47: The Ichthyoses Flashcards
What is the hallmark of ichthyosis and what does it reflect?
Generalized scaling is the hallmark of ichthyosis, reflecting altered differentiation of the epidermis.
What are the primary criteria for classifying ichthyoses according to the revised nomenclature?
The primary criteria for classification include whether the disorder is limited to the skin (nonsyndromic) or affects the skin and other organ systems (syndromic), its mode of inheritance, and disease pathobiology.
What are the important features in distinguishing different forms of ichthyosis?
Important features include:
- Age of onset
- Presence of collodion membrane at birth
- Quality of scale
- Presence or absence of erythroderma
- Abnormalities in other parts of the skin and adnexal structures.
What is the significance of genetic analysis in ichthyosis?
Genetic analysis can support clinical diagnosis and may indicate the presence of ichthyosis in adulthood as a marker of systemic disease.
What are the common tests used to determine underlying genetic defects in ichthyosis?
Common tests include:
- Fetoscopy, fetal skin biopsy - late in pregnancy
- CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling) - 10-12 weeks
- Amniocentesis - second trimester
- Mutational analysis
- Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
- Carrier detection for at-risk relatives for AR disorders in which mutation is known.
What are the two main categories of ichthyosis based on genetic inheritance?
The two main categories are:
- Autosomal Dominant (AD) diseases - high frequency of spontaneous/de novo mutations.
- Autosomal Recessive (AR) diseases - often associated with paternal consanguinity.
What are the primary functions of keratinocytes in the epidermis?
Keratinocytes serve as the primary cell type of the epidermis, providing resilience and water retention, acting as a barrier to mechanical trauma and desiccation, and undergoing regular differentiation.
What are the common therapeutic approaches for managing ichthyosis?
The common therapeutic approaches for ichthyosis include:
- Hydration - Softens skin surface, especially in moist climates and with long baths.
- Lubrication - Prolongs hydration and softening, using bath oils or lubricants before drying.
- Keratolysis - Enhances corneocyte desquamation to remove scale and thin hyperkeratotic stratum corneum using keratolytic creams and lotions containing urea, salicylic acid, or alpha-hydroxy acids.
What is the clinical presentation of ichthyosis vulgaris?
Ichthyosis vulgaris typically manifests within the first year of life, with scaling most prominent on extensor surfaces of extremities, sparing flexural and diaper areas. The scaling may be centrally attached, with ‘cracking’ at the edges.
What genetic mutations are associated with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis?
Genetic mutations associated with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis include:
- Transglutaminase-1: Catalyzes cross-linking of proteins and attachment of ceramides during corneocyte formation.
- Netherton syndrome (SPINK5): Encodes a serine protease inhibitor involved in normal epidermal differentiation.
- Filaggrin (FLG): Results in reduced or absent filaggrin and decreased moisture binding in the stratum corneum.
What is the role of filaggrin in the skin barrier function?
Filaggrin is an epidermal protein that aggregates keratin intermediate filaments and retains moisture in the stratum corneum. It is synthesized as a high-molecular-weight precursor, profilaggrin, and is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier.
A patient with ichthyosis vulgaris has a severe phenotype. What genetic mutation is likely responsible, and how does it affect the skin?
The severe phenotype is likely due to mutations in both profilaggrin alleles (homozygotes or compound heterozygotes). This results in reduced or absent filaggrin, leading to decreased moisture binding in the stratum corneum.
How does the absence or decrease of filaggrin contribute to the clinical features of ichthyosis vulgaris?
The absence or decrease of filaggrin leads to:
- Impaired aggregation of keratin intermediate filaments, resulting in reduced moisture retention in the stratum corneum.
- Keratinocytes maturing into corneocytes may not properly collapse and cross-link, affecting the integrity of the cornified cell envelope.
- This contributes to the characteristic scaling and dryness seen in ichthyosis vulgaris, as well as associations with atopic dermatitis due to compromised barrier function.
What are the clinical features of ichthyosis vulgaris, and how do they manifest in patients?
Clinical features of ichthyosis vulgaris include:
- Onset within the first year of life.
- Scaling most prominent on extensor surfaces of extremities, with sparing of flexural and diaper areas.
- Scaling may be centrally attached, often leading to cracking at the edges.
- Patients may exhibit a mild phenotype if they carry one mutated allele, while those with mutations in both profilaggrin alleles may present with a severe phenotype.
What role do genetic mutations play in the pathogenesis of ichthyosis, particularly in relation to keratin and filaggrin?
Genetic mutations involved in ichthyosis include:
- Keratin 1 and 10 mutations: Affect the polymerization of keratin intermediate filaments, leading to compromised skin barrier function.
- Transglutaminase-1 mutations: Disrupt the cross-linking of proteins and attachment of ceramides, affecting corneocyte formation.
- Filaggrin (FLG) mutations: Result in reduced moisture binding in the stratum corneum, contributing to dryness and scaling.
These mutations collectively impair the skin’s barrier function, leading to the clinical manifestations of ichthyosis.
What are the clinical features of X-linked recessive ichthyosis (XLI)?
- May begin in the newborn period
- Scaling, more prominent on extensors
- Hyperlinear palms and soles
- Comma-shaped corneal opacities
- Increased risk of cryptorchidism and testicular cancer
What is the etiology of X-linked recessive ichthyosis (XLI)?
- Absence/Decrease in Steroid Sulfatase (Arylsulfatase C) enzyme activity
- Steroid sulfatase hydrolyzes sulfate esters, inhibiting proteases that degrade corneodesmosomes
- High serum cholesterol levels noted in many cases
What are the management strategies for X-linked recessive ichthyosis (XLI)?
- Long bathwater soaks for prominent scaling
- Emollients to manage skin condition
What are the clinical features of a collodion baby?
- Present at birth with red, scaly skin
- Encased in a translucent, parchment-like membrane
- May impair respiration and sucking
- Membrane breaks up and peels off during the first 2 weeks of life
What is the etiology and pathogenesis of collodion baby presentations?
- In utero aqueous environment contributes to collodion presentation
- An AR self-healing collodion phenotype described, where skin clears within weeks
- Mutations in ALOX12B, ALOX3E, or TGM1.
What management strategies are recommended for collodion babies?
- Newborn care including monitoring for infection, temperature, hydration, and electrolytes
- Pain management and eye care
- Use of humidified incubator and wet compresses to hydrate the membrane
- Release of constricting bands via curettage or debridement to prevent complications
A patient with ichthyosis has generalized scaling, sparing the flexural areas, and hyperlinear palms. What is the diagnosis, and what environmental factors worsen the condition?
The diagnosis is Ichthyosis Vulgaris. The condition worsens in dry, cold environments and improves in warm, humid environments.
A patient with ichthyosis has a history of prolonged labor and corneal opacities. What is the likely diagnosis, and what enzyme deficiency is involved?
The likely diagnosis is X-linked Recessive Ichthyosis (XLI), caused by a deficiency in the steroid sulfatase enzyme.
What are the clinical features that distinguish X-linked recessive ichthyosis (XLI) from ichthyosis vulgaris?
XLI may begin in the newborn period and presents with scaling that is more prominent on extensors. In contrast to ichthyosis vulgaris, XLI shows more severe involvement with larger scale, comma-shaped corneal opacities, and affected males have an increased risk of cryptorchidism and testicular cancer.