Anosacral cutaneous amyloidosis: a study of 10 Chinese cases

Friction-Aggravated Skin Disorders-A Review of Mechanism and Related Diseases

ABSTRACT

Skin is subject to frequent friction injury. Friction affects different structures of the skin, including keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts, and follicular units. Friction can also stimulate cytokine production. Friction is sensed by the mechanoreceptors, resulting in signal transduction to the nucleus, activating transcription factors and mechanoresponsive genes. Numerous friction-aggravated diseases have been identified, including inflammatory, depositional, follicular, genetic, infectious, and vesiculobullous disorders. Friction, as a potential modifiable aggravator, should be considered when skin diseases are located at friction-prone areas.

Primary Localized Cutaneous Amyloidosis of Keratinocyte Origin: An Update with Emphasis on Atypical Clinical Variants

Amyloid is a protein derived from at least 20 different substances. Once misfolded, it results in a group of cutaneous and systemic conditions. Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis of keratinocyte origin is a very common subtype that can manifest either as lichen or macular amyloidosis, lacking systemic involvement. Lichen amyloidosis often presents as multiple hyperpigmented papules on the lower extremities whereas macular amyloidosis is classically characterized by dark brown rippled macules on the interscapular area. Review of the literature reveals that in addition to the classical presentation of primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis there exists a plethora of various manifestations that can be grouped into either geographic or morphologic categories. This review provides clinicians with the intimate knowledge of these presentations and summarizes the available treatment modalities.

Macular Amyloidosis and Epstein-Barr Virus

Background. Amyloidosis is extracellular precipitation of eosinophilic hyaline material of self-origin with special staining features and fibrillar ultrastructure. Macular amyloidosis is limited to the skin, and several factors have been proposed for its pathogenesis. Detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in this lesion suggests that this virus can play a role in pathogenesis of this disease. Objective. EBV DNA detection was done on 30 skin samples with a diagnosis of macular amyloidosis and 31 healthy skin samples in the margin of removed melanocytic nevi by using PCR. Results. In patients positive for beta-globin gene in PCR, BLLF1 gene of EBV virus was positive in 23 patients (8 patients in case and 15 patients in the control group). There was no significant difference in presence of EBV DNA between macular amyloidosis (3.8%) and control (23.8%) groups (P = 0.08). Conclusion. The findings of this study showed that EBV is not involved in pathogenesis of macular amyloidosis.

The eye and the skin in nonendocrine metabolic disorders

As metabolism is controlled by the input of genes and the environment, metabolic disorders result from some disturbance in the interaction between genes and environmental factors. Many metabolic disorders consist in congenital enzyme deficiencies, also known as "inborn errors of metabolism," that may be disabling or cause severe illness and death and are predominantly inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. The deposit in cells and tissues of storage substances from errors in metabolic processes may produce a wide variety of disorders affecting different organs and functions, with different degrees of severity, and often present around the time of birth or early childhood. Distinctive ocular and skin manifestations accompany many metabolic diseases and may provide clues for their diagnosis and evolution.

Analysis of clinical features and lifestyle in Korean senile gluteal dermatosis patients

BACKGROUND

Senile gluteal dermatosis (SGD) is characterized by hyperkeratotic lichenified skin lesions on the superior part and both sides of the anal cleft. These lesions are particularly prevalent in sedentary and elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, clinical manifestations, and other clinical characteristics of SGD in elderly Korean individuals.

METHODS

A total of 280 subjects aged >60 years identified through the outpatient department at our hospital were included in this study. Basic clinical information was collected, and the subjects were evaluated clinically for gluteal lesions. Skin biopsies were performed in eight of the patients diagnosed with SGD.

RESULTS

Among a total of 280 subjects, 37 were diagnosed with SGD. Their mean age was 70.4 years. The prevalence of SGD was found to increase with age. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between SGD and lower lean body mass, longer period of a sedentary lifestyle, use of a Korean-style mattress, and diabetes mellitus. Most patients had either mild symptoms or were asymptomatic. Skin biopsies showed hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, follicular plugging, and meandering superficial vessel proliferation with mild lymphohistiocytic infiltration. None of the biopsy specimens exhibited amyloid deposition.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that SGD is a common disorder in elderly Korean individuals and is associated with prolonged periods of rest such as those occurring in a highly sedentary lifestyle and with sleeping on a Korean-style mattress.

Localized amyloidosis of the vulva with and without vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia: report of a series

Localized primary cutaneous amyloidosis is uncommon in Europe and North America and is infrequently reported in the English literature. The constituents of such deposits have not been previously examined; this series characterizes amyloid deposits in localized vulvar amyloidosis and their association with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. All biopsies and excisions of vulva over 18 months were reviewed. Cases with suspected amyloidosis were retrieved after institutional review board approval. Twenty cases mimicking amyloidosis were selected as controls. All study and control cases were stained with Congo red. Four Congo red-positive study cases were studied by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Of 27 Congo red-positive study cases, 25 were then examined by immunohistochemical stains with antibodies to cytokeratin 5 (CK5) and cytokeratin 14 (CK14). Of 149 cases reviewed, 26 localized and 1 systemic vulvar amyloidosis were identified. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the deposits revealed unique peptide profile consistent with CK5 and CK14. Immunohistochemical staining with antibodies to CK5 and CK14 also detected these components in the deposits. The vulvar deposit of systemic amyloidosis consisted of amyloid light chain (λ)-type amyloid deposit. All control cases were negative for Congo red. Keratin-associated amyloid materials (CK5 and CK14) were found to be unique in localized vulvar amyloidosis. Leakage of keratins from the basal layer of the epithelium into the superficial dermis may have been the possible source of the deposits. It appears to be associated with both high-grade and low-grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasias and, rarely, lichen sclerosus, seborrheic keratosis, and benign vulvar skin.

Characteristic dermoscopic features of primary cutaneous amyloidosis: a study of 35 cases

BACKGROUND

Primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) is a relatively common skin disorder among Asians and South Americans. It is usually diagnosed clinically. However, for cases with atypical presentations, the diagnosis can be a challenge and skin biopsy may be necessary. Dermoscopy has been proved to be a valuable, noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of cutaneous pigmented diseases. Most lesions of PCA show hyperpigmentation and the major histopathological abnormalities of PCA occur in the epidermis and dermal papillae. Dermoscopy might be a powerful tool to provide valuable information for the diagnosis of PCA.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to find characteristic dermoscopic features of PCA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cases with typical clinical presentations of PCA, either macular or lichen subtypes, were included in this study. All were evaluated using a hand-held, polarized and nonpolarized dermoscope.

RESULTS

A total of 35 patients with clinically diagnosed PCA were enrolled. Eighteen patients had lesions consistent with macular amyloidosis and 17 with lichen amyloidosus. We found two major dermoscopic patterns characteristic of PCA. The most common dermoscopic finding of PCA was a central hub, which could be either white or brown, surrounded by various configurations of pigmentation. For cases of lichen amyloidosus with prominent hyperkeratosis, the central hub was replaced by a scar-like morphology.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to report the characteristic dermoscopic features of PCA. We demonstrate that the use of a dermoscope may assist in achieving an accurate diagnosis of PCA.

Cutaneous amyloidosis: a concept review

Concepts and semantics are crucial for good communication between clinicians and pathologists. Amyloidosis was described more than 150 years ago. Therefore, the terminology related to it is abundant, varied, and sometimes complex. In this report, we intend to discuss several terms related to the disease, with special emphasis on cutaneous amyloidosis. We present a review, from Virchow to present, of the concepts related to amyloidosis: its nature, the classification of cutaneous forms of the disease, and the techniques used in its diagnosis.

Amyloidosis cutis dyschromica: a rare pigmentary disorder

Amyloidosis cutis dyschromica represents a rare type of primary cutaneous amyloidosis with few reported cases worldwide. It is characterized by asymptomatic, generalized hyperpigmentation with intermingled hypopigmented macules without atrophy or telangiectasia. We report herein a 19-year-old female who developed this pigmentary abnormality at 4 years of age. Her aunt and great grandfather also had similar skin pigmentation. An unusual finding in our patient was the presence of papules in addition to characteristic macules. Amyloid deposits were shown histopathologically in both dyschromic macules and papules.

New insight into mechanisms of pruritus from molecular studies on familial primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis

Macular and lichen amyloidosis are common variants of primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) in which clinical features of pruritus and skin scratching are associated with histological findings of deposits of amyloid staining on keratinous debris in the papillary dermis. Most cases are sporadic, but an autosomal dominant family history may be present in up to 10% of cases, consistent with a genetic predisposition in some individuals. Familial PLCA has been mapped to a locus on 5p13.1-q11.2 and in 2008 pathogenic heterozygous missense mutations were identified in the OSMR gene, which encodes oncostatin M receptor beta (OSMRbeta), an interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokine receptor. OSMRbeta is expressed in various cell types, including keratinocytes, cutaneous nerves and nociceptive neurones in dorsal root ganglia; its ligands are oncostatin M and IL-31. All pathogenic mutations are clustered in the fibronectin-III repeat domains of the extracellular part of OSMRbeta, sites that are critical for receptor dimerization (with either gp130 or IL-31RA), and lead to defective signalling through Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 and phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt pathways. Elucidating the molecular pathology of familial PLCA provides new insight into mechanisms of pruritus in human skin, findings that may have relevance to developing novel treatments for skin itching. This review provides a clinicopathological and molecular update on familial PLCA.

The Asian dermatologic patient: review of common pigmentary disorders and cutaneous diseases

The Asian patient with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V is rarely highlighted in publications on cutaneous disorders or cutaneous laser surgery. However, with changing demographics, Asians will become an increasingly important group in this context. Although high melanin content confers better photoprotection, photodamage in the form of pigmentary disorders is common. Melasma, freckles, and lentigines are the epidermal disorders commonly seen, whilst nevus of Ota and acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules are common dermal pigmentary disorders. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurring after cutaneous injury remains a hallmark of skin of color. With increasing use of lasers and light sources in Asians, prevention and management of PIH is of great research interest. Bleaching agents, chemical peels, intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, and fractional skin resurfacing have all been used with some success for the management of melasma. Q-switched (QS) lasers are effective for the management of epidermal pigmentation but are associated with a high risk of PIH. Long-pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers and IPL sources pose less of a PIH risk but require a greater number of treatment sessions. Dermal pigmentary disorders are better targeted by QS ruby, QS alexandrite, and QS 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers, but hyper- and hypopigmentation may occur. Non-ablative skin rejuvenation using a combination approach with different lasers and light sources in conjunction with cooling devices allows different skin chromophores to be targeted and optimal results to be achieved, even in skin of color. Deep-tissue heating using radiofrequency and infra-red light sources affects the deep dermis and achieves enhanced skin tightening, resulting in eyebrow elevation, rhytide reduction, and contouring of the lower face and jawline. For management of severe degrees of photoaging, fractional resurfacing is useful for wrinkle and pigment reduction, as well as acne scarring. Acne, which is common in Asians, can be treated with topical and oral antibacterials, hormonal treatments, and isotretinoin. Infra-red diode lasers used with a low-fluence, multiple-pass approach have also been shown to be effective with few complications. Fractional skin resurfacing is very useful for improving the appearance of acne scarring. Hypertrophic and keloid scarring, another common condition seen in Asians, can be treated with the combined used of intralesional triamcinolone and fluorouracil, followed by pulsed-dye laser. Esthetic enhancement procedures such as botulinum toxin type A and fillers are becoming increasingly popular. These are effective for rhytide improvement and facial or body contouring. We highlight the differences between Asian skin and other skin types and review conditions common in skin of color together with treatment strategies.

Hyperkeratotic lichenified skin lesion of gluteal region

Elderly people may develop typical skin lesions on the superior part and both sides of the anal cleft. Although such skin changes have recently been reported as anosacral cutaneous amyloidosis in primary cutaneous amyloidosis, in our histopathological examinations no amyloid deposition has been detected at the sites of these lesions. Because hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and follicular plugging were seen in all of the cases histopathologically, we think that these skin manifestations are essentially a type of keratinization abnormality instead. We consider this disease to be a type of senile skin change that develops in response to prolonged mechanical irritation.

Cutaneous diseases in Asians

Atopic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, dyshidrosis, and melasma seem to be more common in Asians, whereas psoriasis and skin cancer are less common. In addition, there are less common skin conditions that are usually seen in Asians, including Mongolian spot, nevus of Ota, nevus of Ito, Kawasaki disease, primary cutaneous amyloidosis, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, and LCAI. Awareness of these less common cutaneous disorders can be helpful, especially for clinicians who work in areas with a large Asian population.