Hydroa vacciniforme: an unusual clinical manifestation

Late-onset hydroa vacciniforme: two case reports

Hydroa vacciniforme (HV) is a rare blistering photodermatosis that heals with vacciniform scarring, with onset usually in childhood and spontaneous resolution by early adulthood. We report two cases of HV seen at the National Skin Centre, Singapore, both with a late onset at 20 years of age, during compulsory military service, and one with a less typical non-vesicular presentation, that initially caused some diagnostic difficulties.

Hydroa vacciniforme: A clinical and follow-up study of 17 cases

BACKGROUND

Hydroa vacciniforme (HV) is a rare, sporadic, idiopathic photodermatosis characterized by vesicles and crust formation after sunlight exposure. The lesions typically heal with vacciniform scarring.

OBJECTIVE

We identify and review the clinical features and follow-up data of Scottish patients with HV and report on the prevalence of this condition. This is the largest recent study of HV patients from a single center.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, patients with HV were identified by means of the diagnostic database from the Photobiology Unit, Dundee. Patients were contacted and details of clinical features, duration of disease, results of investigations, and treatment were recorded. At review, disease progress was assessed.

RESULTS

Between 1973 and 1997, 17 patients (9 males and 8 females) with a diagnosis of HV were investigated. Data from 15 patients showed a mean age at onset of 7.9 years (range, 1 to 16 years), with females (mean, 6.7 years; range, 2 to 12 years) having an earlier onset than males (mean, 8.7 years; range, 1 to 16 years). A bimodal age distribution was also identified with onsets between the ages of 1 and 7 years and 12 and 16 years. At review, spontaneous clearing had occurred in 9 patients (60%) with mean duration of disease being 9 years (range, 4 to 17 years). Males had longer disease duration (mean, 11 years; range, 5 to 17 years) than females (mean, 5 years; range, 4 to 7 years). Eight patients (53%) were sensitive in the UVA wave-band on monochromator phototesting, and 6 (40%) experienced papulovesicular lesions on repetitive broad-spectrum UVA irradiation. All patients received broad-spectrum sunscreens with variable results. Of the 5 patients treated with narrow-band UVB (TL-01) phototherapy, 3 reported beneficial results with an increase in tolerance to sunlight exposure and associated reduction in disease severity.

CONCLUSION

The estimated prevalence of HV was at least 0.34 cases per 100,000 with an approximately equal sex ratio. Males had a later onset and longer duration of disease than females. Phototesting showed abnormal responses in the UVA wavebands in 53% of cases, whereas 60% of patients treated with prophylactic TL-01 phototherapy found it beneficial.

The idiopathic photodermatoses

The idiopathic photodermatoses present a challenge for dermatologists. Although, as in other specialty areas, the classical clinical presentation produces few problems, it is the severe forms and overlap cases that cause the most difficulty. It is fortunate that the semi-objective investigation of phototesting is available, which, when conducted carefully, reveals so much about the nature of this group of conditions. This essential investigation not only helps achieve a diagnosis, but also affords material for study and a means of monitoring therapy response or progress towards spontaneous resolution. Although these conditions are grouped together, throughout this century we have seen a continuing process of distinct diseases emerging as a consequence of careful clinical observation and investigation.

Familial hydroa vacciniforme

Hydroa vacciniforme is a rare, idiopathic photodermatosis with an onset in childhood and characterized by acute vesiculation, crusting and scarring following sun exposure. Familial cases are extremely rare with only one previous report. We report a brother and sister, both of whom have developed hydroa vacciniforme.

Angiocentric cutaneous T-cell lymphoma of childhood (hydroa-like lymphoma): a distinctive type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Angiocentric cutaneous T-cell lymphomas of childhood (ACTCLC) are an unusual type of T-cell lymphomas that present with a vesiculopapular eruption mimicking hydroa vacciniforme. Most patients have been children from Asia and Latin America.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to describe four cases of ACTCLC; to discuss its clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features; to consider its possible relationship to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); and to clarify its classification within the spectrum of angiocentric lymphomas.

METHODS

The clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features of four cases of ACTCLC were identified and analyzed. In addition in situ hybridization for EBV was performed in all cases.

RESULTS

The clinical features were similar to previous cases reported under different names, such as hydroa-like lymphomas, edematous, scarring vasculitic panniculitis. Histologically, all showed angiocentric infiltrates composed mainly of T cells. In all cases there were variable numbers of CD30+ cells. The EBV was present in three of the cases.

CONCLUSION

ACTCLC is a distinct type of T-cell lymphoma. It affects mainly children, and the EBV appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

A case of hydroa vacciniforme with unusual ear mutilation

A 22 year-old man visited our department with a 18-year-history of recurrent vesicular eruption on his skin when exposed to the sun. History revealed that the skin lesions developed as vesicles at first, then over the next several days, they formed crusts and healed with scarring. We were able to induce skin lesions by a repetitive UV-A provocation test. By the clinical and histologic features of the induced lesions, the case was diagnosed as hydroa vacciniforme (HV). However, no vesicular lesions were found on physical examination. Instead, in addition to varioliform scarring, we found various unusual clinical manifestations: burn-like lesions and crusts, flexion contracture of the digitum, and ear lobe mutilation. The ear lobe mutilation, which had not been reported previously in HV, was especially interesting.

Hydroa vacciniforme presenting in an adult successfully treated with cyclosporin A

Hydroa vacciniforme (HV) is a rare photodermatosis first described by Bazin in the mid-nineteenth century. It typically presents in childhood and resolves during adolescence. Rarely, however, symptoms may persist into adult life.2,3 We now describe a patient with this condition presenting unusually for the first time at the age of 58 years and responding to treatment with cyclosporin A.

Factors influencing the photo-reproduction of hydroa vacciniforme lesions

Hydroa vacciniforme vesicles can be reproduced experimentally with repetitive UVA irradiations, but this photo-reproduction is not constant. The aim of this study was to search for the factors that influence photo-reproduction. To reproduce hydroa vacciniforme lesions six patients underwent repetitive UVA and polychromatic irradiations on the back. In four patients out of six, UVA irradiation with high doses induced papulo-vesicular lesions. Photo-induced lesions were very close to those induced by sunlight. Photo-reproduction failed when phototesting was done after or shortly before remission. Therefore, the absence of photo-reproduction appears to be a good prognostic factor.