Objective To investigate the efficacy of autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of adult dermatomyositis. Methods A 21-year-old patient with dermatomyositis received autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and was followed up for 6 years. Autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cells were mobilized by recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) before the transplantation, and the conditioning regimens consisted of cyclophosphamide,methylprednisolone and cyclosporin. Rabbit anti-human T lymphocyte immunoglobulin began to be applied on day 3 after retransfer of stem cells. The improvement in symptoms, physical signs and biochemical indicators was observed, and hematopoietic restructuration and immunity resurrection were evaluated after the transplantation. Results After the transplantation, skin eruption greatly improved and gradually subsided. The muscle force of extremities restored from level Ⅳ before transplantation to level Ⅴ. The level of creatine kinase declined sharply after transplantation, but gradually returned to previous level. Leucocyte count began to decrease on the day of retransfer, and returned to the normal level on day 8. Immune function remained normal before and after the transplantation. Conclusion Autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an alternative treatment for severe and refractory dermatomyositis.

To report a case of 16-month-old boy with anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency who experienced disseminated herpes simplex infection. From 2 months of age, the patient experienced multiple pyrexial episodes of undetermined origin, which responded well to anti-inflammatory agents after undressed. Abnormal sweat with dry skin was noted; therefore, the skin biopsy of right axilla was performed at 7 months of age, and suggested a diagnosis of anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Since 6 months of age, he developed recurrent upper respiratory infections and 2 episodes of pneumonia. Twenty days before, several glossal erosions occurred in the patient, supervened by painful and erosive eruptions and numerous blisters around the mouth and both hands with hyperpyrexia. Four days before, the patient was transferred to the department owing to skin lesion exacerbation. Cutaneous examination showed multiple crested or ulcerated plaques distributed eriorificially (mouth and nasal cavity) on the face. Several irregular, demarcated ulcers were scattered on the buttocks, scrotum and lower limbs, surrounded by grouped and umbilicated vesicles arising on erythema. Both hands were swelling, crusting and painful. Dentition was abnormal, and the patient had only 2 upper conical incisors. Routine investigation revealed that white cell count and C-reactive protein extremely elevated. Immunologic profile showed an abnormal distribution of lymphocyte subsets with decreased CD3+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Serum IgM level was slightly low. IgM antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were detected by serological testing. Based on the above-mentioned features, a diagnosis of anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency and disseminated herpes simplex infection was confirmed. The patient was resolved favourahly after intravenous ganciclovir and antibiotics for 3 weeks without relapse of skin lesions.

Objective To perform a DNA-based prenatal diagnosis in a family with recessive dys-trophic epidermolysis bullosa, and to develop a strategy to eliminate matemal cell contamination in arnniotic fluid samples. Methods Amniocentesis was carried out at gestation week 16, amniotic fluid culture was used to separate fetal cells from maternal blood cells. Peripheral blood was obtained from the proband, and her parents. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and aminotic cells. Subsequently, PCR and direct sequencing were performed to detect pathogenic mutations in the COL7A1 gone. Karyotype analysis was used to confirm paternal information in amniotic fluid. Linkage analysis between micro-satellite markers was performed to confirm the fetal genotype. Resulta Centrifugation showed visible contamination of aminotic cells by blood cells. Direct sequencing revealed that the proband was a carrier of both maternal mutation, R525X in exon 12, and paternal mutation, R2610X in exon 105, while the fetus only carried the maternal mutation, R525X. The second direct sequencing and hapiotype analysis after elimination of mater-nal blood cells by amniotic fluid culture confirmed that the fetus was a carrier of maternal mutation with nor-real phenotype. The pregnancy continued and a clinically unaffected girl was born at gestation week 40.Conclusion The accuracy of DNA-based prenatal diagnosis could be improved by the combination of direct sequencing, amniotic fluid culture, karyotype analysis and linkage analysis, etc.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and progression process of atopic diseases in adolescents, and to assess their relationship with filaggrin(FLG)mutations. Methods Totally, 334 adolescents aged from 11 to 19 years in a middle school in shanghai were enrolled into this study. A clinical interview was carried out to determine the prevalence of atopic diseases (such as ichthyosis, atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, rhinitis, etc)in these subjects. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 285 out of the 334 adolescents for screening for common FLG mutations, including 3321delA and K4671X. Five years later, these adolescents were followed up for reevaluation of clinical presentations of atopic diseases. Statistical analysis was carried out by the chi-square test with the SPSS 20.0 software. Results As the baseline survey showed, 19 (5.69%)of the 334 adolescents had AD, 14 (4.19%)had ichthyosis vulgaris, 36(10.78%)had allergic rhinitis, and 4(1.20%)had asthma. FLG mutations were observed in 24(8.42%) of the 285 adolescents. Five years later, 265 adoscents completed the follow-up, and 69 (20.66%)were lost to follow-up. Of the 265 adolescents reevaluated, 13(4.89%)had AD, 15(5.64%)had ichthyosis vulgaris, 27(10.15%)had allergic rhinitis, and 1 (0.38%)had asthma. By the time the second survey was performed, 6 out of the 19 patients initially diagnosed with AD had achieved complete regression, 13 had experienced a marked decrease in SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD)score, and symptoms had disappeared in 9 of the 36 patients initially diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. The frequency of FLG mutations was 10.0%in patients with AD, 55.6%in those with ichthyosis, and 40.0%in those with both AD and ichthyosis, and the development of ichthyosis was associated with FLG mutations(P<0.001). Conclusions The frequency of common FLG mutations was 8.42%in these adolescents. FLG gene may be a semidominant gene associated with ichthyosis vulgaris, and multiple factors influence its expression.