Identification of recurrent mutations in the ARS (component B) gene encoding SLURP-1 in two families with mal de Meleda.

Mal de Meleda is a rare, autosomal recessive form of palmoplantar keratoderma. The disease has been mapped to chromosome 8qter, and in a recent study mutations in the ARS gene have been identified in families with this disorder. Here, we report two unrelated families with mal de Meleda, in which two different homozygous mutations in the ARS gene were identified.

Acute infectious purpura fulminans associated with asplenism or hyposplenism.

Acute infectious purpura fulminans is a rapidly progressive syndrome of hemorrhagic skin necrosis associated with acute infection and disseminated intravascular coagulation. We report 5 cases of purpura fulminans and briefly review the literature. All cases were associated with encapsulated organisms (Streptococcus pneumoniae or Group A streptococcus), and 4 of the 5 patients had asplenism or functional hyposplenism.