The efficacy of minocycline in inflammatory dermatoses: a case of prurigo pigmentosa of prepubescent onset in Western world

Dermatol Ther. 2015 Jul-Aug;28(4):239-42. doi: 10.1111/dth.12216. Epub 2015 Mar 5.

Abstract

We present a 21-year-old Italian girl with an 8-year history of missed diagnosed prurigo pigmentosa (PP) successfully treated with short monotherapy with minocycline. PP is an inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent pruritic erythematous papules followed by reticular hyperpigmentation usually located on the trunk. About 300 cases of PP have been described mainly in Japan, whereas only few cases have been reported in Italy. This report shows that minocycline is rapidly effective probably through its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species and to inhibit the chemotaxis and neutrophil function. Other than its ethnic rarity, this case is very interesting because it is the third case of PP in Caucasian patient with prepubescent onset.

Keywords: inflammatory disorders; minocycline; prurigo pigmentosa; reticulate hyperpigmentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age of Onset
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperpigmentation / diagnosis
  • Hyperpigmentation / drug therapy*
  • Italy
  • Minocycline / therapeutic use*
  • Prurigo / diagnosis
  • Prurigo / drug therapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Minocycline