Elevated plasma D-dimer levels in dermatomyositis patients with cutaneous manifestations.

To explore the influence of dermatomyositis (DM)-specific cutaneous manifestations (scm) on systemic coagulation and fibrinolysis, we retrospectively studied plasma D-dimer levels with/without venous thromboembolism (VTE), malignancy, infection or other connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and scm. One hundred fifty patients with DM were retrospectively investigated using medical records regarding scm, VTE, malignancy, infection, other CTDs, laboratory data and systemic corticosteroid therapy. All DM patients were categorized as follows: group 1, without scm, VTE, infection, malignancy or other accompanying CTDs; group 2, with scm only; and group 3, with VTE, infection, malignancy and other accompanying CTDs but without scm. The D-dimer plasma levels were significantly increased in group 3 compared with healthy subjects and those in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). The D-dimer plasma level in group 2 was significantly increased compared with healthy subjects and those in group 1 (p < 0.001). Increased D-dimer plasma levels were detected in DM patients with scm without detectable VTE, malignancy, infection or accompanying CTDs. In addition to the known risk factors for increased plasma D-dimer levels in DM patients, including VTE, malignancy, infection and other accompanying autoimmune diseases, the presence of cutaneous manifestations should be considered as a new clinical risk factor.

The Plasma Levels of ADAMTS-13, von Willebrand Factor, VWFpp, and Fibrin-Related Markers in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis Having Thrombosis.

This study aimed to examine the hemostatic abnormalities in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and the relationship between these abnormalities and thrombotic events (THEs), focusing on the difference in diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc). The plasma levels of ADAMTS-13 (a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motifs 13), von Willebrand factor (VWF), VWF propeptide (VWFpp), d-dimer, and soluble fibrin (SF) were measured in 233 patients with SSc. The relationship between their levels and organ involvement, including THEs and interstitial lung disease (ILD), was evaluated. The plasma levels of VWF and VWFpp were significantly elevated and ADAMTS-13 activity was significantly decreased in patients with SSc compared to healthy participants. The VWFpp in dcSSc was significantly higher than in lcSSc. Twelve patients with SSc were complicated with acute THE, and 25 patients with SSc were complicated with past THE. The plasma levels of d-dimer and SF were significantly elevated in patients with SSc having THE. The plasma levels of VWF and VWFpp were significantly elevated in patients with SSc having ILD. The plasma levels of d-dimer were elevated in patients with SSc having other connective tissue diseases (CTDs). The plasma levels of ADAMTS-13 were significantly decreased and VWF, VWFpp, and SF were increased in patients with a d-dimer level of ≥1 µg/mL. Systemic sclerosis carries a high risk of THE, especially in patients with other CTDs. Plasma hemostasis-related markers are closely related to ILD and THE. These markers are important as markers of organ involvement as well as THE.

Clinical heterogeneity of 1649delG mutation in the tail domain of keratin 5: a Japanese family with epidermolysis bullosa simplex with mottled pigmentation.

Twenty-five- and 22-y-old Japanese women, who are cousins, presented with distal skin fragility, widespread small, pigmented macules, and toenail deformity. Blisters occurred between the epidermis and the dermis with degeneration of the basal cells, suggesting epidermolysis bullosa simplex with mottled pigmentation (EBS-MP). Electron microscopy of the pigmented spots demonstrated vacuolization of basal cells as well as disturbed junctional structures and incontinence of pigmentation. Gene analysis resulted in detection of a heterozygous deletion of a guanine nucleotide in exon 9 at position 1649. P25L mutation was not detected in either case. It is possible that EBS-MP occurs not only based on the P25L mutation of the keratin 5 molecule, but also because of other types of mutations of epidermal keratin genes.

Chronic superficial pyoderma of the face: an unusual male case of rosacea fulminans.

A 62-year-old Japanese male developed acneiform papules on the face in November of 2002. The eruptions progressed to exudative erythema with central necrosis, and then to thick-crusted superficial abscesses in a short period. The shallow ulcers exposed by removal of the crusts and abscesses immediately re-epithelized without leaving scars. The histology of the eruption was a dense infiltration of neutrophils associated with granulomatous changes in the upper to middle dermis. Histology of the tiny white particles in the abscess showed an irregularly proliferated mass of keratinocytes including accumulated neutrophils. The skin lesions resisted intravenous injection of antibiotics but responded to systemic administration of a corticosteroid agent. Colchicine did not work well, but the additional administration of etretinate was effective. The patient is currently receiving combined therapy with prednisolone and etretinate, but eruptions are still episodically observed. We diagnosed this case as an unusual male case of rosacea fulminans.