Kerinokeratosis Papulosa of Childhood.

BACKGROUND: Kerinokeratosis papulosa (KP) is considered an extremely rare genodermatosis presenting usually as waxy papules on the trunk in childhood. OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the clinical, histological and potential etiopathological aspects of KP. METHODS: The dermatoscopic features of a new case of KP of childhood are investigated. The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in lesional skin was studied by polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, all cases of KP of childhood reported so far were reviewed. RESULTS: As a diagnostic tool, we describe for the first time a dermatoscopic feature, namely a cribriform pattern of KP, in an 11-year-old boy. In addition, we detected HPV (type 57) in his KP lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Dermatoscopic examination might be a useful tool to distinguish KP from other skin lesions, e.g. common warts. The detection of HPV type 57 might hint to an etiological role of HPV for KP.

Erythema annulare centrifugum due to pegylated interferon-α-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy in a patient with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Pegylated interferon-α combined with ribavirin is the current standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. During interferon and ribavirin therapy, both local and generalized mucocutaneous adverse reactions have been reported. Erythema annulare centrifugum induced by this therapy regimen has not been reported previously. CASE REPORT: A 29-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for a 1-week history of slightly pruritic annular erythematous eruptions on the lower extremities and hands. The eruptions had first occurred on the hands 3 to 4 days after pegylated interferon-α-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy for hepatitis C virus infection. Histopathologic examination supported the diagnosis of erythema annulare centrifugum. The lesions completely regressed within 2 weeks after the cessation of treatment but recurred on similar localizations within 24 hours with the same therapy. It was thought that erythema annulare centrifugum was induced by pegylated interferon-α-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy. CONCLUSION: Erythema annulare centrifugum is considered an inflammatory skin disease with unknown etiology. It is thought to represent a hypersensitivity reaction to some triggering factors, including infections, immunologic disorders, malign neoplasms, foods, pregnancy, and drugs. We report the first case of erythema annulare centrifigum induced by pegylated interferon-α-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy.