Generalized Pustular Psoriasis and Systemic Organ Dysfunctions.

This review explores the intricate relationship between generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) and various systemic diseases, shedding light on the broader impacts of this severe skin condition beyond its primary dermatological manifestations. GPP is identified as not only a profound contributor to skin pathology but also a significant risk factor for systemic diseases affecting cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, pulmonary, and skeletal systems, as well as associated with an increased incidence of anemia, depression, anxiety, and arthritis. The research highlights the complex interplay of cytokines, particularly IL-17 and IL-36, which are central to the pathophysiology of GPP and implicated in the exacerbation of systemic conditions. Key findings indicate a higher incidence of cardiovascular events in GPP patients compared to those with other severe forms of psoriasis, notably with a stronger correlation between myocardial infarction history and GPP development. Liver disturbances, frequently reversible upon psoriasis remission, suggest a cytokine-mediated link to hepatic health. Renal dysfunction appears elevated in GPP sufferers, with IL-17 and IL-36 potentially driving renal fibrosis. Similarly, interstitial lung disease and osteoporosis in GPP patients underscore the systemic reach of inflammatory processes initiated in the skin. The associations with anemia, depression, anxiety, and arthritis further complicate the clinical management of GPP, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. The study concludes that managing GPP effectively requires a holistic approach that addresses both the cutaneous and systemic dimensions of the disease, advocating for continued research into the mechanisms that connect GPP with broader health implications to refine therapeutic strategies.

The incidence of Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions and associated risk factors in pregnant women and nonpregnant women: A retrospective chart review at a university hospital in Japan.

AIMS: Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions (JHR) is a transient adverse event that occurs during initial antimicrobial treatment for syphilis patients, and is known to develop uterine contractions and fetal distress in pregnant women complicated with syphilis. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for JHR in patients with syphilis, and to clarify whether pregnancy status is a risk factor for JHR, and to describe the characteristics of pregnant women who develop JHR. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review in a singleton university hospital in Japan. We collected data of syphilis patients who were diagnosed and treated at department of obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology between January 2010 and May 2022. There were no validated diagnostic criteria for JHR, we defined JHR as one or more of the following in addition to raised body temperature (≧38.0°C) within 24 h of initial antibiotic treatment: headache, chills, myalgias, tachycardia (≧110 bpm), new rash. RESULTS: There were 30 syphilis patients. Of whom nine (30%) were pregnant women and all their neonates were not diagnosed with congenital syphilis. Five patients (17%) developed JHR at the time of initial treatment (JHR group, n = 5). There was no difference between JHR group and non-JHR group (n = 25) in pregnancy status. Secondary syphilis was an only significant risk factor for JHR. Two pregnant women with JHR were both treated for secondary syphilis in the third trimester of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy status was not a risk factor for JHR in syphilis patients. Further research is needed.

Maresin-1 and Inflammatory Disease.

Inflammation is an essential action to protect the host human body from external, harmful antigens and microorganisms. However, an excessive inflammation reaction sometimes exceeds tissue damage and can disrupt organ functions. Therefore, anti-inflammatory action and resolution mechanisms need to be clarified. Dietary foods are an essential daily lifestyle that influences various human physiological processes and pathological conditions. Especially, omega-3 fatty acids in the diet ameliorate chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Recent studies have identified that omega-3 fatty acid derivatives, such as the resolvin series, showed strong anti-inflammatory actions in various inflammatory diseases. Maresin-1 is a derivative of one of the representative omega-3 fatty acids, i.e., docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and has shown beneficial action in inflammatory disease models. In this review, we summarize the detailed actions of maresin-1 in immune cells and inflammatory diseases.

[A Case of a Subcutaneous Foreign Body Discovered by Coincidence During a Head MRI Imaging Examination].

An 80-year-old male was admitted to the department of neurology for intensive examination and treatment of peri-optic nerve inflammation. Magnetic resonance imaging examination could not be conducted because a magnetic resonance imaging examination at a previous clinic revealed a subcutaneous foreign body on his head, possibly a piece of metal. He was referred to our department for the removal of this foreign body. There was no traumatic scar in the skin and we could not identify this subcutaneous foreign body by physical examination and superficial echography, but radioscopy could find this subcutaneous material and we could remove this foreign body under the guidance of the radioscopy.

Daily Lifestyle and Inflammatory Skin Diseases.

Throughout life, it is necessary to adapt to the Earth's environment in order to survive. A typical example of this is that the daily Earth cycle is different from the circadian rhythm in human beings; however, the ability to adapt to the Earth cycle has contributed to the development of human evolution. In addition, humans can consume and digest Earth-derived foods and use luxury materials for nutrition and enrichment of their lives, as an adaptation to the Earth's environment. Recent studies have shown that daily lifestyles are closely related to human health; however, less attention has been paid to the fact that obesity due to excessive energy intake, smoking, and alcohol consumption contributes to the development of inflammatory skin diseases. Gluten or wheat protein, smoking and alcohol, sleep disturbance, and obesity drive the helper T (Th)1/Th2/Th17 immune response, whereas dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids negatively regulate inflammatory cytokine production. In this review, we have focused on daily lifestyles and the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases.

The Role of IL-17-Producing Cells in Cutaneous Fungal Infections.

The skin is the outermost layer of the body and is exposed to many environmental stimuli, which cause various inflammatory immune responses in the skin. Among them, fungi are common microorganisms that colonize the skin and cause cutaneous fungal diseases such as candidiasis and dermatophytosis. The skin exerts inflammatory responses to eliminate these fungi through the cooperation of skin-component immune cells. IL-17 producing cells are representative immune cells that play a vital role in anti-fungal action in the skin by producing antimicrobial peptides and facilitating neutrophil infiltration. However, the actual impact of IL-17-producing cells in cutaneous fungal infections remains unclear. In this review, we focused on the role of IL-17-producing cells in a series of cutaneous fungal infections, the characteristics of skin infectious fungi, and the recognition of cell components that drive cutaneous immune cells.

The Role of Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (CADM1) in Cutaneous Malignancies.

Cell adhesion ability is one of the components to establish cell organization and shows a great contribution to human body construction consisting of various types of cells mixture to orchestrate tissue specific function. The cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) is a molecule of cell adhesion with multiple functions and has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene. CADM1 has multifunctions on the pathogenesis of malignancies, and other normal cells such as immune cells. However, little is known about the function of CADM1 on cutaneous cells and cutaneous malignancies. CADM1 plays an important role in connecting cells with each other, contacting cells to deliver their signal, and acting as a scaffolding molecule for other immune cells to develop their immune responses. A limited number of studies reveal the contribution of CADM1 on the development of cutaneous malignancies. Solid cutaneous malignancies, such as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, reduce their CADM1 expression to promote the invasion and metastasis of the tumor. On the contrary to these cutaneous solid tumors except for Merkel cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphomas, such as adult-T cell leukemia/lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, and Sézary syndrome, increase their CADM1 expression for the development of tumor environment. Based on the role of CADM1 in the etiology of tumor development, the theory of CADM1 contribution will desirably be applied to skin tumors according to other organ malignancies, however, the characteristics of skin as a multicomponent peripheral organ should be kept in mind to conclude their prognoses.

Drug eruption caused by enzalutamide: A case and literature review of androgen receptor inhibitor-related drug eruptions.

Enzalutamide is an androgen receptor inhibitor. We report a new cutaneous eruption to this drug and review cases of drug eruptions caused by androgen receptor inhibitors.

[A Case in Which S-1 plus CDDP and S-1 Therapy Responded to Liver Metastasis Recurrence after Gastric Cancer Operation].

A 55-year-old man underwent distal gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection for type 2 gastric cancer of the antrum. One year later, CEA elevation was discovered, and contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography(CT)revealed a 40 mm mass in the liver(S8), which was judged to be a metastatic recurrence of the gastric cancer.S -1 plus CDDP was administered in 5 courses, followed by regular treatment with S-1 alone.Two years after the recurrence was diagnosed, the patient's CEA level was found to be normal, and CT revealed almost total scarring.After 2 more years, there was still no sign of recurrence, so, with the patient's consent, we discontinued the chemotherapy.Eight years after the gastrectomy, a 10mm nodular shadow was observed in the left lower lung lobe, and resection was performed.Despite the earlier diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma, this mass was considered a primary lung adenocarcinoma, and the patient died of small-cell lung cancer 11 years and 8 months after the gastrectomy.It is notable that the liver metastasis in this case responded to the S-1 plus CDDP and S-1 therapies, and this response is considered in light of the literature.

First case of drug eruption due to ipragliflozin: Case report and review of the literature.

Ipragliflozin is a new drug for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Its action of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition induces glucosuria and decreases blood glucose levels. We report the first case of ipragliflozin-related eczematous drug eruption and a review of the past literature on drug eruptions caused by SGLT2 inhibitors.

Purpuric Type Drug Eruption Caused by Azithromycin: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Azithromycin, an azolide antibiotic with structural and functional similarities to macrolides, possesses distinct features such as its effects persisting for seven days, an extended half-life by administering it once daily for three days, and strong antimicrobial activity. Notably, vomiting and diarrhea are recognized as the primary adverse events related to azithromycin. In this particular case, we present a unique case describing a purpuric-type drug eruption associated with azithromycin, which represents an uncommon cutaneous manifestation. A 64-year-old female developed a purpuric eruption on her trunk and lower extremities seven days after receiving daily intravenous azithromycin for upper bronchitis. A previous occurrence of punctate purpuric eruption following azithromycin administration was documented in her medical history. The diagnosis of azithromycin-induced skin eruption was confirmed based on the clinical progression and the recurrence of the eruption upon re-administration of the drug. In response to this diagnosis, the patient underwent treatment involving the discontinuation of azithromycin and the application of topical betamethasone butyrate propionate ointment. Remarkably, her eruption significantly improved within two weeks, although residual pigmentation persisted post-treatment. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive review of the literature, examining cases of drug eruptions related to azithromycin.

A Case Report of Mycosis Fungoides Presenting With Blister Formation.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with a usually indolent course. Early detection is crucial for effective intervention. We present a case of a 40-year-old male with MF exhibiting blistering as a rare precursor symptom. Despite initial treatment for eczema, the condition worsened over 10 months, leading to erythema, edema, and enlarged lymph nodes. Laboratory and imaging findings confirmed the diagnosis of MF. The patient responded partially to cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/prednisone in combination with brentuximab vedotin (A-CHP) therapy. This case highlights the significance of recognizing blistering as a prodromal symptom for early detection and management of MF.

Recurrent Merkel Cell Carcinoma Following COVID-19 Treatment.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer influenced by the immune system. Recent studies suggest that viral infections, notably COVID-19, may exacerbate such malignancies. This case report explores potential mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, could influence the behavior and proliferation of malignant tumor cells. Emerging evidence indicates that COVID-19 may disrupt immune surveillance and modulation, which are critical in controlling the spread and severity of cancers, including MCC. Additionally, the cytokine storm induced by COVID-19 is proposed to facilitate tumorigenic activity, potentially enhancing MCC aggressiveness. By integrating clinical findings with contemporary immunological and virological theories, this report aims to contribute to the understanding of COVID-19's impact on cancer progression, specifically MCC, emphasizing the need for comprehensive management strategies in cancer patients during the pandemic.

Spesolimab in the Management of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis With Concurrent Bullous Pemphigoid and Psoriasis.

Autoimmune diseases often co-occur due to shared immunological mechanisms, necessitating strategic treatment approaches to manage overlapping conditions without exacerbating each other. A 75-year-old male with a history of psoriasis vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid (BP) developed new-onset pustular psoriasis under systemic corticosteroid therapy, which is known to potentially worsen psoriasis into its pustular form. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis, showing features typical of pustular psoriasis. The patient was successfully treated with spesolimab, an anti-IL-36 neutralizing antibody, achieving complete remission without aggravating the BP. This case highlights the necessity of cautious treatment selection in patients with multiple autoimmune disorders and underscores the potential role of IL-36 in exacerbating inflammatory responses in BP. Further research into the interaction between IL-36 and BP may provide deeper insights into managing such complex clinical scenarios.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Caused by Eribulin.

Eribulin, a chemotherapy drug classified as a microtubule inhibitor, is known to target cell microtubule structures, impeding cancer cell growth and spread. This paper discusses a rare case of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) induced by eribulin in a patient with angiosarcoma, marking it as an uncommon adverse reaction. This patient developed severe mucosal and skin lesions after the third dose of eribulin. Laboratory tests and a skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of TEN. The patient responded well to steroid therapy, although skin eruptions reoccurred with further eribulin treatment. This case highlights the need for further study on the immunological effects of eribulin, especially concerning severe drug eruptions potentially related to its impact on microtubule dynamics and immune cell functions.

Malignant Melanoma With Neural Marker-Positive Distant Organ Cancers.

Malignant melanoma is a melanocyte-derived tumor known for its aggressive clinical behavior. Melanocytes originate from the neural crest, which also gives rise to neural tissues. Malignant melanoma can occasionally exhibit neural differentiation. We report a case of a 70-year-old male with malignant melanoma exhibiting neural marker positivity in the absence of typical melanoma markers. The patient initially presented with a dark nodule on his left heel, which was confirmed as malignant melanoma through cytology. Surgical resection and lymph node dissection were performed, revealing atypical melanocytes. Despite postoperative nivolumab treatment, metastases in the brain and lungs were observed. Histological examination of the brain tumor showed neural differentiation markers (thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), cytokeratin 7 (CK7), AE1/AE3, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)) with negative melanoma markers. The patient eventually succumbed to the disease despite multiple treatments. An autopsy revealed multiple organ tumors (brain, duodenum, stomach, liver, and bile duct) negative for melanoma markers but positive for neuroendocrine markers (CD56, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A). This case suggests two possibilities: the coexistence of malignant melanoma with neuroendocrine tumors or a transformation of melanoma into a neuroendocrine phenotype. This case highlights the need for clinicians to consider the potential for melanoma to lose typical markers and transform into neuroendocrine cancer.

Clinical Characteristics of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome and Long-Term Real-World Efficacy and Tolerability of Canakinumab in Japan: Results of a Nationwide Survey.

OBJECTIVE: We assess the clinical characteristics of patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) in Japan and evaluate the real-world efficacy and safety of interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibitors, primarily canakinumab. METHODS: Clinical information was collected retrospectively, and serum concentrations of canakinumab and cytokines were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included, with 86 and 15 carrying heterozygous germline and somatic mosaic mutations, respectively. We identified 39 mutation types, and the common CAPS-associated symptoms corresponded with those in previous reports. Six patients (5.9% of all patients) died, with four of the deaths caused by CAPS-associated symptoms. Notably, 73.7% of patients (100%, 79.6%, and 44.4% of familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, Muckle-Wells syndrome, and chronic infantile neurological cutaneous articular syndrome/neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease, respectively) achieved complete remission with canakinumab, and early therapeutic intervention was associated with better auditory outcomes. In some patients, canakinumab treatment stabilized the progression of epiphysial overgrowth and improved height gain, visual acuity, and renal function. However, 23.7% of patients did not achieve inflammatory remission with crucial deterioration of organ damage, with two dying while receiving high-dose canakinumab treatment. Serological analysis of canakinumab and cytokine concentrations revealed that the poor response was not related to canakinumab shortage. Four inflammatory nonremitters developed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-unclassified during canakinumab treatment. Dual biologic therapy with canakinumab and anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents was effective for IBD- and CAPS-associated symptoms not resolved by canakinumab monotherapy. CONCLUSION: This study provides one of the largest epidemiologic data sets for CAPS. Although early initiation of anti-IL-1 treatment with canakinumab is beneficial for improving disease prognosis, some patients do not achieve remission despite a high serum concentration of canakinumab. Moreover, IBD may develop in CAPS after canakinumab treatment.

The Development of Systemic Inflammatory Diseases in Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

It is understood that the skin is a peripheral lymphoid tissue that defends against external environmental stimuli. Continuous activation from these factors, on the other hand, promotes persistent inflammation at the local location and, occasionally, tissue damage. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a typical inflammatory skin disease and becomes a source of numerous inflammatory cytokines due to the chronic intractable repeated inflamed tissues. Because inflammatory cells and cytokines circulate throughout the body from the inflamed organ, it has been hypothesized that HS-mediated skin inflammation impacts the systemic functioning of numerous organs. Recent updates to clinical and experimental investigations revealed that HS has a significant connection with systemic inflammatory disorders. We provide the details and comprehensive molecular mechanisms associated with systemic inflammatory illnesses due to HS.