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A 5-year-old hyperkinetic but otherwise healthy child presented with recurrent irritable vesicles and erosions of the anterior chest wall; they have been apparent since the age of 15 months. Wound swab cultures yielded herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) and Western blot serology showed past exposure to both HSV-1 and HSV-2. Skin biopsy results further supported a herpes virus infection. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed right temporal lobe atrophy. An evaluation showed no evidence of sexual abuse in the patient but a Western blot assay of the mother's serum for HSV-2 was positive, while the father's was negative. In view of the diagnosis of HSV-2 infection in such a young patient, the possible routes of transmission and the time of acquisition of infection were explored. We believe the most likely route of infection in this child was postnatal, through intimate contact with the mother. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a patient who presented with recalcitrant ulcerated papules and plaques on both legs. Histopathology revealed protothecosis, and subsequent culture of the lesions grew Prototheca wickerhamii. Gradual resolution of the ulcers occurred on treatment with itraconazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article about eruptive vellus hair cysts.

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is uncommon in children, and serious renal and liver complications arising from GPP are rarely reported. We describe a Chinese boy who had suffered from recurrent exacerbations of GPP from the age of 1 year. He developed IgA nephropathy at the age of 9 years. He also had recurrent episodes of oliguric renal failure, hepatomegaly and cholestasis associated with severe exacerbations of GPP. These complications progressed despite early antibiotics and supportive therapy, but responded promptly to intravenous methylprednisolone therapy. Ultimately, acitretin was given and he has successfully been in remission for a year.

Porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct naevus (PEODDN) is a rare, benign hamartomatous malformation involving the eccrine sweat duct. The existence of filiform keratinous plugs that represent cornoid lamellae overlying dilated infundibula of eccrine ducts is a distinctive feature and the presence of associated abnormal dermal ducts is frequent. We report a patient with PEODDN who exhibited lesions on the left side of her chest. Cases of PEODDN reported in the literature are reviewed. Our experience in treating this patient with ultrapulsed carbon dioxide laser is also presented.