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The saprobiotic nematode Pelodera strongyloides can cause pruritic parasitic dermatitis in short-haired dogs raised in unsanitary conditions. Stage 3 larvae can invade the dog’s skin at the level of the hair follicle. Clinical signs are dominated by pruritic erythema, alopecia and papulocrustic, and even ulcerative lesions, which appear on areas that come into contact with the contaminated environment. The diagnosis is established based on the history and microscopic examination, identifying the rhabditiform larvae. Although rare, parasitic dermatitis caused by P. strongyloides should be considered when skin lesions are observed in areas of contact with unsanitary bedding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) systems are some of the most demanded techniques used for unwanted hair removal. They act by selective photothermolysis, a mechanism by which photons target the hair follicle melanocyes while, at the same time, sparing the surrounding tissue. However, when applied directly onto a pigmented lesion, the energy from the laser can be absorbed by nevocytes, with subsequent thermal injury of the lesion. Few studies in the literature have described the consequences of laser and IPL devices on melanocytic nevi. Our aim was to summarize the clinical, dermatoscopic and histopathologic modifications that occurred in nevi after these hair removal techniques. We selected four case series and three case reports, totalling 12 patients, of which seven had been previously treated with laser and five with IPL for hair removal. Clinical modifications of nevi consisted in hyperpigmentation, crust formation, two-colour aspect and complete clearance of nevi. Dermatoscopically, a change in pigment distribution and colour, microcrusts, grey-blue structures and a milky red veil were described. Histopathological changes were consistent with inflammation and benignity. Ultraviolet radiation is known to cause DNA damage and mutagenesis, while the effects of visible light and infrared laser on tissues are primarily thermal. However, we cannot definitively exclude the potential for malignancy after repeated thermal trauma of nevomelanocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunofluorescence is an useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring disease remission in pemphigus group of disorders. We demonstrated the presence of characteristic immune deposits by performing direct immunofluorescence both on skin fragments and anagen hair follicles in pemphigus vulgaris patients. Using the hair follicles as an alternate substrate for direct immunofluorescence has the potential of substituting skin or mucosal fragments taken by biopsies but a larger number of cases is needed in order to validate the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]