Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a carcinogenic agent responsible for tumor development in many sexually involved tissues. We present a survey on the prevalence of HPV infection in a risk population for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The studied population was formed by 125 STI clinic attendees, who took part in a screening program on STIs. To be included in the study, the patients had to show no overt clinical signs of HPV infection. Genital (cervical in women, urethral in men), anal, and oral samples were collected with ThinPrep liquid based cytology preparation system. Overall, of the screened population, 56% proved positive for genital HPV, 37% for oral HPV, and 42% for anal HPV infection. Our data indicate that in STI patients, HPV infection is more prevalent, than previously estimated. Further studies are needed to better understand the epidemiological burden of HPV in sexually involved tissues, especially in the oral mucosa.

Background: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a self-limiting exanthematous disease associated with human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 and/or HHV-7 reactivation. In pregnant women, PR may be associated with pregnancy complications. Objective: To determine relevant risk factors in the development of negative pregnancy outcome in PR. Methods: Between 2005 and 2017 at the Department of Dermatology, University of Genoa, we recruited 76 women who developed PR during pregnancy. In 60 patients without known risk factors for intrauterine fetal death (30 with pregnancy complications and 30 without) we analyzed the pregnancy week of PR onset, presence of enanthem and of constitutional symptoms, PR body surface area involvement, age, and in 50 patients (20 with pregnancy complications and 30 without), the viral load of HHV-6 and HHV-7 (copies/mL). Results: In logistic regression analysis, early onset of PR (p = 0.0017) and enanthem (p = 0.0392) proved to be significantly associated with pregnancy complications. HHV-6 viral load (copies/mL) (p < 0.0001), constitutional symptoms (p < 0.001), and PR body surface area involvement (p < 0.004) were also significantly associated with pregnancy complications. Conclusion: The onset of PR before week 15 and enanthem may be considered major risk factors that should alarm the dermatologist. Constitutional symptoms and involvement of > 50% of the body area may be considered minor risk factors.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus spread in childhood by contact with saliva. In all populations, the great majority of people are infected by middle age. EBV can cause asymptomatic infection, nonspecific symptoms or, especially in adolescents and young adults, the infectious mononucleosis (IM), characterized by pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, fatigue, and fever. Two main types of skin rashes, accounted as atypical exanthems, occur in patients with acute IM: a faint erythematous maculopapular eruption of 24-48 hours duration (5-15% of the patients) or a pruritic maculopapular rash in almost all patients receiving ampicillin or amoxicillin. Moreover EBV acute infection has been related to other cutaneous manifestations, such as Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, unilateral laterothoracic exanthem (especially in children), and others. In this study, we reported a case of atypical exanthem with an erythematous-papulovesicular pattern in a 22-year-old female patient with IM and performed a review of the literature of the cutaneous and mucosal eruptions occurring during EBV acute infections.

We report the third case of cutaneous lichen planus (LP) following COVID‐19 BNT162b2 vaccination in a 59‐year‐old woman with previous LP. The reactivation of LP in patients with dormant LP suggests a possible vaccine‐induced immune dysregulation. We suggest that the already described vaccine‐induced upregulation of Th1 response may play a relevant role in LP reactivation, through an increase in inflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of LP. Interestingly, LP has already been associated with vaccinations and viral infections including COVID‐19 disease. However, the exact mechanism underlying LP (re)activation after Pfizer‐BiotNtech COVID‐19 vaccination is still widely unknown and needs to be further investigated.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines can cause adverse reactions, mainly from vaccine-induced immune responses. Some of these may also involve the skin and worry unaware patients. A better understanding of such adverse reactions may reduce concerns and help promote the vaccination of large population groups. Methods: All the reports of patients admitted to our Dermatology Primary Care, from March 2021 to June 2021, were retrospectively examined to collect descriptive data on skin reactions arising after COVID-19 vaccination. Results: Out of 200 vaccinated patients admitted to the Dermatology Primary Care, 21 (10.5%) referred cutaneous reactions with onset after vaccination. Only one patient required hospitalization for generalized bullous erythema multiforme, which occurred 48 h after the second vaccine dose. The other patients' cutaneous reactions to vaccination were of mild/moderate degree.Three patients presented exacerbation of their cutaneous diseases. Conclusions: Cutaneous reactions observed in our sample were mostly mild or moderate. Awareness must be raised to recognize and treat eventual severe reactions. Future studies are needed to assess the incidence of cutaneous reactions following COVID-19 vaccination.