In pemphigus foliaceus (PF), immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies directed against desmoglein-1 (Dsg-1), a cell adhesion molecule expressed mainly in the granular layer of the epidermis, are responsible for the intercellular widening between desmosomes resulting in intraepidermal blisters. Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that by binding specifically to the transmembrane antigen CD20 found on the surface of normal and malignant B cells, leads to B-cell depletion. We report a 19-year-old Filipino woman with PF and controlled idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, initially treated with high-dose prednisone and azathioprine. Due to rapid PF progression with associated moderate reactive depression, rituximab was added to the treatment regimen with prompt improvement of lesions and clearance after five months. Five years later, lesions recurred with erythematous, dry, scaly plaques on both breasts, axillae, and on the scalp, associated with moderate to severe intermittent pruritus. After the first of a series of four weekly infusions, rituximab monotherapy resulted in immediate and sustained clearance up to 22 months. In parallel with skin clearance, serum CD19 and CD20 B cells decreased to almost zero after the first infusion, to zero after the second, while the decrease of Dsg-1 levels was more gradual, and down to normal after four months.
We offer this case report to show that rituximab can be given as a first-line monotherapy option for indications similar to ours such as drug reactions (steroid-induced depression) or a history of recalcitrant PF to the usual medications; and to suggest using CD19 and CD20 in addition to the desmoglein levels to monitor disease activity and molecular change from which to learn how to continue to monitor for disease activity after clearance.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Antigens, Cd20 ; Autoantibodies ; Azathioprine ; B-lymphocytes ; Blister ; Desmosomes ; Immunoglobulin G ; Pemphigus ; Rituximab

Pyoderma gangrenosum causes the destruction of skin tissue and then ulceration. There are currently no international treatment guidelines. Abrocitinib, a JAK1 selective inhibitor, has been used as treatment in some case reports.

A 54-year-old female, diagnosed for 20 years with ulcerative colitis and mostly treated with Chinese herbal medicine, admitted for a solitary painful ulcer on the right lateral ankle, measuring 10x8 cm, with swelling of the right lower leg. Antibiotics were given and wound debridement, exploration, then vacuum-assisted closure dressing were done. She was then referred to dermatology service. Wound care was done by light cleansing of the wound with cold-pressed virgin coconut oil (CP-VCO) - soaked gauze, gentle removal of wound and edge scabs, application of 30% Trichloroacetic Acid on the rounded edges of the ulcer, and covered with a gauze saturated with CP-VCO dressing. Abrocitinib 200 mg/tablet was started once a day. After being discharged, abrocitinib and wound care, with an added pharmacist-compounding of 4% monolaurin, 1% monocaprin, and 10% tranexamic acid in a petrolatum base, was maintained with the same dosage and frequency. At the end of the fourth month, the ulcer completely healed into a solitary pinkish to skin-colored linear scar, measuring at 1.8x4 cm. Dermoscopy monitoring of the wound healing showed progressive lines of epithelialization advancing into the ulcer to a scar with a cribriform pattern of epithelialized red dots.

The excellent results from this pyoderma gangrenosum case report using a combination of these treatment modalities are an opportunity to consider in future clinical cases.

Human ; Female ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Dermoscopy ; Pyoderma Gangrenosum ; Treatment ; Therapeutics

BACKGROUND: To date, no multicenter studies have been conducted on the prevalence and clinical profile of AD in the Philippines. Since AD is one of the top 10 skin diseases seen in the outpatients departments of all the Philippine Dermatologic Society (PDS)- accredited institutions, conducting a multicenter study provides important epidemiological information about this disease and serve as a valuable reference for future studies.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and clinical profile of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) seen at the outpatient departments (OPD) of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) - accredited training institutions from 2007 to 2011.

METHODS: Records of patients with a diagnosis of AD seen from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011 were retrieved and clinical data were collected.

RESULTS: There were 744,673 dermatological consults in the 10 PDS-accredited outpatient clinics from 2007-2011. A total of 4,275 records of atopic dermatitis were reviewed for this study. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis was determined to be 0.57%. Most institutions reported a prevalence rate of less than 1% except for St. Luke's Medical Center (3.36%), and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (7.07%). More than half of the patients (65.1%) were children between 1 to 12 years old. Twenty-four percent (24%) were infants less than one year. The average age was seven years old while the youngest was one month and the oldest was 94 years old. There were more females (56.1%) than males (42.75%). Bronchial asthma was the most prevalent co-morbid medical condition. Majority of AD patients seen in institutions were newly diagnosed. Those with previous consultations were mostly seen by dermatologists and pediatricians. Moisturizers and topical corticosteroids were the most commonly used topical preparation while antihistamines followed by oral antibiotics were the commonly prescribed oral medications. Follow-up rate was low.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis among the 10 PDS-accredited institutions is low except for SLMC and RITM. The clinical profile of patients is consistent with published literature. However, this study revealed the patient follow-up is low. This practice needs to be addressed since optimal management of this chronic disease requires close and regular follow-up to prevent complications and irrational drug use.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Multicenter Study ; Prevalence ; Patients ; Dermatology