Neonatal lupus erythematosus presenting as a non-bullous histiocytoid neutrophilic dermatosis.

Histopathologic findings in neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) are usually congruent with those of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. However, neutrophilic dermatosis-type histopathologic features are being increasingly recognized in the literature including rare cases with variant histiocytoid morphology. We report the case of a 7-week-old male presenting with figurate erythema. His mother was found to have elevated anti-nuclear antibodies and was positive for anti-SSA/Ro, anti-SSB/La antibodies and Ro52 autoantibodies. The infant had a similar serological profile. Skin biopsy showed a histiocytoid interstitial infiltrate with mild lichenoid features, sparse neutrophils and mild leukocytoclasis. The histiocytoid infiltrate showed prominent CD68, CD163, and myeloperoxidase expression. Isolated clusters of CD123+ histiocytes were also present. This case highlights the rare finding of non-bullous neutrophilic dermatosis with histiocytoid change in neonatal lupus. In neonates presenting with figurate erythemas with morphological histiocytic change on biopsy, NLE should be considered as a differential diagnosis and investigated for accordingly.

Biologics for pediatric psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Biologics represent a promising treatment for children with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Randomized control trials (RCTs) have been published evaluating different biologics in children with psoriasis, but no summative review exists. OBJECTIVE: To summarize data from existing RCTs to assess the efficacy and safety of biologics in the management of pediatric psoriasis. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs was performed from Medline, Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the American College of Physicians Journal Club from inception to November 2020. Random-effects models were used to estimate the pooled effect size. RESULTS: Five RCTs assessing adalimumab, etanercept, ixekizumab, secukinumab, and ustekinumab were included (768 patients). The odds ratio of achieving a 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity index score was 12.37 (95% CI: 6.23-24.55) at initial follow-up, defined as 12-16 weeks of treatment. The odds ratio of any adverse event was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.51-1.80) at initial follow-up, in patients treated with biologics when compared to placebo or a non-biologic agent. Limitations of this study include heterogeneity in both the study design and the biologics investigated between the RCTs included in the meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Biologic therapy for pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis has high efficacy and a favorable side effect profile.

Biologics for severe, chronic plaque psoriasis: An Australian cost-utility analysis.

BACKGROUND: Biologics are a good therapeutic option for severe, chronic plaque psoriasis; however, they come with significant cost to the health care system. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a cost-utility analysis of outpatient biologics (adalimumab, etanercept, guselkumab, ixekizumab, risankizumab, secukinumab, tildrakizumab, and ustekinumab) available to adults with severe, chronic plaque psoriasis from the perspective of the Australian health care system. METHODS: A Markov cohort model was constructed to estimate the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs accrued for treatment pathways commencing with different first-line biologics, over a 96-week time horizon. The model adhered to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme eligibility criteria and guidelines. RESULTS: A biologic treatment pathway commencing on tildrakizumab was the most cost-effective first-line treatment (Australian dollar 39,930; total utility of 1.57 QALYs over 96 weeks). First-line secukinumab and risankizumab had incremental cost-utility ratios of Australian dollar 194,524/QALY and Australian dollar 479,834/QALY, respectively, when compared with first-line tildrakizumab. LIMITATIONS: The efficacy and utility input parameters were derived from international randomized control trials and patients from the United Kingdom, respectively. Findings from this study cannot be generalized beyond Australia. CONCLUSION: Tildrakizumab may be considered as first-line treatment for adult patients with severe, chronic plaque psoriasis embarking on biologic therapy, from the economic perspective of the Australian health care system.