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The role of cutaneous viral infections in the development of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), including cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), among chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and blood and marrow transplant (BMT) patients is not established. CLL (n = 977) and BMT (n = 3587) patients treated at the Moffitt Cancer Center were included in a retrospective cohort study. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and human polyomavirus (HPyV) DNA were examined in a subset of incident SCC tumors. Five-year cumulative incidence of NMSC was 1.42% in both BMT (n = 31 NMSCs) and CLL (n = 18 NMSCs) cohorts. Of the nine SCC tumors examined from each cohort, 22.2% and 33.3% were positive for viral DNA in the transplant (HPV 65, MCV) and CLL (HPV 38, HPV 15, HPyV6) cohort, respectively. Enhanced skin cancer screening of BMT/CLL patients should be conducted to better capture incident NMSCs and examine the role of viral infections in these tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between physicians and pharmaceutical companies has caused the medical community to question the degree to which pharmaceutical interactions and incentives can influence physicians' prescribing habits. Our study aimed to analyze whether a change in institutional policy that restricted the availability of in-office samples for patients resulted in any measurable change in the prescribing habits of faculty physicians in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of South Florida (USF)(Tampa, Florida). Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for common dermatology diagnoses-acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, onychomycosis, psoriasis, and rosacea-before and after the pharmaceutical policy changes, and the prescribed medications were recorded. These medications were then categorized as brand name, generic, and over-the-counter (OTC). Statistical analysis using a mixed effects ordinal logistic regression model accounting for baseline patient characteristics was conducted to determine if a difference in prescribing habits occurred.

An elderly woman presented with a 3-month history of nonhealing, tender ulcers involving the right calf and both forearms. She denied any history of similar lesions or trauma. Two trials of oral antibiotics had led to no improvement. Her medical history was significant for rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and prednisone. A review of clinical manifestations was otherwise negative for disease. Physical examination of the patient's right calf revealed two punched-out ulcers with central necrotic black eschars, underlying retiform purpuric pattern, and mild fibrinopurulent drainage (Figure 1). Similar lesions were present on her forearms (Figures 2 and 3). No other remarkable skin changes were noted. The differential diagnosis included polyarteritis nodosa, cutaneous necrosis secondary to antiphospholipid syndrome, cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, and an atypical presentation of pyoderma gangernosum.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening autoimmune bullous disorder. Although systemic corticosteroids are the standard treatment for PV, efficient transition to a steroid-sparing immunosuppressant is critical. There is significant debate in the literature as to what the optimal, first-line steroid-sparing agent should be in patients with PV. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), in particular, is a promising agent that should be strongly considered as a first-line steroid-sparing agent. The authors review treatment options for PV and describe a severe case treated successfully with prednisone and MMF as a first-line steroid-sparing agent. The patient's clinical improvement was rapid, and all PV lesions completely resolved. The dosage of prednisone was safely tapered using MMF, and the patient did not experience any flares or significant side effects during the course of treatment. Therapy for PV with systemic corticosteroids and MMF therapy was effective and well tolerated.

Many therapies exist in the arsenal of drugs available to dermatologists for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Among them, hormonal therapy stands out as a unique and highly efficacious treatment modality. Although some dermatologists may be hesitant to prescribe hormonal therapies, they can be safely and appropriately used in eligible female patients to treat acne vulgaris. Herein, current issues regarding the hormonal treatment of acne in the form of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are presented, and a practical method for implementing this therapy is proposed. Specifically, drug selection, associated risks, benefits, monitoring, and counseling are discussed, with emphasis on the practicality of use in the clinical setting.