Abstract Panitumumab is a monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor used in metastatic colorectal cancer; in addition to tumor cells, it acts on epidermal keratinocytes and on the outer root sheath and presents skin toxicity in up to 90% of cases. A scanning electron microscope was used to examine the eyelashes and hairs of a 65-year-old patient with eyelash trichomegaly, curly hair, and paronychia undergoing treatment with panitumumab. Grooving in the hair shafts were identified, which were more evident in the eyelashes. Similar to oral epidermal growth factor inhibitors (erlotinib and gefitinib), panitumumab can cause acquired pili canaliculi.

Abstract McCune - Albright syndrome is a genetic disease with cutaneous mosaicism caused by post-zygotic activating mutations in GNAS locus, it has a triad of fibrous bone dysplasia, café-au-lait macules and precocious puberty. We examined a 22-year-old female patient with café au lait spot in right side of the abdomen, with a chessboard - like distribution, extending to right thigh with geographical contours, she has also an ovarian cyst, scoliosis and truncal obesity. Biopsies were taken from the hyperpigmented area and processed for light microscopy and for transmission electron microscopy. Light microscopy showed increased melanin pigment with HE staining. Immunohistochemistry with melanocytic markers (HMB-45 and Melan-A) revealed a normal number of melanocytes. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated normal epidermal structures, such as desmosomes, cytokeratin filaments and hemidesmosomes. With high magnifications an irregular melanossomal contour was seen, with some indentations in their outline.

Abstract A 73-year-old male patient developed a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the anal canal nine months ago. He was treated with two cycles of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin and concomitant radiotherapy (6 MeV linear photon accelerator, total dose of 54 Gy), with complete remission. Since forty-five days he presentes a painful perianal and intergluteal erosion with circinate pustular borders. Light microscopy showed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia of the epidermis with microabscesses of inflammatory cells (neutrophils and eosinophils) and acantholytic keratinocytes . Indirect immunofluorescence was positive for IgG, with an intercellular pattern, 1:80 titer. The diagnosis of radiotherapy-induced pemphigus vegetans was established and there was significant regression with oral prednisone (40 mg) and topical betamethasone.

Abstract Lipoid proteinosis is a rare autosomal recessive disease, characterized by hyaline deposits of PAS-positive material in tissues due to mutations in the ECM1 gene. This study evaluated the ultrastructure of the skin of a 6-year-old child affected by this condition. The light microscopy identified PAS-positive hyaline deposits, which were more intense in the papillary dermis. Scanning electron microscopy of the dermis showed a compact papillary dermis and fibrillar deposits in the middle dermis. Transmission electron microscopy clearly showed the deposition of fibrillar material in the dermis, forming clusters adherent to elastic fibers, between the collagen bundles and the collagen fibers, and also filling up the cytoplasm of dermal fibroblasts.

Abstract: Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a painful disorder of unknown etiology. It is among the most common oral mucosal lesions with high prevalence among young adults. Objectives: To conduct a population-based study with 18-year-old army recruiters to assess its prevalence and associated factors in male adolescents. Methods: Interview during clinical examination in the army. Results: In this group (2,427 interviewed adolescents) there was a RAS prevalence of 24.9%. Smoking, herpes labialis and socioeconomic status correlated with the outcome. Study Limitations: only male adolescents were interviewed. Conclusions: Our results showed high prevalence of RAS; association with higher economic level and herpes simplex was found. Protective effect of smoking was confirmed.

Abstract Pitted keratolysis is a skin disorder that affects the stratum corneum of the plantar surface and is caused by Gram-positive bacteria. A 30-year-old male presented with small punched-out lesions on the plantar surface. A superficial shaving was carried out for scanning electron microscopy. Hypokeratosis was noted on the plantar skin and in the acrosyringium, where the normal elimination of corneocytes was not seen. At higher magnification (x 3,500) bacteria were easily found on the surface and the described transversal bacterial septation was observed.

Abstract Rare cases of hypertrichosis have been associated with topically applied minoxidil. We present the first reported case in the Brazilian literature of generalized hypertrichosis affecting a 5-year-old child, following use of minoxidil 5%, 20 drops a day, for hair loss. The laboratory investigation excluded hyperandrogenism and thyroid dysfunction. Topical minoxidil should be used with caution in children.

AbstractA typical feature of Kindler Syndrome is skin fragility; this condition in currently classified as a form of epidermolysis bullosa. We describe a rarely reported feature of two cases, one sporadic and one familial; both patients noticed acquired adermatoglyphia. The loss of dermatoglyphics could be an additional feature of this syndrome.

Tinea nigra is a rare superficial mycosis caused by Hortaea werneckii. This infection presents as asymptomatic brown to black maculae mostly in palmo-plantar regions. We performed scanning electron microscopy of a superficial shaving of a tinea nigra lesion. The examination of the outer surface of the sample showed the epidermis with corneocytes and hyphae and elimination of fungal filaments. The inner surface of the sample showed important aggregation of hyphae among keratinocytes, which formed small fungal colonies. The ultrastructural findings correlated with those of dermoscopic examination - the small fungal aggregations may be the dark spicules seen on dermoscopy - and also allowed to document the mode of dissemination of tinea nigra, showing how hyphae are eliminated on the surface of the lesion.

The purpose of this study is to compare scanning electron microscopy findings of the blister roof in three distinct bullous diseases: one intraepidermal acantholytic (pemphigus foliaceus); one due to hemidesmosomal dysfunction (bullous pemphigoid); and one secondary to anchoring fibril dysfunction - type VII collagen (dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa). In pemphigus foliaceus, acantholytic phenomena were readily demonstrated. In bullous pemphigoid, the epidermis had a solid aspect. In dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa a net was seen in the blister roof.

Nós relatamos uma paciente feminina de 28 anos com Síndrome de Kindler, uma forma rara de Epidermólise Bolhosa. Clinicamente, ela apresentava alterações cutâneas pigmentares disseminadas, fotossensibilidade e fragilidade da pele e das mucosas desde a infância. O envolvimento mucoso levou à estomatite erosiva e a estenoses esofágica, anal e vaginal, as quais necessitaram de intervenções cirúrgicas. O diagnóstico de Síndrome de Kindler foi confirmado por sequenciamento de DNA, que demonstrou heterozigose composta uma combinação de mutações uma nonsense e outra frameshift (p.Arg110X; p.Ala289GlyfsX7) no gene FERMT1.

We report the case of a 28-year-old woman with Kindler syndrome, a rare form of epidermolysis bullosa. Clinically, since childhood, she had widespread pigmentary changes in her skin as well as photosensitivity and fragility of the skin and mucous membranes. The mucosal involvement led to an erosive stomatitis as well as esophageal, anal and vaginal stenoses, requiring surgical intervention. The diagnosis of Kindler syndrome was confirmed by DNA sequencing with compound heterozygosity for a nonsense/frameshift combination of mutations (p.Arg110X; p.Ala289GlyfsX7) in the FERMT1 gene.

FUNDAMENTOS: Estima-se que a prevalência de tatuagens seja por volta de 10-26% em homens e 10-22% em mulheres, e estas trazem como consequência desdobramentos como: arrependimento, tentativas de remoção, alterações físicas e biológicas da pele e associação com soro positividade para doenças virais. OBJETIVOS: determinar a prevalência, características e fatores associados a tatuagens em alistandos do exército. MÉTODOS: Os alistandos foram entrevistados e examinados por dermatologistas, os quais anotaram a presença ou não de tatuagem , seus tamanhos, suas cores, padrões de desenhos e se havia permissão dos responsáveis para sua execução. RESULTADOS: Foram examinados 1.968 alistandos e a prevalência de tatuagens foi de 10,82% (213), 141 (66,20%) tinham tatuagem única, 44 (20,66%) tinham duas tatuagens, 15 (7,04%) tinham três tatuagens, 9 (4,23%) tinham quatro tatuagens e 4 (1,88%) tinham mais que quatro tatuagens; 168 (80.77%) informaram ter feito a primeira tatuagem antes de completar 18 anos de idade. 158 (74,53%) eram monocromáticas. Em relação ao tamanho no seu maior eixo temos que 108 (50,70%) tinham tatuagens com até 10 cm, 75 (35,21%) tinham entre 11 e 20 cm e com mais de 21 centimetros 30 (14,09%). CONCLUSÕES: a população estudada apresenta uma prevalência alta de tatuagens para a idade, e o percentual de tatuagens complexas (grandes e policromáticas) também é alto.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of tattoos is around 10-26% in men and 10-22% in women, and can involve negative effects such as: regret, removal attempts, physical and biological changes of the skin and association with some viral diseases. OBJECTIVE: to determine the prevalence, characteristics and factors associated with tattoos in recruiters joining the military. METHODS: the recruiters were examined by dermatologists that documented the presence or absence of tattoos, as well as their sizes, colors, designs and patterns, and whether they needed a parent's consent to get a tattoo. RESULTS: 1,968 recruiters were examined and the prevalence of tattoos was 10.82% (213), 141 (66.20%) had a single tattoo, 44 (20.66%) two tattoos, 15 (7.04%) three tattoos, 9 (4.23%) four tattoos, and 4 (1.88%) had more than four. Of the total sample, 168 (80.77%) reported getting the first tattoo before the age of 18. 158 (74.53%) were monochromatic. In relation to size, 108 (50.70%) had tattoos of up to 10 cm, 75 (35.21%) had tattoos measuring between 11-20cm, while 30 had ones over 21cm (14.09%). CONCLUSIONS: The population studied had a high prevalence of tattoos for their age, the percentage of complex (large and polychromatic) tattoos was also high.

FUNDAMENTOS:A exposição solar é responsável por um grande número de doenças.OBJETIVOS: Nós estimamos a prevalência e fatores associados à exposição solar em adultos do sul do Brasil em um estudo transversal de base populacional.MÉTODOS:Uma amostra representativa de indivíduos com idade ≥ 20 anos (n=3,136). A exposição solar foi avaliada no lazer e durante o trabalho. O período de investigação foi de dezembro de 2004 a março de 2005, compreendendo os 120 dias de maior intensidade solar. Os participantes foram questionados sobre exposição solar por pelo menos 20 minutos entre as 10 as 16 hs. A análise foi estraificada por sexo e a exposição solar foi agrupada em 5 categorias.RESULTADOS:Entre os 3,136 participantes, a prevalência de exposição solar na praia foi de 32.8% (IC95% 30.3 - 35.2) e 26.3% (IC95% 24.2 - 28.3) entre homens e mulheres, respectivamente. A prevalência de exposição no trabalho foi de 39.8% (IC95% 37.2 - 42.4) entre homens e 10.5% (IC95% 9.1 - 12.0) entre mulheres. A idade esteve inversamente associada à exposição solar. Renda familiar e escolaridade estiveram positivamente associadas à exposição solar durante o lazer e inversamente associada durante o trabalho. A cor de pele auto referida não esteve associada. O conhecimento de qualquer amigo ou parente que tenha sido acometido por um câncer de pele esteve positivamente associado à exposição solar apenas entre os homens durante o trabalho.CONCLUSÕES:Apesar das campanhas advertindo sobre os perigos do sol, nós encontramos uma alta prevalência desse desfecho nos períodos de maior intensidade solar.

BACKGROUND: Sunlight exposure is responsible for a large number of dermatological diseases.OBJECTIVE: We estimated the prevalence of sunlight exposure and its associated factors in adults from southern Brazil in a cross-sectional, population-based study.METHODS:We investigated a representative sample of individuals aged ≥ 20 years (n=3,136). Sunlight exposure and its associated factors were evaluated in two distinct situations: at leisure time and at work. The time period investigated ranged from December 2004 to March 2005, comprising 120 days of the highest ultraviolet index in the urban area of the city of Pelotas, in southern Brazil. The participants were asked about sunlight exposure for at least 20 minutes between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. The analysis was stratified by sex, and sunlight exposure was grouped into five categories.RESULTS:Among the 3,136 participants, prevalence of sunlight exposure at the beach was 32.8% (95% CI, 30.3 - 35.2) and 26.3% (95% CI, 24.2 28.3) among men and women, respectively. The prevalence at work was 39.8% (95% CI, 37.2 - 42.4) among men and 10.5% (95% CI, 9.1 - 12.0) among women. Age was inversely associated with sunlight exposure. Family income and achieved schooling were positively associated with sunlight exposure at leisure time and inversely associated with sunglight exposure at work. Self-reported skin color was not associated. Knowledge of any friend or relative who has been affected by skin cancer was positively associated with sunlight exposure among men at work.CONCLUSION:Despite the media campaigns on the harmful effects of excessive sunlight exposure, we found a high prevalence of sunlight exposure during a period of high ultraviolet index.