Clinical and Laboratory Investigations

Entodermoscopy: A New Tool for Diagnosing Skin Infections and Infestations
Iris Zalaudek^a, Jason Giacomel^b, Horacio Cabo^c, Alessandro Di Stefani^d, Gerardo Ferrara^e, Rainer Hofmann-Wellenhof^a, Joseph Malvehy^g, Susana Puig^g, Wilhelm Stolz^h, Giuseppe Argenziano<sup>f

a</sup>Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria;
^bMends St Medical Centre, South Perth, Australia;
^cInstituto de Investigaciones Médicas, A. Lanari University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina;
^dDepartment of Dermatology, University Tor Vergata, Rome,
^ePathologic Anatomy Service, Gaetano Rummo General Hospital, Benevento, and
^fDepartment of Dermatology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy;
^gMelanoma Unit, Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain;
^hClinic of Dermatology and Allergology, Hospital München Schwabing, München, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 2008;216:14-23 (DOI: 10.1159/000109353)

  Key Words

• Dermoscopy
• Human parasites
• Skin infection
• Skin infestation

  Abstract

Background: There is upcoming evidence that dermoscopy facilitates the in vivo diagnosis of skin infections and infestations. As such, dermoscopy connects the research fields of dermatologists and entomologists, opening a new research field of 'entodermoscopy'. Objective: To provide an overview on the current applications of entodermoscopy. Methods: Systematic review of the English- and German-language literature by searches of Medline, Medscape and abstracts of the 1st World Congress of the International Dermoscopy Society. Results: Dermoscopic patterns have been described for viral warts, molluscum contagiosum, scabies, pediculosis, tinea nigra, tungiasis, cutaneous larva migrans, ticks and reactions to spider leg spines. Besides the diagnostic role of dermoscopy, there is increasing evidence that it can also assist in the monitoring of treatment efficacy for some of these conditions. Conclusion: Although most of the current available literature is based on single observations and small case studies rather than controlled trials, an increasing interest in this field can be observed.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Iris Zalaudek, MD
Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz
Auenbruggerplatz 8
AT-8036 Graz (Austria)
Tel. +43 676 332 8269, Fax +43 316 385 2466, E-Mail iris.zalaudek@meduni-graz.at

  Article Information

Received: May 15, 2007
Accepted: May 17, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 10
Number of Figures : 7, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 39