Trichodysplasia spinulosa: a presentation of polyomavirus infection in immunosuppressed patients.

Trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS) is a rare skin condition that occurs mainly in immunosuppressed patients. Although initially postulated to be an adverse effect of immunosuppressants, TS-associated polyomavirus (TSPyV) has since been isolated from TS lesions and is now considered to be the causative agent. Trichodysplasia spinulosa presents with folliculocentric papules with protruding keratin spines, most commonly on the central face. Trichodysplasia spinulosa can be diagnosed clinically, but the diagnosis can be confirmed with histopathological examination. Histological findings include the presence of hyperproliferating inner root sheath cells containing large eosinophilic trichohyaline granules. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can also be used to detect and quantify TSPyV viral load. Owing to the paucity of reports in the literature, TS is frequently misdiagnosed and there is no high-quality evidence to guide management. Herein, we present a renal transplant recipient with TS that did not respond to topical imiquimod but improved upon treatment with valganciclovir and reduction of the mycophenolate mofetil dose. Our case highlights the inverse relationship between immune status and disease progression in this condition.

Social media (SoMe) enhances exposure of dermatology articles.

Social media (SoMe) refers to a variety of virtual platforms used to enhance sharing of information. To evaluate the influence of SoMe with regards to views and downloads of published dermatology articles, we conducted a retrospective study from July 2020-March 2021 examining articles published on Instagram and Twitter under Dermatology Online Journal (DOJ) accounts and compared these with type-matched and issue-matched articles that were not posted on social media. During this time period, 163 total articles of the three types used for social media (Case Report, Case Presentation, and Photo Vignette) were published in DOJ and 15 were promoted via SoMe. Utilization of SoMe demonstrated a significant (P<0.0001) positive effect with regards to both views (175.5±16.4) and downloads (31.5±4.0) over matched articles not published on SoMe. Similar trends illustrating the positive effect of SoMe on readership have been previously observed in the field of dermatology as well as other medical specialties. Most direct accessions to articles arrived via Instagram rather than Twitter, diverging from previous studies on SoMe use in medical journals. Social media, in particular Instagram, can be a successful platform to enhance the exposure of peer-reviewed medical information.

An unusual case of multiple grouped non-familial trichoepitheliomas.

Trichoepitheliomas (TEs) are benign and rare adnexal hamartomas of the pilosebaceous units. Trichoepitheliomas could occur in the setting of an underlying genetic disorder with multiple TEs or as solitary non-hereditary TEs. We report a healthy 32-year-old woman with sporadic multiple clustered and non-segmental TEs without positive family history. There have been two other cases reported in the literature that had non-familial multiple TEs, one was facially disfiguring and the other was in a segmental pattern. Our case has been the only one reported in the English literature which has sporadic, multiple TEs clustered unilaterally and non-segmentally on the trunk.

Open access medical journals: Benefits and challenges.

The world of medical science literature is ever increasingly accessible via the Internet. Open access online medical journals, in particular, offer access to a wide variety of useful information at no cost. In addition, they provide avenues for publishing that are available to health care providers of all levels of training and practice. Whereas costs are less with the publishing of online open access journals, fewer resources for funding and technical support also exist. A recent rise in predatory journals, which solicit authors but charge high fees per paper published and provide low oversight, pose other challenges to ensuring the credibility of accessible scientific literature. Recognizing the value and efforts of legitimate open access online medical journals can help the reader navigate the over 11,000 open access journals that are available to date.

Current biological therapies for use in HIV-positive patients with psoriasis: case report of gesulkumab used and review.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients may be severe. Physicians may be tentative to use biologics in HIV-infected patients. OBJECTIVE: We present an HIV-positive patient with psoriasis who was treated with guselkumab. This paper aims to investigate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of biologic therapies for HIV-positive patients with psoriasis. METHODS: A systematic PubMed review of articles dating between 2000-2018 containing key words psoriasis AND HIV, and psoriatic AND HIV combined with several approved biologic therapies. The review generated 15 articles containing 27 cases of HIV-positive patients treated with etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, or ustekinumab for their psoriasis. RESULTS: The majority of cases reported excellent clinical responses, limited adverse events, and well tolerated treatment. CD4 count and viral loads were stable throughout treatment. Similar safety and efficacy were seen in the illustrative case report. Available literature is limited to case reports or case series and could be subject to publication bias of successful cases. Many reports lack quantifiable data and report results based on clinical judgement. No randomized, controlled trials evaluate biologic treatment for psoriasis in HIV-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that biologic therapy is an efficacious, safe, and tolerable treatment for most patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in HIV-positive patients.

Ustekinumab to target granulomatous dermatitis in recalcitrant ulcerative necrobiosis lipoidica: case report and proposed mechanism.

We present a 42-year-old woman with no history of diabetes or glucose intolerance who had a 5-year history of ulcerative necrobiosis lipoidica (NL). Despite failure of multiple medications, she experienced clearing of her ulcers after her treatment was changed to ustekinumab. We discuss our patient's disease course and elaborate upon mechanistic reasons for her improvement related to ustekinumab therapy.

The history of open access medical publishing: a comprehensive review.

Dermatology Online Journal became the first medical open access journal in the early 1990's. Today, thousands of open access medical journals are available on the Internet. Despite criticisms surrounding open access, these journals have allowed research to be rapidly available to the public. In addition, open access journal policies allow public health research to reach developing countries where this research has the potential to make a substantial impact. In the future, open access medical journals will likely continue to evolve with technology, changing how medical research is accessed and presented.

100% Complete response rate in patients with cutaneous metastatic melanoma treated with intralesional interleukin (IL)-2, imiquimod, and topical retinoid combination therapy: results of a case series.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cutaneous melanoma metastases have experienced excellent responses to intralesional interleukin (IL)-2. This has led to its recent inclusion into the US National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for management of cutaneous melanoma metastases. Despite this, intralesional IL-2 has not been highlighted in the US literature nor have US physicians adopted it. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of intralesional IL-2 combined with topical imiquimod and retinoid for treatment of cutaneous metastatic melanoma. METHODS: A retrospective case series of 11 patients with cutaneous metastatic melanoma were treated with intralesional IL-2 combined with topical imiquimod and retinoid. RESULTS: A 100% complete local response rate with long-term follow-up (average of 24 months) was seen in all 11 patients treated with this proposed regimen. Biopsy specimens of treated sites confirmed absence of malignant cells. The most common treatment-related adverse event was rigors. LIMITATIONS: Small number of patients, retrospective review of charts, and lack of a comparison group were limitations. CONCLUSION: Intralesional IL-2 administered concomitantly with topical imiquimod and a retinoid cream is a promising therapeutic option for managing cutaneous melanoma metastases. The regimen was well tolerated and should be considered as a reasonable alternative to surgical excision.

Metastatic melanoma - a review of current and future treatment options.

Despite advances in treatment and surveillance, melanoma continues to claim approximately 9,000 lives in the US annually (SEER 2013). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network currently recommends ipilumumab, vemurafenib, dabrafenib, and high-dose IL-2 as first line agents for Stage IV melanoma. Little data exists to guide management of cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases despite the fact that they are relatively common. Existing options include intralesional Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, isolated limb perfusion/infusion, interferon-α, topical imiquimod, cryotherapy, radiation therapy, interferon therapy, and intratumoral interleukin-2 injections. Newly emerging treatments include the anti-programmed cell death 1 receptor agents (nivolumab and pembrolizumab), anti-programmed death-ligand 1 agents, and oncolytic vaccines (talimogene laherparepevec). Available treatments for select sites include adoptive T cell therapies and dendritic cell vaccines. In addition to reviewing the above agents and their mechanisms of action, this review will also focus on combination therapy as these strategies have shown promising results in clinical trials for metastatic melanoma treatment.

Detailed protocol for administration of intralesional IL-2 for the treatment of Stage IIIc and IV M1a metastatic melanoma based on current NCCN guidelines.

Melanoma claims approximately 9,000 lives in the United States annually. Patients who present with satellite, in-transit, or distant cutaneous metastases have limited treatment options and the prognosis for patients with metastatic disease remains poor. Surgical excision remains the most common treatment modality for cutaneous metastases, but may not address concurrent subclinical in-transit metastases. Other palliative treatment options include Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and isolated limb perfusion (ILP). Although intravenous IL-2 has been used for treatment of metastatic melanoma since 1998, intralesional IL-2 has only now been included in the most recent National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines after case series and phase I/II clinical trials have shown promising results against Stage IIIc and IV M1a melanoma. Intralesional IL-2 protocols have varied markedly from study to study and there are no consensus guidelines available to help direct treatment. Herein, we present a detailed protocol for the administration of intralesional IL-2 that has been successfully used at two different institutions for treatment of cutaneous melanoma metastases.

Multimodal therapy of idiopathic pyoderma gangrenosum.

A 13-year old girl was admitted to the University of California Davis Medical Center for evaluation and treatment of cutaneous bullae and ulcerations over her lower extremities that were refractory to antibiotic therapy and incision and drainage. Her disease continued to worsen with the appearance of multiple new bullae and the progression of old ones into deep ulcers with undermined borders. Biopsy revealed a neutrophilic dermatosis and diagnostic work-up was negative for infectious or autoimmune etiologies. Given her clinical presentation, biopsy results, and negative work-up, a diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) was made and she was started on immunosuppressive medications. The patient was started on a multidrug regimen of prednisone and cyclosporine but remission was not achieved until the addition of adalimumab. After the inflammatory component of her disease was under control, wound care measures were maximized to promote ulcer healing. Wound care measures included compression and debridement. Upon complete closure of all wounds she was successfully transitioned to mycophenolate mofetil monotherapy for maintenance therapy. This case emphasizes the need for combinational therapy to successfully treat severe cases of PG, which are often refractory to monotherapy with prednisone or cyclosporine. It also highlights the importance of appropriate wound care to achieve complete ulcer healing.

Getting to the point: a case of a sewing needle retrieved from the thigh.

Foreign bodies are rarely retained in the skin after puncture wounds or impalement injuries and are even less commonly initially detected several months after penetration. Sewing needles are most frequently reported in the literature as foreign bodies in cases of ingestion, inoculation of the cranium and heart, and penetration of the knee. Herein we describe a case of a middle-aged man who presented to the outpatient dermatology clinic with an 8-month history of a nodule in his left thigh; he had noted recent onset of mild pain. On examination he was found to have a sharp needle-like point palpable below the skin of his left lateral thigh. Plain radiographs of the left thigh showed a fractured sewing needle overlying the same area. During local incision, two fragments of a sewing needle were removed from the lateral thigh.

Trigeminal trophic syndrome: report of 3 cases affecting the scalp.

Trigeminal trophic syndrome (TTS) is a rare condition that results from a prior injury to the sensory distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Patients typically respond to the altered sensation with self-mutilation, most often of the nasal ala. We describe 3 patients with TTS who presented with self-induced ulcerations primarily involving the scalp. Two patients developed delusions of parasitosis (DOP) based on the resulting symptoms of TTS, which is a unique association. Trigeminal trophic syndrome may occur at extranasal sites and in any branch of the trigeminal nerve. The condition should be considered when ulcers are encountered in this nerve distribution. Symptoms such as formication may mimic DOP. Trigeminal trophic syndrome may be differentiated from DOP by the restriction of symptoms and ulcerations to the distribution of the trigeminal nerve.

A novel keratin 5 mutation in a familial cluster.

We report a case of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) associated with a family cluster of EBS and a novel KRT5 mutation. The case is presented in the context of recent advances in the study of the disease.