Abstract Systemic amyloidosis secondary to psoriatic arthritis is rare, and published data are based mainly on case reports and are associated with increased mortality. This is the report of a patient with long-term psoriatic arthritis and chronic sialadenitis, who showed an inadequate response to therapy. The diagnosis of secondary amyloidosis was attained through biopsies of genital skin lesions. Although very rare, it is important that dermatologists and general practitioners consider the possibility of amyloidosis in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, since an early intervention can be implemented, and thus, the prognosis of this condition can be improved.

Abstract Reactivation of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) has been reported. The patient presented with a 2-week history of two painful erythematous, infiltrated plaques with central ulceration and necrotic crust on the left thigh. She had a history of chronic indeterminate Chagas disease (CD) and had received a kidney transplant before 2 months. Skin biopsies revealed lobular panniculitis with intracellular amastigote forms of T. cruzi. The patient was diagnosed with CD reactivation. Treatment with benznidazole significantly improved her condition. CD reactivation should be suspected in SOTRs living in endemic areas with clinical polymorphism of skin lesions.

Abstract: The oncogenic role of high-risk HPV in anogenital, head and neck, and cervical cancer is well recognized, but not in skin cancer in the general population. Some authors have demonstrated their appearance mainly on the hands and feet, particularly in the area of the nail bed, which could be due to contamination with HPV types from anogenital regions. Here, we describe a case of genital HPV associated with SCC on the nose tip in an immunocompetent young man, which was confirmed by histopathological findings and in situ hybridization. The importance of this report is to highlight the potential role of HPV in the etiology of skin cancer in an immunocompetent individual.

Abstract Phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by a filamentous fungus that contains pigment melanin in its cell wall. We report two cases caused by Exophiala sp. emphasizing the clinical variability of the disease, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties of this opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed patients (kidney transplant).

INTRODUCTION: There are various approaches to the treatment of cutaneous tumors; one of them is treatment with imiquimod, a synthetic toll-like receptor agonist with a low molecular weight that offers a topical, noninvasive, and non-surgical therapeutic option. The main objective of our study was to provide data on 89 patients who used a 5% imiquimod cream for the treatment of cutaneous tumors at the Cutaneous Oncology Group of the Dermatology Department of Hospital das Clinicas from 2003 to 2008. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here, we present our experience in the treatment of 123 cutaneous tumors of various types, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Bowen's disease, erythroplasia of Queyrat, Paget's disease, and trichoepithelioma, with 5% imiquimod cream from 2003 to 2008 in the Cutaneous Oncology Group of the Dermatology Department of Hospital das Clinicas. Patients were divided into two separate groups according to their diagnosis and comorbidities; these comorbidities included epidermodysplasia verruciformis, xeroderma pigmentosum, albinism, basal cell nevus syndrome, Brooke-Spiegler syndrome, HIV, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, B-cell lymphoma, and kidney transplantation. Treatment duration, response to imiquimod, follow-up, recurrence, and local and systemic reactions associated with use of the drug were analyzed. Epidemiological data were obtained and cure rates were calculated. RESULTS: The ratio of women to men was 1.28:1, and the mean age was 63.1 years. Tumors were located mainly on the face, back, trunk, and legs. For patients with comorbidities, the overall cure rate was 38%. These specific patients demonstrated cure rates of 83.5% for superficial BCC and 50% for Bowen's disease. Aggressive BCC and superficial and nodular BCC did not present a good response to treatment. Trichoepitheliomas and nodular BCC showed a partial response, and erythroplasia of Queyrat showed a complete response. For patients without comorbidities, the overall cure rate was 73%. For these patients, the cure rates were 85.7% for superficial and nodular BCC, 88% for superficial BCC, 57% for Bowen's disease, 50% for nodular BCC, and 50% for aggressive BCC. One SCC lesion demonstrated a complete response, and tumors caused by Paget's disease and erythroplasia of Queyrat presented a partial response. None of the tumors considered as clinically cured recurred. Thirty-seven lesions demonstrated no response to imiquimod. Having a cutaneous comorbidity, high-risk tumors such as mixed aggressive BCC (sclerodermiform or micronodular), nodular BCC, or Bowen's disease, and presenting no local reaction to imiquimod were considered as risk factors for a worse prognosis. We demonstrate that patients with no response to imiquimod, even when they demonstrated no local reaction, can undergo another cycle of six weeks of imiquimod treatment and show a complete response. The healing pattern led to good cosmetic outcomes, and the side effects were tolerable. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience confirms imiquimod as an effective treatment option for several types of cutaneous tumors, especially in patients without the cutaneous comorbidities cited above and with low-risk tumors. Imiquimod has a relatively low cost compared to other therapeutic options and can be delivered via ambulatory care to patients with surgery contraindications, and its side effects are tolerable.

FUNDAMENTOS: A epidermodisplasia verruciforme (EV) é genodermatose rara, caracterizada por infecção disseminada por tipos específicos de vírus papiloma humano (HPV), desenvolvimento de tumores cutâneos malignos e distúrbios imunológicos. OBJETIVOS: Correlacionar aspectos clínicos em 13 doentes com EV, na tentativa de contribuir para melhor conhecimento da enfermidade. MÉTODOS:Avaliação clínica de 13 doentes com EV durante o período de três anos. O diagnóstico clínico foi confirmado pelo exame histopatológico e imuno-histoquímico. RESULTADOS: A EV teve início na infância com lesões de verruga plana-símile e/ou máculas eritematosa na face e região cervical. A consangüinidade foi observada na maioria dos doentes (12/13). Clinicamente, o polimorfismo das lesões foi intenso, caracterizado por lesões de verruga plana-símile, pitiríase versicolor-símile, máculas eritematosas e lesões de queratose seborréica-símile. A transformação maligna das lesões foi observada em oito doentes (62%). O crescimento tumoral provocou perda tecidual importante em 50% dos casos, e em 25% foi registrado óbito pelas metástases. CONCLUSÃO: A EV apresenta alta incidência familiar e provável transmissão autossômica recessiva. O intenso polimorfismo clínico das lesões não afeta o couro cabeludo e mucosas. A apresentação clínica "maligna" foi a mais freqüente (62%), seguida pela "benigna" (23%) e "mista" (15%). Os tumores cutâneos malignos são freqüentes, múltiplos, destrutivos, geram metástases e provocam morte.

BACKGROUND: Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis characterized by disseminated infection caused by specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV), development of cutaneous malignant tumors and immunological disturbances. OBJECTIVE: To correlate the clinical features of a group of 13 patients with EV aiming to contribute to knowledge of disease. METHOD: The clinical evaluation of 13 EV patients during 3 years. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. RESULTS: The EV began in childhood with flat warts and/or erithematous macules on the face and neck. The parental consanguinity was observed in most patients (12/13). Clinically the lesions were highly polymorphic with flat wart-like lesions, pityriasis versicolor-like lesions, erithematous macules and seborrheic keratoses-like lesions. The malignant conversion of lesions occured in 8 patients (62%). The tumor growth provoked heavy tissue loss in 50% of patients, and metastatic tumors caused death in 25%. CONCLUSION: The EV presents high familial incidence and an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The high polymorphism clinical doesn't affect the scalp and mucous membrane. The most frequent clinical manifestation is the "malignant" (62%), followed by "benignant" (23%) and "mixed"(15%). The cutaneous tumors are frequent, multiple, destructive, metastasize and cause death.