The first case of lymphogranuloma venereum in a woman in East-Central Europe and its multiple co-infections.

We are reporting the first case of lymphogranuloma venereum in women in East-Central Europe. A 22-year-old heterosexual woman attended our department of venereology. She complained about a burning sensation in the urethra and vaginal discharge. Many tests were performed, and lymphogranuloma venereum, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydial urethritis and cervicitis, genital herpes, genital warts, and hepatitis C were diagnosed. Lymphogranuloma venereum was originally endemic in tropical and subtropical areas, but since 2003, outbreaks of this infection have been reported in North America, Europe, and Australia in men who have sex with men (MSM) community. To date, all cases of lymphogranuloma venereum in the Czech Republic appeared in men, predominantly in HIV-positive MSM. There are not many evidences about lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in women in developed countries. This report underlines the need for awareness of lymphogranuloma venereum in women among gynecologists, venereologists, and other physicians not only in Western Europe, but across all European countries.

Successful Treatment with 10% Sinecatechins Ointment for Recurrent Anogenital Warts in an Eleven-Year-Old Child.

Treatment of anogenital warts was successful in an 11-year-old child with sinecatechins ointment 10%. After application for 10 weeks, the warts completely disappeared, without recurrence during a 12-week follow-up. Treatment was well tolerated, without notable side effects. Sinecatechins appear to be a reasonable treatment for anogenital warts in children who have difficulty tolerating painful destructive therapy.

Immunosuppressive therapy in the posttransplant period and skin cancer.

AIMS: To determine the incidence of malignancies in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) and to analyze the association between the risk of skin cancer and immunosuppressive regiments used in the posttransplant period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort study was performed on 797 RTRs. Standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) was calculated for the most common types of cancer developed in the posttransplant period and different types of immunosuppressive therapy used in the cohort. RESULTS: 192 cases of malignancies were diagnosed in 86 RTRs (10.8%). Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was the most frequent type of cancer (SMR = 6.42, p = 0.000), followed by renal cancer (SMR = 5.9, p = 0.000), malignant melanoma (SMR = 2.59, p = 0.080), and prostate cancer (SMR = 1.21, p = 0.593). The risk to develop NMSC was significantly higher in the group where cyclosporine has been used besides tacrolimus, mycophenolatemophetil and steroids as well as in the group treated with the combination without cyclosporine (SMR = 9.62, p = 0.001 and SMR = 5.18, p = 0.000). Furthermore, the risk was significantly higher in RTRs receiving anti-thymocyte globulin within induction therapy (SMR = 4.14, p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The preliminary results indicate that the risk of NMSC in RTRs is significantly higher than in the general population and thus emphasize the need to improve preventive strategies in the Czech transplant population.

Relative Importance of Traditional Risk Factors for Malignant Melanoma in the Czech Population.

AIM: The Czech Republic is one of the leading European countries in incident cases of malignant melanoma (MM), which is on the rise. The study objective was to assess the strength of associations between MM and the known generally accepted risk factors for MM in the population of the Czech Republic. METHODS: The study was designed as a case-control study where cases were incident cases of MM detected at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology of the Bulovka Hospital. Controls were selected from cancer-free patients admitted to departments other than Dermatology and Venereology. Validated questionnaires were used to collect demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data. RESULTS: The binary logistic model shows the main risk factors for MM: male, female (OR=0.292, 95% CI=0.175-0.486), a changed mole (OR=6.371, 95% CI=3.774-10.756), a history of skin cancer (OR=95.704, 95% CI=37.241-10.756), and sunbeds use (OR=3.594, 95% CI=1.288-10.028). Using sunscreen products was considered as a protective factor against MM (OR=0.253, 95% CI=0.137-0.466). CONCLUSION: The primary and secondary prevention increasingly emerges as a public health priority in the effort to reverse the negative trend in cases of MM and mortality from this disease in the Czech Republic. A prerequisite for an effective secondary prevention through screening is, among others, the identification of the population groups at highest risk for MM.

Malignant melanoma in organ transplant recipients: incidence, outcomes, and management strategies: a review of literature.

Malignant melanoma is considered to be an immunogenic tumor, which is expected to change its behaviour in the field of immunosuppression. Although the incidence of melanoma in organ transplant recipients is increased to a smaller degree than in non-melanoma skin cancer, its potential morbidity and mortality has to be considered in the posttransplant care. The aim of this review is to investigate the relationship between melanoma and immunosuppression and to discuss management strategies for different melanoma scenarios in pre-transplant as well as posttransplant period.

Drug fever as an adverse effect of acitretin in complicated psoriasis patient.

We present a case of a 63-year old man with severe chronic plaque psoriasis and a recent history of lung cancer, wherein fever appeared suddenly after initiation of treatment with low dose acitretin. Tumor recurrence or infection was not found during extensive examinations, nevertheless the patient was empirically treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics without any effect on fever. Immediately after discontinuation of acitretin therapy, the fever disappeared. The patient was followed for next 2 years, during this period similar problems did not reappear, although there has been a relapse of psoriasis and the patient was switched later on biological treatment.

Significantly higher incidence of skin cancer than other malignancies in patients after heart transplantation. A retrospective cohort study in the Czech Republic.

AIMS: To perform the first study in Czech Republic on heart transplant recipients (HTRs), compare the risks for different types of cancer and provide comprehensive analysis of skin cancer and other types of cancer morbidity from which we would be able to derive an evidence-based skin cancer surveillance program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed to determine and compare standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) of different types of cancer developed after heart transplantation. We analysed data obtained from medical documentation of 603 HTRs transplanted between 1993 and 2010. RESULTS: 191 incident cases of malignancy occurred in123 HTRs (20.4%). According to expectations, nonmelanoma skin cancer was the most frequent type of malignancy (119 cases) with SMR 7.6 (P < 0.001), followed by lung cancer with SMR 2.7 (P < 0.001). SMR for melanoma was 2.5, P = 0.129. Other types of cancer in HTRs (prostate and kidney cancer) were less frequent (SMR 2.06, P = 0.038 and SMR 2.03, P = 0.122). CONCLUSION: The risk of malignancy development is significantly higher for HTRs compared to the general population. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is the most frequent type of cancer followed by basal cell carcinoma. These findings emphasise the importance of regular skin cancer screening in HTRs.

First case of pachyonychia congenita in the Czech Republic.

Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is a rare autosomal dominant skin disorder characterized predominantly by hypertrophic nail dystrophy, oral leukokeratosis, and painful palmoplantar keratoderma. It is associated with a mutation in one of five keratin genes, KRT6A, KRT6B, KRT6C, KRT16, or KRT17. The International PC Research Registry (IPCRR) confirms that as of January 2014 there have been 547 cases of PC genetically confirmed. It is estimated that there are between 2000 and 10,000 cases of PC in the world. However, the exact prevalence of PC is not yet established. We report a case of PC-K6a, p.Arg164Pro, in a 40-year-old man. Initially he was diagnosed with onychomycosis and was treated with systemic antifungals. This is the first genetically confirmed case of PC in the Czech Republic.

The rare case of Alternaria alternata cutaneous and pulmonary infection in a heart transplant recipient treated by azole antifungals.

We report a case of Alternaria alternata cutaneous and pulmonary infection in a 62-year-old man after heart transplantation treated by azole antifungals. Alternaria spp. belong to a group of opportunistic dematiaceous fungi with worldwide distribution. The cutaneous form of the infection in human is very rare and occurs predominantly among immunosuppressed patients. Therefore, diagnosis is often delayed or not reached at all. Appropriate treatment is not standardized and remains a matter of discussion. According to current studies, the best results are obtained with systemic azole antifungal therapy combined with surgical intervention.