Lehman, Julia S.

SummaryGraft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is the major complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and is associated with high mortality in severe cases. The skin is one of the major organs affected in both acute and chronic GVHD. This review aims to elucidate the basic characteristics of GVHD, and the role and contribution of dermatologists in the care of patients with this condition.

AbstractBackgroundLeukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) in children is a complex group of conditions.ObjectivesThis study presents the demographics, clinical features, direct immunofluorescence (DIF) results and suspected aetiologies of 56 biopsy‐confirmed cases of leukocytoclastic vasculitis in children.MethodsRetrospective review of 56 children seen at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, from 1993 to 2013 with clinical features and cutaneous biopsy consistent with LCV.ResultsTwenty‐seven (48%) cases were found to be due to IgA vasculitis (Henoch‐Schonlein purpura). The remaining cases were found to be due to cutaneous small‐vessel vasculitis (n = 19, 34%), urticarial vasculitis (n = 5, 9%), ANCA‐associated vasculitis (n = 4, 7%) and acute haemorrhagic oedema of infancy (n = 1, 2%). IgA vasculitis was found to be associated with abdominal pain (P = 0.008), whereas the non‐IgA vasculitis group was associated with headache (P = 0.052). Children with IgA vasculitis had palpable purpura (P = <0.001), petechia (P = 0.057), vesicles (P = 0.009) and involvement of the buttock (P = 0.004) more frequently than the non‐IgA vasculitis group. On DIF, perivascular IgA was positive in IgA vasculitis compared to non‐IgA vasculitis cases (P = <0.001), the other conjugates were similar between the two groups.ConclusionThe most common subtype of biopsy‐confirmed LCV in children is IgA vasculitis. Clinical features, exam characteristics and DIF results can be helpful in determining the subtype of cutaneous vasculitis in children.

SummaryPneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is an opportunistic infection associated with substantial rates of mortality in immunosuppressed patients. Prophylaxis recommendations are mostly targeted toward patients with non‐dermatologic diagnoses. This study was conducted to determine when dermatology patients treated with immunosuppressive medications should be offered P. jiroveci pneumonia prophylaxis. We searched the literature from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2013, using terms relating to P. jiroveci pneumonia and dermatologic diagnoses to analyze the clinical characteristics of previously affected patients. Guidelines for P. jiroveci pneumonia prophylaxis from other medical fields were also analyzed. Of 17 dermatology patients reported to have contracted P. jiroveci pneumonia, eight (47.1%) died of the pneumonia. Risk factors included lack of prophylaxis, systemic corticosteroid therapy, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, low serum CD4 counts, comorbid pulmonary or renal disease, malignancy, and prior organ transplantation. The present conclusions are limited by heterogeneity among the selected studies and limitations in their identification and selection. However, P. jiroveci pneumonia in dermatology patients is associated with a high mortality rate. Based on our analysis, we propose that prophylaxis be considered in dermatology patients in whom treatment with systemic corticosteroids at doses exceeding 20 mg/day or treatment with corticosteroid‐sparing immunosuppressive agents is anticipated for at least 4 weeks, and in patients with additional risk factors for P. jiroveci pneumonia.

Abstract Background Acquired lymphangiectasia of the vulva ( ALV ) is a rare condition thought to be secondary to pelvic lymphatic obstruction. Although benign, this entity often occurs after previous malignancy and can be confused with conditions such as genital warts. We sought to clarify the clinicopathologic features of ALV by studying affected patients from our institution and from the existing literature. Methods We reviewed retrospectively the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of patients with ALV from our institution and performed an extensive literature search to identify all published cases of ALV . Results Eleven patients with ALV were identified from our institution. Three patients had Crohn disease, three had malignancies involving the pelvic region (rectal adenocarcinoma, cervical carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma), and three (two with pelvic malignancy) had previous radiation therapy. One patient had Proteus syndrome. Of 67 distinct cases of ALV identified in the literature, 41 (61%) had a history of malignancy. Conclusions In any acquired or clinically unusual lymphatic process in the skin and soft tissues, a lesion or obstructive process of the draining lymphatics should be investigated.

AbstractAutoimmune bullous diseases, such as pemphigus, pemphigoid, and dermatitis herpetiformis, are uniquely associated with vulnerability in the mucocutaneous barrier against infection. The management of immunobullous diseases is complex and may at times require immunosuppressive medications. Iatrogenic immunosuppression may increase susceptibility to vaccine‐preventable illnesses. Currently, there are no guidelines to assist the clinician treating patients with immunobullous disease regarding the delivery of various vaccinations. The aim of this review is to provide recommendations for immunization in the unique setting of immunobullous disease. Recommendations are based on careful review of the literature in other conditions requiring iatrogenic immunosuppression, as well as the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Immunization with nonlive vaccines appears to be a safe and effective strategy for preventing infection in the particularly susceptible patient with immunobullous disease. Opportunities for live vaccine administration may become available at lower levels of immune suppression or during clinical remission when immunosuppressive regimens can be reduced. Anticipatory vaccination before the initiation of iatrogenic immunosuppression is ideal. Although immunologic response to vaccination may be suboptimal during immunosuppression, nonlive vaccination is strongly recommended for this patient population.

BackgroundCutis laxa‐like features were observed in a subset of patients with scleromyxedema. Given this observation, clinical and histopathologic features of scleromyxedema were reviewed in correlation with elastic tissue staining.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed clinical records and histopathologic features from patients with scleromyxedema seen at our institution from 1992 through 2013. We also evaluated available skin biopsies with an elastin stain and assessed whether dermal elastin fibers were diminished in density or were fragmented (or both).ResultsNineteen patients with scleromyxedema and 34 skin biopsies were identified. Alcian blue (mucin) stain was used to grade mucin deposition as weakly positive (24%), positive (44%) and markedly positive (32%). Eight patients (42%) had clinical findings of cutis laxa, which were often observed in conjunction with areas of papular eruption or induration. Elastic tissue fibers were normal in 9 of 34 skin specimens (26%), 18 of 34 specimens (53%) had diminished elastic fiber density and 7 of 34 (21%) had markedly decreased density. The elastic tissue was fragmented in 25 specimens (74%).ConclusionsA cutis laxa‐like clinical presentation and decreased elastic tissue density on skin biopsy were consistent findings. Dermatologists and dermatopathologists should be aware of these previously unreported clinical and histopathologic findings.

AbstractBackgroundThe pemphigus group is characterized by the presence of circulating immunoglobulins against desmosomes. IgG/IgA pemphigus is defined by the presence of IgG and IgA cell surface deposits upon direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and/or circulating IgG and IgA autoantibodies upon indirect immunofluorescence. Previous reports of patients with IgG/IgA pemphigus are sparse. Whether IgG/IgA pemphigus is best classified as a subtype of IgG (classic) pemphigus or IgA pemphigus, or as a distinct entity, has yet to be determined.ObjectivesWe compared the features of patients with IgG/IgA pemphigus to those of IgG pemphigus and IgA pemphigus.MethodsRetrospective clinicopathologic study of patients with IgG, IgG/IgA, and IgA pemphigus evaluated at our clinic (1993–2013).ResultsWe included 26, 13, and seven patients with IgG, IgG/IgA, and IgA pemphigus, respectively. Patients with IgG/IgA pemphigus did not differ significantly from patients with IgG pemphigus in terms of clinical and microscopic features, DIF findings, anti‐desmoglein antibody values, and treatments required. However, patients with IgG/IgA pemphigus were significantly different from patients with IgA pemphigus regarding intertriginous distribution (P = 0.038) and pustular lesions (P < 0.001), acantholysis (P = 0.043), and presence of intercellular C3 deposits on DIF (P < 0.001).ConclusionComparative clinicopathologic data imply that IgG/IgA pemphigus may best be regarded as a variant of IgG pemphigus and distinct from IgA pemphigus.