Crusted scabies in children in France: a series of 20 cases.

To evaluate the risk factors for crusted scabies in children in France. The retrospective multicenter study, conducted in France, of children (aged < 18 years) with profuse and/or crusted scabies confirmed by dermoscopy and/or microscopy. Data were obtained using a standardized questionnaire. We included 20 children. The mean age was 4.5 years, and 70% of the patients were girls. Their medical history revealed a neurological pathology (agenesis of the corpus callosum; n = 1, 5.0%), prematurity (n = 1, 5.0%), Down syndrome (n = 1, 5.0%), atopic dermatitis (n = 2, 10%), and asthma (n = 2, 10.0%). Fifteen (75.0%) children were treated with steroids before being diagnosed with scabies: 12 (60.0%) with topical steroids, one (5.0%) with a systemic steroid, and two (10.0%) with inhaled steroids. One child (5.0%) lived in a precarious environment. The mean duration of pruritus was 3.4 months, and that of the skin lesions was 3.1 months. The most commonly affected areas for crusted scabies were the palms/hands (66.7%) and the armpits (33.3%). Thirteen children (65.0%) were hospitalized, 14 (70.0%) were treated with ivermectin and all received topical treatments; 85.7% were cured within an average of 38 days, but one child had a relapse 3 months later in the form of common scabies.Conclusion: The main risk factor for developing crusted scabies in France was the misdiagnosis and the use of corticosteroids, especially topical forms typically used in "healthy" children. Management of the children was effective and similar to that used in adults. What is Known: • Crusted scabies is an extremely contagious disease which is rarely reported in infancy, especially in healthy children. • The main risk factors include immunosuppression, physical debilitation, and intellectual disability. What is New: • The main risk factor of severe scabies in this study was delayed diagnosis associated with the use of topical or systemic corticosteroids. • The treatment was successful in 85.7% of cases, and 65% of children needed to be hospitalized.

The face mask-touching behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: Observational study of public transportation users in the greater Paris region: The French-mask-touch study.

BACKGROUND: To limit the spread of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the World Health Organization recommends the use of face mask as a part of the pandemic control strategy. It has published also "best practices" in which it advises to avoid touching the mask while wearing it. This might be challenging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of mask-touching behavior in public transportation. METHODS: Observational study using data collected in real life. This survey was conducted in subways and local trains of the greater Paris region, France, between May 4th and 25th, 2020. Public Transportation users were covertly observed. Demographic characteristics, type of mask and the main activity were collected by the investigator. The duration of observation, the frequency of touching face mask, hair and the uncovered area of the face were also recorded. Frequency of mask-touching per hour was determined. RESULTS: One hundred eighty two persons were observed. The median of estimated age [1st and 3rd interquartile] was 35 [30;45] years and 87 (48%) were women. One hundred forty three (79%) were wearing surgical mask. The median time of observation was 8 [4;12] minutes. During this period, 87 (48%) persons touched their mask 15 [7.5;30] times per hour of whom only two (8%) have used hydroalcoholic solution to disinfect their hands. CONCLUSIONS: Mask touching is frequent and is rarely followed by hand disinfection. Actions regarding mask use should be taken to improve compliance.

Successful improvement of Buschke-Löwenstein tumour in an HIV-infected patient with antiretroviral therapy alone.

Buschke-Löwenstein tumour (BLT), also defined as giant condyloma acuminatum, is a rare exophytic tumour affecting the anogenital and perianal regions associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, with a potential of malignant transformation and which is at a greater risk in T-cell mediated immunodeficient patients. Different therapeutic options, alone or in combination, have been reported for the treatment of BLT including local therapy but wide surgical local excision is however recommended as the most important therapeutic intervention. We report a case of a HIV-infected man who developed a voluminous pelvic BLT which disappeared progressively under antiretroviral therapy with no additional treatment, contemporary to an improvement of his immunity, highlighting the possible spontaneous reversibility of HPV-induced tumours in treated HIV infection.