Propionibacterium acnes (Cutibacterium acnes) and acne vulgaris: The latest updates of antimicrobial activity Kaya Suer, Meryem Güvenir Turkish Journal of Dermatology 2019 13(2):57-59 Propionibacterium acnes is commonly recognized for its acne pathogenesis. P. acnes produces chemotactic substances and activates the complement system. Resistant P. acnes strains were explained more than 40 years ago. For that reason, new antimicrobial agents for the topical treatment of skin infections have been researched, and it has been determined that plant extracts may be an alternative treatment for acne. In this review, antimicrobial studies of P. acnes have been reviewed.

Comparison of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone levels in males with various degrees of acne vulgaris severity Arif Widiatmoko, Tantari Sugiman, Taufiq Hidayat, Krisna Ariaputra, Firmina Kus Setianingrum, Dhini Indah Nugriaty Turkish Journal of Dermatology 2019 13(2):60-64 Objective: This study compared the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the serum of men with various degrees of severity grading of acne vulgaris. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytic observational study and used the Combined Acne Severity Classification. Serum DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, and DHT levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We recruited 63 males with acne vulgaris. Results: For mild, moderate, or severe acne, the mean serum level of DHEAS was 90.92, 153.54, and 166.67 ng/ml (P = 0.000); testosterone was 6.66, 8.11, and 8.97 ng/ml (P = 0.445); and DHT was 87.33, 111.72, and 124.71 (P = 0.01), respectively. Post hoc analysis showed significant differences for DHEAS and DHT serum levels. There were significant differences for DHEAS and DHT serum levels. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in serum testosterone levels between groups, although there was an increase in concentration by acne vulgaris severity.

Comparison of serum Cyclooxygenase-2 level between Melasma and Nonmelasma patients in Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia Sekar Puspita Lilasari, Santosa Basuki, Sinta Murlistyarini Turkish Journal of Dermatology 2019 13(2):65-71 Background: Melasma is the hypermelanosis skin disease on the sun exposed area. Ultraviolet exposure leads to inflammation in the epidermis and dermis, one of which is marked by an increase in Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-2 expression involves in the production of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) that take part in tyrosinase activation and melanogenesis. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to determine the differences in serum COX-2 levels in melasma and non-melasma patients in Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital Malang, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using continuous sampling in melasma and non-melasma patients at the Dermatology and Venereology out-patient clinic from November to December 2017. The COX-2 serum levels examined by ELISA method. Results: From the 23 melasma and 23 non-melasma subjects, the mean value of serum COX-2 levels in the melasma and nonmelasma groups was not significantly different (P > 0.05) with value of 82.23±61.08U/L and 52.66±28.62 U/L, respectively. Those might be influenced by the other unknown variables who were not included in this study. Based on Melasma Severity Score (MSS), serum COX-2 levels differed significantly in moderate severity (49.55±14.26 U/L) and severe (112.1±72.32 U/L) (P > 0.05) might related to the capacity of the enzyme that induces epidermal hyperpigmentation. Conclusion: There were differences in COX-2 levels in melasma and non-melasma patients, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, there is a tendency that as the COX-2 level increases, so as the severity of melasma. Therefore, the severity of melasma possibly influenced by inflammation markers.

An effective and practical diagnostic clinical method in primary scarring alopecia: Dermoscopy Omer Faruk Elmas Turkish Journal of Dermatology 2019 13(2):72-76 Objective: There are several studies on the dermoscopy of the cicatricial alopecia. When the national literature is reviewed, however, only one original study focusing on the subject exists. Here, we aimed to investigate the dermoscopic features of the patients with primary cicatricial alopecia. Materials and Methods: In this study, dermoscopic findings of 40 patients with clinical and histopathological diagnosis of primary cicatricial alopecia were retrospectively reviewed. Dermoscopic examination was performed by a handheld dermoscope with 10-fold magnification. Photographing was performed using a dermoscope attached to a cell phone camera with 2-fold digital zoom. Results: Tubular perifollicular scale in lichen planopilaris (n = 12), cutaneous clefts with emerging hairs and three-dimensional yellow dots in dissecting cellulitis (n = 6), tufted hairs in folliculitis decalvans (n = 6), and follicular plugs and branching vessels in discoid lupus erythematosus (n = 6) were the main findings. No characteristic finding was found for pseudopelade of Brocq (n = 8) and frontal fibrosing alopecia (n = 2). Conclusion: Dermoscopy is a noninvasive, effective, and practical diagnostic tool for the differential diagnosis of primary cicatricial alopecia. The retrospective nature, lack of a control group, and relatively small number of the patients are the main limitations of our study.

Depression in patients with functional itch disorder Melike Kibar Ozturk, Semaniye Karabacak Turkish Journal of Dermatology 2019 13(2):77-82 Objective: Patients with pruritus sine materia (PSM) are often misdiagnosed as idiopathic pruritus (pruritus of unknown origin) when the cause of pruritus is not found. Some of these patients may be diagnosed with functional itch disorder (FID) which is also known as psychogenic pruritus (pruritus of psychological origin). Since antidepressants can be used in the treatment of psychogenic pruritus, the differentiation of FID from idiopathic pruritus is important. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression in patients with FID. Materials and Methods: A total of 117 patients with FID who were diagnosed as idiopathic pruritus or PSM in their previous assessments and 117 controls took part in the research. The psychiatric assessment for depression was conducted using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) major depression criteria. The study employed a descriptive and cross-sectional method. Results: Forty-four patients with FID (37.6%) had major depression (DSM-5) and 74 patients with FID (63.2%) had clinically significant depression (BDI). The frequency of depression among FID patients was significantly higher than controls. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of diagnosing FID in patients with PSM. The presence of FID diagnostic criteria in a patient should prompt dermatologists for a psychiatry consultation.

Quality of life in Turkish patients with autoimmune blistering diseases: Reliability and validity of the autoimmune bullous disease quality of life and the treatment of autoimmune bullous disease quality of life questionnaires Asli Bilgic-Temel, Ceren Irican, Soner Uzun, Grant Y.H. Feng, Dedee F Murrell, Ayse Akman-Karakas Turkish Journal of Dermatology 2019 13(2):83-90 Background: The Autoimmune Bullous Disease Quality of Life (ABQOL) and the Treatment of Autoimmune Bullous Disease Quality of Life (TABQOL) questionnaires, which are specific for autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBDs), were developed in Australia. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate the Turkish version of the ABQOL and TABQOL questionnaires and to assess the reliability of them in the Turkish population. Materials and Methods: The Turkish versions of the ABQOL and TABQOL questionnaires were produced by forward–backward translation of the original English version. The patients were requested to complete ABQOL and TABQOL questionnaires on day 0 and after 7 days for a 2nd time sent by post. Furthermore, patients also completed other health-related quality of life scales on day 0. Results: A total of 68 patients with AIBDs were recruited. A subset of 20 (29.4%) patients completed the day 7 questionnaire. Both the Turkish versions of the ABQOL and TABQOL questionnaires had a high internal consistency (0.86 and 0.88, respectively) and test–retest reliability (0.87 and 0.87, respectively). The correlation between ABQOL and TABQOL scores was moderate (Pearson's R = 0.609). Conclusion: We have shown that the Turkish versions of ABQOL and TABQOL questionnaires are valid and reliable instruments. They can be used to measure treatment burden in Turkish AIBD patients.

Bleomycin therapy using multipuncture technique for resistant warts Asli Bilgic, Ayse Akman-Karakas Turkish Journal of Dermatology 2019 13(2):91-93