mycophenolic-acid and Erythema

The erythrodermic patient is often challenging and requires careful evaluation. Work-up should include an extensive and careful medication history, histological and laboratory testing, and if necessary, molecular studies for the evaluation of underlying malignancy. Herein, we present an erythrodermic patient with repeated biopsies demonstrating a spongiotic process who was found to have circulating atypical T-cells concerning for an underlying erythrodermic T-cell leukemia, most closely related to Sézary syndrome.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Eosinophils; Erythema; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Male; Mycophenolic Acid; Prognosis; Sezary Syndrome; T-Lymphocytes

Topics: Antibodies, Viral; Drug Substitution; Erythema; Everolimus; Herpesviridae Infections; Herpesvirus 8, Human; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lung Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Mycophenolic Acid; Postoperative Complications; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Tacrolimus; Thoracic Neoplasms; Tissue Donors; Viremia

To date, no study has compared the clinical characteristics, malignancy associations, and treatment of dermatomyositis in predominantly Caucasian vs. Asian populations.. This prospective study was conducted to compare clinical characteristics of dermatomyositis, its relationship to malignancy, and treatment between two tertiary medical centers in the USA and Singapore. A total of 19 newly-diagnosed patients in the USA and 15 patients in Singapore were enrolled. Dermatomyositis or amyopathic dermatomyositis were diagnosed based on clinical assessment, skin and muscle biopsies, and muscle testing.. Ninety-five percent of patients in the USA group were of Caucasian descent, while 93% of patients in the Singapore group were of Chinese descent. Both groups were predominantly female. Pruritus was the most common initial symptom reported in both groups, while periungual erythema and Gottron's papules were the most common skin presentations. Heliotrope eruption was more common in the Singapore group, occurring in 80% of patients vs. 32% of patients in the USA group (P = 0.007). Three patients in the Singapore group developed a malignancy, with two of these patients having nasopharyngeal carcinoma. None of the USA patients developed malignancies in a follow- up period of 2-5 years. Immunosuppressive steroid sparing therapy with hydroxychloroquine was more frequently used in Singapore, while topical tacrolimus was more frequently used in the USA.. The clinical presentations of dermatomyositis vary among different ethnic populations. Chinese patients with dermatomyositis have a significant risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; Asian People; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Calcium Compounds; Carcinoma; Dermatomyositis; Dietary Supplements; Diphosphonates; Erythema; Female; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Methotrexate; Middle Aged; Mycophenolic Acid; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Oxides; Prospective Studies; Pruritus; Rituximab; Singapore; Tacrolimus; Tertiary Care Centers; United States; Vitamin D; White People

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a primary lymphocytic cicatricial alopecia with a distinctive clinical pattern of progressive frontotemporal hairline recession. Currently, there are no evidence-based studies to guide treatment for patients with FFA; thus, treatment options vary among clinicians.. We report clinical findings and treatment outcomes of 36 patients with FFA, the largest cohort to date. Further, we report the first evidence-based study of the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in FFA using a quantitative clinical score, the Lichen Planopilaris Activity Index (LPPAI).. A retrospective case note review was performed of 36 adult patients with FFA. Data were collected on demographics and clinical findings. Treatment responses to hydroxychloroquine, doxycycline and mycophenolate mofetil were assessed using the LPPAI. Adverse events were monitored.. Most patients in our cohort were female (97%), white (92%) and postmenopausal (83%). Apart from hairline recession, 75% also reported eyebrow loss. Scalp pruritus (67%) and perifollicular erythema (86%) were the most common presenting symptom and sign, respectively. A statistically significant reduction in signs and symptoms in subjects treated with hydroxychloroquine (P < 0·05) was found at both 6- and 12-month follow up.. In FFA, hairline recession, scalp pruritus, perifollicular erythema and eyebrow loss are common at presentation. Despite the limitations of a retrospective review, our data reveal that hydroxychloroquine is significantly effective in reducing signs and symptoms of FFA after both 6 and 12 months of treatment. However, the lack of a significant reduction in signs and symptoms between 6 and 12 months indicates that the maximal benefits of hydroxychloroquine are evident within the first 6 months of use.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alopecia; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cohort Studies; Dermatologic Agents; Doxycycline; Enzyme Inhibitors; Erythema; Eyebrows; Female; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine; Male; Middle Aged; Mycophenolic Acid; Pruritus; Retrospective Studies; Scalp; Severity of Illness Index; Time Factors

A scleroderma-like cutaneous syndrome, occurring after implantation of a prosthetic knee joint in an elderly woman, is reported. This case did not seem to typically fit into any of the known scleroderma-like disorders of the skin described to date. The patient was shown to be sensitized to metals contained in the prosthesis and to mount a Th2-type immune response concomitantly with development of skin fibrosis. In particular, eosinophilia, markedly elevated serum IgE levels, in vitro spontaneous production of interleukin (IL)-4 by T lymphocytes, and elevated serum levels of Th2 cytokines (namely, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) were observed during the acute phase of illness. Since eosinophils and such Th2 cytokines as IL-13 also have recognized fibrogenic properties, it is speculated that the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis in this case could have been the direct and/or indirect consequence of the coexisting Th2-type immune response.

Topics: Aged; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Cobalt; Cytokines; Eosinophilia; Erythema; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Immunosuppressive Agents; Knee Prosthesis; Mycophenolic Acid; Pregnenediones; Scleroderma, Limited; Syndrome