SummaryHuman Demodex mites (Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis) hold a high rank in the evolutionary and phylogenetic hierarchy of the skin microbiome, although in most people their presence is of no consequence. While human demodicosis is a skin disease sui generis, it can mimic many other inflammatory dermatoses, such as folliculitis, rosacea and perioral dermatitis, leading to unspecific and confusing descriptions in the literature. Here, we propose to classify human demodicosis into a primary form and a secondary form, which is associated mainly with immunosuppression. The clinical manifestations of primary demodicosis may include (i) spinulate demodicosis, currently known as pityriasis folliculorum, involving sebaceous hair follicles without visible inflammation; (ii) papulopustular/nodulocystic or conglobate demodicosis with pronounced inflammation affecting most commonly the perioral and periorbital areas of the face; (iii) ocular demodicosis, inducing chronic blepharitis, chalazia or, less commonly, keratoconjunctivitis; and (iv) auricular demodicosis causing external otitis or myringitis. Secondary demodicosis is usually associated with systemic or local immunosuppression. Treatment is only weakly evidence based, and the most effective concentrations of acaricides remain to be determined. Optimization of an in vitro or ex vivo culture model is necessary for future studies. Endosymbiosis between certain bacteria and Demodex mites in the pathogenesis of demodicosis deserves more attention. Further clinical observations and experiments are needed to prove our hypothesis.

Acne, one of the most common skin disorders, is also a cardinal component of many systemic diseases or syndromes. Their association illustrates the nature of these diseases and is indicative of the pathogenesis of acne. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and seborrhoea-acne-hirsutism-androgenetic alopecia (SAHA) syndrome highlight the role of androgen steroids, while polycystic ovary (PCO) and hyperandrogenism-insulin resistance-acanthosis nigricans (HAIR-AN) syndromes indicate insulin resistance in acne. Apert syndrome with increased fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) signalling results in follicular hyperkeratinization and sebaceous gland hypertrophy in acne. Synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis (SAPHO) and pyogenic arthritis-pyoderma gangrenosum-acne (PAPA) syndromes highlight the attributes of inflammation to acne formation. Advances in the understanding of the manifestation and molecular mechanisms of these syndromes will help to clarify acne pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutic modalities.

The increased CD63 expression in basophils from CSU patients may correlate with allergen sensitization, autoreactivity of serum and basophil reactivity. Our results suggest that CD63 may contribute new insight into the pathogenesis of CSU.

Clinical symptoms and the quality of life of AD with HDM sensitization could be improved after 2 years of ASIT. Changes in serum IL-10, TGF-β1, s-IgG4 and IFN-γ might be considered as biomarkers to assist clinical evaluation of the therapeutic effects of ASIT in patients with AD.

BackgroundAnaemia of chronic disease (ACD) is the second most common type of anaemia and lacks an effective treatment. Patients with anaemia are reported to have altered gut microbial profiles, which may affect erythropoiesis. Here, we investigated the gut microbial features of patients with ACD and determined whether regulating gut microbiota using washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) was effective in treating ACD.MethodsWe compared the gut microbiota profile of patients with ACD and healthy controls, evaluated the efficacy of WMT on haematological parameters in the patients, and analysed the alterations in gut microbiota after WMT treatment.ResultsPatients with ACD had lower gut microbial richness, and differences in microbial composition and function, relative to healthy controls. Additionally, the relative abundances of two butyrate‐producing genera Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and Butyricicoccus, were positively correlated with the haemoglobin (HGB) level and lower in patients with ACD than controls. WMT significantly increased HGB levels in patients with ACD. After the first, second and third WMT rounds, normal HGB levels were restored in 27.02%, 27.78% and 36.37% (all p < .05) of patients with ACD, respectively. Moreover, WMT significantly increased the abundance of butyrate‐producing genera and downregulated gut microbial functions that were upregulated in patients with ACD.ConclusionsPatients with ACD exhibited differences in gut microbial composition and function relative to healthy controls. WMT is an effective treatment for ACD that reshapes gut microbial composition, restores butyrate‐producing bacteria and regulates the functions of gut microbiota.