[Impact of COVID pandemic on the detection of skin cancer]. / Impact de la pandémie de Covid sur la détection des cancers de la peau.

In 2020, we have seen patients with neglected skin cancer in the context of the COVID pandemic. But what is the global health impact of the pandemic on skin cancer patients ? Is it as high as the delayed care of a heart infarct ? To answer this question, we have confronted a theoretic, a probabilistic and a scientific approach. These analyses allow us to conclude that the impact overall was moderate. It allows to draw general guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer for future pandemics.

En 2020, nous avons observé des cas de cancers de la peau négligés en raison de la pandémie de Covid-19. Mais quel est l'impact réel de la pandémie sur la détection des cancers de la peau en termes de santé publique ? Est-il aussi grand que celui d'une prise en charge retardée d'un infarctus du myocarde ? Pour répondre à cette question, nous avons confronté des approches théorique, probabilistique et scientifique. Ces analyses nous permettent de conclure que l'impact global a été heureusement faible. Elles permettent de tirer les grandes lignes directives qui sont à tenir dans le domaine de la prise en charge des cancers cutanés en temps de pandémie.

Madurella mycetomatis infection of the buttock in an Eritrean refugee in Switzerland: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Mycetoma is a neglected infectious disease caused by a fungus (eumycetoma) or bacteria (actinomycetoma); it is characterized by chronic local inflammation with sinus formation and purulent discharge. Its course can be quite devastating because of the difficulty in diagnosing the infection and in eliminating the causative agent. Although endemic in many countries in the tropics and subtropics, the migration of Africans to Europe may increase the presence of this neglected disease in European countries. We present a case of an Eritrean patient living in a non-endemic country who was diagnosed as having an infection of Madurella mycetomatis in an atypical location in his body. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 35-year-old African male refugee from Eritrea, living in Switzerland since 2015, who presented with a 1-year history of a painful soft tissue swelling associated with dark nodules in his right buttock. He mentioned having several previous surgeries after 2001 while he was in Eritrea due to recurrent abscess formation on this body area. In the previous months, the swelling had become more significant and nodules started draining a purulent fluid. An initial diagnostic hypothesis of buttock abscess was made and he was referred to a dermatologist for diagnostic confirmation and further specialist care due to the size and atypical presentation. After a punch biopsy, the diagnosis of eumycetoma was confirmed and cultures developed Madurella mycetomatis. The initial treatment approach consisted of oral treatment by itraconazole; however, a surgical resection of the lesions was finally needed. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, mycetoma should be diagnosed as early as possible to avoid long-lasting complications. Primary care physicians in European countries are frequently in the first line of care of migrant patients and therefore should be aware of the common and uncommon clinical presentations of mycetoma.

[Psoriasis: advances and challenges in 2015]. / Psoriasis: nouveautés et défis en 2015.

Over the course of the last decade advances in the understanding the pathogenesis of psoriasis have resulted in the development of many novel, safe and effective biologics. However, a significant proportion of patients respond inadequately to biologics--defined by failing to respond initially (lack of efficacy) or secondary failure--with diminishing response over time (loss of efficacy). Over the past years insights into molecular and genetic profiles have allowed to better define psoriasis phenotypes and to explain these therapeutic failures. Here we will illustrate these advances, describe the novel therapeutics on the horizon and review the current view of psoriasis as a systemic disease associated with co-morbidities and its important implications for the management of psoriatic patients.