Taylor L. Braunberger

Ertapenem - a potent treatment for clinical and quality of life improvement in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

A paucity of knowledge exists regarding the use of ertapenem in hidradenitis suppurativa. Our retrospective chart review and telephone interview aims to investigate the utility of intravenous ertapenem in severe, refractory hidradenitis suppurativa.

The impact of positive antinuclear antibody on narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy in patients with vitiligo: a retrospective chart review

Screening antinuclear antibody (ANA) is not recommended prior to initiating narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy in vitiligo patients, unless concern for photosensitivity exists. Guidelines on prescribing NBUVB phototherapy in vitiligo patients with positive ANA are unavailable, prompting this study to uncover trends.

The potential role of antioxidants in mitigating skin hyperpigmentation resulting from ultraviolet and visible light-induced oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is an integral element that influences a variety of biochemical reactions throughout the body and is known to play a notable role in melanogenesis. Exogenous triggers of oxidative stress, such as ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and visible light (VL), lead to pigment formation through somewhat different pathways, but both share a common endpoint—the potential to generate cosmetically undesirable hyperpigmentation. Though organic and inorganic sunscreens are available to protect against the UVR portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, coverage is lacking to protect against the VL spectrum. In this manuscript, we review the phases of tanning, pathways of melanogenesis triggered by UVR and VL, and the associated impact of oxidative stress. We also discuss the known intrinsic mechanisms and paracrine regulation of melanocytes that influence their response to UVR. Understanding these mechanisms and their role in UVR‐induced hyperpigmentation should potentially lead to identification of useful targets that can be coupled with antioxidant therapy to alleviate this effect.

Hidradenitis suppurativa in children: The Henry Ford experience

Although recent hidradenitis suppurativa studies have shown that early‐onset disease is associated with a positive family history and more widespread disease, research in pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa is limited.

Ertapenem rescue therapy in hidradenitis suppurativa

HS: hidradenitis suppurativa IV: intravenous PICC: peripherally inserted central catheter SIRS: systemic inflammatory response syndrome INTRODUCTION Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating disease characterized by sinus tract and abscess formation leading to significant pain, scarring, and psychosocial distress. Although the pathogenesis is still unclear, recent findings suggest a basement membrane defect at the folliculopilosebaceous unit may contribute to the primary pathogenesis, with bacterial colonization as a secondary cause. We present a case of a patient with HS meeting systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and the use of intravenous (IV) ertapenem.

Hemoglobin as an indicator of disease activity in severe hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with recurrent episodes of pain, drainage, abscess formation, and scarring in intertriginous regions. We describe two cases of anemia in advanced HS and review the literature. These anemic patients were treated with the broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic ertapenem for HS flares with parallel improvement in clinical symptoms and an increase in hemoglobin levels. Research on anemia in HS remains limited and inconclusive. These cases support the possible role of hemoglobin as a measure of disease severity in HS patients and an objective measure to assess response to treatment.

Dress for Success: a Review of Dressings and Wound Care in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Purpose of ReviewHidradenitis suppurativa is characterized by lesions and draining sinus tracts in intimate locations. Although often overlooked, the selection of an effective, comfortable dressing can dramatically improve patients’ lives. We aimed to review dressings based on management of post-surgical and non-surgical wound dressings. We reviewed the characteristics and types of dressings used in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa and addressed recommendations for dressing post-surgical and non-surgical wounds.Recent FindingsAvailable studies on dressings are few in number with small sample sizes. There were no studies comparing the efficacy of dressings in hidradenitis suppurativa patients. The types of dressings include superabsorbent/absorbent dressings, foam dressings, hydrofiber dressings, alginate dressings, silicone adherent dressings, non-adherent dressings, hydrocolloid dressings, silver-impregnated dressings, iodine-impregnated dressings, and honey-impregnated dressings, and platelet-rich plasma gel and hyaluronic acid scaffold dressings. Providers should consider the “TIME” acronym when assessing post-surgical and non-surgical wounds to select the appropriate dressing.SummaryAs an important component of wound healing, large, randomized controlled trials that compare dressing options for the management of wounds in hidradenitis suppurativa patients are needed.

Recent Developments in the Diagnosis and Management of Photosensitive Disorders

Photodermatoses occur in males and females of all races and ages. Onset can be variable in timing and influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Photodermatoses are broadly classified as immunologically mediated, chemical- and drug-induced, photoaggravated, and genetic (defective DNA repair or chromosomal instability) diseases. Advances in the field have led to improved recognition and treatment of many photodermatoses. The purpose of this focused review is to provide an update on the diagnosis and management of a variety of photodermatoses, both common and less common, with review of recent updates in the literature pertaining to their diagnosis and management.