Search

In this retrospective study, we investigated a mysterious acute linear eruption that was reported yearly in 300 Egyptian patients, with peaks in June and September, without a clear diagnosis. The lesions evolved suddenly in all patients and presented as an erythematous linear eruption with a grayish center and vesicles and/or pustules located in the middle of the plaques. Only areas that were not covered by clothing were affected. Microscopic examination of skin biopsies revealed striking neutrophilic spongiotic lacunae within a degenerated epidermis and moderate dermal infiltrate. After excluding other possible differential diagnoses associated with linear lesions, the Paederus beetle was concluded to be the initiator of this irritant dermatitis reaction. An outbreak of acute linear neutrophilic dermatitis may develop due to exposure to the Paederus beetle with no sex or age predilections.

Background: Phototherapeutic techniques were introduced into medical practice by the ancient Egyptians. It is considered a cornerstone in the management of resistant vitiligo; yet, failures are very well known. Recently, the introduction of surgical techniques provided a major development in the management of vitiligo and replaced other conventional unsuccessful therapies., Objectives: The aim of this work is to find out if phototherapy, which failed to resolve the vitiligo problem in patients, is still required in the treatment strategy after epithelial grafting of the same cases., Methods: Twenty-five vitiligo patients, nonresponding to classic phototherapy, were treated surgically. Ultrathin Thiersch grafts and suction blister grafts were used. Phototherapy using ultraviolet A (UVA) bulbs in combination with psoralen or khellin was used postoperatively immediately after take of grafts onto recipient sites., Results: In spite of reactivation of depigmentary effects at grafted areas, phototherapy acted as a stimulator for melanocytic proliferation and function and as an immunosuppressant, halting the melanocytic destructive process. The application of UVA phototherapy resulted in successful treatment in the patients receiving it., Conclusion: The success of epithelial grafting in patients with vitiligo can be increased by UVA phototherapy.