[Cutaneous lesions during hot-tub hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Pseudomonas folliculitis ?]

BACKGROUND

Interstitial lung disease, cutaneous rash and elevated serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) may suggest diagnoses other than sarcoidosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 58-year-old man had presented dyspnoea for 2 years with increased angiotensin-converting enzyme, as well as an interstitial syndrome and micronodules. The possibility of sarcoidosis was raised. Systemic corticosteroids resulted in improvement of the dyspnoea although it recurred on dose reduction. We noted fluctuating eczematous macules of the limbs with a histology of aspecific folliculitis. The identification of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in the bronchoalveolar wash prompted us to initiate antimycobacterial therapy, but this was to no avail. Review of the CT-scan and questioning of the patient (daily use of a Jacuzzi for 7 years) resulted in diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to MAC. The cutaneous lesions were taken to indicate "hot tub folliculitis". Discontinuation of hot-tub use and a short course of oral corticosteroids resulted in healing within 4 months, with no recurrence at 2 years.

DISCUSSION

HTL is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to the presence of MAC in the water of Jacuzzis. This condition regresses spontaneously without treatment on discontinuation of Jacuzzi use. Hot-tub folliculitis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) presents as macules and papules on covered skin areas (swimsuit) within 48hours of bathing and often declines within 2 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Our case is original as regards the concomitant lung and cutaneous involvement associated with Jacuzzi use, with an immunoallergic mechanism for the MAC and probably an infectious mechanism for the PA.

[Latent-disseminated tuberculosis revealed by atypical skin ulcerations]

INTRODUCTION

Cutaneous tuberculosis (CT) is rare in industrialized countries. Given the clinicopathological polymorphism and the difficulty of isolating the pathogen, diagnosis can be difficult. The condition may be associated with other known locations of the disease or in rare cases, it may be a tell-tale sign, as in our case, in which leg ulcers revealed paucisymptomatic disseminated tuberculosis.

OBSERVATION

A 67-year-old man was referred for rapidly extensive ulcers of the right leg contiguous to debilitating arthritis of the knee of unknown aetiology for 18 months. Earlier investigations revealed thymoma and a pulmonary nodule considered to be sarcoidosis. A skin biopsy showed a granulomatous eosinophilic-rich infiltrate and vasculitis of the small vessels. Screening of the skin sample and gastric aspirate for Koch Bacillus (BK) was negative. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made. A positive QuantiFERON test eventually led to the correct diagnosis. On further testing of bronchoalveolar fluid and a synovial biopsy, culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) was positive. The PET scan showed high metabolism in the prostate, bone, spleen, liver, nodes and heart. The quad- and then dual-antibiotic antitubercular therapies produced a rapid improvement but treatment was continued over 12 months, given the persistence of high metabolism on PET-CT scan and the low blood rifampicin concentration.

DISCUSSION

A CT should be considered in the presence of giant-cell granulomas, even in the absence of caseous necrosis, and where both direct examination and culture for the skin are negative. Our case also underlines the importance of an extensive workup to rule out disseminated disease even if the patient is not symptomatic.

Phase II multicentre trial of oral quisinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in patients with previously treated stage IB-IVA mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome

BACKGROUND

Quisinostat is a hydroxamate, second-generation, orally available pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral quisinostat in patients with previously treated cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

METHODS

Patients received quisinostat 8 mg or 12 mg on days 1, 3 and 5 of each week in 21-day treatment cycles. Primary efficacy end point was cutaneous response rate (RR) based on the modified Severity Weighted Assessment Tool (mSWAT). Secondary end points included global RR, duration of response (DOR) in skin, progression-free survival (PFS), pruritus relief, safety and pharmacodynamic markers.

RESULTS

Eight of 26 (25 evaluable) patients achieved ≥ 50% reduction in mSWAT score at least once, with confirmed cutaneous response in six (RR 24%). There was a low global RR of 8%. DOR in skin ranged from 2·8 to 6·9 months. Median PFS was 5·1 months. Pruritus relief was more frequent in cutaneous responders (67%) than nonresponders (32%). Serial tumour biopsies revealed an increase in acetylated tubulin, indicating a target effect of histone deacetylase 6. Twenty-one of 26 (81%) patients were withdrawn from the study before or at clinical cut-off; five (19%) continued to receive treatment with quisinostat. The most common drug-related adverse events were nausea, diarrhoea, asthenia, hypertension, thrombocytopenia and vomiting. Grade 3 drug-related adverse events included hypertension, lethargy, pruritus, chills, hyperkalaemia and pyrexia.

CONCLUSIONS

Quisinostat 12 mg three times weekly is active in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory CTCL, with an acceptable safety profile. Combination therapy with other drugs active in CTCL may be appropriate.

[Tranverse acro-osteolysis: A rare cause of nail dystrophy]

BACKGROUND

Acro-osteolysis (AO) involves partial or total destruction of the distal phalanges of the fingers or toes. The range of forms of AO is extremely wide. A distinction is generally made between the acquired forms and the genetic and idiopathic forms. Herein we report a case of idiopathic transverse single-finger AO associated with onychopathy.

PATIENT AND METHODS

A 48-year-old woman consulted for a nail lesion involving brachyonychia in the right index finger alone (pseudo-clubbing appearance of the finger). The remainder of the clinical examination was normal, particularly in terms of neurological and dermatological investigations. Standard x-rays revealed transverse osteolysis of the middle third of the distal phalanx, occurring solely in the right index finger.

DISCUSSION

While certainty regarding diagnosis of AO depends upon radiological findings, the radiological appearance is not specific. Two subgroups suggesting aetiological diagnosis may be distinguished: transverse AO with banding and longitudinal AO. With transverse AO, the diaphysis of the distal phalanx presents osteolysis with banding, but with sparing of the base of the band (pseudo-fracture appearance); this appearance is suggestive of toxic causes, congenital familial conditions or repetitive micro-trauma. Upon x-ray examination, the longitudinal forms exhibit concentric resorption of the band and these forms are more often seen in a setting of neurological, vascular or metabolic disorders. The associated nail involvement frequently present helps clarify the diagnosis, with nail plate shape being dependent on the integrity of the underlying bone.

CONCLUSION

Herein we report the first case of transverse AO in a single finger associated with brachyonychia, and with no discernible cause.

[Primary localized cutaneous nodular amyloidosis: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge]

BACKGROUND

Nodular primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) is a rare subtype of localized cutaneous amyloidosis in which amyloid protein is derived from immunoglobulin light chains. Follow-up for progression to systemic amyloidosis or autoimmune disease is mandatory. No consensus exists regarding treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report a case of nodular PLCA in a 49-year-old man, presenting as an asymptomatic nodule of the nose. Skin biopsy revealed diffuse deposition of amyloid associated with plasmocyte proliferation. Monotypic kappa light-chain restriction was observed. Extensive systemic evaluation, including bone marrow biopsy and PET scan, was negative. Protein electrophoresis and immunofixation in serum and urine were normal. The nodule was treated with radiotherapy but there was no response. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) was performed with no recurrence at 6 months of follow-up. No systemic progression was observed one year after the initial diagnosis.

DISCUSSION

Since nodular PLCA may have a cutaneous presentation similar to that of primary systemic amyloidosis, evaluation for systemic amyloidosis is necessary. Treatment of amyloidosis is difficult. Radiotherapy appears ineffective in treating this type of primary cutaneous amyloidosis, and surgical treatment, where possible, is a good option, especially with MMS, which allows both controlled excision and minimal margins.