A single typical trichoscopic feature is predictive of tinea capitis: a prospective multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Specific trichoscopic signs of tinea capitis (TC) were first described in 2008. The accuracy of this diagnostic tool has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of trichoscopy. METHODS: A prospective, multicentre study was done between March 2015 and March 2017 at the dermatology departments of four French university medical centres. Patients with a presumed diagnosis of TC were included. Trichoscopy was considered to be positive if at least one specific trichoscopic sign was observed. Trichoscopy results were compared with the gold standard for diagnosis of TC (mycological culture). RESULTS: One hundred patients were included. Culture was positive for 53 patients and negative for 47. The sensitivity of trichoscopy was 94% [95% confidence interval (CI) 88-100], specificity was 83% (95% CI 72-94), positive predictive value was 92% and negative predictive value was 86%. Comma hairs, corkscrew hairs, zigzag hairs, Morse-code-like hairs and whitish sheath were significantly more frequent in patients with a positive mycological culture (P < 0·001). Comma hairs were more frequent in patients with Trichophyton TC (P = 0·026), and zigzag hairs were more frequent in patients with Microsporum TC (P < 0·001). Morse-code-like hair was not observed in any patients with Trichophyton TC and therefore appears to be highly specific for Microsporum TC. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a single trichoscopic finding is predictive of TC. Trichoscopy is a useful, rapid, painless, highly sensitive tool for the diagnosis of TC - even for dermoscopists with little experience of trichoscopy. It enhances physicians' ability to make treatment decisions. What's already known about this topic? Tinea capitis (TC) must be confirmed by a mycological culture that may take up to 6 weeks, delaying treatment. Specific trichoscopic signs of TC were first described in 2008, but the accuracy of trichoscopy for diagnosing TC has not previously been evaluated. What does this study add? The present series is the largest yet on the use of trichoscopy in the diagnosis of TC. Our results demonstrated that the presence of a single feature (comma hair, corkscrew hair, zigzag hair, Morse-code-like hair or whitish sheath) is predictive of TC. Trichoscopy is painless and highly sensitive. Morse-code-like hair appears to be highly specific for Microsporum TC.

Value of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of monilethrix.

Monilethrix is a rare genodermatosis characterized by a hair shaft dysplasia responsible for hypotrichosis. We report the case of a child with monilethrix with no associated cases in the family. Trichoscopy facilitated the diagnosis. A 2-year-old boy presented with diffuse alopecia and persistent fragile hair for several months. Clinical examination revealed alopecia with hairs broken several millimeters from the scalp. Trichoscopy revealed zones of dystrophic constriction of the hair shaft, separated at regular intervals by elliptical nodes of normal thickness, giving a "necklace" appearance. The diagnosis of monilethrix was made on the basis of these specific features. The diagnosis of monilethrix was more difficult to establish in our patient owing to the absence of any familial cases.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced linear IgA bullous disease presenting as toxic epidermal necrolysis.

BACKGROUND: Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) is an autoimmune blistering skin disorder characterized by linear IgA deposits along the dermoepidermal junction. Usually idiopathic, LABD can be drug-induced. OBJECTIVE: To report the atypical characteristics of a case of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced LABD presenting as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). METHODS: A 63-year-old woman treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for Pneumocystis jirovecii infection developed a generalized maculopapular rash with herpetiform lesions, rosette-like lesions, and tense bullae with Nikolsky sign. RESULTS: Anti-basement membrane zone antibodies were negative, but immunoblot revealed a 160 kDa band corresponding to subepidermal class IgA desmoglein 1. Skin biopsy specimens revealed a subepidermal bulla and direct immunofluorescence showed linear IgA deposition along the basement membrane zone. A diagnosis of toxic epidermal necrolysis was excluded and replaced by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced LABD. CONCLUSION: We report a case of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced LABD with a 160 kDa IgA desmoglein 1 found by immunoblotting analysis, probably by epitope spreading.

Nonuraemic calciphylaxis: response to treatment with pamidronate and negative pressure therapy.

Calciphylaxis is a rare cause of skin ulcerations and necrosis in patients with both normal renal and parathyroid function. Although calciphylaxis appears to be on the increase, treatments are mainly empirical, especially for wound care. The lesions in calciphylaxis are typically very painful and carry a high risk of infection, with sepsis being the leading cause of death in this serious disease. We report two cases of nonuraemic calciphylaxis, which responded to treatment with pamidronate and wound management by negative pressure system.

Febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann disease: treatment with infliximab and intravenous immunoglobulins and review of the literature.

Febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann disease (FUMHD) is a rare subtype of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, characterized by an acute onset of ulceronecrotic papules, rapidly coalescing into large ulcers with necrotic crusts, associated with high fever and severe systemic symptoms. We report a case of a 65-year-old woman with a resistant form of FUMHD successfully treated with a tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) inhibitor (infliximab). After 1 year of treatment, because of the recurrence of lesions and -occurrence of severe sepsis, we decided to change the therapeutic procedure by introducing intravenous immunoglobulin witch induced a spectacular improvement. Only few cases of FUMHD treated with intravenous immunoglobulin have been reported to date. In our case, we describe the first utilization of TNFα inhibitors in the treatment of FUMHD: TNFα inhibitors may be useful, particularly in resistant cases. Further reports are required to confirm this potential therapeutic option.

Cutaneous sarcoidosis occurring during anti-TNF-alpha treatment: report of two cases.

We report two cases of cutaneous granuloma induced by anti-TNF-alpha therapy: a 47-year-old man suffering from psoriatic arthritis treated with infliximab and a 56-year-old woman treated with adalimumab for polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The biospies confirmed the diagnosis of a 'sarcoidosis-like' reaction. No systemic involvement was observed. Such cases of noninfectious granulomatous diseases occurring during anti-TNF-alpha therapy are becoming increasingly frequent.