Allele variations in the OCA2 gene (pink-eyed-dilution locus) are associated with genetic susceptibility to melanoma.

The occuloalbinism 2 (OCA2) gene, localized at 15q11, encodes a melanosomal transmembrane protein that is involved in the most common form of human occulo-cutaneous albinism, a human genetic disorder characterized by fair pigmentation and susceptibility to skin cancer. We wondered whether allele variations at this locus could influence susceptibility to malignant melanoma (MM). In all, 10 intragenic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 113 patients with melanomas and in 105 Caucasian control subjects with no personal or family history of skin cancer.

Germline mutations of the INK4a-ARF gene in patients with suspected genetic predisposition to melanoma.

Germline anomalies of the INK4a-ARF and Cdk4 genes were sought in a series of 89 patients suspected of having a genetic predisposition to melanoma. Patients were selected based on the following criteria: (a) familial melanoma (23 cases), (b) multiple primary melanoma (MPM; 18 cases), (c) melanoma and additional unrelated cancers (13 cases), (d) age at diagnosis less than 25 years (21 cases), and (e) nonphoto-induced melanoma (NPIM; 14 cases). Mutations of INK4a-ARF and Cdk4 were characterised by automated sequencing, and germline deletions of INK4a-ARF were also examined by real-time quantitative PCR.

[Tinea capitis: sample surveys among school doctors and dermatologists in the Paris suburbs].

Background: Subsequent to detection of several cases of anthropophilic tinea capitis, we wanted to know whether the legal decree requiring eviction from school and an epidemiology survey in the children community or the family is implemented properly.

Methods: Two sample surveys were carried out among 50 school doctors from the Hauts-de-Seine department and 110 dermatologists working the Paris suburbs.

Results: Eviction from school was rare and not based on the type of dermatophytes (anthropophilic or zoophilic agent).

[Cutaneous nodular infection with hemopathy].

A 36-year-old man with treated hairy cell leukemia developed a skin infection due to Mycobacterium marinum. A spectrum of atypical cutaneous mycobacteriosis presentations with immunosuppression can be found. The recognition of the disease needs cutaneous biopsies for histopathology and its identification by specific laboratory methods to adapt treatment.

[Lobomycosis: a mycosis seldom observed in metropolitan France].

We report a case of lobomycosis presenting like a cutaneous tumoral lesion in a patient living in Guyana. The causative agent is Loboa loboi. The illness is seldom observed in metropolitan France.

[Oral terbinafine-induced plantar pustular psoriasis].

Background: Cutaneous reactions may occur in patients receiving terbinafine therapy, mainly rash and urticaria. More exceptionally, development of psoriasis has been described. We describe the development of plantar pustular psoriasis in a patient who took oral terbinafine.

[Multiple trichodiscomas associated with colonic polyposis].

Background: Trichodiscoma is an uncommon benign tumor of the pilosebaceous system.

Case Report: An 83-year-old man had a past history of adenomatous polyps of the colon. The subject's brother had died from cancer of the colon.

[Lymphoepithelial tumor of the skin].

The authors report an additional case of lympho-epithelial tumor. First described in 1987 by Santa-Cruz et al., this tumor, also called cutaneous lymphadenoma, is rare.

[Anatomo-clinical criteria of cutaneous melanoma with spontaneous and complete regression. Apropos of a case].

We report a case of a 73 year old man presented a spontaneously and completely regression cutaneous malignant melanoma with cervical lymph node metastasis, confirmed by clinical and histopathologic observations. The authors examine the features of regression of primary malignant melanoma through a review of the literature.