Genodermatosis

By Dr. Nouran abou khedr

Xeroderma Pigmentosum

Xeroderma pigmentosum is a rare disorder transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner. It is

characterized by photosensitivity, pigmentary changes, premature skin aging, and malignant
tumor development. These manifestations are due to a cellular hypersensitivity to ultraviolet
(UV) radiation resulting from a defect in DNA repair.

Pathophysiology

The basic defect in xeroderma pigmentosum is in nucleotide excision repair (NER), leading to
deficient repair of DNA damaged by UV radiation.

Mortality/Morbidity

Individuals with this disease develop multiple cutaneous neoplasms at a young age. Two
important causes of mortality are metastatic malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma

Race

Cases of xeroderma pigmentosum are reported in persons of all races.

Sex

An equal prevalence has been reported in males and females.

Age

The disease is usually detected at age 1-2 years.

Clinical

The disease typically passes through 3 stages. The skin is healthy at birth. Typically, the first
stage appears after age 6 months. This stage is characterized by diffuse erythema, scalingseen
over light-exposed areas.With progression of the disease, the skin changes appear on the lower
legs, the neck, and even the trunk in extreme cases. While these features tend to diminish
during the winter months with decreased sun exposure, as time passes, these findings become
permanent.

The second stage is characterized by poikiloderma. Poikiloderma consists of skin atrophy,

telangiectasias, and mottled hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation,

The third stage is heralded by the appearance of numerous malignancies, including squamous
cell carcinomas, malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and fibrosarcoma. These
malignancies may occur as early as age 4-5 years and are more prevalent in sun-exposed areas.
Neurologic problems are seen in nearly 20% of patients with xeroderma pigmentosum,

Histologic Findings

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to protect the patient from sunlight. The use of sunscreens in
conjunction with other sun-avoidance methods.

Oral retinoids have been shown to decrease the incidence of skin cancer.

Chemical therapy with 5-fluorouracil may be useful for actinic keratoses.

The malignancies associated with xeroderma pigmentosum should be completely excised.

Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis refers to a relatively uncommon group of skin disorders characterized by the

presence of excessive amounts of dry surface scales. It is regarded as a disorder of keratinization
or cornification, and it is due to abnormal epidermal differentiation or metabolism.

The ichthyosiform dermatoses may be classified according to clinical manifestations, genetic

presentation and

histologic findings. Inherited and acquired forms of ichthyosis have been described. Five distinct
types of inherited ichthyosis are noted, as follows: ichthyosis vulgaris, lamellar ichthyosis,
epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, and X-linked ichthyosis.

Race

In general, all races may be affected in the inherited and acquired forms of ichthyosis.

Sex

X-linked recessive ichthyosis is much more prevalent in males.

Clinical

In ichthyosis vulgaris, dry skin and follicular accentuation (keratosis pilaris) usually appear at
puberty. Scaling is most prominent over the trunk, abdomen, buttocks, and legs. The flexural
areas, such as the antecubital fossa, are spared. An association may be present between
ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic diseases.

Lamellar ichthyosis is a rare, autosomal recessive, genetically heterogeneous skin disease caused
by mutations involving multiple genetic loci. In classic lamellar ichthyosis, children with the
disease are referred to as collodion babies and are covered at birth by a thickened membrane
that subsequently is shed. The scaling of the skin involves the whole body with no sparing of the
flexural creases.

In epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, the skin is moist, red, and tender at birth. Bullae formation may
occur, which may become infected and give rise to a foul skin odor. Thick, generalized,
verrucous scaling occurs within a few days. Localized scaling may be seen, especially in the
flexural creases.

In X-linked ichthyosis, generalized scaling is present at or shortly after birth. This scaling is most
prominent over the extremities, neck, trunk, and buttocks. The flexural creases, palms, and soles
are spared.

Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE) is a milder form of the disease that is autosomal
recessive in inheritance. CIE has been found to be caused by mutations in the genes coding for
transglutaminase.

Acquired ichthyosis usually occurs in adults and manifests as small, white, fishlike scales that
frequently are concentrated on the extremities but may be seen in a generalized distribution.
This form of ichthyosis may be associated with internal neoplasia eg, Hodgkin lymphoma
leukemia, systemic illness eg, sarcoidosis, HIV infection, hypothyroidism, chronic hepatitis
malabsorption, bone marrow transplantation, or the intake of certain medications that interfere
with sterol synthesis in epidermal cells eg, nicotinic acid.

Laboratory Studies

ichthyosis vulgaris - Skin biopsy

X-linked recessive ichthyosis – Steroid sulfatase (STS) activity or levels of cholesterol sulfate
and genetic testing of amniotic fluid.

Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis - Skin biopsy and keratin gene studies.

Lamellar ichthyosis – Genetic analysis for mutations in the gene for transglutaminase 1.

Acquired ichthyosis may be a marker of various autoimmune disorders or malignancy. Acquired

ichthyosis may also be a marker of concomitant infection with HIV in intravenous drug users .

CBC count with differential and bone marrow aspirate.

Thyroid function tests ie, hypothyroidism.

Serum angiotensin converting enzyme and lysozyme ie, sarcoidosis.

Chest radiography ie, sarcoidosis, lymphoma, HIV, tuberculosis.

Serum antinuclear antibody (ANA), ie, systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], systemic sclerosis.
Histologic Findings

In ichthyosis vulgaris, the affected skin displays mild hyperkeratosis and a diminished granular
layer in the epidermis, while the dermis has normal features.

Treatment

Medical Care

Systemic

Oral retinoids display an impressive antikeratinizing action in ichthyosiform dermatoses.

Etretinate (1 mg/kg/d) and isotretinoin (2 mg/kg/d) have been shown to reduce scaling,
discomfort, and disfigurement.

Topical

Keratolytics,Emoilents.

Epidermolysis Bullosa

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of inherited bullous disorders characterized by blister

formation in response to mechanical trauma. Epidermolysis bullosa is classified into 3 major
categories, including (1) epidermolysis bullosa simplex (intraepidermal skin separation), (2)
junctional epidermolysis bullosa (skin separation in lamina lucida or central BMZ), and (3)
dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (sublamina densa BMZ separation).

Onset of epidermolysis bullosa is at birth or shortly after. The exception occurs in mild cases of
epidermolysis bullosa simplex, which may remain undetected until adulthood or occasionally
remain undiagnosed.

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex is a collection of keratin disorders characterized by intraepidermal

blistering with relatively mild internal involvement. Lesions typically heal without scarring. Most
commonly, these diseases are dominantly inherited,

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex localized blistering at sites of trauma

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa

 
Junctional epidermolysis bullosas is a collection of diseases characterized by intralamina lucida
blistering. Primary subtypes include a lethal subtype termed Herlitz or junctional epidermolysis
bullosa letalis, a nonlethal subtype termed junctional epidermolysis bullosa mitis, and a
generalized benign type termed generalized atrophic benign epidermolysis bullosa.
Herlitz subtype. This severe disease is characterized by generalized blistering at birth,
significant internal involvement, and a poor prognosis.

Nonlethal junctional epidermolysis bullosa

Patients are manifested by generalized blistering ,survive infancy and clinically improve with
age. They have scalp, nail, and tooth abnormalities. Periorificial erosions and hypertrophic
granulation tissue can be present. Mucous membranes often are affected by erosions, resulting
in strictures. Some patients with junctional epidermolysis bullosa mitis can present with
blistering localized to the intertriginous regions.

Generalized atrophic benign epidermolysis bullosa

This is a relatively mild subtype characterized by generalized cutaneous blistering and

presenting at birth. Blistering activity is worsened by increased ambient temperature, and
blisters heal with a distinctive atrophic appearance.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

This is a group of diseases caused by defects of anchoring fibrils. Blisters heal followed by
dystrophic scarring. Formation of milia (1- to 4-mm white papules) results as a consequence of
damage to hair follicles.

Dominantly inherited dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

The onset of disease usually is at birth or during infancy, with generalized blistering as a
common presentation. With increasing age, an evolution to localized blistering is present.

Dominantly inherited dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. The blistering in this disease often is
localized and is characterized by scarring and milia in healed blister sites.

Recessively inherited epidermolysis bullosa

This group of diseases ranges from mild to severe in presentation.

A localized form, termed recessively inherited epidermolysis bullosa mitis, often involves acral
areas and nails but shows little mucosal involvement.

Severe recessively inherited epidermolysis bullosa, usually shows generalized blistering at birth
and subsequent extensive dystrophic scarring that is most prominent on the acral surfaces

Recessively inherited dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

Histopatology

Treatment

Prevention of infection is the preferred strategy. With extensive areas of crusting and
denudation, a strict wound care regimen should be followed. Such a regimen entails regular
whirlpool therapy followed by application of topical antibiotics. The wound should be covered
with semiocclusive nonadherent dressings. Do not apply adhesive tape directly to the skin. Self-
adhering gauze or tape is a better choice for keeping dressings in place.

Thank You