no abstract available.

Background: Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease which requires treatment to maintain remission. Objective: Recently, the effect of Demodex mites in recurrence of rosacea has been described. Although there is limited data, previous reports have suggested that oral metronidazole demonstrated efficacy in treatment of rosacea. Methods: Fifty-eight Korean patients with rosacea who received treatment with oral minocycline (50 mg twice daily) only or with two-week of oral metronidazole (250 mg thrice daily) were evaluated retrospectively. Their responses were evaluated by Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA), Clinician’s Erythema Assessment (CEA), and patient’s Global Assessment. The recurrence rate and odds ratio of risk factors for recurrence were also estimated. Results: The combination treatment group reported earlier clinical improvement and lower mean IGA and CEA than the monotherapy group. Approximately 48% of patients with combination treatment did not show relapse within 24 weeks, which is significantly higher than that in the monotherapy group (p=0.042). Conclusion Add-on therapy of oral metronidazole appeared to be a significant protective factor for recurrence of rosacea (p<0.05). This study suggests that oral metronidazole can be added to oral minocycline to reduce relapses in rosacea patients with tolerable safety.

Background: Palmoplantar pustulosis is a specific form of localized pustular psoriasis occurring on the palm and sole. Multiple therapeutic options, including topical and systemic agents as well as phototherapies, are available for palmoplantar pustulosis; however, treatment outcomes are not satisfactory in most cases. Recently, a gain-switched 311-nm Ti:Sapphire Laser was developed and showed good treatment response in vitiligo and atopic dermatitis. Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the 311-nm Ti:Sapphire Laser in the treatment of palmoplantar pustulosis. Methods: A total of 24 patients with palmoplantar pustulosis were treated with a 311-nm Ti:Sapphire Laser twice a week for up to 32 sessions and had a 3-month follow-up visit. The treatment dose started at 300 mJ/cm 2 and was increased by 50 mJ/cm 2 at each subsequent session. The Palmoplantar Pustular Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, 5-grade patient satisfaction score, and adverse events were evaluated. Results: The mean Palmoplantar Pustular Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score decreased from 8.31±3.31 at baseline to 4.75±2.70 at 16 sessions, 3.26±2.18 at 32 sessions, and 4.05±2.19 at follow-up visit. In the subgroup analysis, non-smokers and emollients user groups showed better responses in Palmoplantar Pustular Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (p=0.033 and p=0.027, respectively). Adverse effects, including burning sensation and transient erythema, were limited and well-tolerated. Conclusion The 311-nm Ti:Sapphire Laser can be considered as a treatment option for palmoplantar pustulosis.Moreover, habitual risk factor modifications, such as smoking cessation and steady use of emollients, can impact treatment outcomes in patients with palmoplantar pustulosis.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, wherein macrophages play a key role. An imbalance in transition from the classical activation (M1) to alternative activation (M2) phenotype in macrophages contributes to development of persistent inflammation. However, the role of M2 macrophages in disease severity of psoriasis is not yet elucidated. Objective: This study was performed to investigate the expression of pan-macropahge marker cluster of differentiation (CD) 68 and M2 marker CD163 in lesional and non-lesional skin samples of patients with psoriasis and determine the relationship of their expression to the disease severity of psoriasis. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using 21 lesional and 13 non-lesional skin samples from 21 patients with psoriasis. We reviewed the clinical information and evaluated CD68 and CD163 expression in 34 skin samples via immunohistochemical staining. Results: Lesional skin showed significantly higher expression of CD68 and CD163 than non-lesional skin. Notably, CD163 expression was negatively correlated with clinical severity. Conclusion CD163-expressing M2 macrophages are associated with a low severity of psoriasis.