Background. Vitiligo is a common skin disorder characterized by macular depigmentation of the skin. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is still unclear, but there is evidence that autoimmunity and endocrine disfunction may be involved. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine whether vitiligo is statistically associated with thyroid autoimmunity. Method. In a prospective case-control study, we compared the frequency of thyroid autoantibodies (thyroglobulin antibody, anti-Tg and thyroid peroxidase antibody, and anti-TPO) in 33 patients with vitiligo and in 33 healthy volunteers. Thyroid autoantibodies and thyroid hormones (thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in all subjects. Results. Thyroid functional abnormalities were found in 6 (18.18%) patients. Anti-Tg and anti-TPO were positive in 9 (27.27%) and 8 (24.24%) patients, respectively. In control group, only one subject (3.03%) had abnormalities in thyroid hormonal status, and two subjects had positive thyroid autoantibodies. Compared with the control group, the frequency of both anti-Tg and anti-TPO was significantly higher in those with vitiligo (P < .05). Conclusion. This study shows a significant association between vitiligo and thyroid autoimmunity, and that tests to detect thyroid autoantibodies are relevant in patients with vitiligo.

Scalp involvement is a prominent and often the initial presentation in patients with psoriasis. Hair growth may be impaired with a hair loss and an increased telogen/anagen ratio. The aim of this study was to investigate the hair density and anagen/telogen ratio in psoriatic patients, using epiluminescence microscopy combined with digital image analysis (TrichoScan). Thirty psoriatic patients with scalp involvement and the same number of clinically healthy individuals were included in the study. For the measurement of hair density, anagen/telogen ratio and number of terminal and vellus hairs, a commercially available software TrichoScan was used. Hair density measurements did not show significant difference between patients and controls (P=0.05). The anagen ratio was significantly lower and telogen ratio significantly higher in psoriasis patients than in controls (P<0.01 both). There was no correlation between hair parameters and patient age or duration of disease. Study results support the evidence that scalp psoriasis is associated with an increased telogen/anagen ratio.

Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EHK) or bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by an early onset, with erythroderma and bullous lesions, leading to severe generalized hyperkeratosis in adulthood. Mutations have been found in keratin 1 and keratin 10 genes. The clinical manifestations of EHK present striking heterogeneity and at least six clinical phenotypes have been identified. We report on a case of EHK in a 12-year-old girl with erythroderma, erosions and blisters on the entire body surface at birth and generalized hyperkeratosis but without severe palm and sole involvement in the later stage. On the basis of clinical and histopathologic findings, the diagnosis of EHK type NPS-3 was made.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by nonscarring hair loss on the scalp or any hair-bearing surface. A wide range of clinical presentations can occur, from a single patch of hair loss to complete loss of hair on the scalp (alopecia totalis, AT) or over the entire body (alopecia universalis, AU). The cause of AA is unknown although most evidence supports the hypothesis that AA is an immunologically mediated disease. The aim of the study was to compare serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) between patients with AA and healthy subjects, and to assess the difference between the localized form and extensive forms of the disease such as AT and AU. Sixty patients with AA and 50 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Fifty patients had localized AA (LAA), and ten patients had AT, AU or AT/AU. Serum levels of IgE were measured using fluoroenzyme immunoassay techniques. Serum levels of total IgE were significantly higher in AA patients than in controls (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in serum levels of total IgE between patients with LAA and those with extensive forms of the disease (p>0.05). The exact role of serum IgE in AA should be additionally investigated in future studies.