Background: Risk factors for erysipelas (cellulitis) were rarely evaluated in controlled studies. Regional variations of these risk factors have never be assessed. Objective: To assess risk factors for erysipelas of the leg in Tunisia. Subjects and Methods: Case-control study in seven hospital centers in Tunisia. Cases were 114 consecutive patients with erysipelas of the leg [sudden onset (<24 h) of a well-demarcated dermo-hypodermatitis with fever or chills]. Two controls were matched to each case for age, sex, and hospital (n = 208). Main outcome measures are local and general suspected risk factors for erysipelas of the leg. Results: In multivariate analysis, disruption of the cutaneous barrier (i.e. traumatic wound, toe-web intertrigo, excoriated leg dermatosis or plantar squamous lesions) and leg edema were independently associated with erysipelas of the leg, with respective odds ratios of 13.6 (95% confidence interval: 6.0–31) and 7.0 (1.3–38). No association was observed with diabetes, alcoholism, or smoking. Conclusions: We confirmed the major role of local risk factors and the minor role of general risk factors for erysipelas of the leg, in a setting different than the one previously studied. Detecting and treating toe-web intertrigo and traumatic wounds should be considered in the prevention of erysipelas of the leg.

IntroductionNevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis (NLCS) is a rare benign hamartomatous skin tumor characterized by dermal deposition of mature adipose tissue. It’s classified in two types: the classical form with multiple soft, pedunculated, cerebriform papules and nodules that coalesce into plaques, and the solitary form that consists of a solitary papule or nodule. In this study, eight cases of NLCS are reported.MethodsThe study was a retrospective case series including all patients with histopathologically documented NLCS who attended the Dermatology Department of Charles Nicolle hospital between January 1997 and December 2010. The objective of our study was to determine the epidemioclinical characteristics, the histopathologic features, and the treatment of this hamartoma. Patients included three males and five females aged between 7 and 41 years.ResultsIn four cases hamartoma was present since childhood, and in the other four cases it appeared in the third and fourth decades. Classical form was noted in seven cases and the solitary form in one case. Lesions involved limbs in four patients and trunk in four patients. Seven patients underwent surgical excision, and for one case no treatment was proposed.ConclusionThe multiple or classical form is largely predominant in our study. Habitually, NLCS has an asymptomatic course. Treatment is usually not necessary unless for cosmetic reasons; surgical excision is curative and recurrence after is rare.

Our study illustrates the severity of erythroderma. It alters heavily the quality of life of patients which is initially altered by the pre-existent dermatosis. It may be life threatening as mortality rate is high.

Acute localized exanthematous pustulosis (ALEP) is a rare disease characterized by the acute onset of multiple localized non‐follicular, pinhead‐sized pustules. ALEP is considered a localized form of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis but its pathogeny is not well identified. We performed a systematic review of the literature of all publications regarding ALEP cases using the term “acute localized exanthematous pustulosis,” to provide an update on this disease and its management. Results and conclusion ALEP is an uncommon skin condition attributed primarily to a hypersensitivity reaction to a systemic drug (classical or herbal); though a contact mechanism has been reported. It may be misdiagnosed as infectious or inflammatory disease but the clinico‐pathological correlation in addition to the rapid response to withdrawal of the culprit agent supports this diagnosis. The pathogenesis of ALEP is still unclear, and there are no standardized treatment guidelines to manage this disease. Both AGEP and ALEP have a good prognosis if an early diagnosis is made.

Our study illustrates the poor prognosis of pemphigus by a long duration to disease control, a high initial dose of oral steroid, a high rate of relapse and a short remission period. Only mucosal involvement at presentation was identified as a poor prognostic factor.