Vol 29, No 4 (2026)

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis rubra pilaris (Devergie disease) is a rare chronic inflammatory skin disease belonging to the group of papulosquamous dermatoses, clinically characterized by erythematous papules and plaques with frequent development of erythroderma. Erythroderma can also be observed in psoriasis and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides). These diseases may have similar clinical manifestations; however, the histological signs of erythroderma are often non-specific, which complicates verification of the diagnosis. Furthermore, when mycosis fungoides is suspected, additional diagnostic methods and the development of a differential diagnostic algorithm for diseases presenting with erythroderma are required.

AIM: To conduct a comparative analysis of clinical, anamnestic, histological, and immunohistochemical features of the erythrodermic form of pityriasis rubra pilaris, psoriasis, and mycosis fungoides based on published data and the results of our study, with the subsequent development of a differential diagnostic algorithm for erythroderma.

METHODS: The study involved a review of data published in 2000–2025 using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, as well as the results of a clinical and epidemiological study conducted in 2014–2024.

RESULTS: According to published data, erythroderma develops in a significant proportion of patients with pityriasis rubra pilaris, whereas in psoriasis it is observed in 1–2.25% of cases, and in late-stage mycosis fungoides — in 17.3% of patients. Pityriasis rubra pilaris is characterized by a bimodal age incidence peak: the first peak occurs in childhood, the second in adulthood. The onset of the disease is usually acute or subacute. The rash typically shows caudal spread with possible spontaneous regression. Key differential diagnostic features of pityriasis rubra pilaris are salmon-colored plaques that coalesce to develop erythroderma, the presence of "islands" of spared skin, palmoplantar keratoderma, and alopecia. It was previously believed that a positive response to systemic retinoids combined with an absent or minimal response to phototherapy could be considered an important clinical diagnostic criterion favoring pityriasis rubra pilaris in the differential diagnosis from psoriasis and mycosis fungoides. However, resistance and insufficient response to systemic retinoid therapy are currently being reported with increasing frequency.

CONCLUSION: Differential diagnosis of the erythrodermic form of pityriasis rubra pilaris, psoriasis, and mycosis fungoides requires an integrated approach, based on clinical and anamnestic data analysis and the results of laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods. The proposed algorithm for the differential diagnosis of diseases presenting with erythroderma serves as a valuable tool for accurate and rapid verification of the diagnosis and the prompt selection of targeted therapy.

Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder where the loss of melanocytes results into repigmentation areas on the skin. Narrowband Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) 311 nm phototherapy, characterized by its efficacy and safety, is widely accepted as an effective treatment of vitiligo with repigmentation stabilization. This review compares the efficacy and safety of home-based NB-UVB therapy versus outpatient NB-UVB therapy. On the one hand, both procedures show comparable efficacies for producing significant repigmentation. In this sense, home-based therapy has the added advantages of convenience and flexibility while representing a real transformation from traditional model to modern pattern. But the success of home-based therapy depends highly on proper patient education and adherence to treatment protocols and regular monitoring to prevent misuse as well as potential adverse effects. Outpatient therapy provides the benefit of professional supervision, so that accurate dosing can be ensured and immediate intervention in case of any side effect can be given, thus making it more suitable for patients with complex medical conditions. The review also highlights the importance of telemedicine in enhancing the feasibility and safety of home-based therapy by allowing remote monitoring and as well as real-time support telemedicine. This allows for increased compliance with patients due to the convenience and flexibility while still offering an alternative therapy method when access to healthcare facilities is lacking. It can be expected that future developments in the field of telemedicine will increasingly improve safety and feasibility while performing therapy at home. It is a matter of using these modalities based on patient-specific needs, wants and circumstances to ensure that every patient receives appropriate care most effective for their condition. Future research should focus on evaluating the cost-effectiveness of both modalities and ways to integrate advanced monitoring technologies into home care. Ultimately, the choice between home-based and out-patient NB-UVB therapy should be tailored to individual patient needs, thus ensuring the best possible treatment results.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AtD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Despite the well-established role of cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), and the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in its pathogenesis, the contribution of IL-2 (-330 T/G, rs2069762) and Janus kinase (JAK) 2 (Val612Phe) gene polymorphisms to disease severity remains poorly understood, particularly in specific populations. Data on the relationship between these genetic variants and the clinical course of atopic dermatitis are lacking, limiting the potential for a personalized approach to risk assessment and disease prognosis.

AIM: To investigate the distribution of alleles and genotypes of IL-2 (-330 T/G, rs2069762) and JAK2 (Val612Phe) polymorphisms in patients with AtD and to evaluate their association with disease severity.

METHODS: This study included 157 patients with atopic dermatitis and 72 healthy controls. Disease severity was assessed using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index (SCORAD). Genotyping of IL-2 (-330 T/G, rs2069762) and JAK2 (Val612Phe) polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis following genomic DNA extraction from peripheral blood. The primary endpoint was the association of these polymorphisms with AtD presence and severity; secondary endpoints included allele and genotype frequencies in the study groups. Statistical analysis comprised comparisons of allele and genotype frequencies, calculation of odds ratios with 95% CI, and assessment of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (p < 0.05).

RESULTS: JAK2 Val612Phe allele frequencies in the overall sample were similar to those in controls (G > 97%); no statistically significant associations with AtD or severity were observed (p > 0.05). For the IL-2 (-330 T/G) polymorphism, the frequency of the GG homozygotes was higher in patients than in controls (16.6% vs 6.9%, respectively). GG carriage was associated with an increased risk of AtD (OR = 2.66; p = 0.048). In patients with severe disease, the association between GG and disease severity was stronger (OR = 4.0; p = 0.025). No study-related adverse events were recorded. These results should be interpreted in light of study limitations, including the small sample size and the lack of functional data on the effect of the -330G variant on IL-2 expression.

CONCLUSION: In this population, the IL-2 -330 T/G polymorphism in the GG homozygous state may be associated with an increased risk and greater severity of AtD, whereas JAK2 Val612Phe showed no significant effect. These findings warrant confirmation in larger, more representative cohorts and, where possible, in functional studies of the -330G variant on IL-2 expression.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic multifactorial dermatosis that poses a serious medical and social problem. It occurs with virtually equal frequency in women and men, and there is a hereditary predisposition to its development. The most significant factors in the development of psoriasis are considered to be ethnicity, genetics, and environmental factors, although immune disorders are also possible. Psoriasis, as a disease associated with various comorbidities, including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and other systems and organs, often causes persistent disability. Early detection and prevention of relapses are an important strategic task for medical specialists.

AIM: To assess the primary incidence of psoriasis in the Russian Federation.

METHODS: An analysis of federal statistical observation forms for 2020–2024, presented in collections of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, was conducted. Primary psoriasis incidence rates in the Russian Federation were calculated.

RESULTS: The study revealed that the average Russian incidence rate of psoriasis for the study period, both in the Russian Federation as a whole and in most federal districts, is trending upward, despite a decline in 2024 compared to the previous year. This upward trend in psoriasis incidence is characteristic of both adults and children. The most unfavorable situation for the general population is found in the Northwestern and Volga Federal Districts, and for children, in the Northwestern and Far Eastern Federal Districts.

CONCLUSION: An increase in primary psoriasis incidence in the Russian Federation was revealed for both adults and children. This indicates the need to study the causes of this increase in incidence and make management decisions on psoriasis prevention among the population.

Crusted scabies is a highly contagious form of scabies, most often diagnosed in patients with immunodeficiency, peripheral sensory impairment, and cognitive impairment, especially in residential care facilities. The problem is particularly relevant due to the high risk of nosocomial outbreaks and the spread of infection among contacts and staff of institutions where a patient with crusted scabies is identified. The clinical presentation of the disease is nonspecific, complicating timely diagnosis and aggravating its course.

A clinical analysis of crusted scabies in a patient with Down syndrome revealed typical manifestations of the disease: mild itching, hyperkeratotic crusts, scalp lesions, and nail changes. The diagnosis of crusted scabies was confirmed by identifying the mite during microscopic examination of a skin scraping and by histological examination of a skin biopsy from the lesion. Treatment consisted of topical antiparasitic and keratolytic agents, as well as a range of preventive measures, which resulted in the patient's recovery.

It is important to note that patients at risk for developing crusted scabies include those with immunodeficiency, impaired peripheral sensitivity, substance use disorder, long-term use of hormonal and cytostatic drugs, the elderly, and those with significant comorbidities (especially cardiovascular and endocrine diseases). Timely diagnosis and implementation of a full range of medical and non-medical measures to treat scabies and prevent its spread are the foundation of care for this group of patients.

On February 17, 2026, the 1166th meeting of the Moscow Society of Dermatovenereologists and Cosmetologists named after A.I. Pospelov was held in honor of the 180th anniversary of the birth of its founder, Professor Alexey Ivanovich Pospelov.

The meeting was held in person in the Golden Ring Hall conference center at the Golden Ring Hotel. A total of 180 participants attended.

The scientific session featured five reports, the first marking the 180th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Moscow Society of Dermatovenereologists and Cosmetologists, Professor Alexey Ivanovich Pospelov.

A.I. Pospelov was born on February 9, 1846, in the Ryazan province (Dankov). He graduated from the Medical Faculty of Moscow University with a degree in medicine, but while still a student he was awarded a medal for his essay "On the difference between the effects of potassium iodide and potassium bromide on the animal body." His Doctor of Medicine dissertation focused on the treatment of syphilis with subcutaneous injections of sublimate. From 1876, A.I. Pospelov worked at the Myasnitsky Hospital as a senior physician (chief physician), where a "Syphilitic Department for the Labor Class" was established in the early 20th century. His name is associated with the launch of the hospital’s pathology department and reforms to the prostitution supervision system. The first meeting of the Moscow Society of Dermatovenereologists and Cosmetologists was held under the chairmanship of A.I. Pospelov. Professor A.I. Pospelov was the head of the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases at Moscow University.

Other reports addressed differential diagnosis and therapy of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, improving the quality of life of patients with eczema and atopic dermatitis, the efficacy of bacteriorhodopsin in psoriasis treatment, and the use of general aerocryotherapy in dermatology.

Parasitic dermatoses retain significance due to their high prevalence in contemporary society. The most frequently encountered diseases are scabies and pediculosis. These dermatoses are commonly observed in groups of individuals living together (nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, hospices, dormitories, orphanages, or barracks). Poor socio-hygienic conditions and non-compliance with personal hygiene rules also contribute to disease development.

Scabies is a zoonotic dermatosis caused by the scabies mite Sarcoptes scabiei hominis. It is characterized by intensely pruritic eruptions and the presence of scabies burrows, which is a pathognomonic sign. It develops at any age, although it is most frequently encountered in children and elderly individuals. Severe forms of the disease include scabies lymphoplasia, scabies erythrodermia, and Norwegian scabies.

Pediculosis is caused by blood-sucking insects ― lice. Three species of lice parasitize human skin: head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis), body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis), and pubic louse (Pthirus pubis). Complications of pediculosis include pyodermias and allergic dermatitis; it should also be noted that lice are vectors of typhus.

Myiasis is a parasitic disease caused by larvae of dipterous flies (Dermatobia hominis). Lesions are frequently detected on the face and scalp, presented as nodules from which serous-purulent contents may be discharged.

Onchocerciasis (“river blindness”) is a chronic parasitic disease caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus. It is characterized not only by skin involvement but also frequently by severe ocular damage.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a vector-borne human disease attributable to the unicellular, flagellated protozoan Leishmania tropica. The infection is transmitted by sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus, with Phlebotomus papatasi being the principal vector.

Trombidiasis is a disease caused by the penetration into the skin of larval mites of the genus Trombidiidae (family Trombiculidae). The infection manifests as local inflammation, papule formation, and erythema at the site of larval insertion.

The photo gallery presents various cases of parasitic dermatoses and their causative agents.