Background: In alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU), the chance of full hair regrowth is known to be less than 10%. However, this information is based on a few older studies conducted in the 1950s and 1960s. Objective: We investigated the current long-term prognosis of individuals with AT/AU. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed in patients with AT/AU between 1994 and 2005. Outcome data were collected by reviewing outpatient clinical files or by phone interviews. Finally, the long-term assessment of 70 patients with valid outcome data was performed. Results: Twelve out of 70 patients with AT/AU (17.1%) had complete hair regrowth. Five out of 24 patients with AT (20.8%) showed complete hair regrowth, and 7 of 46 patients with AU (15.2%) achieved complete regrowth. Seventeen out of 70 patients with AT/AU (24.2%) reported hair regrowth greater than or equal to 90%. Thirty patients with AU (65.2%) remained in an alopecic state without improvement, while 5 patients with AT (20.8%) showed no hair regrowth. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the long-term prognosis of AT/AU is more favorable than previously thought. However, the clinical burden of AT/AU is still substantial.

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Background: Bacteriophages have been introduced as living drugs for infectious diseases; thus, they may provide an alternative to conventional acne therapeutics in patients with non-responsive acne. Objective: We investigated the effect of bacteriophages using an acne mouse model with Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammatory nodules by clinical examination, pathology, and immunohistochemical analysis. Methods: A human-isolated P. acnes suspension (10 9 colony forming units/μl) was injected into the backs of myeloperoxidase, interleukin-1β, toll-like receptor-2, LL-37, and matrix metalloproteinase-2/3/9 in all three groups. Conclusion: Using an acne mouse model with P. acnes-induced inflammatory nodules, we demonstrate that bacteriophages may constitute an alternative to conventional acne therapies. However, additional studies are needed for human applications. (Ann Dermatol 31(1) 22∼28, 2019

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