Generalized pustular psoriasis is a distinct type of psoriasis characterized by recurrent febrile attacks with disseminated subcorneal pustules on generalized skin rashes. Recently, homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations of the IL36RN gene, which encodes the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-36 receptor antagonist, were identified in familial and sporadic cases of various ethnicities with generalized pustular psoriasis. Here we report a 39-year-old Japanese male patient who had suffered from repeated attacks of generalized pustular psoriasis since infancy with intervals of several years. At presentation, erythematous lesions with a few pustules were found only on some parts of the body and controlled with topical corticosteroids. An analysis of the IL36RN gene revealed compound heterozygous mutations of c.28C>T and c.368C>T. While the former mutation causing the premature termination p.Arg10X is recurrent in Japanese cases, the latter missense mutation causing p.Thr123Met substitution is novel, but another mutation in the same position has been reported in one Japanese case. Our report further supports the presence of the Japanese-specific hot spots in the IL36RN gene, 28C and 368C, and suggests the functional significance of Thr123. This special type of generalized pustular psoriasis caused by IL36RN mutations has been designated as deficiency for IL-36 receptor antagonist, a new hereditary autoinflammatory disease, and its phenotypes have emerged to include other related pustular disorders, palmoplantar pustulosis, acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. The genetic analysis of the cases with these diseases would be important for establishment and application of the specific treatments targeting the IL-36 signaling.

Lupus erythematosus (LE) includes a broad spectrum of diseases from a cutaneous-limited type to a systemic type. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease which affects multiple organs. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) includes skin symptoms seen in SLE and cutaneous-limited LE. Although immune abnormalities, as well as heritable, hormonal and environmental factors, are involved in the pathology of LE, the actual pathogenesis is still unclear. Recently, the involvement of various cytokines has been shown in the pathogenesis of LE. Moreover, some trials with biological agents targeted specific cytokines are also ongoing for SLE. In this article, we review the contributions of major cytokines such as interferon, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-18 to LE, especially SLE and CLE.

Background and Objectives Microwave treatment is an effective non‐invasive treatment option for primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH), but the treatment parameters vary and no histopathological studies have been performed to validate clinical outcomes. This study investigated its efficacy and safety and histopathological changes after a single microwave treatment at the maximum energy level for PAH in Asians. Materials and Methods A prospective, clinical, and histological split‐area randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed in Japan. Twenty‐six subjects underwent a single microwave treatment at the maximum energy level 5 (5.8 GHz/axilla) on the randomized side of axillae. The primary outcome was the mean difference between both sides in the improvement of modified single‐underarm Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (msHDSS) scores over the course of the 12‐month study period from baseline. The secondary outcomes were; the percentage of responders with at least a 2‐point drop in the msHDSS score of 3 or 4 group or with a 1‐point drop in the msHDSS score of 2 group; the percentage of responders with at least a 75% reduction in sweat weight over 12 months; recurrence rate; and adverse effects. We also performed a histological assessment for 13 selected subjects. Results Twenty‐four subjects completed the study. There were statistically significant differences in improvement of msHDSS scores between the microwave‐treated and control sides (P < 0.05) from baseline at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. In the msHDSS score of 3 or 4 group, the percentage of responders with at least a 2‐point drop on the microwave‐treated side versus control side was 72.2 versus 11.1% (P < 0.05) at 1 month, 83.3 versus 5.6% (P < 0.05) at 3 months, 61.1 versus 38.9% (P = 0.317) at 6 months and 38.9 versus 16.7% (P = 0.264) at 12 months. The percentage of responders with at least a 75% reduction in sweat weight on the microwave‐treated side versus control side was 75.0 versus 37.5% at 1 month, 75.0 versus 29.2% at 3 months, 83.3 versus 50.0% at 6 months and 70.8 versus 33.3% at 12 months (all P < 0.05). Recurrence on the microwave‐treated side was observed in 4.2% and 12.5% of 24 subjects at 3 and 12 months, respectively. No serious side‐effects were noted. Histology showed the diameter and density of secretory eccrine glands and nerve fiber lengths around eccrine glands were significantly decreased after treatment compared to baseline (P = 0.002, 0.027, 0.003, respectively). Conclusions A single‐session microwave treatment at the maximum energy level significantly improved the PAH of Japanese patients and had minimal side effects. This technique demonstrates that diminished size of secretory eccrine glands and nerve fiber degeneration could be useful markers for predicting the efficacy of the treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 9999:1–8, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

No abstract