Journal Digest: June 4, 2025

The Journal of Dermatology: Clinical Manifestations in 32 Cases of Mpox Infection: A Retrospective Study in a Single Dermatology Clinic in Japan

A study examined the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of mpox cases diagnosed in a dermatology department in Tokyo during 2023, accounting for 20% of the city’s total reported cases. Researchers analyzed 32 PCR-confirmed mpox cases diagnosed between January 1 and December 31, 2023. Vesicles or pustules were the most common skin lesions, predominantly affecting the trunk and extremities. Fever was reported in 81% of cases, and penile edema was observed in 13%. Approximately 84% of patients were HIV-positive, with high rates of co-infection with syphilis (75%) and hepatitis B (56%).¹

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology: Therapeutic Modulation of Demodex Density via Isotretinoin: Insights From a Prospective Dermatological Investigation

A study evaluated the impact of oral isotretinoin on Demodex mite density in 36 patients (25 acne vulgaris, 11 rosacea) with demodicosis between January 1 and July 30, 2024. Demodex density was measured via standardized skin surface biopsy at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months of isotretinoin (20 mg/kg/day). At baseline, 58.3% of patients had mild density (5–9 mites/cm²), 16.7% moderate (10–20 mites/cm²), and 25% severe (≥ 21 mites/cm²). By month 2, 63.9% of patients exhibited 0–4 mites/cm², and by month 6, 69.4% remained at 0–4 mites/cm² while those with severe infestation decreased to 8.3%. Patients with acne experienced a more pronounced reduction in Demodex density than patients with rosacea, although both groups showed significant decreases over time.²

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: Drug survival of IL-23 and IL-17 inhibitors versus other biologics for psoriasis: A British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register cohort study

A cohort study assessed the drug survival of IL-23p19 and IL-17 inhibitors for psoriasis using data from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register between November 2007 and June 2023. The analysis included 19,034 treatment courses, with primary outcomes measuring adjusted survival times at 2 years. IL-23p19 inhibitors, guselkumab and risankizumab, had the highest adjusted survival times for effectiveness (1.93 years) and safety (risankizumab 1.94 years, guselkumab 1.92 years). Brodalumab had lower survival for effectiveness (1.75 years) but comparable safety (1.85 years). Psoriatic arthritis reduced ustekinumab survival, and prior biologic use decreased survival, especially with IL-17 inhibitors.³

Clinical Case Reports: Dermoscopy Assisting Diagnosis of Dermal Melanocytosis Limited to the Hand

Researchers recently reported the case of a 32-year-old male who presented with gray-blue hyperpigmented patches on his left index finger for 7 years, leading to a diagnosis of acquired dermal melanocytosis (ADM). Dermoscopy showed bluish-gray spots, and a skin biopsy revealed scattered melanocytes in the dermis. The differential diagnosis included conditions like blue nevus and acral melanoma, but the patient's dermoscopic features and biopsy results excluded these. The patient was advised Q-switched laser treatment but declined.⁴

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health: A Clinical Prediction Model to Assist Screening Patients for Scabies in Primary Care

A clinical prediction model was developed to assist in diagnosing scabies in primary care, using demographic and symptom-based data. The model was created from a scabies prevalence survey conducted in Auckland, New Zealand, and analyzed through logistic regression. Key predictors of scabies diagnosis included age, symptoms of itch in the child and close contacts, and household members experiencing insect bites or skin sores. The model showed good accuracy, with a high Harrell's concordance index (0.96 for clinical diagnosis and 0.85 for qPCR-based diagnosis) and favorable calibration slopes (0.82 and 0.77, respectively).⁵

References

1. Nakazawa A, Ito T, Numata T, Sakai N, Okubo Y, Harada K. Clinical manifestations in 32 cases of mpox infection: A retrospective study in a single dermatology clinic in Japan. J Dermatol. 2025 May 30. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.17789.
2. Chakmakchi AMJ, Alatas ET, Yurekli A, Aydoğdu CT, Pektas SD. Therapeutic modulation of Demodex density via isotretinoin: Insights from a prospective dermatological investigation. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025 May 28. doi:10.1111/jocd.70249.
3. Motedayen Aval L, Yiu ZZN, Alabas OA, et al. Drug survival of IL-23 and IL-17 inhibitors versus other biologics for psoriasis: A British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register cohort study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2025 May 29. doi:10.1111/jdv.20739.
4. Huang M, Huang W, Wang C, Li Q, Qin G. Dermoscopy assisting diagnosis of dermal melanocytosis limited to the hand. Case Rep Dermatol. 2025 Jun 1. doi:10.1002/ccr3.70548.
5. Zaveri S, Nambiar T, Thornley S, et al. A clinical prediction model to assist screening patients for scabies in primary care. J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 May 29. doi:10.1111/jpc.70100.

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