Thiazide diuretic therapy and chronic photosensitivity

Chronic photosensitivity associated with hydrochlorothiazide ingestion occurred in four patients. These patients developed a debilitating photosensitivity that persisted for months to years even after they stopped taking the diuretic. Their age range was 44 to 66 years. Phototesting with ultraviolet B (UV-B) and ultraviolet A (UV-A) radiation revealed decreased minimal erythemal doses for one or both wave bands in all patients tested. Histologic examination of skin biopsy specimens from the patients' UV-B and UV-A test sites and lesional skin revealed an acute eczematous dermatitis. Treatment with methoxsalen and UV-A radiation successfully cleared the photosensitive eruption in the patients.     

Chronic actinic dermatitis. Study of the spectrum of chronic photosensitivity in 12 patients

Twelve patients with photodermatitis for longer than 3 months' duration were identified: 1 patient with chronic photocontact dermatitis, 1 with persistent photosensitivity following exposure to a systemic medication, 6 with persistent light reactivity, and 4 with actinic reticuloid. There were 10 men and 2 women, ranging in age from 27 to 81 years, with a mean age of 62 years. The duration of the eruption ranged from 6 months to 20 years. Persistence of photosensitivity to quinidine, which is analogous to persistent light reactivity, was documented in 1 patient, and evolution from photocontact dermatitis to actinic reticuloid was observed in 2 others. These data, along with those reported in the literature, indicate that chronic photocontact dermatitis, persistent photosensitivity to systemic agents, persistent light reactivity, photosensitive eczema, and actinic reticuloid should be considered as entities occurring along a continuum, and the term "chronic actinic dermatitis" is suggested to refer to these entities. Eight (67%) of the 12 patients had skin type VI and 2 others (17%) had skin type V, percentages markedly higher than those of the general patient population, demonstrating that chronic actinic dermatitis is not uncommon among individuals with dark skin.     

The successful use of topical tacrolimus treatment for a chronic actinic dermatitis patient with complications of idiopathic leukopenia

Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is a photosensitivity disorder marked by severe eczematous lesions on exposed areas. Although associations with contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been suggested, its pathogenesis remains unknown. CAD is often refractory, and systemic administration of cyclosporin A has been the treatment of choice. Recently, topical tacrolimus therapy has been reported to be effective. We report the efficacy of topical tacrolimus treatment in a CAD patient who also had the complication of idiopathic leukopenia. A phototest showed marked suppression of erythema formation in the skin pre-treated with tacrolimus before UVB radiation but not in the skin treated after the irradiation. Therefore, it is suggested that tacrolimus may prevent UV-B induced erythema by suppressing a very early phase of the inflammatory process in CAD.     

Successful treatment of nodular actinic reticuloid with tacrolimus ointment

Actinic reticuloid (AR) is the severest clinical variant of chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) and describes a persistent photoinduced skin disorder often associated with delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. Histopathologically, AR resembles pseudolymphoma and may also show features of cutaneous lymphoma. In contrast to other UV-induced skin diseases, AR patients show persistent photosensitivity to UV radiation and visible light parallel to permanent changes of skin texture with infiltrated papules and thickened plaques. Therapeutically, CAD is a problematic condition. Daily application of sun protection has to be combined with local or systemic immunosuppression. However, various therapeutic approaches including systemic corticosteroids and other systemic immunosuppressive agents are limited by severe side effects. Tacrolimus, a Streptomyces-derived immunosuppressive macrolide antibiotic and inhibitor of calcineurin, has been proven successful in various inflammatory skin diseases including atopic eczema, allergic contact dermatitis and photodermatoses without undesired side effects. We present a case of severe recalcitrant and nodular chronic actinic dermatitis responding to topically applied tacrolimus (Protopic). To avoid further relapses we continued this therapy twice a day over a period of 2 years.     

Chronic actinic dermatitis associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Chronic actinic dermatitis is a photodistributed, eczematous dermatitis that preferentially affects elderly men and persists for months to years. Its occurrence in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been described in five patients. We report four additional cases of this uncommon, chronic photodermatosis associated with HIV infection. In two of the patients, photosensitivity was a presenting disorder leading to the diagnosis of HIV infection. All patients were men of skin type VI with a mean age of 50 years, all had decreased minimal erythema doses to ultraviolet B, three of the four patients had decreased minimal erythema doses to ultraviolet A and all had CD4 cell counts of < 200 times; 10⁶/L.     

Is monochromatic irradiation testing useful in the differentiation of drug-induced photosensitivity from chronic actinic dermatitis?

Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is an uncommon, eczematous photosensitive eruption affecting predominantly elderly men and to which drug-induced photosensitivity may sometimes appear clinically identical. This retrospective study compares the monochromatic irradiation results in 11 patients with CAD and 14 patients with drug-induced photosensitivity, to assess whether such testing is useful in the differentiation of these two conditions. Thus, the action spectra of the drug photosensitivity patients were plotted and compared with those of 12 nonphotosensitive control patients: 10 patients were found to be photosensitive in the UVA range; the implicated drugs included quinine, sparfloxacin, amiodarone, doxycycline, mefenamic acid, nalidixic acid, fenbrufen, diclofenac, enalapril, diltiazem and prochlorperazine maleate. One patient on doxycycline was photosensitive in both the UVA and UVB ranges. The remaining three patients were not tested until after discontinuation of their drug and their light tests were then normal. In the CAD group, five patients were photosensitive in the UVA, UVB and visible light ranges and six were photosensitive in the UVA and UVB ranges. Comparison of the mean minimal erythema dose responses then demonstrated dissociation of the drug-induced from the CAD group in the UVB region; the result was statistically significant. This suggests that UVA-sensitivity dissociated from UVB-sensitivity is a relative indicator of drug-induced photosensitivity and monochromatic irradiation testing may therefore be helpful in the differentiation of these two disorders.     

Photosensitivity: the 9-year experience at a Sydney contact dermatitis clinic

In this retrospective study, 81 patients with photosensitivity were referred to the Contact and Occupational Dermatitis Clinic at The Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia, in Sydney, between 1991 and 1999. Photoallergic contact dermatitis (PACD) was diagnosed in 39.5% of patients, with 87.5% of these reactions being to sunscreen chemicals. Polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) accounted for 19.7% of cases, drug photosensitivity 14.8%, and photoaggravated atopic dermatitis and chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) each constituted 7.4%. Compared with overseas studies, there was a high incidence of PACD, possibly reflecting the referral bias and widespread use of sunscreens. The incidence of PMLE and CAD was less than studies from cooler climates overseas. No cause could be determined for three photosensitive patients.     

Delayed contact allergies in patients with photosensitivity dermatitis

Delayed contact allergies and the clinical course of the skin disease were investigated in 14 patients with photosensitivity dermatitis/actinic reticuloid and 145 patients with polymorphous light eruption type eczema. Hypersensitivity to chromium and rubber chemicals was encountered in photosensitivity dermatitis more often than in polymorphous light eruption eczema and in the comparison series of 1714 patients with other types of dermatitis. In the eczema group, delayed contact allergies to chromium, rubber chemicals, neomycin, clioquinol, balsam of Peru, fragrance and colophonium were more frequent than in the comparison group, suggesting that at least delayed contact allergy to chromium and rubber chemicals may be of significance in the development of photosensitivity in many patients who suffer eczematous reaction to sunlight.     

Chronic photosensitivity

Chronic photosensitivity is an incompletely understood syndrome that is difficult to diagnose and treat. Persistent light reaction, actinic reticuloid, and photosensitive eczema most commonly occur in middle-aged and elderly patients and have overlapping features. These conditions may all be persistent light reactions to known and unknown photosensitizers. Actinic prurigo usually occurs in childhood but may be delayed in onset to adult life; it is frequently associated with atopy. The diagnosis of these conditions requires a detailed history, histologic examination of the skin, phototesting, and photopatch testing. A conservative approach to therapy consists of avoidance of the activating wavelengths and use of topical corticosteroids. However, this treatment is often unsuccessful, and PUVA therapy is an effective alternative approach.     

The natural history of chronic actinic dermatitis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognosis for resolution of abnormal cutaneous photosensitivity in patients with chronic actinic dermatitis (also known as the photosensitivity dermatitis and actinic reticuloid syndrome). DESIGN: Historical cohort study involving follow-up of patients for up to 24 years from diagnosis. SETTING: A Scottish tertiary referral center for investigation of photodermatosis. PATIENTS: One hundred seventy-eight patients with chronic actinic dermatitis, 62% of a cohort of 285 living patients identified in the Photobiology Unit database. INTERVENTIONS: Recall for repeated clinical assessment and monochromator phototesting. All patients underwent patch testing when initially assessed; this was repeated at follow-up in a subgroup of patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resolution of abnormal photosensitivity, defined as clinical resolution and return of phototest responses to within normal population limits. In addition, possible prognostic factors for resolution of photosensitivity were examined. RESULTS: The probability of abnormal photosensitivity resolving by 10 years from diagnosis is 1 in 5. Particularly severe abnormal UV-B photosensitivity (minimal erythema dose at 305+/-5 nm half-maximum bandwidth, < or =5.6 mJ x cm(-2)) and the identification of separate contact allergens in 2 or more patch test batteries are predictors of a poorer prognosis for resolution. Loss of contact allergies was not associated with a different prognosis for photosensitivity resolution. Our findings probably underestimate the probability of resolution, as those referred to a tertiary referral center and willing to attend for follow-up may include a disproportionate number of severely affected patients. CONCLUSIONS: Newly diagnosed patients can be told that most of them will improve with appropriate UV/visible light and allergen avoidance and that there is hope that their photosensitivity will completely resolve.     

Chronic actinic dermatitis treated with mycophenolate mofetil

Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is a persistent photodermatosis that usually affects elderly men. We report two male patients, aged 55 years (patient A) and 49 years (patient B), who presented with an eczematous eruption on sun-exposed skin. Phototesting revealed a markedly reduced 24-h minimal erythema dose (MED). Both patients had refractory disease and developed significant side-effects to conventional therapies, including topical steroids, prednisolone, psoralen with ultraviolet A, azathioprine and ciclosporin. They had each received at least 6 years of treatment prior to commencing mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Each noted a significant improvement in symptoms within 6 weeks and subsequent clearing of the eczematous lesions. Patient A still requires continuous treatment with MMF 500 mg twice daily to prevent relapses. Patient B maintains remission by using MMF 1 g twice daily only during the spring and summer months. Both patients have tolerated the treatment well with no abnormalities in blood cell counts or liver biochemistry. Since commencing MMF, their quality of life has significantly improved. These observations suggests that MMF should be considered as an alternative treatment to conventional therapies for refractory CAD.     

慢性光化性皮炎2例

慢性光化性皮炎是一组以长期皮肤丘疹、红斑等皮炎样表现的慢性光敏感性皮肤病,临床易误诊。例1男,50岁。面、颈部弥漫性、浸润性红斑1个月,以夏季为重。皮损组织病理示皮炎湿疹样改变,诊断为慢性光化性皮炎,给予羟氯喹口服,外用维生素E霜,目前患者仍在随访中。例2男,55岁。鼻面部弥漫性、浸润性暗红色斑块4～5年,皮损组织病理示淋巴瘤样改变,诊断为慢性光化性皮炎,治疗瞩避光,给予羟氯喹、咪唑斯汀、氯苯那敏口服,外用维生素E霜、丁酸氢化可的松软膏,目前患者仍在随访中。     

Diagnosis and treatment of chronic actinic dermatitis

Chronic actinic dermatitis, synonymous with the photosensitivity dermatitis and actinic reticuloid syndrome, presents as a dermatitis and/or a pseudolymphomatous eruption. Abnormal photosensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) and often visible radiation is a feature. Many patients also have multiple contact allergens. Histopathologic features vary, with a spectrum from mild dermatitis to pseudolymphomatous (reticuloid) features. The essential tests to make the diagnosis and to guide advice on avoidance of the responsible wavelengths and any contact allergens are phototesting and patch testing. Chronic actinic dermatitis can be regarded as a disorder of increased susceptibility, for reasons that remain uncertain, to develop delayed-type allergic responses to both endogenous photoallergens and exogenous allergens. Treatment consists of detailed advice on sunlight and allergen avoidance (guided by the results of investigations), topical corticosteroids, and emollients. When these measures are insufficient alone, systemic immunosuppressives may be considered: systemic prednisolone for acute exacerbations or azathioprine if systemic treatment is required for more than a few weeks.     

Case report of four patients with erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and severe photosensitivity mimicking chronic actinic dermatitis

The marked photosensitivity associated with chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is presumed to be due to a T cell-mediated response to ultraviolet (UV)-induced epidermal neoantigens. Photosensitivity is, however, a rare occurrence in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). We discuss a series of four patients with erythrodermic CTCL who exhibited marked photosensitivity mimicking CAD. Significantly, the tumour cells had a CD8 phenotype in half of these patients. All patients had T-cell clones in skin and also demonstrated identical peripheral T-cell clones in blood or lymph node involvement. Sézary cell counts ranged from 6% to 20%, CD4/CD8 ratios from 0·22 to 23·5. Clinical presentation was striking for a marked photosensitive distribution. Monochromator irradiation testing revealed reduced minimal erythema doses throughout UVB and UVA ranges, findings consistent with those seen in CAD. All patients subsequently died from systemic disease. These findings suggest that, rarely, malignant clonal T-cell populations may recognize a unique UV-induced neoantigen, resulting in the clinical features of severe photosensitivity mimicking those seen in CAD.     

The relationship between exposure to fragrance materials and persistent light reaction in the photosensitivity dermatitis with actinic reticuloid syndrome

Contact allergic sensitivity to allergens such as plants of the Compositae family is a feature of the chronic skin reaction seen in the photosensitivity dermatitis with actinic reticuloid syndrome. In fifty patients with this syndrome an increased incidence of contact allergic sensitivity to some common fragrance materials was demonstrated. Evidence is also presented, both by in vitro and in vivo studies, which indicates that a phototoxic mechanism is involved. The relevance of continued exposure to common allergens and their involvement in photosensitization mechanisms is discussed in an attempt to explain the state of ‘persistent light reaction.’     

Chronic actinic dermatitis

A 52-year-old man experienced a pruritic and erythematous eruption on his face, neck, upper chest, and arms. On examination his lesions consisted of edematous, erythematous plaques with scale and lichenified plaques. His clinical presentation, a skin biopsy specimen with a spongiotic dermatitis, positive patch and photopatch tests, and low MEDB and MEDA tests provided a diagnosis of chronic actinic dermatitis.     

Persistent light reaction associated with photoallergic contact dermatitis to musk ambrette and allergic contact dermatitis to fragrance mix

A 57-year-old man suffering from persistent light reaction with photocontact allergy to musk ambrette and contact allergy to fragrance mix was evaluated. A lowered minimal erythema dose to UV-B (MED-UV-B) was seen. Reactions to long-wave UV-A and visible radiation were normal. A skin biopsy from one MED-UV-B, taken 24 h after irradiation, showed acute spongiotic dermatitis.     

慢性光化性皮炎42例临床分析

目的探讨慢性光化性皮炎的诱发因素,临床特征,病理,光敏特征,治疗情况和复发情况。方法回顾性分析42例慢性光化性皮炎患者治疗前及治疗出院后3个月内的临床资料。结果 42例患者中,皮疹分布于暴露部位皮肤,为浸润性增厚的苔藓样丘疹和斑块等改变,有光敏感,男女比率为20∶1,50~70岁年龄段的患者占81%,从事农业劳动者占78.6%,病程长于5年者占50%,光学试验中78.9%的患者中波紫外线最小红斑量值(ultraviolet B-minimal erythema dose,UVB-MED)低于正常,为8~20 mJ/cm2之间;治疗上严格避光,给予大剂量糖皮质激素可迅速控制病情,但3个月内复发迅速,使用复方甘草酸苷注射液、沙利度胺、羟氯喹的方案起效较慢,但3个月内效果持久。结论慢性光化性皮炎的发生与日光照射密切相关,避光是治疗关键,应减少糖皮质激素在治疗中的应用。     

Tungsten lamp and chronic actinic dermatitis

Chronic actinic dermatitis is often associated with sensitivity to UV light. It is not well recognised that chronic actinic dermatitis may be exacerbated by light in the visible spectrum. We describe an unusual case of chronic actinic dermatitis exacerbated by a tungsten lamp, which emits light in the visible spectrum.     

Chronic actinic dermatitis: a time course study of histopathological changes.

We report herein a case of chronic actinic dermatitis in which histopathological changes were observed on several occasions during the course of 2 years. The findings were quite different among stages of the eruption. At a half year after the appearance of the lesion, histological findings revealed eczematous changes. However, gradually a granulomatous change appeared with histiocytes and giant cells. Although the mechanism of histogenesis is not clear, the appearance of histiocytic giant cells seems to be unusual in chronic actinic dermatitis.