PATHOGEN PREVALANCE IN AMERICAN BLACK BEARS (URSUS AMERICANUS AMBLYCEPS) OF THE JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO, USA.

Informed management of American black bears (Ursus americanus) requires knowledge of the distribution and pathology of diseases affecting the species. Little information is available on pathogen prevalence from black bear populations in the Southwest, US, and it is unknown how these infections may influence black bear populations or disease transmission. We captured New Mexico black bears (Ursus americanus amblyceps) during 2016-17 as part of a long-term monitoring project and opportunistically collected 36 blood samples from 12 female and 17 male black bears. We wanted to determine prior exposure to canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, West Nile virus, Toxoplasma gondii, and the tick-borne pathogens, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, Rickettsia spp., and Babesia spp. Approximately half (55%, 16/29) of the individuals sampled had antibodies to Y. pestis, and 37% (10/27) had antibodies to T. gondii. Prevalence of antibodies to West Nile virus, F. tularensis, and canine parvovirus were lower (i.e., 11, 10, and 3%, respectively). We detected no antibodies to canine distemper, B. burgdorferi, Rickettsia spp., or Babesia spp. We documented changes in antibody titer levels for both sexes of several recaptured black bears. Our data will inform managers of pathogen prevalence and distribution in black bears in north-central New Mexico and provide a vital baseline dataset for future pathogen monitoring. Additionally, these data support actions to minimize exposure through handling wild individuals or through hunter harvest activities.

S100-negative indeterminate cell histiocytosis in an African American child responsive to narrowband ultraviolet B.

Indeterminate cell histiocytosis is a rare cutaneous disease characterized by the presence of dendritic cells that lack Birbeck granules and immunophenotypically shares features of both Langerhans cells and macrophages. We describe a case of a 4-year-old African American boy affected by a disseminated, exclusively mucocutaneous form of indeterminate cell histiocytosis. The eruption was successfully treated with narrowband ultraviolet B. The peculiar negativity of the Langerhans cell marker S100 is also discussed.

Early localized morphea mimicking an acquired port-wine stain.

Port-wine stains (PWS) and morphea are distinct conditions that are easily recognized and diagnosed in pediatric patients. Rarely, early localized morphea may mimic an acquired PWS. We present 4 such cases, in two of which the initial clinical impression of acquired PWS was thought to be confirmed by histopathology. A diagnosis of morphea was made approximately 6 months to 3 years after the onset of the acquired PWS. Clinicians should be aware that an apparent acquired PWS may be an early manifestation of localized morphea and continue to monitor these lesions.

Managing pediatric patients with psoriasis.

Childhood-onset psoriasis affects approximately one-third of the psoriatic population. Among many potential treatments of childhood psoriasis, biological agents are emerging as a valuable option in the management of this disease. In Europe, etanercept has recently been approved for children aged 8 years and over. Data from a well-designed clinical trial indicate that in children, etanercept effectively reduces psoriasis symptoms, with beneficial effects evident as early as 4 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Etanercept is well tolerated; adverse effects are typically mild to moderate in severity. Early data from other biological agents are promising.

Excision and grafting of palmoplantar keratoderma.

Palmoplantar keratodermas may present to the clinician with an extremely broad series of clinical findings. Management has also taken on a wide variety of medical and surgical modalities. The literature seems to provide evidence that optimum management consists of surgical excision with skin grafting. It is believed that this will eliminate all of the underlying tissue and associated skin appendages, which are believed to be the source of this abnormal skin entity. We present a case of a patient in which tangential excision with delayed split-thickness skin grafting was performed after initial application of an acellular dermal matrix (Integra). Unfortunately, there was nearly immediate recurrence of this disease, and we, therefore, suggest a more aggressive approach to the initial excision.

Treatment of facial molluscum contagiosum with trichloroacetic acid.

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) virus is a common cutaneous infection in the pediatric population, most commonly affecting school-aged children. Spontaneous clearing of lesions usually occurs over time; however, treatment is often sought due to cosmetic significance, pruritus, or concerns of transmission and autoinoculation. Chemical destruction with cantharidin, which is derived from blister beetle extract, is very safe and highly effective, making it the treatment of choice in the pediatric population. However, treatment of facial lesions or those in the diaper area are not recommended with this agent. Trichloroacetic acid is a safe and effective agent frequently utilized in dermatologic practice, most commonly in the treatment of verrucae. We have successfully used topical trichloroacetic acid to treat facial molluscum contagiousum and present the following technique for proper application.

Memory B cells in common variable immunodeficiency: clinical associations and sex differences.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by impaired antibody responses, recurrent infections, inflammatory, autoimmune and malignancy-related conditions. We evaluated the relationship between memory B cell phenotype, sex, age at diagnosis, immunologic and clinical conditions in 105 CVID subjects from one medical center. Reduced numbers of switched memory B cells (cutoff