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The concept of malignant pyoderma (MP) has created controversy since its origin. The distinction of this disease from pyoderma gangrenosum was based on clinical criteria and response to treatment. Herein we discuss our current ideas on this entity and its possible relationship to Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Follow-up data from the three original cases of MP are reported, as well as additional clinical and laboratory data from cases subsequently thought to represent MP. Many of these cases have similar clinical features such as facial and periauricular ulceration and occasionally signs or symptoms of WG, including positive titers of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (with a diffuse cytoplasmic staining pattern) (cANCA). MP represents a distinctive clinical disorder and may be a dermal manifestation of WG. Some cases of MP may represent pyoderma gangrenosum or other undefined systemic illnesses. Such cases of WG can be distinguished on the basis of clinical, histopathologic, and laboratory evidence including cANCA titers. MP should no longer be used as a final clinical diagnosis.

Herpes gestationis is a rare, pruritic, blistering disease of the skin that occurs in pregnancy and the puerperium. Its recognition by those caring for the pregnant patient is important in determining appropriate care for the patient and in alerting the physician to possible effects on fetal outcome. Understanding of this disease has been rapidly expanding, and these advances are reviewed here through the use of an illustrative case report and a review of the literature. The evidence for significant risk of fetal morbidity and mortality, the potential indicators in patients who are at high risk, and the treatment approaches are stressed.

A population-based epidemiologic study of herpes progenitalis was conducted in residents of Rochester, Minnesota, for the 15-year period 1965 through 1979. Three hundred ninety-two patients (129 males, 263 females) were identified. The average annual incidence rate of herpes progenitalis was 50 per 100,000 population. A continuous increase in incidence was demonstrated throughout the study period (P less than 0.0005, trend test). In 1979, the incidence peaked at 128 per 100,000 population. The median age at onset was 24 years, and more than 80% of the patients were 18 to 36 years of age. Females predominated by 1.5:1 (P less than 0.001) and were, on the average, 4 years younger than the male patients. Although 15 pregnancies in the series were affected by herpes progenitalis, no neonatal herpes was noted, nor was the number of unfavorable outcomes of pregnancy unusual. No invasive or in situ genital carcinoma developed in patients after 1,544 person-years of follow-up.