The enduring legacy of the father-son duo - A tribute to the Civatte family and their contributions to dermatology

1) Poikiloderma of Civatte:

Achille Civatte first described Poikilodermie Réticulaire Pigmentée Civatte du visage et du cou (reticular poikiloderma of the face and neck) in 1922, which is now popularly known as poikiloderma of Civatte.^1,2 It is characterised by redness, atrophy, and mottled pigmentation occurring over photo-exposed areas like the sides of the neck, sparing the area under the chin.

2) Civatte bodies:

Another notable and most famous work of Civatte is his interest in the clinical and histopathological aspects of lichen planus. Although first described by Ferdinand-Jean Darier in 1909 and again by Raymond Jaques Adrien Sabaroud in 1910, it was later named eponymously as Civatte bodies.^1,3 These are necrotic keratinocytes in the form of eosinophilic colloid bodies, seen in lichen planus.

3) Other notable works:

Undoubtedly, the landmark contribution of Civatte was his identification of acantholytic cells in 1943, which paved the way for the diagnosis of epidermal blistering disorders in an era when immunofluorescence was unavailable.

His other areas of research included Bowen’s disease, Paget’s disease, lichen scrofulosorum, and lupus erythematosus.³

Achille Civatte (1877-1956):

Professor Achille Civatte was born in the year 1877 into a family of physicians in Sisteron. Achille Civatte embarked on his medical journey, completing his residency in 1899 at the prestigious Hospital of Saint-Louis, University of Paris. Under the guidance of the esteemed dermatologist Louis Brocq, Achille Civatte gained his skills, laying the foundation for a remarkable career. His thirst for knowledge led him to Germany, where he sought out the expertise of renowned dermatologists Abraham Buschke, Neisser, Unna, and Pinkus.

Upon his return to Paris, he worked as an assistant under the mentorship of the eminent Jean Darier. His contributions to the field extended to the re-edition of Darier’s pioneering work, Précis de Dermatologie. Achille Civatte’s passion for histopathology led him to establish the Museum of Histology at the Hospital of Saint-Louis, boasting an extensive collection of slides. A respected member of various dermatology societies, Achille Civatte dedicated his later years to creating the Atlas d’histologie cutanée, a meticulously hand-drawn atlas of histopathology.⁹ This was published posthumously in 1957 and stands testament to Achille Civatte’s enduring legacy in the field of dermatology.

Jean Joseph Civatte (1922-2020):

The Civatte family’s contributions to dermatology continued with Jean Civatte, who was the son of Achille Civatte, born in the year 1922. He succeeded the esteemed Robert Degos, as head of the department of dermatology from 1975 to 1989. Jean Civatte’s distinguished career was marked by numerous accolades, including his election as president of the French Society of Dermatology in 1964. He also served as editor-in-chief of the Annals of Dermatology and Venereology from 1977 to 1991, shaping the journal’s content and direction during his tenure.¹⁰

Jean Civatte’s expertise was recognised globally, as evidenced by his appointment as a WHO expert for the international classification of skin tumours. He also held prominent positions in various professional organisations, including president of the International League of Dermatology Societies (1982-1987) and founder of the Unna-Darier club. As editor-in-chief of Annales (1976-1990), Jean played a pivotal role in shaping the dermatological literature.

His notable publications include the “Cutaneous Histopathology” (1982), the first French-language textbook dedicated exclusively to skin histopathology, and the “Dictionary of Dermatology” (2000).¹¹ Through his leadership, scholarship, and dedication, Jean Civatte left an indelible mark on the field of dermatology, which influences clinical practice to this day. Professor Jean Joseph Civatte passed away on February 10, 2020, at the age of 98. At Saint Louis Hospital, Jean Civatte’s students fondly recall their time under his guidance, cherishing memories of his kindness, wisdom, and mentorship. His passing may have left a void, but his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the dermatologists he trained. His students remember him not only for his exceptional knowledge but also for his humility, patience, and compassion, qualities that made him an extraordinary teacher and mentor.¹⁰

The legacies of Achille Civatte and Jean Civatte serve as a testament to their unwavering passion for dermatology and dermatopathology. Through their pioneering work, they left an impressionable mark in the field, shaping our understanding of skin diseases and continuing to inspire future generations of dermatologists and researchers. Jean Civatte’s remarkable kindness, courtesy, and calm demeanour towards his students are particularly noteworthy, setting an exemplary standard for mentorship. As we honour their contributions, let us also draw inspiration from their approach, striving to emulate their compassion, patience, and dedication in our own interactions with students and colleagues, fostering a culture of learning and growth. Their impact will continue to be felt for years to come.