Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift für Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete
-
As a rare antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA, formerly Churg-Strauss syndrome) is characterized by asthma, severe peripheral eosinophilia and the presence of extravascular granulomas. Cutaneous involvement usually includes palpable purpura or cutaneous to subcutaneous nodes. We present the case of a 43-year-old woman with EPGA and the unusual cutaneous manifestation of livedo racemosa.
-
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major pathogens causing chronic skin and soft tissue infections. Particularly isolates producing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) comprising methicillin-susceptible and community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) have been associated with more aggressive and persistent or relapsing courses. Beyond classical resistance mechanisms, functional resistance as shown by the small colony-variant (SCV) phenotype could be also responsible for treatment failures, despite the administration of antibiotics tested in vitro as susceptible. ⋯ Due to their ability to persist intracellularly, SCVs are protected from host defense and antibiotic treatment if only extracellularly active agents are administered. Reduced growth, abnormal colony morphology and changes in the metabolism of the SCVs aggravate drastically their identification, differentiation and susceptibility testing. The diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of PVL-positive and SCV isolates necessitate close collaboration with microbiological and infectious disease specialists.
-
In Germany, over half a million operations are done in dermatologic surgery in a hospital setting every year, as well as a less well quantified number of procedures in private offices. In spite of this large number, specific guidelines concerning the use of perioperative antibiotics in dermatologic surgery are sparse. ⋯ Given the increasing antimicrobial resistance among important pathogens and the inherent risks of antibiotic administration, the decision for the use of prophylactic antibiotics should be based on the individual risk profile of the patient and of the surgical procedure. In the following, we will critically discuss the evidence for perioperative antibiotics in dermatologic surgery.
-
Pemphigoid diseases are a group of autoimmune disorders characterized by subepidermal blistering and autoantibodies against structural proteins of the dermal-epidermal junction. In bullous pemphigoid, the most common subepidermal blistering autoimmune disease, antibodies are directed against the hemidesmosomal antigens BP180 (collagen type XVII) and BP230. ⋯ Diagnostic landmarks are the detection of linear IgG and/or C3 deposits at the dermo-epidermal junction by direct immunofluorescence microscopy of a perilesional biopsy and the detection of serum autoantibodies by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy on human salt-split skin and ELISA employing recombinant immunodominant fragments of BP180 and BP230. Treatment options include topical (class IV) and/or systemic corticosteroids, frequently combined with immunomodulatory agents like dapsone and tetracyclines or immunosuppressants such as methotrexate and azathioprine.
-
Cicatricial alopecias are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The irreversibility and cosmetic sequelae of cicatricial alopecia demand special diagnostic attention. Loss of follicular orifices points to permanent hair loss, due to irreversible damage to essential parts of the follicle or destruction of the entire follicle. ⋯ The primary cicatricial alopecias include well-defined chronic inflammatory diseases differentiated depending on the type and pattern of inflammation. Although clinicopathologic features allow for diagnosis in most cases, therapeutic limits reflect the boundaries of our present understanding. With expanding technologies for dissecting the immunologic and molecular basis, there is hope for a deeper understanding of the underlying pathogenesis and novel therapeutic interventions.