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The current SARS-CoV-2 has put significant strain on healthcare services worldwide due to acute COVID-19. However, the potential long-term effects of this infection haven’t been extensively discussed. We hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 may be able to cause persistent infection in some individuals, and should this be the case, that in a few years we may see a rise in cancer incidence due to carcinogenic effects of this coronavirus. Non-retroviral RNA viruses such as Coronaviridae have been shown to cause persistent infection in hosts. Empirical evidence of viral genomic material shedding weeks after apparent clinical and laboratorial resolution of COVID-19 may be an indirect proof for persistent viral infection. Furthermore, tropism towards certain immune-privileged territories may facilitate immune evasion by this virus. Structural homology with SARS-CoV-1 indicates that SARS-CoV-2 may be able to directly impair pRb and p53, which are key gatekeepers with tumor suppressor functions. Additionally, COVID-19 features preeminent inflammatory response with marked oxidative stress, which acts as both as initiator and promotor of carcinogenesis. Should there be a carcinogenic risk associated with SARS-CoV-2, the implications for public health are plenty, as infected patients should be closely watched during long periods of follow-up. Additional investigation to establish or exclude the possibility for persistent infection is paramount to identify and prevent possible complications in the future.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a non‐scarring alopecia, which often carries a major impact on patients' quality of life. Currently there is no single approved treatment that effectively induces permanent remission. Recently, the JAK–STAT signaling pathway has emerged as a possible therapeutic target leading to increased interest in the use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (JAKis) in the treatment of this pathology. This review of the literature summarizes information on patients with AA who underwent treatment with JAKis and discusses the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of its use. A literature search was conducted in different databases to identify clinical trials and case reports published in January 2019. Several clinical studies have shown very promising results in the treatment of AA with oral formulas of JAKis. These agents, however, need chronic administration to maintain response. Topical formulations did not show satisfactory responses. The safety profile of these agents appears to be favorable. Current evidence is promising regarding the efficacy and safety of oral JAKis. However, the data obtained are of low quality, originating predominantly from reports of clinical cases. Further studies are needed to confirm these data and to optimize its long‐term efficacy and safety.

Psoriasis is a prevalent systemic immune-mediated disease with cutaneous manifestations. In HIV-infected patients, psoriasis may have a higher incidence, present atypical and more exuberant clinical features, and is frequently recalcitrant to treatment. Despite this aggravated severity, treatment options for psoriasis in HIV-infected individuals remain limited due to the risk of fatal immunosuppression associated with both classical immunosuppressants and new biological drugs. Notwithstanding, drug therapy in psoriasis has been undergoing major advances for the last few years, with novel drugs approved, which could significantly add to the management of HIV-infected patients. It is therefore our aim to present a review of the available literature to highlight the updated evidence on psoriasis in HIV-infected individuals, particularly in regards to its epidemiology, proposed pathophysiology, clinical presentation, currently available therapeutic options, and future perspectives.

EditorAn outbreak of monkeypox has emerged, with more than 2000 cases confirmed across the globe. While this condition, caused by the Monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, is usually considered a zoonosis, 1 we may be facing a sexually transmissible infection (STI), with yet uncertain consequences.In Portugal, we are seeing many suspected cases a day, most of which have been confirmed. At our department, we have had more than 20 confirmed cases, most of which in individuals with concomitant human immunodeficiency virus infection. The typical presentation we are observing is illustrated by the case of a 43-year-old man, with a 3-day history of painful umbilicated vesicles and ulcers localized to the perianal and genital areas (Fig. 1), with no prodromal symptoms. Centimetric elastic inguinal adenopathies were found, but no extrapelvic skin lesions or adenomegalies were present. He had engaged in unprotected Data availability statementData sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.