Influence of pharmacogenomic polymorphisms on allopurinol-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions in Thai patients

BACKGROUND

Allopurinol has been causing substantial morbidity and mortality particularly in Asian population by producing cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs). Nonetheless, there are no data describing whether other genetics are a valid marker for prediction of allopurinol-induced cADRs patients in addition to HLA-B*58:01 allele. The goal of this study was to identify suitable single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for allopurinol induced cADRs among Thai patients.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control association study after enrolling 57 Thai patients with allopurinol induced cADRs and 101 allopurinol-tolerant controls. The genetic biomarkers and associated SNPs located on chromosome 6p21 were examined by TaqMan® SNP genotyping assays in both the cases and the controls.

RESULTS

Out of fifteen SNPs in nine genes, we found four combined SNPs (rs3099844 of HCP5, rs9263726 of PSORS1C1, rs9263733 of POLR2LP, and rs9263745 of CCHCR1) were significantly associated with allopurinol-induced cADRs compared to the tolerant controls (OR 73.2; 95% CI 24.2-266.8; P = 1.9 × 10- 24). The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of these combinations were 84%, 94%, 9%, and 100%, respectively. However, the variant alleles of these SNP combinations were detected in 89.5% (51/57) of the cases. Moreover, the HLA-B*58:01 allele was observed in 86.0% of patients with allopurinol-induced cADRs, but only in 4.0% of tolerant controls (OR: 137.2; 95% CI: 38.3-670.5 and p-value = 1.7 × 10- 27).

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, this research confirms the association between the specific HLA-B*58:01 allele and all phenotypes of allopurinol-induced cADRs in Thais. Furthermore, there was found the combined four SNPs (rs3099844, rs9263726, rs9263733, and rs9263745) could be used as alternative novel biomarkers for predicting cADRs in patients taking allopurinol.

Comparative immunohistochemical analysis of inflammatory cytokines in distinct subtypes of Sweet syndrome

Background

A dysregulated immune response has been implicated in Sweet syndrome (SS) pathogenesis; however, cytokine profiles across different conditions associated with SS - including adult-onset immunodeficiency (AOID) due to anti-interferon (IFN)-γ autoantibodies - remain unknown.

Objective

To investigate alterations in inflammatory cytokines in skin lesions of distinct subtypes of SS.

Methods

Skin biopsies were collected from 42 AOID- and 52 non-AOID-associated SS patients and 18 healthy controls. The comparative immunohistochemical study was conducted using monoclonal antibodies against interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α on paraffin-embedded sections. The quantitative percentage positivity and intensity were calculated using computer-based image analysis.

Results

The results showed stronger and more diffuse dermal immunoreactivity for IFN-γ and IL-17 in the AOID-associated (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) and non-AOID-associated SS (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) groups. However, no significant differences in the levels of these two cytokines were observed between the AOID- and non-AOID-associated SS groups. Increased expression of IFN-γ together with IL-17 was also noted in almost all subtypes among non-AOID-associated SS.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that IFN-γ and IL-17 are implicated in immunopathology of all SS subtypes, including AOID-associated SS, despite the presence of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies.

IFN-γ ELISpot-enabled machine learning for culprit drug identification in nonimmediate drug hypersensitivity

BACKGROUND

Diagnosing drug-induced allergy, especially nonimmediate phenotypes, is challenging. Incorrect classifications have unwanted consequences.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the diagnostic utility of IFN-γ ELISpot and clinical parameters in predicting drug-induced nonimmediate hypersensitivity using machine learning.

METHODS

The study recruited 393 patients. A positive patch test or drug provocation test (DPT) was used to define positive drug hypersensitivity. Various clinical factors were considered in developing random forest (RF) and logistic regression (LR) models. Performances were compared against the IFN-γ ELISpot-only model.

RESULTS

Among the 102 patients who had 164 DPTs, most patients had severe cutaneous adverse reactions (35/102, 34.3%) and maculopapular exanthems (33/102, 32.4%). Common suspected drugs were antituberculosis drugs (46/164, 28.1%) and β-lactams (42/164, 25.6%). Mean (SD) age of patients with DPT was 52.7 (20.8) years. IFN-γ ELISpot, fixed drug eruption, Naranjo categories, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the most important features in all developed models. The RF and LR models had higher discriminating abilities. An IFN-γ ELISpot cutoff value of 16.0 spot-forming cells/106 PBMCs achieved 94.8% specificity and 57.1% sensitivity. Depending on clinical needs, optimal cutoff values for RF and LR models can be chosen to achieve either high specificity (0.41 for 96.1% specificity and 0.52 for 97.4% specificity, respectively) or high sensitivity (0.26 for 78.6% sensitivity and 0.37 for 71.4% sensitivity, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

IFN-γ ELISpot assay was valuable in identifying culprit drugs, whether used individually or incorporated in a prediction model. Performances of RF and LR models were comparable. Additional test datasets with DPT would be helpful to validate the model further.

Developing diagnostic criteria to differentiate fungal foot infections caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and dermatophytes

Background

The predisposing factors and clinical presentations of fungal foot infections caused by non-dermatophytes and dermatophytes are challenging to differentiate. Definite diagnoses of non-dermatophyte infections at first visits facilitate their treatment.

Objectives

This study aimed to develop diagnostic criteria to differentiate fungal foot infections caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and dermatophytes.

Methods

Diagnostic prediction research based on a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study. The reviewed patients were aged ≥18 and underwent a mycological examination for fungal foot infections. A fungal culture at the initial visit was the gold standard for determining causative organisms.

Results

Analyses were carried out on the data from 371 patients. N. dimidiatum accounted for 184 (49.6%) infections, and dermatophytes caused the remaining 187 (50.4%) cases. Five significant predefined predictors were used to develop the diagnostic criteria and score. They were immunocompetence status, no family history of fungal infections, the absence of pruritus, the absence of other concurrent fungal skin infections, and agricultural work. The lower score cutoff was <8 (sensitivity 97.8% and specificity 25.7%). The higher cutoff was >11 (sensitivity 83.7% and specificity 57.8%). The score showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.755 and was well calibrated.

Conclusions

The criteria and score show promise for clinical use, with acceptable discriminative performance and good calibration. They will help physicians differentiate the causative organisms in patients with fungal foot infections at the first visit, enabling the determination of appropriate antifungal treatment.

Prognostic factors for mycological cure in patients with onychomycosis caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The prognostic factors for cure have been derived from cases of dermatophyte onychomycosis. However, there are limited studies in non-dermatophyte onychomycosis. Neoscytalidium dimidiatum is the common causative agents of non-dermatophyte onychomycosis which has proven to be recalcitrant to treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective cohort study investigated mycological cure and prognostic factors in Neoscytalidium onychomycosis patients.

METHODS

Patients aged 18 or older with newly diagnosed Neoscytalidium onychomycosis were enrolled. All patients were treated and followed up for at least 1 year. Mycological cure was analysed with Cox proportional hazard regression. The hazard ratios (HRs) of previously reported potential prognostic factors were included in univariable and multivariable stratified Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

From total 198 patients, mycological cure was achieved in 108 (54.6%) patients with a median of 490 (± SD 62.2) days. The poor prognostic factors for mycological cure were age ≥ 70 years (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.41-0.97; p = .034); nail thickness ≥2 mm (HR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.11-0.35; p < .001); and peripheral vascular disease (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28-0.77; p = .003). Combination therapy was associated with achieving a mycological cure (HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.49-4.38; p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately half of the patients with onychomycosis caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum achieved a mycological cure, with a median time to cure exceeding 1 year. Combined topical and systemic antifungal treatments yield a higher chance of mycological cure than monotherapies. Advanced age, nail thickness and peripheral vascular disease are obstacle factors to cure.

Reactive Neutrophilic Dermatoses in Adult-Onset Immunodeficiency due to Interferon-Gamma Autoantibody and Their Associated Factors

BACKGROUND

Adult-onset immunodeficiency (AOID) due to interferon-gamma autoantibody is a rare, acquired immunodeficiency disease. Reactive neutrophilic dermatoses (RND), predominantly Sweet syndrome (SS), and generalized pustular eruption have been reported repeatedly.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to describe the cutaneous manifestations in AOID patients and determine the incidence of RND and associated factors using a larger population size than have been previously reported.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all confirmed AOID cases in Chiang Mai University Hospital from January 2006 to June 2020 was conducted. The demographics and characteristics of RND including type, onset, and laboratory information in every episode of cutaneous manifestations were collected. Generalized estimating equations of binary logistic regression were used to determine the indicators of RND.

RESULTS

A total of 146 patients with confirmed AOID were identified. Of these, 57 cases (39%) developed at least one episode of RND. Thirteen cases (23%) of the patients experienced RND twice during the follow-up period. All recurrence of RND displayed the same cutaneous phenotype, with the exception of 2 cases who had both SS and generalized pustular eruption. Finally, 49 episodes of SS and 22 episodes of generalized pustular eruption were included in the analysis. All patients with RND had concomitant active opportunistic infections, of which most were non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infection. NTM infection (prevalence odds ratio [POR] 2.87), lymphadenopathy (POR 3.30) as well as lower serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level (POR 0.71 for every 100-unit increment in ALP) were found to be significantly associated with RND occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

39% of our AOID patients experienced RND once during the course of the disease. Notable factors associated with RND occurrence were concomitant NTM infection, lymphadenopathy, and lower level of ALP.

Incidence and factors associated with cutaneous immune-related adverse events to immune check point inhibitors: An ambispective cohort study

Background

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the frontline treatment option for patients with various advanced cancers due to improved survival, they can be associated with a spectrum of cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs). However, little is known regarding the occurrence and patterns of cirAE-related ICI therapy in patients of different races other than white populations. Therefore, we investigated the incidence and associated factors of cirAEs among cancer patients in northern Thailand.

Methods

A referral-center-based ambispective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2017, to March 31, 2021. Based on a linked database and merged patient-level data, adult patients with pathologically confirmed cancer who were diagnosed and received ICI therapy regardless of cancer type and followed up through August 31, 2021, were included. All cirAE-related ICI therapy was based on clinical evaluation and ascertainment by a board-certified dermatologist. The incidence of cirAE-related ICI therapy with confidence intervals (CIs) across cancer- and ICI therapy-specific groups was estimated. Factors associated with cirAEs were evaluated using multivariable modified Poisson regression to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs.

Results

The study included 112 patients (67 men [59.8%]; mean age, 65.0 [range, 31.0-88.0] years), who were mainly diagnosed with lung cancer (56.3%), followed by liver cancer (19.6%). The overall incidence of cirAE-related ICI therapy was 32.1% (95% CI, 24.1-41.4); however, there was no substantial difference in sex, cancer type, or individual ICI therapy. The two identified prognostic risk factors of cirAE-related ICI therapy were age >75 years (adjusted RR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.09-4.15; P=0.027) and pre-existing chronic kidney disease stages 3-4 (adjusted RR, 3.52; 95% CI, 2.33-5.31; P<0.001).

Conclusions

The incidence of cirAE-related ICI therapy among Thai cancer patients was comparable to that in white populations. Early identification, particularly in elderly patients and those with CKD, should be implemented in clinical practice to help optimize therapeutic decision-making and patient health outcomes.

Use of Thiazide Diuretics and Risk of All Types of Skin Cancers: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The use of thiazide diuretics is associated with skin cancer risk; however, whether this applies to all skin cancer types is unclear. Methods: In this meta-analysis, we searched multiple electronic databases and gray literature up to 10 April 2022, with no language restrictions, to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (cohort, case-control) that investigated the association between thiazide diuretics and skin cancer. The primary outcomes of interest were malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma [BCC], squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]). Secondary outcomes included other skin cancers (lip cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, malignant adnexal skin tumors, oral cavity cancer, and precursors of skin cancer). We used a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate pooled adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Thirty non-randomized studies (17 case-control, 13 cohort, no RCTs) were included. Thiazide diuretic users had a higher risk of malignant melanoma (17 studies; n = 10,129,196; pooled adjusted OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04−1.15; p < 0.001; strength of evidence, very low; very small harmful effect), BCC (14 studies; n = 19,780,476; pooled adjusted OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02−1.09; p = 0.003; strength of evidence, very low; very small harmful effect), and SCC (16 studies; n = 16,387,862; pooled adjusted OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.22−1.48; p < 0.001; strength of evidence, very low; very small harmful effect) than non-users. Thiazide diuretic use was also associated with a higher risk of lip cancer (5 studies; n = 161,491; pooled adjusted OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.52−2.42; p < 0.001; strength of evidence, very low; small harmful effect), whereas other secondary outcomes were inconclusive. Conclusions: Thiazide diuretics are associated with the risk of all skin cancer types, including malignant melanoma; thus, they should be used with caution in clinical practice.

Acitretin treatment in antimalarial-refractory/intolerant discoid lupus erythematosus: A prospective, open-label, uncontrolled study

Background

The treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is often challenging, especially in patients who are refractory or intolerant to topical treatments and first-line systemic drugs, specifically antimalarial drugs. Although acitretin has been shown to be effective in patients with DLE in a few studies, there is no published study describing the long-term efficacy of acitretin with a validated score.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acitretin in patients with antimalarial-refractory/intolerant DLE.

Methods

A prospective, open-label, uncontrolled study was conducted in patients with antimalarial-refractory/intolerant DLE. All patients were treated with an initial dosage of 10 mg acitretin daily. Clinical response was assessed using the Revised Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (RCLASI) at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 24. Acitretin was increased to 25 mg daily unless an adequate response was achieved at week 8.

Results

Fourteen patients were recruited. Of these, 10 were antimalarial-refractory and four were antimalarial-intolerant. The acitretin therapy was discontinued in one patient after 20 weeks of treatment because of active systemic disease. Of the 13 remaining patients, the mean RCLASI activity scores declined from 21 ± 9 at baseline to 9 ± 4 at week 24. A significant reduction in RCLASI was initially observed at week four and consistently noted at each follow-up visit ( p ≤ 0.01). At the end of the study, a marked response was achieved in approximately 80% of patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical response or in the requirement of the up-dosing of acitretin between the refractory and intolerance groups ( p = 0.88 and p = 0.326, respectively). Age ≥50 years old, female sex, and generalized DLE were the favorable prognostic factors. No serious adverse events were noted.

Conclusions

Acitretin appears to be an effective treatment with acceptable safety profiles for antimalarial-refractory/intolerant DLE.

The Role of In Vitro Detection of Drug-Specific Mediator-Releasing Cells to Diagnose Different Phenotypes of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions

PROPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate panels of enzyme-linked immunospot assays (ELISpot) to detect drug-specific mediator releasing cells for confirming culprit drugs in severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs).

METHODS

Frequencies of drug-induced interleukin-22 (IL-22)-, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-, and granzyme-B (GrB)-releasing cells were measured by incubating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SCAR patients with the culprit drugs. Potential immunoadjuvants were supplemented to enhance drug-induced mediator responses.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients, including 9 acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), 10 drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and 8 Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) were recruited. The average frequencies of drug-induced IL-22-, IFN-γ-, and GrB-releasing cells were 35.5±16.3, 33.0±7.1, and 164.8±43.1 cells/million PBMCs, respectively. The sensitivity of combined IFN-γ/IL-22/GrB ELISpot was higher than that of IFN-γ ELISpot alone for culprit drug detection in all SCAR subjects (77.8% vs 51.9%, P < 0.01). The measurement of drug-induced IL-22- and IFN-γ releasing cells confirmed the culprit drugs in 77.8% of AGEP. The measurement of drug-induced IFN-γ- and GrB-releasing cells confirmed the culprit drugs in 62.5% of SJS/TEN. Alpha-galactosylceramide supplementation significantly increased the frequencies of drug-induced IFN-γ releasing cells.

CONCLUSION

The measurement of drug-induced IFN-γ-releasing cells is the key for identifying culprit drugs. The additional measurement of drug-induced IL-22-releasing cells enhances ELISpot sensitivity to identify drug-induced AGEP, while the measurement of drug-induced GrB-releasing cells could have a role in SJS/TEN. ELISpot sensitivity might be improved by supplementary alpha-galactosylceramide.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02574988.

Temporal outcomes after rituximab therapy for pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by autoantibodies that target desmoglein adhesion proteins. Rituximab and corticosteroids are FDA-approved therapies for pemphigus vulgaris. As newer treatments for pemphigus enter clinical trials, analysis of clinical and serologic outcomes after rituximab therapy as a function of time is essential to guide clinical trial design. Here, we report detailed temporal and serological outcomes of rituximab treatment of pemphigus vulgaris. The maximal prevalence of complete remission off oral systemic therapy after a single cycle of rituximab was 32.4% at 12 months, or 43.1% by 36 months including additional rituximab cycles. Using receiver operating characteristic curves to develop prediction models for complete remission after a single cycle of rituximab, >90.7% reduction in average desmoglein 3 ELISA titers from baseline to months 3-9 was 94% sensitive, and an average absolute titer ≤130 RU/mL between months 3-9 was 96% specific, for achievement of complete remission off oral systemic therapy. All patients with negative titers at 6-9 months ultimately achieved complete remission off oral systemic therapy. This dataset of clinical and serological outcomes for pemphigus vulgaris patients after rituximab therapy will facilitate clinical trial planning and also guide clinician and patient expectations after rituximab therapy.

Impact of Pharmacological Treatments for Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria with an Inadequate Response to H1-Antihistamines on Health-Related Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Recently, pharmacological treatment options for H1-antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria have increased dramatically; however, their effects on patient-reported outcomes, including health-related quality of life (HRQOL), remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the impact of these treatments on HRQOL among H1-antihistamine-refractory patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

METHODS

We completed a comprehensive search of the available literature in the electronic databases, gray literature, and preprint reports up to April 19, 2021, with no language restrictions. The primary outcome for evaluation was a change in HRQOL from the baseline, and secondary outcomes included patient unacceptability and other patient-reported outcomes. We used a random-effects network meta-analysis and estimated differences in standardized mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios with 95% CIs. Evidence-based synthesis was based on magnitudes of effect size, evidence certainty, ranking of treatment effects, and clinically meaningful improvement.

RESULTS

Twelve randomized controlled trials encompassing 1866 adolescent and adult patients were included. Our evidence synthesis analyses revealed that hydroxychloroquine (SMD, -1.00 [-1.61 to -0.39]), 72 mg ligelizumab (SMD, -0.66 [-0.96 to -0.35]), 240 mg ligelizumab (SMD, -0.67 [-0.98 to -0.37]), and 300 mg omalizumab (SMD, -0.53 [-0.67 to -0.39]) significantly improved HRQOL with a moderate beneficial effect. However, the use of hydroxychloroquine seems to be limited by a higher risk of patient unacceptability of treatment. Other secondary outcomes remain inconclusive based on the available evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Both ligelizumab (72 or 240 mg) and 300 mg omalizumab appeared to be effective treatments for H1-antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria, because they were closely associated with improved HRQOL.

Adult-onset immunodeficiency due to anti-interferon-gamma autoantibody-associated Sweet syndrome: A distinctive entity

Sweet syndrome (SS) has been increasingly reported in patients with adult-onset immunodeficiency (AOID) due to anti-interferon-γ autoantibody who also have concomitant opportunistic infections, especially disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (dNTMI). A retrospective study retrieving data from 2011 through 2020 was conducted. We compared clinical characteristics of SS with and without AOID and generated the prediction model and examined the interaction between AOID and dNTMI in the occurrence of SS. Lymphadenopathy, pustular lesions, and leukocytosis are the significant predictors for AOID-associated SS. Adjusted risk differences were 0.58 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-0.83), 0.21 (95% CI, 0.02-0.39), and 0.24 (95% CI, 0.01-0.47), respectively. Based on the analysis of aggregated cross-sectional data, both the overall and the direct effect of AOID increased the prevalence of SS. The indirect effect of AOID on the occurrence of SS might also be mediated through dNTMI or other common opportunistic infections. In addition, there was a trend of positive additive interaction between AOID and dNTMI. Although the test of additive interaction did not reveal statistically significant results, a deviation from additivity of isolated effects might suggest potential causal interaction between AOID and dNTMI. The distinctive clinical syndrome comprising lymphadenopathy, pustular lesions, and leukocytosis in patients with SS should raise the awareness of clinicians to the potential of underlying AOID.

Epidemiology and clinical features of pustular psoriasis: A 15-year retrospective cohort

Pustular psoriasis (PuP) is a rare variant of psoriasis with a unique immunopathogenesis, unlike its more prevalent plaque-type counterpart. However, data available are limited due to its low prevalence. This study aimed to describe the demographic profile, precipitating factors, clinical presentations, and treatments among patients with different PuP subtypes from a 15-year retrospective cohort study in Thailand. A total of 60 patients were included in this study. There was female predominance (73.3%) and mean age of onset was 38.1 ± 17.6 years. Generalized PuP (GPP) was the most prevalent subtype (80.0%), followed by acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (13.3%) and palmoplantar pustulosis (6.7%). Precipitating factors included corticosteroid withdrawal, upper respiratory tract infection, and pregnancy. One-third of PuP occurred concomitantly with other psoriasis variants, especially the plaque type. The most prescribed systemic and topical treatments were oral acitretin (60.0%) and topical corticosteroids (98.3%), respectively. Only two patients were treated with narrow-band ultraviolet B. In conclusion, four out of every five PuP patients in this center had GPP. Corticosteroid withdrawal, upper respiratory tract infection, and pregnancy are important precipitating factors. Coexistence with other psoriasis variants was identified in one out of every three patients. Acitretin remains the mainstay of systemic treatment.

Evaluation of Pharmacologic Treatments for H1 Antihistamine-Refractory Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

Importance

The comparative benefits and harms of all available treatments for H1 antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) have not been established.

Objective

To evaluate different treatment effects of pharmacologic treatments among patients with H1 antihistamine-refractory CSU.

Data Sources

Searches were conducted of MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL from inception to April 19, 2021, with no language restrictions. Gray literature from Google Scholar, ongoing trial registers, and preprint reports was added to the searches of electronic databases.

Study Selection

Randomized clinical trials using validated measurement tools that investigated the benefits and harms of pharmacologic treatments among adolescent or adult patients with CSU who had an inadequate response to H1 antihistamines were screened for inclusion independently by 2 investigators.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Two investigators independently extracted study data according to the predefined list of interests. A random-effects model was used to calculate the network estimates reported as standardized mean differences and odds ratios with corresponding 95% CIs.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes that reflect the patient's perspective included changes in urticaria symptoms from baseline and unacceptability of treatment (all-cause dropouts).

Results

Twenty-three randomized clinical trials with 2480 participants that compared 18 different interventions or dosages and placebo were included. The standardized mean differences for change in urticaria symptoms were -1.05 (95% CI, -1.37 to -0.73) for ligelizumab, 72 mg; -1.07 (95% CI, -1.39 to -0.75) for ligelizumab, 240 mg; -0.77 (95% CI, -0.91 to -0.63) for omalizumab, 300 mg; and -0.59 (95% CI, -1.10 to -0.08) for omalizumab, 600 mg. No significant differences in treatment unacceptability were observed. With respect to benefits and harms, the network estimates illustrated that the most efficacious treatments were achieved with ligelizumab, 72 or 240 mg (large beneficial effect) and omalizumab, 300 or 600 mg (moderate beneficial effect).

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings in this meta-analysis suggest that the biologic agents ligelizumab, 72 or 240 mg, and omalizumab, 300 or 600 mg, can be recommended as effective treatments for patients with CSU who have had an inadequate response to H1 antihistamines. Head-to-head trials with high methodologic quality and harmonized design and outcome definitions are needed to help inform subsequent international guidelines for the management of CSU.

Spectrum of cutaneous adverse reactions to aromatic antiepileptic drugs and human leukocyte antigen genotypes in Thai patients and meta-analysis

Aromatic antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs) add up to the limited use of the AEDs in the treatment and prevention of seizures. Human leukocyte antigen-B (HLA-B) alleles have been linked to AEDs-induced cADRs. We investigated the association between cADRs (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome; SJS/toxic epidermal necrolysis; TEN, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms; DRESS, and Maculopapular eruption; MPE) caused by AEDs (phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenobarbital and oxcarbazepine) and HLA-B alleles in Thai population. Through the case-control study, 166 patients with AEDs-induced cADRs, 426 AEDs-tolerant patients (AEDs-tolerant controls), and 470 healthy subjects (Thai population) were collected. The HLA genotypes were detected using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSOP) method. We also performed a meta-analysis with these data and other populations. The carrier rate of HLA-B*15:02 was significantly different between AEDs-induced cADRs group and AEDs-tolerant group (Odds ratio; OR 4.28, 95% Confidence interval; CI 2.64-6.95, p < 0.001), AEDs-induced cADRs group and Thai population (OR 2.15, 95%CI 1.41-3.29, p < 0.001). In meta-analysis showed the strong association HLA-B*15:02 with AEDs-induced cADRs (OR 4.77, 95%CI 1.79-12.73, p < 0.001). Furthermore, HLA-B*15:02 was associated with SJS/TEN induced by AEDs (OR 10.28, 95%CI 6.50-16.28, p < 0.001) Phenytoin (OR 4.12, 95%CI 1.77-9.59, p = 0.001) and carbamazepine (OR 137.69, 95%CI 50.97-371.98, p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that genetic association for AEDs-induced cADRs was phenotype-specific. A strong association between HLA-B*15:02 and AEDs-induced SJS/TEN was demonstrated with an OR of 10.79 (95%CI 5.50-21.16, p < 0.001) when compared with AEDs-tolerant group. On the other hand, the carrier rates of HLA-B*08:01, HLA-B*13:01, and HLA-B*56:02 were significantly higher in the DRESS group compared with the AEDs-tolerant group (p = 0.029, 0.007, and 0.017, respectively). The HLA-B*15:02 allele may represent a risk factor for AEDs-induced cADRs.

Factors Associated With Complete Remission After Rituximab Therapy for Pemphigus

Importance

Rituximab has emerged as a front-line therapy for pemphigus, but prognostic factors for achieving complete remission off therapy (CROT) with oral systemic agents remain unknown.

Objectives

To describe rates of CROT and relapse and identify prognostic factors for achieving CROT after rituximab therapy for pemphigus.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A single-center, retrospective, cohort study was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania including 112 patients with pemphigus treated with rituximab with at least 12 months' clinical follow-up after the start of rituximab therapy. Multivariate regression analysis of factors predictive of CROT and Kaplan-Meier analysis of disease relapse were conducted. The study included patients treated with rituximab from March 15, 2005, until December 19, 2016. Data analysis was performed from December 2017 to June 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary study outcome was CROT after 1 cycle. Secondary study outcomes included rate of CROT or the composite end point of CROT or complete remission on minimal therapy after 1 or more cycle, and median time to relapse. Multivariate regression analysis for prognostic variables for CROT, including age, sex, pemphigus subtype, body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), disease duration, and dosing regimen, was performed.

Results

A total of 112 patients with pemphigus with median 37.8 months (range, 12.1-130.7) follow-up after rituximab therapy were identified. Of these, 65 were women (58.0%). At the time of first rituximab infusion, median age was 52.3 years (range, 20.0-89.3). Including patients who received multiple cycles of rituximab, 79 patients (70.5%) achieved CROT after a median time of 10.5 months (range, 2.0-49.8), and 36 of 72 patients (50.0%) subsequently experienced relapse after a median of 23.3 months (interquartile range, 10.8-50.4 months). Considering only the first cycle of rituximab, 54 patients (48.2%) achieved CROT. Controlling for age, sex, pemphigus subtype, BMI, and disease duration, patients who received lymphoma vs rheumatoid arthritis dosing were 2.70-fold more likely to achieve CROT (odds ratio [OR], 2.70; 95% CI, 1.03-7.12; P = .04). Increasing age was associated with significant increases in achieving CROT (Wald test for trend, P = .01), whereas BMI greater than or equal to 35 was associated with a 0.14 OR (95% CI, 0.03-0.63; P = .01) for achieving CROT, regardless of the dosing regimen. In multivariate analysis, there was no significant difference in CROT rates with sex (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.42-2.50; P = .97), pemphigus subtype (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.09-1.51; P = .17), or disease duration (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-1.00; P = .09).

Conclusions and Relevance

Lymphoma dosing and older age may be associated with CROT and BMI greater than or equal to 35 may be a negative prognostic factor for CROT after rituximab therapy for pemphigus. These findings help inform clinical expectations and merit evaluation in future prospective clinical trials.

Degos-like lesions as a cutaneous manifestation of cytomegalovirus infection: A rare and serious complication in a patient with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome

Cytomegalovirus causes a myriad of clinical features, potentially affecting any organ system, significantly increasing morbidity and even mortality. Vascular endothelial cell infection by cytomegalovirus has been implicated in the development of vasculopathy, possibly accounting for the clinical association between cytomegalovirus and vascular thrombosis. In contrast with visceral organ involvement, the cutaneous manifestations of cytomegalovirus are variable and rarely described. Malignant atrophic papulosis, commonly known as Degos disease, is an unusual small vessel arteriopathy with a pathognomonic clinical appearance of atrophic porcelain-white central papules surrounded by telangiectatic erythema. As with the arterial occlusive process, Degos disease may be idiopathic or secondary to autoimmune disorders or viral infection. All in all, cytomegalovirus-related Degos-like presentation has never been described. This report describes a case in which disseminated cytomegalovirus disease developed 4 weeks after the onset of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome with prominent Degos-like skin lesions. Our case highlights a rare example of Degos-like lesions occurring due to cytomegalovirus disease and emphasizes the importance of early recognition of the characteristic cutaneous eruption as a diagnostic clue leading to the prompt management of this life-threatening infection.

Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Diaporthe phaseolorum in an immunocompetent patient in Thailand: a case report

Phaeohyphomycosis is caused by a large, heterogeneous group of darkly pigmented fungi. It is an infrequent infection in humans. However, the prevalence has been increasing in recent years especially in immunocompromised patients. Diaporthe phaseolorum is a common black fungal pathogen of plants, which rarely causes human infection. We report the first case of cutaneous infection caused by Diaporthe phaseolorum in an immunocompetent host and the first in Asia. Although, the review of the literature revealed two previous cases of cutaneous infection caused by this organism, both of them were in immunocompromised hosts. A slow-growing asymptomatic nodule was the major clinical feature. Histopathological examination showed granulomatous inflammation and pigmented septate hyphae and yeast-like cells. The fungal isolation was identified by morphological characteristics and DNA sequencing. The lesion was resolved after complete surgical excision and oral fluconazole for two months. This report highlights the potential role of Diaporthe phaseolorum as an emerging cause of infection in immunocompetent patients.

Efficacy of acitretin in the treatment of reactive neutrophilic dermatoses in adult-onset immunodeficiency due to interferon-gamma autoantibody

Reactive neutrophilic dermatoses in adult‐onset immunodeficiency due to interferon‐γ autoantibody (AOID) are usually associated with concomitant active opportunistic infections. Data focusing on the treatment of these dermatoses with non‐immunosuppressive drugs are still lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of acitretin treatment of reactive neutrophilic dermatoses in AOID. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with AOID who had reactive neutrophilic dermatoses and had been treated with acitretin from January 2008 to December 2018. In total, 23 patients had been diagnosed with AOID, with 27 episodes of reactive neutrophilic dermatoses (20 episodes of Sweet syndrome and seven episodes of generalized pustular eruption) and treated with acitretin. The median effective dose of acitretin was 10 mg/day. The mean initial response was 5.6 ± 2.3 days. The rash had almost or completely cleared within 2 weeks in 70.4% of patients. One case had developed a reversible acitretin‐induced liver injury with hepatocellular pattern. The median total duration of treatment was 3 months. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential role of acitretin as one of the treatments of choice for reactive neutrophilic dermatoses in AOID, attributable to its favorable response and good tolerability.

Reliability and validity of the Thai Drug Hypersensitivity Quality of Life Questionnaire: a multi-center study

OBJECTIVE

To adapted the Drug Hypersensitivity Quality of Life (DrHy-Q) Questionnaire from Italian into Thai and assessed its validity and reliability.

DESIGN

Prospectively recruited during January 2012-May 2017.

SETTING

Multicenter; six Thai tertiary university hospitals.

STUDY PARTICIPANTS

Total of 306 patients with physician-diagnosed drug hypersensitivity.

INTERVENTIONS

Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated among 68 participants using Cronbach's ɑ and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The validity of Thai DrHy-Q was assessed among 306 participants who completed World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF-THAI). Construct and divergent validities were assessed for Thai DrHy-Q. Known-groups validity assessing discriminating ability was conducted in Thai DrHy-Q and WHOQOL-BREF-THAI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Validity; reliability; single vs. multiple drug allergy; non-severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) vs. SCAR.

RESULTS

Thai DrHy-Q showed good reliability (Cronbach's ɑ = 0.94 and ICC = 0.8). Unidimensional factor structure was established by confirmatory factor analysis (CFI&TLI = 0.999, RMSEA = 0.02). Divergent validity was confirmed by weak correlation between Thai DrHy-Q and WHOQOL-BREF-THAI domains (Pearson's r = -0.41 to -0.19). Known-groups validity of Thai DrHy-Q was confirmed with significant difference between patients with and without life-threatening SCAR (P = 0.02) and patients with multiple implicated drug classes vs. those with one class (P < 0.01); while WHOQOL-BREF-THAI could differentiate presence of life-threatening SCAR (P < 0.01) but not multiple-drug allergy.

CONCLUSIONS

Thai DrHy-Q was reliable and valid in evaluating quality of life among patients with drug hypersensitivity. Thai DrHy-Q was able to discriminate serious drug allergy phenotypes from non-serious manifestations in clinical practice and capture more specific drug-hypersensitivity aspects than WHOQOL-BREF-THAI.

A case of dengue fever presenting with acute urticaria

BACKGROUND

Acute urticaria (AU) is characterized by the occurrence of spontaneous wheals, angioedema, or both for less than 6 weeks. Viral infection is considered to be one of the common causes of AU, however AU has never been reported in association with dengue infection.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the first case of AU in dengue virus infection.

METHODS

Case report RESULTS: A 17-year-old healthy male presented with first episode of AU which associated with confirmed dengue virus infection. He responded well with antihistamine treatment and without recurrence at 2-month follow up.

CONCLUSION

Patients with dengue virus infections can present with AU, possibly from viral-infected mast cell. Future research will have to clarify this association.

Emulsion of Olive Oil and Calcium Hydroxide for the Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis in Hypofractionation Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Most of the patients who have been treated by post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) experience skin toxicity. There have been few studies on acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients who received hypofractionation PMRT.

Methods

62 patients were randomized to receive a general skin care regimen with or without the addition of an emulsion of olive oil and calcium hydroxide twice a day, from the initiation of PMRT to 2 weeks after radiotherapy. Adverse skin reactions and the Skindex-16 score were assessed.

Results

At the 8th, 13th, and 16th fraction of PMRT, grade 1 dermatitis was found in 42, 90, and 90% of the control group and in 16, 30, and 71% of the intervention group. At the end of the study, the mean Skindex-16 score of the intervention group was significantly better than that of the control group (p = 0.019).

Conclusions

Addition of an emulsion of olive oil and calcium hydroxide for patients undergoing hypofractionation PMRT yielded superior preventive results over a general skin care regimen alone, in terms of delaying skin toxicity, reducing the severity of acute radiation dermatitis, and a better quality of life in the intervention group. However, a larger number of patients will be required to confirm this result.

The measurement of drug-induced interferon γ-releasing cells and lymphocyte proliferation in severe cutaneous adverse reactions

BACKGROUND

The lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) is a standard laboratory method to identify culprit drugs in patients with a history of drug-induced non-immediate hypersensitivity and is mainly performed during the recovery phase. The measurement of drug-specific interferon γ (IFN-γ)-releasing cells has been introduced to confirm culprit drugs, even during the acute phase of drug allergy.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the capability of the enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISpot) to detect drug-specific IFN-γ-releasing cells during the acute phase and the capability of LTT to identify culprit drugs during the recovery phase in patients presenting with severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs).

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 23 SCAR patients were collected during the acute and recovery phases and assayed for drug-specific IFN-γ-releasing cells and lymphocyte proliferation, respectively.

RESULTS

Drug-specific IFN-γ-releasing cells were detectable in 73.9% of SCAR subjects (55.6% and 85.7% in patients who were and were not taking systemic steroids, respectively), whereas LTT results were positive in 52.2% of SCAR subjects. The frequencies of drug-specific IFN-γ-releasing cells were significantly higher in patients with positive LTT than in those with negative LTT (260.1 ± 110.0 and 46.6 ± 20.7 cells/10⁶ PBMCs, P = 0.01). A significant correlation between the results of the IFN-γ ELISpot assay and LTT was demonstrated (r = 0.65, P value <0.01).

CONCLUSION

The IFN-γ ELISpot assay could be a useful tool to identify culprit drugs in SCAR patients when culprit drug identification is urgently needed during the acute phase of drug allergy.

In vitro test to confirm diagnosis of allopurinol-induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions

BACKGROUND

Allopurinol is a frequent cause of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), such as drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The reactions can potentially be fatal. As drug rechallenge in patients with a history of drug-induced SCARs is contraindicated, in vitro testing may have a diagnostic role as a confirmation test.

OBJECTIVES

To study the diagnostic value of interferon (IFN)-γ enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay as a confirmatory test in patients with a history of allopurinol-induced SCARs.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 24 patients with a history of allopurinol-induced SCAR (13 DRESS, 11 SJS/TEN) and 21 control subjects were incubated with allopurinol or oxypurinol in the presence or absence of antiprogrammed death ligand 1 antibody (anti-PD-L1). The numbers of IFN-γ-releasing cells after stimulation in each group were subsequently measured with ELISpot.

RESULTS

The numbers of IFN-γ-releasing cells in allopurinol-allergic subjects were significantly higher than in control subjects when stimulating PBMCs with oxypurinol 100 μg mL^-1 , especially when adding anti-PD-L1 supplementation. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve results, the optimal discriminatory power of IFN-γ ELISpot in confirming diagnosis of allopurinol-induced SCARs can be obtained using 16 spot-forming cells per 10⁶ PBMCs as a cut-off value upon oxypurinol/anti-PD-L1 stimulation (79·2% sensitivity and 95·2% specificity).

CONCLUSIONS

The measurement of oxypurinol/anti-PD-L1-inducing IFN-γ-releasing cells yields a high diagnostic value in distinguishing between allopurinol-allergic and control subjects. This technique is beneficial in confirming diagnosis of allopurinol-induced SCARs in patients whose reaction develops while taking multiple drugs.

Chronic generalized fibrotic skin lesions from disseminated leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania martiniquensis in two patients from northern Thailand infected with HIV

BACKGROUND

Leishmaniasis is a newly emerging infection in Thailand. Most of the previous human cases have presented with the clinical features of visceral leishmaniasis and were mainly found in southern Thailand. Here we report the first two patients from northern Thailand presenting with disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the nature of the infection of leishmaniasis and to identify the species of parasite responsible.

METHODS

Clinical investigations included the taking of biopsy samples and histology. Parasitological diagnosis was performed by establishment of Leishmania promastigote cultures, and identification was performed by DNA sequencing of four independent gene loci (ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer 1; large subunit of RNA polymerase II; heat shock protein 70; RPL23a intergenic sequence).

RESULTS

Both patients were infected with HIV, and had multiple cutaneous lesions and accompanying visceral leishmaniasis. They had similar cutaneous manifestations characterized by chronic generalized fibrotic lesions, which were more prominent on traumatic areas. In both patients the parasite was identified as Leishmania martiniquensis. This is a recently described species that is distinct and only distantly related to the classical agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Asia (Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica) or of visceral leishmaniasis (Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum). Each patient responded well to therapy with intravenous amphotericin B followed by oral itraconazole.

CONCLUSIONS

Leishmania martiniquensis is a cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Thailand.