Analysis of mutations in the PIK3CA and FGFR3 genes in verrucous epidermal nevus.

Verrucous epidermal nevi are congenital hamartomas composed of keratinocytes and may occur alone or in association with developmental abnormalities. A close relationship between variations in the PIK3CA and FGFR3 genes and the appearance of nevi has been recently reported. Based on that, we performed molecular assays for the identification of E542K, E545G/K and H1047R mutations in the PIK3CA gene and of the R248C mutation in the FGFR3 gene. Interestingly, during the amplification process, we did not observe the PCR product of exon 9 of the PIK3CA gene, a region comprising amino acids 542-545. This strongly suggests the occurrence of a microdeletion of that region and indicates a possible allelic variant, which has not yet being described in the literature.

Analysis of mutations in the PIK3CA and FGFR3 genes in verrucous epidermal nevus / Analise de mutacoes nos genes PIK3CA e FGFR3 em caso de nevo epidermico verrucoso

Verrucous epidermal nevi are congenital hamartomas composed of keratinocytes and may occur alone or in association with developmental abnormalities. A close relationship between variations in the PIK3CA and FGFR3 genes and the appearance of nevi has been recently reported. Based on that, we performed molecular assays for the identification of E542K, E545G/K and H1047R mutations in the PIK3CA gene and of the R248C mutation in the FGFR3 gene. Interestingly, during the amplification process, we did not observe the PCR product of exon 9 of the PIK3CA gene, a region comprising amino acids 542-545. This strongly suggests the occurrence of a microdeletion of that region and indicates a possible allelic variant, which has not yet being described in the literature.

Os nevos epidérmicos verrucosos são hamartomas congênitos compostos por queratinócitos, que podem ocorrer isolados ou associados a alterações do desenvolvimento. Com a recente observação de uma relação estreita entre variações nos genes PIK3CA e FGFR3 e o aparecimento do nevo, realizamos ensaios moleculares para identificação das mutações E542K, E545G/K e H1047R do gene PIK3CA, e R248C do gene FGFR3. Interessantemente, durante o processo de amplificação não observamos o produto da PCR do exon 9 do gene PIK3CA, região que compreende aos aminoácidos 542-545, sugerindo fortemente a ocorrência de uma microdeleção da região e indicando uma provável variante alélica ainda não descrita na literatura.

Marshall's syndrome.

Marshall's syndrome is a form of acquired cutis laxa without systemic involvement, which is preceded by an inflammatory dermatitis with a neutrophilic component. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy with clinical and histopathological features of this syndrome. The etiology remains unknown and there is no definitive treatment.

Marshall's syndrome / Síndrome de Marshall

Marshall´s syndrome is a form of acquired cutis laxa without systemic involvement, which is preceded by an inflammatory dermatitis with a neutrophilic component. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy with clinical and histopathological features of this syndrome. The etiology remains unknown and there is no definitive treatment.

Síndrome de Marshall é uma forma de cutis laxa adquirida, sem envolvimento sistêmico, que é precedida por uma dermatite inflamatória com componente neutrofílico. Relatamos o caso de um menino de 6 anos de idade com as características clínicas e histopatológicas desta síndrome. A etiologia desta doença permanece desconhecida e ainda não existe um tratamento definitivo. .

Você conhece esta síndrome? / Do you know this syndrome?

Relatamos um caso típico, em um paciente masculino de 20 anos, da síndrome de Sjögren-Larsson, que é uma doença neurocutânea, autossômica recessiva e incapacitante, caracterizada por ictiose congênita, plegia espástica e retardo mental. É causada pela deficiência da enzima aldeído graxo desidrogenase. Não tem cura, porém a maioria dos pacientes sobrevive até a idade adulta. O tratamento deve ser multidisciplinar e a terapia dermatológica tem o objetivo de aliviar o prurido persistente e a ictiose.

We report a typical case of Sjogren-Larsson syndrome in a male patient, aged 20. The Sjogren-Larsson syndrome is a neurocutaneous, autosomal recessive and disabling condition, characterized by congenital ichthyosis, spastic paraplegia and mental retardation. It is caused by deficiency of the microsomal enzyme fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase. It has no cure, but most patients survive up to an adult age. Treatment should be multidisciplinary and dermatological therapy aims at relieving the persistent itching and ichthyosis.

Case for diagnosis. Idiopathic calcinosis.

Idiopathic calcinosis is a rare disease characterized by abnormal deposit of calcium salts on the dermis. It has several clinical presentations. In patients suffering from Down Syndrome, there is a rare association with idiopathic calcinosis lesions similar to milium.

Caso para diagnóstico / Case for diagnosis

A calcinose idiopática é uma doença rara, caracterizada pelo depósito de sais de cálcio na derme. Possui diversas apresentações clínicas. Em pacientes com Síndrome de Down, ocorre uma rara associação com lesões de calcinose diopática semelhantes a milium.

Idiopathic calcinosis is a rare disease characterized by abnormal deposit of calcium salts on the dermis. It has several clinical presentations. In patients suffering from Down Syndrome, there is a rare association with idiopathic calcinosis lesions similar to milium.

[Immunosuppressive agents in Dermatology]. / Imunossupressores na Dermatologia.

Immunosupressants are drugs that act in cell division and have anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, they are essentially prescribed in the prevention of transplant rejection and in the treatment of autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammatory diseases, whose main example in Dermatology is psoriasis. In this work the most important immunosuppressive drugs and orientation to properly administer them are going to be described.

Imunossupressores na Dermatologia / Immunosuppressive agents in Dermatology

Os imunossupressores são drogas que agem na divisão celular e têm propriedades anti-inflamatórias. Sendo assim, são essencialmente prescritos na prevenção de rejeição de transplantes e no tratamento das doenças autoimunes e inflamatórias crônicas, que, na Dermatologia, têm a psoríase como maior representante. Nesta sessão serão descritas as principais drogas imunossupressoras, com orientações para seu manejo adequado.

Immunosupressants are drugs that act in cell division and have anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, they are essentially prescribed in the prevention of transplant rejection and in the treatment of autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammatory diseases, whose main example in Dermatology is psoriasis. In this work the most important immunosuppressive drugs and orientation to properly administer them are going to be described.

Do you know this syndrome? Sjogren-Larsson syndrome.

We report a typical case of Sjogren-Larsson syndrome in a male patient, aged 20. The Sjogren-Larsson syndrome is a neurocutaneous, autosomal recessive and disabling condition, characterized by congenital ichthyosis, spastic paraplegia and mental retardation. It is caused by deficiency of the microsomal enzyme fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase. It has no cure, but most patients survive up to an adult age. Treatment should be multidisciplinary and dermatological therapy aims at relieving the persistent itching and ichthyosis.

Case for diagnosis: (Ectodermal dysplasia: Christ-Siemens-Touraine syndrome).

Christ-Siemens-Touraine syndrome (hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia) is a rare syndrome characterized by the triad of absent or reduced sweating, hypotrichosis, and defective dentition. The prominent forehead, saddle nose, thick lower lip and pointy chin produce a distinctive facies. The full syndrome only occurs in men as it is an X-linked recessive condition.

[Efficacy comparison between cimetidine and zinc sulphate in the treatment of multiple and recalcitrant warts].

BACKGROUND: Warts are epithelial proliferations on the skin and mucous membrane caused by various types of HPV. They can decrease spontaneously or increase in number and size according to patient's immune status. Cimetidine and zinc sulphate have important effects on the immune system and are used as immunomodulators in the treatment of various diseases. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of cimetidine and zinc sulphate in the treatment of multiple and recalcitrant warts. METHODS: A random double-blind prospective study. Eighteen patients with multiple warts were divided into two groups: one took 35 mg/Kg/day of cimetidine (maximum 1200 mg/day) and the other 10 mg/Kg/day of zinc sulphate (maximum 600 mg/day) for three months. RESULTS: Among the 18 patients who participated in the study, nine took cimetidine and nine zinc sulphate. Just one patient in the zinc sulphate group did not complete treatment due to nausea and vomiting. Five patients who were treated with zinc sulphate were cured and only one did not show modifications in lesions. Among the group who was treated with cimetidine, five did not show modifications in lesions and four showed decrease from baseline below 30%. CONCLUSIONS: 10 mg/Kg/day zinc sulphate dose seems to be more effective than cimetidine for the treatment of children and adults with multiple and difficult-to-handle warts. However, the small number of patients did not enable any definitive conclusion.

Caso para diagnóstico / Case for diagnosis

A síndrome de Christ-Siemens-Touraine (displasia ectodérmica hipoidrótica) é uma síndrome rara, caracterizada pela tríade de sudorese reduzida ou ausente, hipotricose e dentição defeituosa. Bossas frontais proeminentes, nariz em sela, lábio inferior espesso e queixo pontudo fazem com que os pacientes tenham uma fácies característica e semelhante. A síndrome completa ocorre em homens, visto tratar-se de herança recessiva ligada ao X.

Christ-Siemens-Touraine syndrome (hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia) is a rare syndrome characterized by the triad of absent or reduced sweating, hypotrichosis, and defective dentition. The prominent forehead, saddle nose, thick lower lip and pointy chin produce a distinctive facies. The full syndrome only occurs in men as it is an X-linked recessive condition.

Comparação entre a eficácia da cimetidina e do sulfato de zinco no tratamento de verrugas múltiplas e recalcitrantes / Efficacy comparison between cimetidine and zinc sulphate in the treatment of multiple and recalcitrant warts

FUNDAMENTOS: Verrugas são proliferações epiteliais na pele e mucosas causadas por diversos tipos de HPV. Elas podem involuir espontaneamente ou aumentar em número e tamanho de acordo com estado imunitário do paciente. A cimetidina e o sulfato de zinco têm importante efeito no sistema imune, sendo usados como imunomoduladores no tratamento de diversas doenças. OBJETIVO:Comparar a eficácia terapêutica de cimetidina e sulfato de zinco no tratamento de verrugas cutâneas de difícil tratamento. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo duplo-cego randomizado. Dezoito pacientes com verrugas múltiplas foram divididos em dois grupos, um recebeu cimetidina 35mg/kg/dia (máximo 1.200mg/dia), e o outro, sulfato de zinco 10mg/kg/dia (máximo de 600mg/dia) por três meses. RESULTADOS: Dos 18 pacientes do estudo, nove receberam cimetidina, e nove, sulfato de zinco; apenas um do grupo do sulfato de zinco não completou o tratamento devido a náuseas e vômitos. Cura foi obtida em cinco pacientes tratados com sulfato de zinco, e apenas um não obteve alteração das lesões. Do grupo da cimetidina cinco não apresentaram modificação, e quatro apresentaram diminuição inferior a 30% das lesões iniciais. CONCLUSÕES: Sulfato de zinco na dose de 10mg/kg/dia parece ser mais efetivo que cimetidina para o tratamento de crianças e adultos com verrugas múltiplas e de difícil manejo. A pequena casuística deste trabalho não permite, entretanto, conclusão categórica.

Background: Warts are epithelial proliferations on the skin and mucous membrane caused by various types of HPV. They can decrease spontaneously or increase in number and size according to patient's immune status. Cimetidine and zinc sulphate have important effects on the immune system and are used as immunomodulators in the treatment of various diseases. Objective: To compare the efficacy of cimetidine and zinc sulphate in the treatment of multiple and recalcitrant warts. Methods: A random double-blind prospective study. Eighteen patients with multiple warts were divided into two groups: one took 35mg/Kg/day of cimetidine (maximum 1200 mg/day) and the other 10 mg/Kg/day of zinc sulphate (maximum 600 mg/day) for three months. Results: Among the 18 patients who participated in the study, nine took cimetidine and nine zinc sulphate. Just one patient in the zinc sulphate group did not complete treatment due to nausea and vomiting. Five patients who were treated with zinc sulphate were cured and only one did not show modifications in lesions. Among the group who was treated with cimetidine, five did not show modifications in lesions and four showed decrease from baseline below 30%. Conclusions: 10 mg/Kg/day zinc sulphate dose seems to be more effective than cimetidine for the treatment of children and adults with multiple and difficult-to-handle warts. However, the small number of patients did not enable any definitive conclusion.

Sarna costrosa en un lactante desnutrido / Crusted scabies in a malnourished infant

La sarna costrosa o sarna noruega es una forma de escabiosis altamente contagiosa, debido al gran número de parásitos en la piel, como resultado de una falla de la respuesta inmune del huésped. A diferencia de la forma clásica, el prurito es menos intenso y las pápulas eritematosas, así como los túneles escabióticos pueden estar en pequeño número o ausentes. En los casos generalizados puede haber desarrollo de linfadenopatía e infección secundaria con evolución a sepsis u otra complicación grave. Reportamos el caso de un lactante de cinco meses de edad, desnutrido, con cuadro de sarna costrosa asociado a alteraciones significativas en los exámenes físico y de laboratorio (AU)

The crosted or norwegian scabies is a highly contagious form of scabies, given great number of parasites in the skin, resultant of an imperfection of the immune deffense of the host. In this clinic presentation, pruritus is less intense and eritematous papules as well as linear burrows can occur in small number or exactly absent. In generalized cases it can have the development of adenopathy and secondary infection can occur being able to evolve for sepse or serious other complications.We report the case of an infant of 5 months of age, malnourished, with crosted scabies associated with significative alterations in the physical and laboratorial examinations (AU)