Asymptomatic Scalp Carriage among Household Contacts of Children Affected by Tinea Capitis: A Prospective Study in the Metropolitan Area of Brussels, Belgium.

Introduction: Tinea capitis (TC) is a superficial fungal infection affecting the scalp. The existence of asymptomatic carriers (ACs) could represent a potential reservoir responsible of (re)contamination and failure of treatment. No prospective studies on ACs in household contacts of TC patients in Europe have been published to date.

Prevalence of Atherosclerosis in Psoriatic Patients Detected with Epiaortic Color Doppler Ultrasound and Computed Tomography Angiography.

Introduction: Psoriasis (PsO), a chronic inflammatory, multisystemic, and multifactorial disease can cause endothelial dysfunction, artery calcification, and atherosclerotic disease. A higher incidence of vascular occlusive events has been observed in psoriatic patients compared to healthy controls, and multiple studies confirm the association between moderate-severe PsO and atherosclerosis, coronary artery calcification, and higher cardiovascular risk.

Objective: We sought to analyze atherosclerotic disease prevalence in epiaortic vessels of psoriatic and non-psoriatic patients to understand if PsO could represent an independent risk factor predisposing to atherosclerotic disease.

Investigating the Safety and Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment for Female Androgenetic Alopecia: Review of the Literature.

: female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) is a common cause of non-scarring alopecia in women, affecting approximately 40% of women by age 50, bearing a significant psychosocial burden on affected patients. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been widely investigated as a potential effective treatment for several dermatological conditions, including male androgenetic alopecia (MAGA). However, few studies have been conducted focusing on the use of PRP in FAGA.

Improving of psychological status and inflammatory biomarkers during omalizumab for chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Background: Depression and anxiety are the most common psychiatric comorbidities in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody approved for CSU treatment. We evaluated the prevalence of anxiety and depression in CSU patients before and after treatment with omalizumab.

Direct examination, histopathology and fungal culture for the diagnosis of onychomycosis: A retrospective, comparative study on 2245 specimens.

Background: Onychomycosis affects 5.5% of the general population and represents up to 50% of all nail diseases. Diagnosis and pathogen identification are essential in order to plan an adequate treatment.

Efficacy of certolizumab pegol in naïve versus multi-treated patients affected by psoriatic arthritis.

Background: The efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol over 52 weeks was compared in two groups of patients: Group 1 comprised patients naïve to biologic treatments; Group 2 comprised patients previously treated with one or more antitumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and/or anti-interleukin (IL) agents.

Methods: We reported results in 50 patients affected by both mild psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Primary endpoint was a reduction from baseline at week 52 of Disease Activity Score (DAS44-ESR) in both groups of patients.

The combined role of clinical, reflectance confocal microscopy and dermoscopy applied to chronic discoid cutaneous lupus and subacutus lupus erythematosus: A case series and literature review.

Main subtypes of cutaneous lupus erythematosus are represented by acute, subacute cutaneous, intermittent and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Discoid lupus erythematosus represents the most common phenotype of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. The spectrum of clinical manifestations mirrors that of several and distinct histopathological features.

Omalizumab and adalimumab: a winning couple.

We report a case of a young female patient, previously affected by psoriatic arthritis, and treated with adalimumab, who developed a chronic spontaneous urticaria and started a concomitant therapy with omalizumab. A 50% reduction of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (from 7 at baseline to 4 in weeks 12 and 24) and a complete reset of the Urticaria Activity Score for 7 days (from 27 at baseline to 0 in weeks 12 and 24) were recorded. During all treatment with omalizumab, administering of adalimumab was continued.

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Applied to Folliculitis Decalvans: Preliminary Results of a Multicenter Study.

Although trichoscopic criteria indicative of disease severity and inflammatory activity have been recently proposed, the potential use of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in the evaluation of the inflammatory stage of FD has never been published to date. Our study investigated RCM features of 14 patients with a histopathological diagnosis of FD, evaluating clinical and trichoscopic findings. RCM findings were divided into 2 main patterns: "follicular" and "interfollicular.

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Applied to Linear (en Coup de Sabre) Morphea.

En coup de sabre morphea is a clinical variant of morphea, presenting as a linear depressed, atrophic area in the paramedian forehead or the frontoparietal scalp, resembling a stroke from a sword. It affects the skin and subcutaneous connective tissues, with possible extension to the underlying musculature, cartilage, and bone and variable association with neurologic symptoms. A 50-year-old woman presented to our clinic for evaluation of an atrophic lesion on her forehead and scalp appearing 1 year before, progressively extending over time.

A Case of Pincer Nail Successfully Treated with Tazarotene 0.1% Gel.

Pincer nail is a common condition characterized by excessive transverse nail curvature, progressively pinching the nail bed distally, resulting in cosmetic discomfort, pain and functional limitation. Treatment is difficult and often unsatisfactory. Surgical treatment performed by experienced physicians provides good outcomes.

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy of Pigmented Bowen's Disease: A Case Series of Difficult to Diagnose Lesions.

Pigmented Bowen's disease is a rare variant of in situ squamous skin cell carcinoma. It mainly affects patients between 60 and 70 years of age. Its clinical features include well-demarcated, pigmented plaque arising in photo-exposed areas of the body.

Nails: The Window to the Nose? Update on Yellow Nail Syndrome.

Background: Yellow nail syndrome is a rare condition characterized by typical nail alterations and variable presence of lymphedema and respiratory disease. The pathogenesis is still obscure, with most of the literature deriving from case reports and few investigations. The most reported respiratory conditions associated with yellow nail syndrome are pleural effusion and bronchiectasis, whereas association with rhinosinusitis is rarer.

Dermoscopy and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy in the Diagnosis and Management of Nail Fold Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The management and prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma largely depend on its invasiveness and grade of differentiation. Pigmented nail fold squamous cell carcinoma represents a therapeutic challenge, needing careful treatment to preserve nail function. Here, we report the use of dermoscopy and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy to monitor nail fold squamous cell carcinoma in situ and its response to treatment with topical imiquimod.

Clinical efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol in cutaneous symptoms on psoriasis in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A retrospective analysis in real life.

We present the results on retrospective analysis about the efficacy of Certolizumab pegol (CZP), an antitumor necrosis factor-alpha agent, as monotherapy on skin psoriasis (PsO) in patients affect both by psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and mild-severe PsO. To date, the CZP is authorized for the treatment of PsA, PsO beyond that rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis/ankylosing spondylitis, and Crohn's. Assessments included an evaluation of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).

Omalizumab for chronic spontaneous urticaria in "complex" patients: data from real-life clinical practice.

Introduction: Omalizumab is a recombinant humanized anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, approved for patients affected by chronic spontaneous urticaria resistant to antihistamines. Although the clinical benefit of omalizumab has been established in several clinical trials, there are very little data about long-term treatment with this drug and real-life reports regarding its use in patients affected by comorbidities other than urticaria are lacking.

Objectives: To assess omalizumab efficacy and safety in a heterogeneous population of patients affected by chronic spontaneous urticaria and several comorbidities in a real-world setting.