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EBioMedicine May 2024Prurigo nodularis (PN) presents with intensely itchy hard nodules. Despite being limited to the skin, PN was noted to be associated with systemic diseases including...
BACKGROUND
Prurigo nodularis (PN) presents with intensely itchy hard nodules. Despite being limited to the skin, PN was noted to be associated with systemic diseases including diabetes and chronic renal failure. In previous smaller retrospective studies, several cardiac and vascular diseases were found more frequently in patients with PN. However, small cohort sizes, partially discrepant outcomes, missing data, and incomplete risk assessment limit these findings.
METHODS
Electronic health records (EHR)s of 64,801 patients (59.44% females) with PN and an equal sized propensity-matched control group were retrieved. In these cohorts, the risks to develop cardiac and vascular diseases and mortality following the diagnosis of PN were determined. Sub-analyses included stratification for sex, ethnicity, and treatments.
FINDINGS
PN was associated with a higher risk for a broad range of acute cardiac events including heart failure and myocardial infarction. For example, the hazard ratio of myocardial infarction was 1.11 (95%-CI: 1.041-1.184, p = 0.0015) following PN diagnosis. Also, all-cause mortality was higher in patients with PN. Further, chronic vascular as well as structural heart diseases, e.g., peripheral arterial disease, chronic ischaemic heart disease and valval disorders were found more frequently following a PN diagnosis. Risks were more pronounced in white and female patients. Having established an increased risk for death and cardiovascular disease, we next addressed if dupilumab that has been recently licenced for use in this indication can modulate these risks. The risk of death but not of any cardiovascular disease was slightly reduced in patients with PN treated with dupilumab as opposed to those treated with systemic therapies other than dupilumab. The study is limited by retrospective data collection and reliance on ICD10-disease classification.
INTERPRETATION
PN is associated with higher mortality and an increased risk for the development of a wide range of cardiac and vascular diseases. Health care professionals should take this into account when managing patients with PN.
FUNDING
This work was supported by the University of Lübeck, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the State of Schleswig-Holstein.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Prurigo; Cardiovascular Diseases; Middle Aged; Aged; Adult; Cohort Studies; Risk Factors; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38631094
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105123 -
Cureus Jan 2024Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma is rare, slow-growing, and benign neoplasm that is diagnosed based on clinical characteristics and histological findings. It usually...
Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma is rare, slow-growing, and benign neoplasm that is diagnosed based on clinical characteristics and histological findings. It usually presents as a solitary nodule on the extremities and may arise at birth or in childhood. Although it is usually asymptomatic, in some cases it can cause pain and hyperhidrosis. From a histological perspective, it is characterized by an increase in the number of eccrine glands and a proliferation of vascular channels. We present the case of a 26-year-old woman who developed an eccrine angiomatous hamartoma in her right leg. The rapid growth of the lesion during pregnancy coupled with the challenges posed by a superficial biopsy, complicated the differential diagnosis.
PubMed: 38344476
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52059 -
BioMed Research International 2023Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin condition that affects virtually everyone at some point. Papules, comedones, pustules, scarring, and nodules are standard features...
Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin condition that affects virtually everyone at some point. Papules, comedones, pustules, scarring, and nodules are standard features of the disease and can have a detrimental social and psychological impact on an individual. Although allopathic acne treatments are available, they have adverse side effects, are expensive, and are prone to cause antibiotic resistance. The present study is aimed at formulating and evaluating topical gels containing , , and extracts as potential antiacne drugs. Six formulations containing the herbal extracts were prepared using 1% Carbopol 940 as a gelling agent. The phytochemical composition of the plant extracts was determined. The extracts and gels' minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was assessed using the microbroth dilution method. The physicochemical properties of the formulated gels, such as homogeneity, colour, texture, odour, grittiness, spreadability, extrudability, viscosity, pH, and drug content, were evaluated. All the plant extracts contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, and coumarins. The gel formulations showed varying activity against , , , , and at various concentrations. The phytochemical components of the plant extracts are probably responsible for the antimicrobial activity of the gel formulations. The 5% - (1 : 1) combination gel formulation showed excellent activity against , , , , and , with MICs of 12.50, 25.00, 6.25, 25.00, and 12.50 mg/mL, respectively. The gels generally had good physicochemical and antimicrobial properties and could be used as antiacne remedies.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Infective Agents; Plant Extracts; Acne Vulgaris; Phytochemicals; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Candida albicans; Gels; Escherichia coli
PubMed: 38146392
DOI: 10.1155/2023/7838299 -
Journal of Investigative Medicine High... 2024Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTLP), a unique variant of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, clinically mimics subcutaneous panniculitis. It is... (Review)
Review
Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTLP), a unique variant of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, clinically mimics subcutaneous panniculitis. It is typified by the development of multiple plaques or subcutaneous erythematous nodules, predominantly on the extremities and trunk. Epidemiological findings reveal a greater incidence in females than males, affecting a wide demographic, including pediatric and adult cohorts, with a median onset age of around 30 years. Diagnosis of SPTLP is complex, hinging on skin biopsy analyses and the identification of T-cell lineage-specific immunohistochemical markers. Treatment modalities for SPTLP are varied; while corticosteroids may be beneficial initially for many patients, a substantial number require chemotherapy, especially in cases of poor response or relapse. Generally, SPTLP progresses slowly, yet approximately 20% of cases advance to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), often correlating with a negative prognosis. We report a case of a young male patient presenting with prolonged fever, multiple skin lesions accompanied by HLH, a poor clinical course, and eventual death, diagnosed postmortem with SPTLP. In addition, we also present a literature review of the current evidence of some updates related to SPTLP.
Topics: Humans; Male; Biopsy; Diagnosis, Differential; Fatal Outcome; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic; Lymphoma, T-Cell; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous; Panniculitis; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; Young Adult
PubMed: 38742532
DOI: 10.1177/23247096241253337 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2023While standard treatment has shown efficacy in patients with breast cancer gene () mutations, recurrence rates are high and additional effective therapies are needed....
While standard treatment has shown efficacy in patients with breast cancer gene () mutations, recurrence rates are high and additional effective therapies are needed. Olaparib, a poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, approved for the treatment of metastatic germline / breast cancer (BC), has demonstrated evidence of a progression-free survival (PFS) benefit, good safety profile, and improved quality of life compared with standard chemotherapy. We here describe the case of a patient with mutated advanced BC and a long history of response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy who received systemic treatment with olaparib. First diagnosed in March 2011 at the age of 38 years with early-stage BC of the right breast, she underwent quadrantectomy plus ipsilateral axillary lymphadenectomy and adjuvant treatments with chemotherapy regimen containing 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC) followed by radiotherapy. Five years later, following a contralateral nodule detection leading to left breast quadrantectomy, she received adjuvant systemic treatment with docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide and radiotherapy. Gene testing showed a germline deleterious variant, and she underwent bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy. One year later, skin metastasis and bone infiltrations were detected, and she was started on first-line systemic treatment. The patient was enrolled in the IMpassion131 trial (investigating atezolizumab addition to paclitaxel) but unblinding showed that she was randomized in the placebo arm. She received second-line systemic therapy with LAG525 plus carboplatin (CLAG525B2101 trial) resulting in a PFS of 14 months. At disease progression, she was eligible for systemic third-line therapy with olaparib (300 mg twice daily) and had a complete response after 6 months of therapy and a PFS of 40 months at the time of writing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a complete response following treatment with third-line systemic olaparib in a long-responding patient and relatively good tolerability and quality of life, pre-treated with both chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
PubMed: 37601649
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1214660 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Nov 2023Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, -is an orthopoxvirus infection of the skin and previously a public health emergency of international concern. It reemerged in...
BACKGROUND
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, -is an orthopoxvirus infection of the skin and previously a public health emergency of international concern. It reemerged in Nigeria over 5 years ago and has since spread to other parts of the world. This is a case report of a confirmed patient who was managed at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria before the global surge. This report shows peculiar differences from previous patients managed at the same center in terms of the relatively prolonged eruptive phase, possible seasonal occurrence of mpox in the community, and some traditional care for mpox and skin rashes. It also corroborates previous reports of possible sexual transmission of mpox in Nigeria before the report from the global outbreak.
CASE PRESENTATION
The patient is a 30-year-old Nigerian male artisan with a 2-month history of raised rashes on the body that started on the genitals then involved other parts of the body. There was history of sore throat and unprotected sex with a female partner with similar rash whose other sexual history could not be ascertained. There was also history of "seasonal" rash in his village for about 7 years prior to his symptoms. Examination showed multiple vesicles and some nodules (ulcerating, healing, and healed) on the face, trunk, limbs, gluteal region, scrotum, palms, and sole, an almost circumferential penile ulcer, and lymphadenopathy. Polymerase chain reaction skin samples sent for mpox returned positive, while retroviral and coronavirus disease 2019 screenings were negative. He was managed in isolation while contact tracing in the affected community was initiated.
CONCLUSION
Atypical presentations of mpox, as managed in Irrua before the global surge, emphasize the varied spectrum of presentations (typical and atypical) in Nigeria. Therefore, there is a need for a higher index of suspicion for the uncommon presentations which will strengthen case recognition, case management, and community-based interventions as well as surveillance in the prevention and control of mpox in Irrua, its environs, Nigeria, and the world.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Mpox (monkeypox); Exanthema; Skin; Black People; Buttocks
PubMed: 38007455
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-023-04225-0 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Oct 2023Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is formation of calcium deposits in the dermal layers of the scrotum. It results in the formation of single or multiple nodular...
Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is formation of calcium deposits in the dermal layers of the scrotum. It results in the formation of single or multiple nodular calcifications that vary in size and number. First reported in 1883, this condition is common in the third decade of life. The presenting complaints range from disfigurement to itching, leading to decreased quality of life. The diagnosis is usually made on a clinical basis and can be confirmed by the histopathology of the excised nodules. Surgical removal of the nodules is the generally recommended treatment. The surgery aims to eradicate the nodules leaving the scrotal skin enough for scrotoplasty. We present a case of idiopathic scrotal calcinosis in a 37 years old male who came for radiological examination.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Genital Diseases, Male; Quality of Life; Scrotum; Pruritus; Calcinosis
PubMed: 37876077
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.6997 -
Surgical Case Reports Nov 2023IgG4-related diseases are characterized by marked infiltration and IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibrosis, and involve multiple organs. However, IgG4-related mastitis...
BACKGROUND
IgG4-related diseases are characterized by marked infiltration and IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibrosis, and involve multiple organs. However, IgG4-related mastitis is rare. We report a case of mastitis associated with IgG4-related disease.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 78-year-old woman visited our hospital with a complaint of multiple subcutaneous nodules. A biopsy of a dorsal subcutaneous mass was performed but did not yield a definitive diagnosis. However, blood tests showed a high level of IgG4, thus she was referred to the department of collagen disease for further examination. Computed tomography (CT) showed a thickening of the skin of the right breast, and the patient was referred to our department. On physical examination, a large area of thickened skin was observed in the right breast without inflammatory breast cancer-like redness, and no mass was palpable. A needle biopsy was performed on an indistinct hypoechoic area in the breast, and she was diagnosed with mastitis associated with IgG4-related disease. Systemic steroid therapy was then administered and the symptoms of multiple skin nodules and mastitis improved.
CONCLUSIONS
We reached the diagnosis based on a biopsy of the mammary gland enabling the patient to begin treatment for IgG4-related disease. This case was characterized by breast skin thickening, which is different from inflammatory breast cancer.
PubMed: 37907692
DOI: 10.1186/s40792-023-01770-0 -
Animal Genetics Aug 2023Darier disease is caused by heterozygous loss of function variants in the ATP2A2 gene encoding the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca pump ATP2A2. Defective...
Darier disease is caused by heterozygous loss of function variants in the ATP2A2 gene encoding the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca pump ATP2A2. Defective intracellular calcium signaling in the epidermis results in a loss of desmosomal adhesion and the development of characteristic skin lesions. In this study, we investigated a Shih Tzu that developed erythematous papules on the ventrum and, over time, the dorsal neck and a nodule in the right ear canal with secondary ear infection. Histopathologic examination demonstrated discrete foci of acantholysis affecting suprabasal layers of the epidermis. Whole genome sequencing of the affected dog identified a heterozygous missense variant, p.N809H, affecting an evolutionarily conserved amino acid residue of the ATP2A2 protein. The highly characteristic clinical and histopathologic findings together with a plausible variant in the only known functional candidate gene establish the diagnosis of canine Darier disease in the studied dog and highlight the potential of genetic analyses as complementary diagnostic approach in veterinary medicine.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Darier Disease; Mutation, Missense; Heterozygote; Calcium; Pedigree; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 36883421
DOI: 10.1111/age.13314 -
Annals of Dermatology Nov 2023Pilomatricoma is a benign skin tumor that arises from hair follicle stem cells. It typically presents in the facial region and rarely involves the palms and soles. A...
Pilomatricoma is a benign skin tumor that arises from hair follicle stem cells. It typically presents in the facial region and rarely involves the palms and soles. A 15-year-old boy presented with a solitary tender nodule on the left sole. He had a history of plantar warts on the same site and had received multiple treatments including cryotherapy and intralesional bleomycin injection for nine months. Excisional biopsy was performed, and the specimen showed a well-demarcated mass in the deep dermis with basaloid cells undergoing abrupt keratinization. Ghost cells were seen with calcification. Based on these findings, he was diagnosed with pilomatricoma on the sole. We report a case of pilomatricoma, which developed on a site without hair follicles.
PubMed: 38061712
DOI: 10.5021/ad.21.165