Metastatic meningioma of the scalp.

Meningiomas generally present as slow-growing, expanding intracranial lesions and are the most common benign intracranial tumor in adults. Rarely, meningiomas can exhibit malignant potential and present as extracranial soft-tissue masses through extension or as primary extracranial cutaneous neoplasms. Although they are uncommonly encountered by dermatologists, it is important to include meningioma in the differential diagnosis for scalp neoplasms. We present a rare case of a 68-year-old woman with scalp metastasis of meningioma 11 years after initial resection of the primary tumor.

The Role of IL-17 in the Human Immune System and Its Blockage as a Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) functions as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immunity. In addition to being a crucial defense mechanism against extracellular pathogens, it plays a significant role in inflammation, therefore considered a decisive factor in inflammatory conditions; hence the importance of its understanding for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Animal models have demonstrated that blockage of the IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) may prevent these pathologies. For instance, there is evidence that IL-17R-deficient mice may be protected against the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE). Furthermore; inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PSA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have been associated with IL-17, and therapeutically targeting this inflammatory pathway could improve patients' outcomes. The discovery and subsequent studies of this interleukin have aided in the understanding of the immune system, and its potential therapeutic blockage provokes optimism for the treatment of these distressing conditions. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(5):539-542.

Fractional Ablative Laser Followed by Transdermal Acoustic Pressure Wave Device to Enhance the Drug Delivery of Aminolevulinic Acid: In Vivo Fluorescence Microscopy Study.

BACKGROUND: Topical drug delivery is the foundation of all dermatological therapy. Laser-assisted drug delivery (LAD) using fractional ablative laser is an evolving modality that may allow for a greater precise depth of penetration by existing topical medications, as well as more efficient transcutaneous delivery of large drug molecules. Additional studies need to be performed using energy-driven methods that may enhance drug delivery in a synergistic manner. Processes such as iontophoresis, electroporation, sonophoresis, and the use of photomechanical waves aid in penetration. This study evaluated in vivo if there is increased efficacy of fractional CO2 ablative laser with immediate acoustic pressure wave device. METHODS: Five patients were treated and biopsied at 4 treatment sites: 1) topically applied aminolevulinic acid (ALA) alone; 2) fractional ablative CO2 laser and topical ALA alone; 3) fractional ablative CO2 laser and transdermal acoustic pressure wave device delivery system; and 4) topical ALA with transdermal delivery system. The comparison of the difference in the magnitude of diffusion with both lateral spread of ALA and depth diffusion of ALA was measured by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: For fractional ablative CO2 laser, ALA, and transdermal acoustic pressure wave device, the protoporphyrin IX lateral fluorescence was 0.024 mm on average vs 0.0084 mm for fractional ablative CO2 laser and ALA alone. The diffusion for the acoustic pressure wave device was an order of magnitude greater. CONCLUSION: We found that our combined approach of fractional ablative CO2 laser paired with the transdermal acoustic pressure wave device increased the depth of penetration of ALA.

PTPN22 profile indicates a novel risk group in Alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a genetically determined autoimmune hair loss disorder. A polymorphism in protein tyrosine phosphatase N22 (PTPN22), which normally suppresses T-cell proliferation, has been associated with human autoimmune disease, including AA in European populations. PTPN22 genotype frequency in known to vary geographically. Accordingly, we conducted a case-control study of the PTPN22 1858C/1858T (C1858T) genotype frequency in North American Caucasians and non-Caucasians. Allele status was determined in 365 AA patients, 196 healthy related control subjects (RC) and 77 unrelated healthy control subjects (UrC). We found that AA patients are more likely to carry the PTPN22 C1858T genotype than UrCs (p = 0.075), and this association reached significance in patients with the most severe disease presentation (Alopecia universalis vs. UrC, p = 0.024). PTPN22 C1858T genotype frequency in RC did not differ from AA patients (p = 0.657), but was significantly increased in comparison with UrC (p = 0.050). PTPN22 1858C/T genotype frequency increased in related control subjects most closely associated with patients (one family members of AA patients vs. UrC subjects, p = 0.040). Our data suggests that AA patients (particularly those that are severely affected) and closely related control subjects may belong to a shared inheritance group with increased disease risk, distinct from secondary and tertiary relatives and unrelated individuals. These findings have implications for the study of candidate genes and susceptibility to AA that may influence future clinical monitoring of unaffected, but closely related family members of patients.

HLA-E*0103X is associated with susceptibility to Pemphigus vulgaris.

Non-classical human leucocyte antigen-E (HLA-E) mediates natural killer and CD8+ T-cell activity, suggesting a role in the regulation of autoimmunity. HLA-E*0103X/*0103X has been associated with Behcet's disease and HLA-E *0101/*0103X with childhood onset diabetes. We investigated HLA-E allele status in 52 Caucasian and Ashkenazi Jewish Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients and 51 healthy controls by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction and amplification refractory mutation system. Associations were determined via chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and logistical regression analysis. HLA-E outcomes included presumed homozygous *0101/*0101 or *0103X/*0103X genotype status or *0101/*0103X heterozygous status. PV did not significantly associate with either *0101/*0101 or *0101/*0103X genotypes. HLA-E*0103X/*0103X (presumed homozygote) is significantly increased in patients with PV versus controls (P = 0.0146, OR = 3.730, 95%CI = 1.241-11.213). Our data provide the first evidence that HLA-E*0103X is a marker for genetic risk in PV.

A case of argyria: multiple forms of silver ingestion in a patient with comorbid schizoaffective disorder.

Argyria is a rare cutaneous manifestation of silver deposits in the skin, characterized by a grayish blue discoloration, particularly in sun-exposed areas. We report the case of a patient with a history of schizoaffective disorder and type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented with argyria of the face and neck. The patient had a history of ingesting colloidal silver proteins (CSPs) for approximately 10 years as a self-prescribed remedy for his medical conditions. Colloidal silver protein has gained popularity among patients who seek alternative medical therapies. Argyria is the most predominant manifestation of silver toxicity. It is unclear if our patient began taking CSP because of his schizoaffective disorder or if silver toxicity may have induced somatic delusions; however, it is important for physicians to have a thorough understanding of alternative therapies on the market. We present a detailed background on silver ingestion and its systemic effects.

PTPN22 1858T is not a risk factor for North American pemphigus vulgaris.

Alterations in the protein tyrosine phosphatase N22 (PTPN22) gene affect the threshold for lymphocyte activation. The PTPN22 1858T polymorphism leads to uninhibited T-cell receptor cascade propagation. An elevated PTPN22 1858C/T genotype frequency has been correlated with several autoimmune disorders which have T-cell and humoral components. However, a recent Tunisian report demonstrated no association between PTPN22 1858T and patients with Pemphigus vulgaris (PV), an autoantibody-associated blistering disorder. Because PTPN22 1858T allele frequency is known to vary across ethnic populations, we conducted a case-control study investigating the relationship between PTPN22 1858T and PV in North American patients of either Ashkenazi Jewish or Caucasian (non-Ashkenazi) decent. Participant genotype was determined in 102 PV patients and 102 healthy controls by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction genotyping. Relationships were calculated using Fisher's exact tests and chi-squared tests. We report that the PTPN22 1858C/T genotype is not significantly associated with PV in either Caucasians (P = 0.83) or Ashkenazi Jews (P = 0.60). Further stratification of the patient population by gender, age of disease onset, HLA-type, family history of autoimmune disease, history of anti-desmoglein (anti-Dsg) 3 or anti-Dsg1 antibody response, history of lesion morphology, and disease duration did not uncover significant associations between the PTPN22 1858T allele and PV subgroups. Our data indicate that the PTPN22 1858T mutation is not associated with PV in the North American population. We do observe an elevation of PTPN22 1858C/T genotype frequency in male PV patients. Further investigation will be required to determine if this trend reaches significance in larger studies.

Scalp hyperkeratosis and alopecia in children of color.

BACKGROUND: Scalp hyperkeratosis and/or alopecia are common pediatric dermatologic findings. In Caucasian children, scalp hyperkeratosis of childhood is most often associated with atopic and seborrheic dermatides. Recent data is lacking on the clinical meaning of scalp hyperkeratosis and alopecia in children of color. OBJECTIVE: To determine diagnosis associated with scalp hyperkeratosis and/or alopecia in a predominately Black and Hispanic pediatric patient population. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for all children (0-17 years of age) seen at our institution who had a scalp fungal culture for the evaluation of scalp hyperkeratosis and/or alopecia from January 2007 to September 2009. Fungal culture was performed using cotton swab technique, plating onto Sabouraud's and Mycosel media. Demographic features, fungal culture results, clinical symptoms, physical findings and final diagnosis were reviewed. RESULTS: 164 children were identified who were eligible for inclusion in the study, 75 of whom were Black and 56 Hispanic/Latino. Scalp hyperkeratosis was noted in 106 patients and alopecia was noted in 71 subjects. Tinea capitis was the final diagnosis in 50 out of 80 children who had hyperkeratosis without alopecia (60%), 16 of 43 children with alopecia alone (37.2%) and 23 of 28 children with both hyperkeratosis and alopecia (82.1%, P=0.0007). The odds ratio of tinea capitis in the presence of hyperkeratosis with alopecia was 7.49 with a 95 percent confidence limit of 2.19-25.70. CONCLUSION: Scalp hyperkeratosis, especially when accompanied by alopecia, is usually associated with tinea capitis in Black and Hispanic children. Fungal culture and empirical anti-fungal therapy are warranted in children of color with scalp hyperkeratosis.

A survey of skin conditions and concerns in South Asian Americans: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: South Asians represent a rapidly growing part of the U.S. population, increasing 188 percent from 1990 to 2000 (0.27% to 0.78%). Studies investigating the epidemiology of skin disorders in South Asian Americans are lacking. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine common skin conditions and concerns among this population. METHODS: This was a community-based survey study. The IRB-approved survey tool was distributed to South Asians adults in the New York City area. All data was self-reported. RESULTS: 190 surveys were completed. 54 percent of responders were female and 46 percent were male. The age of participants ranged from 18-74 years. The respondents were predominantly foreign born (76%), but a large minority (32%) reported living in the U.S. for over 20 years. Nearly half (49%) of the study population reported having visited a dermatologist in the past. The five most common dermatologic diagnoses included: acne (37%), eczema (22%), fungal infection (11%), warts (8%) and moles (8%). The five most common concerns included: dry skin (25%), hair loss (22%), uneven tone (21%), dark spots (18%) and acne (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the leading skin conditions and concerns in South Asian Americans are similar to those reported in other populations with skin of color.