Anti-Herpes zoster vaccination in patients with dermatologic diseases: a position statement from the Italian SIDeMaST group of sexually transmitted, infectious and tropical diseases.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a condition caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the virus responsible for chickepox, which is the clinical manifestation of the primary infection. Congenital or acquired immune system deficiencies, as well as the physiological decline in immune response occurring in the elderly, known as immune senescence, can allow VZV reactivation and, consequently, HZ. One out of 3 people develops HZ during their lifetime. Moreover, thirty percent of the affected subjects develop post-herpetic neuralgia, the most frequent complication after HZ skin rash. Patients with dermatological conditions characterized by alteration of the immune system, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, bullous diseases, and cutaneous lymphomas, are at higher risk of developing HZ and post-herpetic neuralgia, even when their disease is in remission. In the present work, we described the currently available vaccinations against HZ and provided recommendations for the vaccination against HZ in patients with dermatological diseases.

Atypical Manifestations of Syphilis: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.

Background: The incidence of syphilis has increased in high-income countries in the past few decades, especially among men who have sex with men. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the correlations between atypical syphilis manifestations and the demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of patients and to review unusual presentations of syphilis reported in the literature. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 307 patients with syphilis diagnosed between 1 January 2013 and 31 October 2023 at the sexually transmitted infection (STI) centers of the University of Genoa and University of Foggia with both typical and atypical manifestations of disease. Results: In our series, atypical manifestations were detected in 25.8% of the patients, especially in the secondary stage of the disease. Lesions with annular morphology and lesions presenting as itchy erythematous scaly plaques with a psoriasiform appearance were the most common atypical presentations of secondary syphilis. A statistical analysis revealed that homosexual orientation, syphilis reinfection, and venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) titers > 1:32 were correlated with atypical manifestations. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the spectrum of syphilis manifestations, in all the stages of the disease, is wide; atypical manifestations often pose diagnostic challenges, may delay the provision of appropriate treatment, and facilitate the spread of the infection.

Diffuse Melanosis Cutis as the First Sign of Recurrence of Low-Risk Melanoma: Case Report and Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse Melanosis Cutis (DMC) is a rare and late complication of metastatic malignant melanoma (MM) characterized by progressive pigmentation of skin and sometimes mucous membranes. The distinctive feature is the widespread and progressive deposition of melanin precursors in the dermis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review is to define the clinical and demographic features of DMC and to promote a deeper insight into the clinical manifestation, histological findings, and pathophysiology behind DMC. METHODS: We have conducted a systematic review of the literature on published DMC in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. We also reported a case of DMC secondary to low-risk melanoma. RESULTS: Overall, including our case report, we reported 53 articles described 62 DMC patients. Breslow level of primary melanoma was reported having a mean value of 3.3 mm. The mean survival rate from onset of DMC resulted being 4.36 months. CONCLUSIONS: Among the most widely accepted etiopathogenetic hypotheses are deposition of melanic precursors in the dermis following tumor lysis, melanocyte proliferation induced by neoplastic growth factors, and the presence of diffuse dermal micro-metastases of MM. However, unanimous consensus on the proposed etiopathogenetic models of DMC is still lacking.

Efficacy of Human Papillomavirus Vaccines for Recalcitrant Anogenital and Oral Warts.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are preventive measures to decrease HPV infection rates. Knowledge of their efficacy as treatment options for anogenital warts (AGWs) and oral warts (OWs) is limited. To evaluate the efficacy of HPV vaccinations in recalcitrant AGWs and OWs (lesions persisting more than 6 months despite conventional treatments), we compared a group of patients treated with standard therapies plus an HPV vaccine with a group of patients treated with standard therapies only. The response to treatment (in terms of the number of lesions) in the two groups was compared. Data were analyzed with the χ2 test and p values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. The study included 14 patients (group A = cases) who received 3 doses of an intramuscular HPV vaccine (Gardasil 4 or Gardasil 9) in addition to the standard treatments for AGWs and OWs, and 15 age- and sex-matched patients (group B = controls) with an analogous number of lesions to group A who received only standard therapies. After 12 months, 85% of patients of group A versus 33% of group B had positive clinical outcomes (0.004). Our findings suggest a possible therapeutic role of HPV vaccines in addition to standard treatments for AGWs/OWs. Preventive vaccines, blocking the viral entry through the induction of L1-specific antibodies, can prevent autologous reinfections (through auto-inoculation) and favor the elimination of the virus.

Corticophobia among Parents of Children with Atopic Dermatitis: Assessing Major and Minor Risk Factors for High TOPICOP Scores.

Corticophobia, fear of applying topical corticosteroids (TCSs), is a rising issue in industrialized countries, despite the actual safety of TCSs for atopic dermatitis (AD). Patients attending the Pediatric Dermatology Unit for skin examination were screened for AD. AD patients were included, and data were collected. Parental corticophobia was evaluated through the Topical Corticosteroid Phobia (TOPICOP) questionnaire. The χ2 test and logistic regression were used to analyze statistical associations between parental corticophobia (mild/moderate vs. severe) and patients' and parents' characteristics. Overall, 100 patients were included (53 females; 47 males; mean age 5.9 years): 44 had mild/moderate AD (EASI ≤ 21), and 56 had severe AD (EASI > 21) (mean EASI 19.7). Of the patients, 33 never consulted healthcare providers for AD, and 67 did. Parental education was low/intermediate in 60 cases and high (gymnasium/university degree) in 40. Mean parental DLQI was 10.7. Mean parental TOPICOP was 39.1%: 51 had mild/moderate corticophobia (TOPICOP ≤ 50%), and 49 had severe corticophobia (TOPICOP > 50%). At the χ2 test, corticophobia was associated with mild/moderate AD (OR 20.9487; 95% CI 7.2489-60.5402; p < 0.001), older age of patients (OR 4.1176; 95% CI 1.7880 to 9.4828; p < 0.001), early disease onset (OR 9.8925; 95% CI 2.7064-36.1596; p < 0.001), and previous healthcare professional consultations (OR 4.9279; 95% CI 1.9335-12.5597; p < 0.001). Also, severe parental corticophobia was very significantly associated with severe parental involvement of life quality (OR 33.3333; 95% CI 10.9046-101.8937; p < 0.001) and with high education of parents (gymnasium or university degree) (29/49) (OR 5.2727; 95% CI 2.1927-12.6790; p < 0.001). At logistic regression, high parental DLQI (p < 0.0001), high parental education (p < 0.0338), older age of patients (p = 0.0015), and early disease onset (p < 0.0513) accounted for major risk factors influencing severe parental corticophobia. Assessing risk factors for corticophobia is essential for addressing groups of parents at higher risk for corticophobia using educational programs, to overcome unfounded fears and augment treatment adherence.

Facial pruritic skin rash in a Nigerian boy with atopic dermatitis.

We present the case of a 4-year-old boy with annular, pruritic macules on the face who did not respond to the application of topical immunosuppressive therapy for atopic dermatitis. In this case report, we emphasize how pruritic annular macules that are not responsive to immunosuppressants should always be suspected of being tinea incognita.

Childhood vitiligo developing after COVID-19 infection.

Both COVID-19 and vaccinations against it have been related to immune cutaneous manifestations. Here, we present a case of childhood vitiligo, developed after a COVID-19 infection.

Pediatric spitzoid lesions of the ear: a single-center experience and review of the literature.

Spitzoid lesions are challenging melanocytic lesions comprising benign, intermediate, and malignant lesions. In this study, we aimed to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of clinical and dermatoscopical evaluations of pediatric spitzoid ear lesions. We collected and analyzed, clinically, dermatoscopically, and histologically, pediatric spitzoid ear lesions. We also conducted a systematic review of the literature. At the Pediatric Hospital Gaslini, excision and histopathological evaluation were performed on eight cases: 87.5% of the lesions were consistent with Spitz nevus (SN), and 12.5% with atypical Spitz tumor (AST). Notably, multiple (≥2) dermatoscopical irregularities were present in 5 of 7 SN (71%), yet none were found in AST (0%, 0/1) (Fisher's exact test, P=0.375). From systematic research in the literature, 9 patients were included in this review. At histology, 88.9% were SN and 11% AST. Remarkably, also in the literature, multiple dermatoscopical irregularities were present in most SN (75%, 6/8), but not in the identified AST (0%, 0/1) (P=0.3333). We present a monocentric study on pediatric spitzoid ear lesions. Importantly, dermatoscopical irregularities were not significantly associated with AST, neither in our series nor in the reviewed literature (respectively P=0.375 and P=0.3333), supporting the fact that relying only on the dermatoscopical aspect of spitzoid lesions is not accurate enough for the special site of the ear, where dermatoscopy could actually be misleading.

Paediatric Spitzoid Neoplasms: 10-Year Retrospective Study Characterizing Histological, Clinical, Dermoscopic Presentation and FISH Test Results.

INTRODUCTION: Spitzoid lesions are a wide tumour class comprising Spitz nevus (SN), atypical Spitz tumour (AST) and Spitz melanoma (SM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-centre-based retrospective survey on all histologically diagnosed spitzoid lesions of paediatric patients (1-18 years) of the last 10 years (2012-2022). Histopathological reports and electronic records of patients were used to retrieve relevant data regarding patients' features, clinical and dermatoscopical aspects of lesions when recorded, and FISH tests when present. RESULTS: Of 255 lesions, 82% were histologically benign, 17% atypical, 1% malignant. Clinically, 100% of SM were large (≥6 mm) and raised; AST were mainly large (63%), raised (98%), pink (95%). Small (≤5 mm), pigmented, flat lesions correlated with benign histology (respectively 90%, 97%, 98% SN) (p < 0.0001). Dermatoscopical patterns were analysed in 100 patients: starburst pattern correlated with benign histology (26% SN (p = 0.004)), while multicomponent pattern correlated with atypical/malignant lesions (56% AST, 50% SM (p = 0.0052)). Eighty-five lesions were subjected to fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH): 34 (71% AST; 29% SN) were FISH-positive; 51 (63% SN; 37% AST) were FISH-negative (p = 0.0038). DISCUSSION: This study confirmed predominant benign histology (82%) of paediatric spitzoid lesions, thus detecting 17% AST and 1% SM, highlighting the need for caution in handling spitzoid lesions. CONCLUSION: Until AST are considered potentially malignant proliferations and no reliable criteria are identified to distinguish them, the authors suggest a prudent approach, especially in children.

Treatment of Pediatric Anogenital Warts in the Era of HPV-Vaccine: A Literature Review.

Anogenital warts (AWs) represent a therapeutic challenge, especially in infants, due to sensitive skin and frequent disease recurrence. Though the initial wait-and-see approach is often adopted in asymptomatic immunocompetent children, with spontaneous clearing in almost 90% of cases within two years, persistent or symptomatic lesions can be reasonably treated. However, few studies have been conducted on children. Consequently, most treatments on patients under age 12 are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Herein, we review possible therapies for pediatric use in AW and report an illustrative case of a two-year-old boy with atopic skin and symptomatic, persistent AWs who was successfully treated with topical podophyllotoxin, without adverse effects or recurrence. Among available therapies for AWs, topical therapies, such as immunomodulating-agents (topical imiquimod 5% and 3.75% cream, sinecatechins 15% ointment) and cytotoxic agents (podophyllotoxin and cidofovir) are considered manageable in children because of their low aggressiveness. In particular, podofillotoxin gel 5% and imiquimod 5% cream have been reported to be safe and efficacious in children. Currently, HPV vaccination is not recommended as a treatment for established HPV infection and AWs, yet a possible therapeutic role of HPV vaccination was recently suggested in the literature and deserves mention.

Disseminated life-threatening viral skin rash in a child with atopic dermatitis.

We report the case of a toddler, with a history of mild atopic dermatitis (AD) since early infancy, presented to the Giannina Gaslini, a pediatric polyclinic hospital, 14 days after measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination, for the occurrence of a disseminated vesico-pustular rash, accompanied by general malaise, fever, restlessness, and anorexia. Eczema herpeticum (EH) was diagnosed clinically and confirmed by laboratory examinations. The exact pathogenesis of EH in AD is still debated and possibly involves an inter-play between altered cell-mediated and humoral immunity, failure to up-regulate antiviral proteins, and exposure of viral binding sites through the dermatitis and an epidermal barrier failure. We hypothesize that in this particular case, MMR vaccination might have played an additional important role in the alteration of innate immune response, facilitating the manifestation of herpes simplex virus type 1 in the form of EH.