Brigitte Faivre

Polymorphic light eruption occurs in 18% of Europeans and does not show higher prevalence with increasing latitude: multicenter survey of 6,895 individuals residing from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia.

Schneider MR, Antsiferova M, Feldmeyer L, Dahlhoff M, Bugnon P, Hasse S et al. (2008a) Betacellulin regulates hair follicle development and hair cycle induction and enhances angiogenesis in wounded skin. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 128:1256–65 Schneider MR, Werner S, Paus R, Wolf E (2008b) Beyond wavy hairs: the epidermal growth factor receptor and its ligands in skin biology and pathology. Am J Pathol 173:14–24

Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome and Acrokeratosis verruciformis

An exceptional case of nevoid basal cell carcinoma (NBCC) syndrome occurring with acrokeratosis verruciformis (AKV) in the same patient is presented. The occurrence of two rare autosomal dominant diseases in a patient suggests that AKV might be one of the different dyskeratoses of the NBCC syndrome. The clinical aspect of the flesh-colored papules of AKV, indistinguishable from flat warts, might nevertheless prompt performance of a biopsy.

Low Incidence of Polymorphous Light Eruption in Renal Transplant Recipients

Sir, Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is the most common form of photodermatosis and is estimated to affect 15% of healthy people in the UK. The pathogeny of PLE remains unclear (1), however, despite plenty of recent research (2, 3). PLE is characterized by a recurrent, delayed cutaneous reaction appearing a few hours after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, mostly from the sun, in susceptible individuals. The condition is more frequent in females (4) and often begins in young or middle-aged adults. It is mostly UVA wavelengths that induce PLE, but UVB wavelengths, or both, can also be responsible. Although the prime mechanism of PLE remains unknown, it has been suggested that a delayed-type hypersensitivity response to autologous antigens generated by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is involved (5). The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of PLE in a group of patients with acquired immunosuppression. Renal transplant recipients (RTR) are at increased risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer due to the additional effects of UVR on DNA and the immunological response, of drug-induced immunosuppression, and human papillomavirus infection (6). In this study, we hypothesized that RTR were less prone to develop PLE.

Myofibromatose infantile familiale

BACKGROUND Infantile myofibromatosis (IM) is the most common fibrous disorder of infancy and childhood. It is characterized by congenital tumours of the skin, striated muscle, bones and viscera. Most cases are sporadic and few familial cases have been reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS We describe a 5-month-old girl presenting with two congenital nodules. The diagnosis of infantile myofibromatosis was based on clinical and histopathological examination. Surgical excision was performed and there was no relapse at six years. The patients brother presented multiple nodules and toe necrosis at birth due to infantile myofibromatosis. Two months later, the congenital nodules increased in size and new nodules developed. Surgical excision was performed. At 11 months of age, the boy presented with cranial relapse and bone resorption at P3 of the third right toe. The clinical and radiological investigations were normal. DISCUSSION Three clinical forms of IM have been described: solitary cutaneous nodules, multiple cutaneous nodules and generalized MI with visceral involvement. The prognosis is good except in generalized MI. All familial cases of MI may be interpreted as autosomal dominant or alternatively there may be genetic heterogeneity. Strict follow-up is recommended to identify potentially life-threatening complications. Spontaneous regression usually occurs but in some cases the treatment of choice is surgical removal.

A female case of Fox-Fordyce disease

Fox-Fordyce disease (FFD) is a rare, chronic, pruritic, inflammatory disorder of apocrine glands. It is characterised by dome-shaped, firm, discrete, skin-coloured, and monomorphic perifollicular papules. The most common sites of involvement are axillae and anogenital and periareolar regions that are rich in apocrine sweat glands [1]. We report a new case of FFD.A 22-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of asymptomatic papules in the axillae (figure 1A). The eruption had appeared one year earlier. [...]

Nouvelles propriétés des tétracyclines. Intérêt en thérapeutique

Tetracyclines are used to be antibiotic of choice for many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. They also have found great favour with dermatologists in various non-infectious conditions. New indications of tetracyclines are still being reported regularly in the literature. The new properties of tetracyclines justify an update of the subject, which might help physicians to remember the successful prescriptions in different conditions, up to now considered as uncurable.