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BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most prevalent inflammatory skin disorder, characterized by impaired epidermal barrier function and an altered immune response, both of which are influenced by vitamin D deficiency. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in VDR and CYP24A1 and have been previously associated with AD. OBJECTIVE We sought to characterize the associations between VDR and CYP24A1 polymorphisms and the vitamin D and lipid biochemical profile in children diagnosed with AD. METHODS A total of 246 participants (143 AD patients and 103 healthy controls) were enrolled in this study. Genotyping for polymorphisms in VDR (rs2239185, rs1544410, rs7975232, rs2238136, rs3782905, rs2239179, rs1540339, rs2107301, rs2239182, rs731236) and CYP24A1 (rs2248359, rs2296241) was performed by allele-specific PCR using integrated fluidic circuit technology. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D were measured, and the biochemical lipid profile determined. RESULTS Among VDR SNP, 2239182 exerted a protective effect against the development of AD, while rs2238136 was identified as a risk factor for AD. The GCC haplotype (rs2239185-G, rs1540339-C, rs2238136-C) appeared to protect against the development of AD. rs2239182-CC was associated with higher 25(OH)D concentrations, while rs2238136-TT, rs2239185-GA, and rs2248359-TT were present in a large proportion of patients with serum vitamin D deficiency. rs2239185-AA, rs2239182-CC, and rs1540339-CC were associated with higher serum total cholesterol, rs2239182-TT with lower LDL-cholesterol, and rs2239182-TC with lower HDL-cholesterol. Both CYP24A1 SNPs (rs2296241-AA and rs2248359-TT) were associated with higher HDL-cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS The VDR SNP rs2238136 is as risk factor for AD and other SNPs in VDR and CYP24A1 may lead to alterations in biochemical parameters that influence the risk of AD. Our findings highlight the complex genetic basis to AD, and indicate that interrelationships between different genetic factors can lead to alterations in vitamin D metabolism or lipid profiles, which in turn may influence the development of AD. CLINICALTRIAL

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis infection is an emerging pathogen. Cutaneous and systemic manifestations resemble those of other pyogenic streptococci. However, the rapid group A antigen detection test used to diagnose Streptococcus pyogenes infection is usually negative, making the diagnosis difficult. If clinical suspicion of streptococcal infection is high, a tonsillar culture should be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

These guidelines for the management of congenital ichthyoses have been developed by a multidisciplinary group of European experts following a systematic review of the current literature, an expert conference held in Toulouse in 2016, and a consensus on the discussions. These guidelines summarize evidence and expert-based recommendations and intend to help clinicians with the management of these rare and often complex diseases. These guidelines comprise two sections. This is part two, covering the management of complications and the particularities of some forms of congenital ichthyosis.What's already known about this topic?Various symptomatic treatment options exist for congenital ichthyoses, but there are no European guidelines.What does this study add?These European guidelines for the management of congenital ichthyosis may help to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients.Linked Comment: Akiyama. Br J Dermatol 2019; 180:449-450. Plain language summary available online

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the skin and the eyes. The pathogenesis of rosacea is complex and includes the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, dysregulation of the innate immune system, neurovascular modifications and the interaction with skin commensals. Clinical manifestations in children include the telangiectatic form, papulopustular rosacea, ocular rosacea, periorificial dermatitis, granulomatous rosacea and idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma. Management is aimed at identifying and avoiding triggers. Topical therapy is used for mild cases with topical antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents. Oral agents are indicated, in combination with topical therapy, for moderate to severe cases. Prolonged therapy may be required.

Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor increasingly used for the treatment of several solid tumors. Different types of keratotic lesions, such as squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, or infundibular cyst, have been reported in association with this therapy. We present a 15-year-old male diagnosed with desmoid fibromatosis who developed multiple penile and scrotal infundibular cysts while receiving treatment with sorafenib.

Pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPDs) are a group of idiopathic, chronic, and self-resolving conditions easily recognizable in adults but extremely uncommon in infants. We present the youngest patient with PPD reported to date.

Idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma is an inflammatory nodule commonly located on the cheeks and eyelids in young children. Despite its prolonged course, it tends toward spontaneous resolution, so invasive diagnostic procedures should be avoided. Cutaneous ultrasound is a noninvasive modality that has been found to improve the diagnostic accuracy of nodular skin lesions. We report five children with idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma in whom high-resolution ultrasound examination provided distinctive findings.

Papillary hemangioma (PH) is a rare, benign, vascular tumor that usually appears on the scalp and face and is reported most frequently in adults. We present a pediatric case of PH and provide sonographic features that may assist in establishing the diagnosis.

A 2-year-old girl presented with a 2-month history of an erythematous, indurated plaque with well-defined borders on the third toe of the right foot. Bedside high-resolution ultrasonography demonstrated a thickened epidermis overlying a hyperechoic focus within the dermis. Her clinical and sonographic presentation was in keeping with a foreign body causing hair-thread tourniquet syndrome. The foreign body was surgically extirpated without neurovascular sequelae. Ultrasonography expedited accurate diagnosis and is a promising adjunct to clinical evaluation for radiolucent foreign bodies.

In recent years, the genes responsible for many hereditary skin diseases have been discovered. These genes encode different proteins that participate in the terminal differentiation of the epidermis, so their alteration or absence causes a keratinization disorder and/or an increase in skin fragility. Thanks to genetic analyses, we have been able to understand the physiopathology of numerous genodermatoses and we have become closer to diagnosing many others. In the not-too-distant future, biomolecular techniques may foreseeably help us prevent and treat these processes, which include skin diseases as serious as epidermolysis bullosa or epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. In this article, we will study the most recent biomolecular findings referring to keratinization and epidermal disorders, mentioning the altered genes and/ or the defective proteins that cause them.

Cutaneous mucinoses, also called lichen myxoedematosus, are a group of diseases characterized by mucin deposit on the skin. They may be associated to systemic diseases (scleromyxedema) or be primary ones (papular mucinosis, localized lichen myxoedematous), although they share common findings (intermediate or atypical forms) in some cases. Acral persistent papular mucinosis (APPM) is a type of papular mucinosis that is located exclusively on the back of the hands and in the distal zone of the forearms and is not associated to any systemic disease. We present the case of a 52-year-old healthy woman who had skin lesions on the back of her hands and whose histological study confirmed an APPM.