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Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most prevalent infections worldwide. It consists of two types: HSV1 and HSV2 that primarily cause orofacial and genital disease. However, both types can infect any site. Rarely, HSV infection of the hand occurs and is often documented as herpetic whitlow. Herpetic whitlow is primarily recognized as an HSV infection of the digits and thus HSV infection of the hand is largely associated with infection of the fingers. This is problematic, as HSV is often left off the differential diagnosis of non-digit hand pathology. We present two cases of non-digit HSV infection of the hand that were misdiagnosed as bacterial infections. As our cases and others demonstrate, the lack of knowledge that HSV infections can occur on the hand leads to confusion and delayed diagnosis among a myriad of providers. Therefore, we seek to introduce the term "herpes manuum" to increase awareness that HSV can appear on the hand in locations aside from the digits and thus differentiate it from herpetic whitlow. By doing so, we hope to encourage more timely diagnosis of HSV hand infections to decrease associated morbidity.

We present an 81-year-old man who presented for evaluation of an indurated plaque with an exophytic, pearly, skin-red-brown colored nodule with central ulceration on his chest that evolved over the course of several months and was initially suspected to be basal cell carcinoma. Biopsy demonstrated histological features of dermal spindle cell proliferation in a storiform fashion with CD34 positivity confirming a diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans are rare, slowly progressive soft tissue sarcomas. The rate of DFSP is greatest among African Americans (8.3/1,000,000), occurring nearly twice as frequently when compared to Caucasians. Aside from race/ethnicity, age, and skin trauma, no specific risk factors are associated with DFSP. Complete excision is curative. Given its pearly skin colored appearance, papular/nodular/atrophic morphology variants, and tendency to form indurated plaques, DFSP may be mistaken for nodular and morpheaform basal cell carcinoma subtypes, as well as a variety of other conditions. This case highlights the importance of maintaining DFSP on the differential diagnosis of slowly progressive nodules and indurated plaques, especially in African Americans.

Intimate body piercings involving the nipple and genitalia have increased in prevalence in both men and women. Despite this increase, there is a deficiency in the literature regarding the short and long-term complications of body piercings, including an increased risk of infection, malignancy, and structural damage to the associated tissue. Breast abscesses associated with nipple piercing can be mistaken as inflammatory carcinoma. Male genital piercings have been associated with urethral rupture, paraphimosis, urethral obstruction, scar formation, and squamous cell carcinoma, whereas female genital piercings may lead to a higher risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. There are additional problems related to piercings during pregnancy and thereafter. Nipple piercings can hinder breast feeding by inhibiting the milk letdown reflex, increasing nipple sensitivity, and causing discomfort to the infant. Removal of genital piercings during pregnancy could introduce bacteria into the piercing tract, but retaining the piercings could theoretically hinder childbirth. Prevention of complications is critical. Patients must understand the risks of piercings and disclose relevant medical conditions to the practitioner before the procedure. The piercings should be carried out in a hygienic and sterile manner. Finally, physicians should maintain a non-judgmental attitude to encourage patients to seek medical care for complications.

The original article was published on July15, 2017 and corrected on August 15, 2018.The revised version of the article includes a correction to the spelling of an author. The change appears in the revised online PDF copy of this article.

Background/Objectives: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most prevalent form of human cancer, is traditionally treated by surgical and alternative destructive or topical chemical means, each with its advantages, challenges, and drawbacks. We describe our experience treating BCCs with a topical concentrate of proteolytic enzymes enriched in bromelain (CPEEB) sourced from pineapple stems. CPEEB has strong proteolytic, antitumor–proapoptotic, and inflammation modulation activities, and is approved for debridement of deep burns and starting phase 3 trials for chronic wounds. Methods: In the first proof-of-concept (POC) study, six BCCs on three individuals were treated with five to six daily CPEEB 10% topical applications under a zinc oxide-based occlusive dressing for 9–12 h each during a period of up to 10 days. These patients were followed for up to 4 years. In an additional two POC studies, 16 patients with one BCC each were treated every other day for a total of seven applications of topical CPEEB 5% under a variety of occlusive dressings. The wounds were followed for up to 2 months before undergoing diagnostic excisional biopsy. Results: In the first study, clinical assessment of the BCCs and two excisional biopsies after 6 months suggested that all lesions were eradicated with spontaneous healing within ~2 weeks without clinical or histological recurrence for over 4 years. In the two subsequent studies, 16 histologically diagnosed superficial and nodular BCCs were treated using four application techniques. Excisional histology after 2 months confirmed BCC eradication in seven of the patients. In nine patients, with compromised occlusive dressings, histological eradication was incomplete. Treatment was well tolerated by all patients with the expected local skin reactions, which completely healed within 2–3 weeks. Conclusions: These are POC preliminary studies aimed at indicating the potential efficacy and feasibility of topical CPEEB in eradicating BCC. In these studies, topical CPEEB 10% and 5% resulted in complete eradication of the BCC when appropriately applied. CPEEB was well tolerated in all patients, and all treated sites' erosions healed without scars in <3 weeks. Further research is necessary to corroborate the results, refine the application technique, and complete the regulatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is an uncommon inherited skin condition with increased vulnerability to widespread infection by certain human papillomavirus types, resulting in extensive verruca plana-like papules coalescing to large confluent plaques. Since the AIDS epidemic starting in the 1980s, an acquired type of EV has been described in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. The histopathologic features of EV consist of papillated epidermal hyperplasia with hypergranulosis and a distinct bluish-gray color in the large human papillomavirus-infected keratinocytes in the stratum granulosum. The authors present a case of HIV-associated EV with a unique histopathologic finding of multiple cornoid lamella-like structures. To the authors' knowledge, this finding has not been previously described in the literature.