary fragility, the patient's drastically low vitamin C level and the rapid subsidence of symptoms following treatment with oral vitamin C alone. Anorexia nervosa was doubtless the cause of deficiency. This situation is rare and a systematic review of the literature in Medline via PubMed showed that only three reports of scurvy associated with mental anorexia have been published since 1975.

[What's new in internal medicine?]. / Quoi de neuf en Médecine interne?

This article focuses on current trends in various autoimmune diseases of interest for the dermatologist. In the antiphospholipid syndrome, many news: better characterization of the severe disease, involvement of the mTOR pathway in the vasculopathy-induced renal disease, and diversification of the therapeutic approaches: use of mTOR inhibitors and several biologics, new various antiplatelet and anticoagulants. In dermatomyositis, new autoantibodies are better characterized with a good correlation with clinical disease; the results of a large study on genetic predisposition to the disease are available. There are also some therapeutic innovations in systemic sclerosis: benefit of rituximab that seems well tolerated, the results of a large controlled European study about aggressive immunoablative chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cells have just been published, intralesional stem cells injections in the fingers of sclerodactylic patients. Finally, news in celiac disease that is constantly increasing and whose mild forms often have cutaneous manifestations, leading to diagnosis.

Travelers with cutaneous leishmaniasis cured without systemic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a disfiguring but not life-threatening disease. Because antileishmanial drugs are potentially toxic, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends simple wound care or local therapy as first-line treatment, followed or replaced by systemic therapy if local therapy fails or cannot be performed. METHODS: To determine the feasibility and impact of the recommended approach, we analyzed the results of a centralized referral treatment program in 135 patients with parasitologically proven CL. RESULTS: Infections involved 10 Leishmania species and were contracted in 29 different countries. Eighty-four of 135 patients (62%) were initially treated without systemic therapy. Of 109 patients with evaluable charts, 23 of 25 (92%) treated with simple wound care and 37 of 47 (79%) treated with local antileishmanial therapy were cured by days 42-60. In 37 patients with large or complex lesions, or preexisting morbidities, or who had not been cured with local therapy, the cure rate with systemic antileishmanial agents was 60%. Systemic adverse events were observed in 15 patients, all receiving systemic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of CL patients displaying variable degrees of complexity and severity, almost two-thirds of patients could be initially managed without systemic therapy. Of these, 60 were cured before day 60. The WHO-recommended stepwise approach favoring initial local therapy therefore resulted in at least 44% of all patients being cured without exposure to the risk of systemic adverse events. Efforts are needed to further simplify local therapy of CL and to improve the management of patients with complex lesions and/or preexisting comorbidities.

Primary cutaneous posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders in solid organ transplant recipients: a multicenter European case series.

Primary cutaneous posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are rare. This retrospective, multicenter study of 35 cases aimed to better describe this entity. Cases were (re)-classified according to the WHO-EORTC or the WHO 2008 classifications of lymphomas. Median interval between first transplantation and diagnosis was 85 months. Fifty-seven percent of patients had a kidney transplant. Twenty-four cases (68.6%) were classified as primary cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) and 11 (31.4%) as primary cutaneous B cell PTLD. Mycosis fungoides (MF) was the most common (50%) CTCL subtype. Ten (90.9%) cutaneous B cell PTLD cases were classified as EBV-associated B cell lymphoproliferations (including one plasmablastic lymphoma and one lymphomatoid granulomatosis) and one as diffuse large B cell lymphoma, other, that was EBV-negative. Sixteen (45.7%) patients died after a median follow-up of 19.5 months (11 [68.8%] with CTCL [6 of whom had CD30(+) lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD)] and 5 [31.2%] with cutaneous B cell PTLD. Median survival times for all patients, CTCL and cutaneous B cell PTLD subgroups were 93, 93, and 112 months, respectively. Survival rates for MF were higher than those for CD30(+) LPD. The spectrum of primary CTCL in organ transplant recipients (OTR) is similar to that in the general population. The prognosis of posttransplant primary cutaneous CD30(+) LPD is worse than posttransplant MF and than its counterpart in the immunocompetent population. EBV-associated cutaneous B cell LPD predominates in OTR.

Pruritic acquired nevus of Ota.

Nevus of Ota is a unilateral, asymptomatic cutaneous and mucosal hyperpigmentation of the face that is congenital or may appear during childhood. We present a case of symptomatic acquired nevus of Ota in an adult, associated with intense pruritus, not described in the literature so far. A 32-year-old woman presented with brownish mottled macules which appeared on her face progressively over 8 days, following the distribution of the first and second divisions of the left trigeminal nerve and partially covering the iris and sclera of the left eye. She reported an intense pruritus in this area. We performed a biopsy on the left forehead, which confirmed the diagnosis of nevus of Ota. Specific stains and immunohistochemistry revealed increased numbers of mast cells. Ophthalmological tests showed acute acquired melanocytosis of the left iris and sclera. The origin of the nevus is still unclear. Several hypotheses suggest a reactivation of melanocytes during their migration from the neural crest. The pruritus reported in our patient may be explained by the increased quantity of mast cells observed in the lesion and/or neuronal stimulation of the ophthalmic and maxillary divisions of the fifth cranial nerve.

Intralesional infliximab in noninfectious cutaneous granulomas: three cases of necrobiosis lipoidica.

BACKGROUND: Necrobiosis lipoidica is a rare granulomatous noninfectious skin disease. Treatment of this chronic debilitating disease is of importance because ulceration of the plaques may induce important psychological and physical morbidity. OBJECTIVE: Infliximab, an anti-TNF-α chimeric monoclonal antibody used intravenously and intralesionally for other extradermatological granulomatous diseases including Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis, was administered by intradermal injection in necrobiosis lipoidica. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of a locally delivered drug compared to its systemic use. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Weekly injections of intralesional infliximab for 3 weeks were followed by a 1-week treatment interruption. This treatment schedule was repeated thrice. RESULTS: Two patients who benefitted from complete treatment experienced almost complete remission for up to 18 months. The third patient, who had treatment interruptions, showed partial improvement. No serious side effects were noticed, although the injections caused pain. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report about the efficacy and safety of a therapy consisting of intralesional injections of infliximab for a granulomatous skin disease. Although this approach was clearly effective for necrobiosis lipoidica, the disease recurred several months after treatment interruption, raising the question of the need for maintenance therapy. Further controlled long-term trials are thus necessary.

[Seborrhoeic dermatitis: clinical manifestations and management]. / Dermite séborrhéique: manifestations cliniques et prise en charge.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a frequent chronic inflammatory dermatosis characterized by erythematous patches surmounted by fatty and yellowish scales, affecting particularly the scalp, the naso-labial folds and the eyebrows. Its etio-pathogeny is still not clear, but Malassezia type yeast appear to play a very important role in its development. Several conditions can be associated with high prevalency of seborrhoeic dermatitis (HIV, Parkinson's disease, Down's Syndrome). No curative treatment is available yet, but nevertheless the symptomatology can be controlled, mainly with topical treatments, and particularly antifungals. This article will develop first clinical and pathological aspects of the disease, then propose therapeutic recommendations based on evidences from the literature.

[Swiss clinical practice guidelines for skin cancer in organ transplant recipients]. / Recommandations suisses pour la prise en charge des cancers cutanés chez les patients transplantés d'organe.

Swiss clinical practice guidelines for skin cancer in organ transplant recipients Transplant patients have increased over the last decades. As a consequence of long-term immunosuppression, skin cancer, in particular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), has become an important problem. Screening and education of potential organ transplant recipients (OTRs) regarding prevention of sun damage and early recognition of skin cancer are important before transplantation. Once transplanted, OTRs should be seen yearly by a dermatologist to ensure compliance with sun avoidance as well as for treatment of precancerosis and SCC. Early removal is the best treatment for SCC. Reduction of immunosuppression, switch to mTOR inhibitors and chemoprevention with acitretin may reduce the incidence of SCC. The dermatological follow-up of OTRs should be integrated into a comprehensive post-transplant management strategy.

Tuberculosis screening in patients with psoriasis before antitumour necrosis factor therapy: comparison of an interferon-gamma release assay vs. tuberculin skin test.

BACKGROUND: Antitumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatments may reactivate latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). For detecting LTBI, the tuberculin skin test (TST) has low sensitivity and specificity. Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) have been shown to be more sensitive and specific than TST. OBJECTIVE: To compare the TST and the T-SPOT.TB IGRA for identifying LTBI in patients with psoriasis before anti-TNF treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out over a 4-year period on patients with psoriasis requiring anti-TNF treatment. All were subjected to the TST, T-SPOT.TB and chest X-ray. Risk factors for LTBI and history of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination were recorded. The association of T-SPOT.TB and TST results with risk factors for LTBI was tested through univariate logistic regression models. Agreement between tests was quantified using kappa statistics. Treatment for LTBI was started 1 month before anti-TNF therapy when indicated. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included; 90% had prior BCG vaccination. A positive T-SPOT.TB was strongly associated with a presumptive diagnosis of LTBI (odds ratio 7.43; 95% confidence interval 1.38-39.9), which was not the case for the TST. Agreement between the T-SPOT.TB and TST was poor, kappa = 0.33 (SD 0.13). LTBI was detected and treated in 20% of the patients. In 20% of the cases, LTBI was not retained in spite of a positive TST but a negative T-SPOT.TB. All patients received an anti-TNF agent for a median of 56 weeks (range 20-188); among patients with a positive TST/negative T-SPOT.TB, no tuberculosis was detected with a median follow-up of 64 weeks (44-188). One case of disseminated tuberculosis occurred after 28 weeks of adalimumab treatment in a patient with LTBI in spite of treatment with rifampicin. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to underline the frequency of LTBI in patients with psoriasis (20%), and to support the use of IGRA instead of the TST for its detection. Nevertheless, there is still a risk of tuberculosis under anti-TNF therapy, even if LTBI is correctly diagnosed and treated.

Refractory chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis responsive to dose escalation of TNF-alpha antagonists.

Cutaneous sarcoidosis may be a chronic disease with important morbidity requiring aggressive therapy. The efficacy of different anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha(anti-TNF-alpha) treatments in refractory cutaneous and systemic sarcoidosis has been reported previously. We report the first patient with chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis who responded to dose escalation of anti-TNF-alpha agents that have been ineffective at the standard dosage, illustrating that the optimal dosing regimen has still to be defined for this indication before considering difficult-to-treat patients as nonresponders. Our case report also illustrates that the fusion protein etanercept, even used at a high dosage, may be less effective for the treatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis than the monoclonal antibodies infliximab and adalimumab.

Swiss clinical practice guidelines for skin cancer in organ transplant recipients.

Patients with a solid organ transplant have increased in numbers and in individual survival in Switzerland over the last decades. As a consequence of long-term immunosuppression, skin cancer in solid organ recipients (SOTRs) has been recognized as an important problem. Screening and education of potential SOTRs about prevention of sun damage and early recognition of skin cancer are important before transplantation. Once transplanted, SOTRs should be seen by a dermatologist yearly for repeat education as well as early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (SCC) is the most frequent cancer in the setting of long-term immunosuppression. Sun protection by behaviour, clothing and daily sun screen application is the most effective prevention. Cumulative sun damage results in field cancerisation with numerous in-situ SCC such as actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease which should be treated proactively. Invasive SCC is cured by complete surgical excision. Early removal is the best precaution against potential metastases of SCC. Reduction of immunosuppression and switch to mTOR inhibitors and potentially, mycophenolate, may reduce the incidence of further SCC. Chemoprevention with the retinoid acitretin reduces the recurrence rate of SCC. The dermatological follow-up of SOTRs should be integrated into the comprehensive post-transplant care.

[Borrelial erythema of the face]. / Erythème borrélien de la face.

BACKGROUND: Borrelial infection is characterized by various skin manifestations that are usually classified into three main types: chronic migratory erythema, borrelial lymphocytoma and acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. We report an unusual case of borrelial cutaneous infection presenting as a mediofacial erythema that cannot be included in any of these three categories. CASE REPORT: A 51-year-old woman presented with infiltrated erythema of the middle of the face extending to the neck and chin. Medical history and physical examination revealed no signs of rosaceae. Infection with Borrelia was suspected on skin biopsy examination, which showed an inflammatory dermal infiltrate containing numerous plasma cells. The diagnosis of B.afzelii infection was confirmed by serology and polymerase chain reaction on the skin biopsy, both of which were positive for B.afzelii. DISCUSSION: Borrelial erythema of the face may represent a special form of cutaneous borrelial infection, which must be considered in the differential diagnosis of facial erythema, especially in areas of endemic borreliosis.

[Pediatric psoriasis]. / Psoriasis de l'enfant.

Psoriasis is a cutaneous inflammatory disorder that may be seen in childhood, sometimes complicated by serious forms. The diagnosis is often more difficult than in adults, because initial lesions may be atypical or pauci-symptomatic. Psoriasis is a chronic disease, with a prognosis worse than atopic dermatitis; patients and their family generally need long term therapy and supportive care. The treatment is not different from that of the adult, but is less studied and less validated by specific pediatric controlled studies.