Indirect immunofluorescence on rat bladder epithelium in patients with pemphigus vulgaris with an extended follow-up.

Background: Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on rat bladder epithelium (RBE) has been widely used to detect anti-plakin antibodies present in paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP). However, anti-plakin antibodies have also been found in a group of patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Objectives: To assess the reactivity rate of PV sera in IIF using RBE as substrate and the diagnostic usefulness of the aforementioned test. Methods: Patients diagnosed with PV presenting to Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran, were recruited. The patients' demographics, disease severity, and response to the initial treatment were recorded. Sera were collected and tested by IIF on RBE and by desmoglein 3/1 (Dsg 3/1) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were followed up closely for a mean of 53.9 months for any evidence of malignancy. Results: Forty-six patients were enroled (mean age of 42.9 years old, 31 females). Nine sera (19.6%) showed reactivity in IIF on RBE. Mean serum anti-Dsg levels did not differ significantly among the two groups with positive and negative IIF results. Negative anti-Dsg3 was related to a higher positive rate in IIF on RBE. There was no significant correlation between the reactivity of IIF on RBE and patients' demographic, clinical, or serological characteristics. Conclusions: IIF on RBE is a sensitive test for detecting antibodies against plakins. However, it has a relatively high false-positive rate in PV, probably due to the epitope spreading phenomenon. This test should be suggested when there is a clinical or immunohistopathological suspicion of PNP and should be interpreted with caution.

Botulinum toxin injection as a single or combined treatment with non-cross-linked high molecular weight and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid gel for neck rejuvenation: A randomized clinical trial.

The unpleasant appearance of the neck through the aging process could burden the psychosocial quality of life, therefore various treatment modalities have been used to rejuvenate the neck. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin injection as a single or combined treatment with Profhilo gel for neck rejuvenation. Patients with a request for neck rejuvenation meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups. Initial clinical scoring based on Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) and skin biomechanical parameters using a multiadaptor system (MPA) were performed before starting the treatment. Dysport Botox was injected for all of the participants, moreover, in one of the groups (intervention), Profhilo gel was injected after 2 weeks and a follow-up visit was performed for both groups 3 months later. Patients were evaluated according to the GAIS (global aesthetic improvement scale) by two blind dermatologists and skin biophysical parameters were measured by MPA such as TEWL, hydration, thickness, density, visco-elasticity, net elasticity, pliability/firmness. In this study, 19 participants in the control (Dysport) and intervention (Dysport + PROFhilo gel) groups were evaluated. Before starting the treatment, the two groups were similar in terms of WSRS scores and biophysical skin parameters. Three months after the treatment, it was observed that Hydration (p < 0.001) and Thickness of the skin (p = 0.028) in the intervention group were significantly higher than in the control group. Similarly, the GAIS scores of the intervention group showed significantly better results comparing to the control group (p < 0.001). Profhilo gel following Dysport Botox can be considered as a safe and more effective treatment of neck aging comparing to Dysport Botox injection alone in patients who are not a candidate for surgery due to any reason.

Effect of Laser-Assisted Hair Removal (LAHR) on the Quality of Life and Depression in Hirsute Females: A Single-Arm Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Hirsutism, mainly due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), causes stress, anxiety, and depression in females. Laser-assisted hair removal (LAHR) is currently accepted as a good treatment option for hirsutism. The goal of the current study was to ascertain how LAHR affected the degree of hirsutism, quality of life, and depression in hirsute females. Methods: A single-arm before/after clinical trial was designed and performed in the Razi hospital Laser Clinic over a 15-month period. All hirsute females visiting the Razi hospital laser clinic were enrolled and received three sessions of LAHR every 4-6 weeks if they were interested and signed an informed consent form. Before the commencement of LAHR and six to eight weeks after the last session, the Ferriman-Gallwey score (hirsutism severity), Beck score (depression index) and DLQI score (quality of life index) were calculated and stored. Results: There were 80 subjects in all. The mean ± SD of the Ferriman-Gallwey score was reduced from 7.05 ± 2.27 to 4.91 ± 2.41, P < 0.001. The mean ± SD of the Beck depression score was reduced from 13.3 ± 8.7 to 10.2 ± 8.4, P < 0.001, and the mean ± SD of the DLQI score decreased from 5.6 ± 5.2 to 3.5 ± 2.3, P < 0.001. No significant complications were reported. Conclusion: LAHR can improve hirsutism-related depression and degradation of quality of life, as well as hirsutism physical signs.

Effect of Different Pulse Durations on the Efficacy of Long-Pulsed Alexandrite-Assisted Hair Removal; A Split-Face Comparison Study.

Introduction: Laser-assisted hair removal is widely used by a large number of patients complaining of unwanted hair. However, little is known about the effect of varying the pulse duration on clinical results and side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of hair removal using an alexandrite laser with different pulse durations. Methods: Fifty female patients with facial hirsutism were subjected to a hair removal procedure with an alexandrite laser, using 3 and 10 milliseconds pulse durations on each side of the face every 5 weeks for three sessions. Photographs were taken and hair counts were checked before the treatment and one month postoperatively. Results: one month after the laser treatment, the clearance rate was 56% with both 3 and 10 milliseconds pulse durations. There was not any significant difference in clinical efficacy or the side effect profile. Conclusion: Using a 755 nm alexandrite laser for hair removal is an effective and safe method for delaying hair regrowth and this delay is not markedly different by increasing the pulse duration from 3 to 10 milliseconds.

Does Double-Pass Pulsed-Dye Laser With Long and Short Pulse Duration Increase Treatment Efficacy of Port-Wine Stain? A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Although pulsed-dye laser (PDL) 595 nm is known as the gold standard for treatment of port-wine stains (PWS), complete clearance of lesions occurs in a minority of cases. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of double-pass pulsed-dye laser (DPL), long pulse duration (20 m/s) followed by short pulse duration (1.5 m/s) within 20 minutes interval, with single-pass pulsed-dye laser (SPL) for (1.5 m/s) in the treatment of PWS. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with PWS underwent 3 sessions of PDL. Each lesion was randomly divided into 2 portions to receive DPL or SPL. Colorimetric and dermoscopic evaluations were used to determine the response objectively. In addition, improvement was scored subjectively using the visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: According to colorimetric analysis, the mean blanching rates for DPL and SPL treated sites were 48% (SD = 0.215) and 37% (SD = 0.213), respectively (p = .001). With VAS, 3.79 (SD = 0.93) and 3.33 (SD = 0.91) improvement scores were reported in the DPL and SPL treated areas, respectively (p = .008). Dermoscopic images showed that larger deep vessels were the most common remnant vessels in both treatment areas. CONCLUSION: Compared with SPL, DPL with 20 minutes interval seems to be a more effective and safe method for the treatment of PWS.

An unusual case of multibacillary leprosy mimicking prurigo nodularis.

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. The early diagnosis of leprosy is a worldwide challenge. We present a case of leprosy with unusual severe pruritus and generalized excoriated papules and nodules.

Diagnostic value of cytology in oral ulcer and comparison with histopathology and direct immunofluorescence.

Rapid diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an important task in patient's prognosis and treatment. Although PV is routinely diagnosed through investigation of pathology specimens and direct immunofluorescence assays, Tzanck smear can be used as rapid, inexpensive, and easily used test to confirm its clinical diagnosis. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of Tzanck smear in erosive oral lesions of PV and also determine its sensitivity and specificity for diagnostic purposes. A total of 68 patients with erosive/ulcerated oral lesions were included in this study and divided into PV (case group) vs other causes of erosive oral lesions (control group). From all participants, two Tzanck smears were prepared for both Giemsa and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. For definite diagnosis, histopathology and direct immunofluorescence evaluations were performed based on clinical findings. The sensitivity of acantholytic cells in Tzanck smear of erosive oral lesions of PV cases was 80.5% (for both Giemsa and H&E staining), whereas specificity values of Giemsa and H&E staining were 84.6% and 96.3%, respectively. Based on our findings, the Tzanck smear of erosive oral lesions is a simple, quick, and inexpensive test for screening and primary diagnosis of PV.

Decreased Sox2 Messenger RNA Expression in Basal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Sox2, zeb1, and p21 have been implicated in aggressive behavior of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. However, their expression level in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has not been elucidated. We hypothesized BCC, contrary to SCC, and melanoma, could be a suitable model to study mechanisms which attenuate tumor metastasis. The aim of this study was to examine the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of sox2, zeb1, and p21 in BCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven nonmetastatic BCC and twelve normal skin samples were evaluated using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The stemness marker sox2 demonstrated marked down-regulation, but zeb1 and p21 showed no significant change. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we report a negative association between sox2 mRNA expression level and nonmetastatic BCC, thus, providing a likely explanation for the fact that normal skin is more reliant on sox2 than BCC. BCC may be using decreased sox2 mRNA to remain incognito from metastatic potential.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid and COVID-19 treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins: a case report.

This is a report of a case with mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) with severe eye involvement and concurrent COVID-19 treated successfully using simultaneous high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and anti-viral treatment as hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, and ribavirin. He had finished a 2-g cycle of rituximab (RTX) in late January. He was receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for one month and 30 mg prednisolone for three months until his hospitalization. Prednisolone was tapered to 15 mg when current COVID-19 was suspected, considering his recent cough, dyspnea, and fever.

An enlarging scaly plaque localized on the previous keloid of the chest.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). It may arise rapidly in a scar or keloid, presumably due to a long-standing proliferative state or autoimmune theory. There should be a low threshold for performing a skin biopsy if unusual lesions develop at those sites.

Relationship Between Level of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in an Iranian Population.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between vitamin D and skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is not well defined. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and the incidence of skin SCC for the first time in Iran. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In this case-control study, 126 subjects were enrolled (63 in each group) out of referents to Razi Skin Hospital in Tehran in 2014. The risk factors for cancer gathered by self-reported questionnaires and blood samples were obtained to measure the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Multivariate logistic regression was used to neutralize the effect of confounding factors. RESULTS: Cases of SCC were more likely to be in men, older than 49 years and working in an outdoor environment, and with longtime exposure to sunlight and a personal history of skin cancers. Family history of skin cancer and of cigarette smoking were not significantly related to SCC. In the SCC and control groups, 69.8% and 31.7%, respectively, had sufficient levels of vitamin D (P < 0.001). Mean level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 40.99 ng/mL in the SCC group and 26.34 ng/mL in the control group (P < 0.05). In the unadjusted model, the level of vitamin D as a continuous variable was positively related to SCC risk. In the adjusted model, vitamin D did not independently predict the likelihood of SCC. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D level and SCC risk are directly related, although not in an independent fashion. Indeed, this relation is severely confounded by exposure to sunlight, which was evidenced by an increased vitamin D level in the people working outside and the higher prevalence of SCC in the same population.

Iranian guideline for rituximab therapy in pemphigus patients.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and/or mucosa. Rituximab (RTX) has been approved recently by US FDA as an effective and safe treatment of PV. The high incidence of PV in Iran encouraged our team to prepare a consensus guideline for RTX administration based on literature review and a decade experience of an expert panel. RTX is recommended for the treatment of new cases of PV as well as patients not responding to conventional therapy. Contraindications include history of anaphylaxis or IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to murine proteins of RTX, severe active infections, pregnancy, breastfeeding, severe heart failure, and arrhythmia. Prophylactic antiviral therapy is recommended in patients at risk of reactivation of HBV and isoniazid for those at risk of reactivation of tuberculosis. Concomitant use of systemic corticosteroids is recommended as a rule. Except for methotrexate, the combination with other immunosuppressive drugs is discouraged. Intravenous immunoglobulin is recommended for those at risk of infections or with extensive disease. The recommended dosage of RTX for the first cycle is 2 g either 500 mg weekly or 1 g biweekly. There is no general consensus whether the next doses of RTX be administered upon relapse or as maintenance therapy. We strongly recommend RTX sooner in the course of pemphigus.

Rituximab administration in a patient with pemphigus vulgaris following reactivation of occult hepatitis B virus infection.

Immunosuppressive drugs are the milestone of treatment of autoimmune diseases, but they can lead to serious complications, including hepatitis B virus reactivation in HBV carriers as well as in patients with occult HBV infection (OBI). A 36-year-old man with OBI was diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris. He was prescribed prednisolone and his hepatitis B surface antigen turned positive. Viral replication was successfully controlled by lamivudine and adefovir. Mycophenolate mofetil and intravenous immunoglobulin  were not effective in controlling the pemphigus vulgaris. The patient received rituximab 500 mg weekly for four weeks and went into remission without any adverse effect. He safely received another course of rituximab after a relapse one year later. In conclusion, testing for hepatitis B core antibody should be considered mandatory, in addition to HBsAg, for the screening of pemphigus patients to detect rare cases of OBI before starting therapy. Furthermore, rituximab may in some cases be safely used in HBV carriers using antivirals concomitantly.

Characteristic features of cutaneous melanoma in a dermatology referral centre in Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The characteristics of cutaneous melanoma in the Middle-Eastern countries is poorly described. Therefore we conducted this study to determine the characteristics of melanoma in Iran. METHODS: A retrospective, cross sectional study of melanoma patients seen at a tertiary referral centre, Iran, from May 2004 to October 2014. Clinical data included age and gender of the patients at the time of diagnosis, tumour location and tumour size. Histological characteristics included Breslow thickness, Clark level and subtype of tumour. RESULTS: A total of 450 cases of melanoma with a male/female ratio of 1.1:1 were reviewed. The mean age of patients was 57.5 years. The most frequent histological subtypes were acral lentiginous melanoma (30%) and lentigo maligna melanoma (29%). In 215 cases (49%) the tumour was located on the extremities. The second most common site was the face. Tumour invasion was mainly at Clark level III and IV. The mean Breslow thickness was 2.8 mm; 143 (38%) melanomas had a Breslow thickness less than 1 mm (T1) and 86 (23%) were more than 4 mm (T4). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that clinical and histological features of melanoma in Iranians (who are mainly of skin phototypes 3-4) are different from those observed in Western countries. Further cohort studies are required to evaluate the role of ethnic and environmental risk factors for melanoma in different populations.

Comparison of long-pulsed alexandrite laser and topical tretinoin-ammonium lactate in axillary acanthosis nigricans: A case series of patients in a before-after trial.

BACKGROUND: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a brown to black, velvety hyperpigmentation of the skin that usually involves cutaneous folds. Treatment of AN is important regarding cosmetic reasons and various therapeutic modalities have been used for these purposes. The goal of this study was to compare the effectiveness of long-pulsed alexandrite laser and topical tretinoin-ammonium lactate for treatment of axillary-AN. METHODS: Fifteen patients with bilateral axillary-AN were studied in Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Diagnosis was confirmed by two independent dermatologists. Each side skin lesion was randomly allocated to either topical mixed cream of tretinoin 0.05%- ammonium lactate 12% or long-pulsed alexandrite laser. Duration of treatment was 14 weeks. At endpoint, the mean percent reduction from baseline in pigmentation area was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 15 patients three males and 12, females. The mean age of patients was 28.5±4.9 years. The mean percent reduction was 18.3±10.6%, in tretinoin/ammonium lactate group and 25.7±11.8% in laser group (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the application of alexandrite laser is a relative effective method for treatment of axillary-AN. However, this issue requires further studies with prolonged follow-up period.

Rituximab therapy improves recalcitrant Pemphigus vulgaris.

Pemphigus is a severe life-threatening blistering disease associated with autoantibodies against cell adhesion proteins desmogleins 1 and 3. Patients with severe pemphigus commonly show high rates of relapse after conventional immunosuppressive therapy. The newly developed drug Rituximab showed impressing promises in the treatment of refractory pemphigus vulgaris (PV). In the present study the efficacy of a single course rituximab therapy in the treatment of PV was investigated. Eighteen patients with severe recalcitrant PV were recruited to this study. Pemphigus disease activity index (PDAI), anti-desmoglein 1 and anti-desmoglein 3 antibody titers, and percent of CD20 positive cells were measured at baseline, 10 ± 1, and 22 ± 2 weeks after rituximab therapy. Rituximab was given intravenously at dose 375 mg/m(2) once weekly for 4 weeks. Rituximab therapy caused a dramatic reduction in the PDAI, accompanied by decreases in anti-desmoglein 1 and anti-desmoglein 3 antibody titers over the follow-up course. The B-cell population decreased at the first follow-up, but returned to its baseline levels at the second follow-up. Rituximab therapy decreased the dose of immunosuppressive drugs required to control the disease. It seems that the rituximab may be effective and safe for treatment of refractory PV.

Evaluation of some psychological factors in psoriatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a disease which may have a direct impact on the psychological and social aspects of the patient, particularly due to its visibility. To date, we are unaware of any study showing a relationship between psoriasis and psychological parameters such as psychological vulnerability and coping strategies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of psoriasis on some psychological parameters in an Iranian population. METHODS: Patients having histopathologically confirmed psoriasis for at least 6 months attending the Dermatology Clinic of Razi Hospital were included if they agreed to participate in the study. Patients with history of schizophrenia, major depression or other psychological disorders were excluded. All patients were at least 18 years old. The patients were then referred to the researchers for filling out the appropriate questionnaires under the guidance of an involved psychologist. To evaluate skin involvement, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score was calculated and used for all patients. All data were stored in files for further analysis. RESULTS: There were 101 females and 99 males with the mean age of 43.2(±16.32). The mean PASI Score was 6.58 ± 6.04. Diffuse skin involvement was the commonest form of disease (133 patients, 66.5%). The highest score for Illness perception belonged to those with genitalia involvement (185.2, worst illness perception), and the lowest score for Illness perception belonged to those with nail involvement (168.2). Consistently, the lowest score of facing the problems (CISS: approach strategy to disease) belonged to those with hand involvement (50.5) whereas the highest score belonged to those with genitalia involvement (60.4). There was a significant correlation between psychological vulnerability vs. Illness perception score as well as psychological vulnerability vs. coping strategies score. Surprisingly, PASI score had an insignificant relationship with illness perception, coping strategies or psychological vulnerability score. CONCLUSION: PASI score as a representing factor of skin involvement has a limited role in predicting the effect of psoriasis on mental status and illness perception of psoriatic patients. Psychological vulnerability of the patients is the main predicting factor of illness perception and coping strategies (representing patients approach to their disease or their treatment beliefs).

BMI1 and TWIST1 downregulated mRNA expression in basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: BMI1, TWIST1 and SNAI2/SLUG have been implicated in aggressive behavior of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma and BMI1 expression could identify subtypes of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). However, BMI1, TWIST1 and SNAI2 expression levels in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) have not been elucidated. We hypothesized BCC could be a good model system to decipher mechanisms which inhibit processes that drive tumor metastasis. The aim of this study was to examine the mRNA expression level of BMI1, TWIST1, and SNAI2 in BCCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five fresh non-metastatic BCC tissue samples and seven fresh normal skin tissue samples were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: BMI1 and TWIST1 demonstrated marked down-regulation (p<0.00l, p=0.00l respectively), but SNAI2 showed no significant change (p=0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Previous literature has clearly demonstrated a positive association between BMI1 and TWIST1 expression and metastatic BCC, aggressive SCC and melanoma. Here, we demonstrated a negative association between BMI1 and TWIST1 mRNA expression level and BCC.