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Summary: Since cases first emerged in December 2019, COVID‐19 (a type of coronavirus) has rapidly become pandemic. This fast‐tracked paper (published quickly) from China on COVID‐19 is written by dermatologists at the epicentre of the outbreak in Wuhan. Dermatology clinic staff may be at risk because protective equipment is not routinely available, and skin lesions might possibly transmit the virus indirectly. These authors suggest preventive measures based on experience in this and previous coronavirus outbreaks. Online consultation for non‐urgent patients reduces the numbers of patients attending clinics. Nurse‐led triage, to identify patients with possible COVID‐19, at the entrances of hospital and skin clinics directs patients with a cough or fever to a specific COVID‐19 area and a dermatologist is consulted if the fever might be related to skin disease. Clinic staff wear N95 masks and observe hand hygiene during consultations. Patients are admitted to a ward only if routine blood tests and chest CT scans exclude COVID‐19. Triage will not detect patients who are showing no symptoms but who are developing the disease, so the hospital should provide an on‐call expert team to discuss inpatients suspected or diagnosed with COVID‐19 and refer them to radiology, respiratory or intensive care colleagues as required. Confirmed cases are managed following local policies. Skin disorders in COVID‐19 inpatients can usually be managed remotely using photographs, email and teleconferencing. If necessary a multidisciplinary team (a team of medical staff from different specialties) can meet in the clean area of the isolation ward. If the dermatologist must see the patient, all records should be provided in advance to minimise exposure time. With these precautions, as of 20th February 2020 no infected patients were detected in the Wuhan Dermatology Department. This is a summary of the study: Emergency management for preventing and controlling nosocomial infection of 2019 novel coronavirus: implications for the dermatology department Linked Article: Tao et al. Br J Dermatol 2020; 182:1477–1478 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty five cases of systemic lupus erythematosus in Hong Kong are reviewed. Of common occurrence were hyperkeratotic follicular papules, which in some cases resembled pityriasis rubra pilaris and keratosis pilans, hyper-keratosis of the palms and soles, and psoriasiform lesions. Less frequent cutaneous manifestations included chilblains, livedo reticularis, and scleroderrna-like changes. Biological false positive serological tests for syphilis were not encountered. The possible significance of these deviations from the familiar clinical and immunological picture is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the research paper "Asymptomatic Neurosyphilis in Hong Kong," by G.M. Thomson which was published in a 1955 issue of the "British Journal of Venereal Diseases." This paper describes the selection of the cases, the tests used, and the results of an examination of the cerebrospinal fluid in 1821 cases of latent syphilis. The incidence of asymptomatic neurosyphilis is also given.

Presents a recap on the visit of the Anglo-Chinese Dermatological society in People's Republic of China in May 1983.

Background Punctate palmoplantar keratoderma ( PPPK, OMIM 148600) is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by multiple punctate keratoses on the palms and soles. Recently, mutations in the genes α- and γ-adaptin-binding protein p34 ( AAGAB) and collagen, type XIV, α1 ( COL14 A1) have been reported to cause PPPK. Objectives To identify mutations in the genes AAGAB and COL14 A1 in three Chinese families with PPPK. Methods Genomic DNA of the family members and 100 healthy individuals was isolated. Direct sequencing of all polymerase chain reaction products of the whole coding regions of AAGAB and COL14 A1 was performed to identify the mutation. Results A heterozygous nonsense mutation c.61 C> T (p. Q21 X) was identified in AAGAB in two Chinese families with PPPK. We failed to detect any mutations in AAGAB or COL14 A1 in family 3. Conclusions A novel loss-of-function mutation within AAGAB associated with PPPK was identified from two Chinese pedigrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Grooming habits of men in China have some marked differences from those in other areas in the world, with a high percentage of men resorting to shaving with an electric razor. This is influenced by multiple factors, such as a lower facial hair growth density concentrated in a small area around the mouth. Further, there is limited knowledge and misconceptions around the alleged negative skin effects of blade shaving. Objectives To compare skin in the shaved area with that of the rest of the face, and to compare the impact of shaving with a modern three-blade razor vs. electric shaving. Methods Pilot clinical studies including 50 and 40 healthy Chinese men, respectively. Results Skin in the shaved area is different from the rest of the face, with a higher temperature, lower hydration and diminished skin barrier function. Regular shaving with a modern multiblade razor was not statistically different from dry shaving in terms of impact on barrier function. Conclusions Shaving with a modern multiblade razor could even deliver certain skin benefits in the area of facial oil control and reducing skin flakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There are ethnic differences in the prevalence and types of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Although there have been several reports on the prevalence and types of AGA in caucasian and Asian populations, there are very few data on a Chinese population that have been derived from a sufficient number of samples. Objectives To estimate the prevalence and types of AGA in a Chinese population, and to compare the results with those in caucasians and Koreans reported previously in the literature. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 7056 subjects (3519 men and 3537 women) from May 2006 to December 2006 in a community of Shanghai. Questionnaires were completed during face-to-face interviews at the subjects’ homes. The degree of AGA was classified according to the Norwood and Ludwig classifications. Results The prevalence of AGA in Chinese men was 19·9%, and the prevalence of female pattern AGA in men was 0·1%. The most common type in men was type III vertex (3·5%). The prevalence of AGA in women was 3·1%, while male pattern AGA was found in those aged over 50 years (0·4%), and the most common type was type I (Ludwig classification) (1·4%). A family history of AGA was present in 55·8% of men and 32·4% of women with AGA. Conclusions The prevalence of AGA in Chinese men was lower than in caucasian men but was similar to that in Korean men; however, over the age of 60 years it was approaching that in caucasian men but was higher than that in Korean men. The most common type in Chinese men with AGA was type III vertex. Interestingly, the prevalence of AGA in Chinese women was lower than that in Korean women and caucasian women, and type I was the most common type (Ludwig classification). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case of multiple-generation family and sporadic case of tuberous sclerosis (TSC) in China. Two TSC2 gene mutations have been identified. These mutations lead to frameshift and premature translation termination within exon 27 and exon 34. Skin lesions characteristic of TSC have been found in all patients. There was a significant incidence of cardiac rhabdomyoma, renal findings and angiomyolipoma in patients with TSC2 mutations.

A distinctive strain of Trichophyton rubrum has been isolated from 5 patients in Hong Kong. The infections caused by this strain were clinically more inflammatory and responded more rapidly to treatment than infections with the ordinary form of T. rubrum. The mycological characteristics of the Hong Kong strain are described in detail. It is possible that the Hong Kong and the Nigerian strains of T. rubrum are identical. The apparent differences are discussed; only further investigation will establish their significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study related to Multiple familial trichoepithelioma (MFT) skin disease and its cause in Chinese families. Two multigeneration families with MFT including 12 affected and 46 unaffected individuals were identified through probands from Anhui province of China. Bidirectional sequence analysis for the cylindromatosis (CYLD) gene and samples from 96 unrelated matched controls were sequenced to exclude the possibility that results represented polymorphisms in the CYLD gene. Mutations of the cylindromatosis (CYLD) gene have been identified as the cause of MFT. The study reports two Chinese families with MFT, each with a novel mutation of CYLD, and present a literature review of MFT cases of Chinese origin reported since 1989.