RECENT ADVANCES IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF VIRAL DISEASES OF THE SKIN

Recent advances in the diagnosis monkeypox: implications for public health

Introduction

Monkeypox virus is a zoonotic double-stranded DNA poxvirus in the genus Orthopoxvirus, family Poxviridae. Until recently, monkeypox was found primarily in Central and West Africa, where the virus had split into Congo Basin and West African clades.

Areas Covered

On 6 May 2022, monkeypox was detected in the United Kingdom and the virus has now been detected in every continent except Antarctica. The current outbreak represents the first documentation of widespread community transmission outside of Africa.

Expert Opinion

On 23 July 2022, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern and issued a series of guidance and recommendations for governments, health professionals and the public. This manuscript reviews what is known about monkeypox virus, with a focus on recent diagnostics and epidemiologic advances, and explores how recent advances in our understanding of the virus will be used to combat the expanding outbreak.

Acute urticaria in children: causes and an aggressive diagnostic approach

Infection, not allergy, appears to be the most common cause of acute urticaria in children. In a review of 76 cases, an association with infection was documented or suspected in 60% of cases-half of these viral. An aggressive diagnostic approach may prevent unwarranted lifelong dietary and drug restrictions or reveal a potentially serious disease, such as streptococcal pharyngitis.

Skin lesions in viral hepatitis: histologic and immunofluorescent findings

A variety of skin rashes are knowned to occur as a part of the serum sickness-like prodrome of acute viral hepatitis which is thought to be due to immune complex deposition. We report the histologic and immunofluorescent findings in the skin and the seroloigc abnormalities in a patient with both erythematous maculopapular and purpuric rashes. We found circulating hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hypocomplementemia and cultaneous vasculitis associated with deposition of immunoglobulin and complement in the skin. We could not demonstrate intradermal deposition of HBsAg, but the findings are consistent with the immune complex hypothesis.