Blood natural killer cell deficiency reveals an immunotherapy strategy for atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a widespread, chronic skin disease associated with aberrant allergic inflammation. Current treatments involve either broad or targeted immunosuppression strategies. However, enhancing the immune system to control disease remains untested. We demonstrate that patients with AD harbor a blood natural killer (NK) cell deficiency that both has diagnostic value and improves with therapy. Multidimensional protein and RNA profiling revealed subset-level changes associated with enhanced NK cell death. Murine NK cell deficiency was associated with enhanced type 2 inflammation in the skin, suggesting that NK cells play a critical immunoregulatory role in this context. On the basis of these findings, we used an NK cell-boosting interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist and observed marked improvement in AD-like disease in mice. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized application of IL-15 superagonism, currently in development for cancer immunotherapy, as an immunotherapeutic strategy for AD.

Symptomatic vulvar demodicosis: A case report and review of the literature.

Demodex folliculorum is a mite that commonly inhabits the pilosebaceous units of facial skin, particularly in a perioral and periorbital distribution. While typically an incidental and asymptomatic parasite, Demodex spp. are proposed to contribute to the pathogenesis of facial folliculitis, chronic blepharitis and papulopustular rosacea. Reports of demodicosis in anatomic locations other than the face are exceedingly rare. Here we report a 36-year-old woman with symptomatic Demodex spp. infestation of Fordyce spots of the labia minora. She was referred to dermatology after a 9-month history of tender red bumps on the vulva that would arise and drain over a 24 to 72 hours period, several times per week. Physical examination revealed erythema of the labia minora and introitus with a 4 mm, pink, dome-shaped soft papule on the left labium minus. Wet mount, microbiologic cultures and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings were unremarkable. Histopathologic examination revealed a well-circumscribed nodule of suppurative granulomatous inflammation arising in a background of mucosa with Fordyce spots, the majority of which were infiltrated by Demodex spp. Treatment with oral ivermectin and topical metronidazole cream resulted in a symptom-free period of 22 months. This case represents an unusual presentation of symptomatic Demodex infestation.

Dermatomyositis Presenting as Vulvovaginitis.

BACKGROUND: Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory myopathy that has an increased risk of malignancy, warranting aggressive health maintenance screenings. Dermatomyositis can rarely present with vulvovaginitis, thus clinical suspicion is important in early diagnosis. CASE: We present the case of a 31-year-old woman with a 10-year history of vulvovaginitis as her presenting symptom of dermatomyositis. On further investigation, she had a history of joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue, and leukopenia. On examination, she was found to have a rash and mucopurulent vulvovaginitis. Biopsies from the chest, axilla, and vulva were compatible with dermatomyositis. Evaluation for malignancy was negative, and her symptoms resolved with treatment of the dermatomyositis. CONCLUSION: Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory disease that can be associated with malignancy. This particular patient presented with vulvovaginitis. This case is important because the diagnosis was delayed. Early recognition is important to evaluate for malignancy.

Vulvar Pruritus and Lichen Simplex Chronicus.

Vulvar pruritus and lichen simplex chronicus are common reasons for presentation to women's health practitioners, including gynecologists and dermatologists. Both conditions are multifactorial and are often confounded by other inflammatory, neoplastic, infectious, environmental, neuropathic, hormonal, and behavioral variables. Careful history taking and thorough physical examinations, including wet mount and potentially skin biopsy, are necessary for appropriate diagnosis. Treatment should focus on decreasing inflammation, reducing irritants, and providing symptomatic relief to achieve remission. Comprehensive treatment covering environmental, biological, and behavioral therapy can result in long-term cure for patients with these conditions.