Dyschromatosis universalis: Autosomal dominant pattern

GR Kantharaj, K Siddalingappa, S Chidambara Murthy

 Department of Dermatology and STD, Government Medical College and Hospital, VIMS, Bellary -583 104, India

Correspondence Address:
S Chidambara Murthy
Department of Dermatology and STD, Government Medical College and Hospital, VIMS, Bellary -583 104
India

To the Editor:

We read with interest the article Dyschromatosis Universalis Hereditaria (DUH).[1] They report a case of an Indian woman with no family history of the disorder. Recently we observed 45 and 15 years father and daughter respectively who presented with clinical features suggestive DUH. They had generalized, multiple, hyperpigmented and hypopigmented lesions over the trunk and extremities. Lesions were noticed also over face and buttocks. There was no atrophy or telangiectasia in both of them. Father and daughter had the lesions since birth. There was no history of photosensitivity, eye complaints, drug intake or handling chemicals. Father recalled there were about 10 members in their family including his father, brothers and cousins who had same features. Lesions were totally asymptomatic in them. Hair, palms and soles,mucous membranes and external genitalia were normal. Systemic examination did not reveal any abnormality. There was no history of consanguinity in the family. Both of them refused to undergo skin biopsy.

Presence of asymptomatic hypo and hyperpigmented lesions of varying sizes in a hereditary fashion has been described as DUH. Xeroderma pigmentosa was considered as differential diagnosis. Absence of photosensitivity, eye involvement and benign nature made us to consider DUH. Familial involvement of DUH has been documented in India.[2],[3] We report this disorder due to its rarity and familial involvement in an autosomal dominant pattern. We have called the other members of the family for detailed examination and investigation. We would like to undertake electron microscopic studies as it forms a large series of the familial involvement.

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