Ichthyosis refers to a relatively uncommon group of skin disorders characterized by the presence of excessive amounts of dry surface scales. It is regarded as a disorder of keratinization or cornification, and it is due to abnormal epidermal differentiation or metabolism.
The ichthyosiform dermatoses may be classified according to clinical manifestations, genetic presentation, and histologic findings. Inherited and acquired forms of ichthyosis have been described, and ocular alterations may occur in specific subtypes. Five distinct types of inherited ichthyosis are noted, as follows: ichthyosis vulgaris, lamellar ichthyosis, epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, and X-linked ichthyosis.
In many types there is cracked skin, which is said to resemble the scales on a fish; the word ichthyosis comes from the Ancient Greek ιχθύς (ichthys), meaning "fish." The severity of symptoms can vary enormously, from the mildest types such as ichthyosis vulgaris which may be mistaken for normal dry skin up to life-threatening conditions such as harlequin type ichthyosis. The most common type of ichthyosis is ichthyosis vulgaris, accounting for more than 95% of cases.
Pathophysiology
In ichthyosis vulgaris, dry skin and follicular accentuation (keratosis pilaris) usually appear at puberty. Scaling is most prominent over the trunk, abdomen, buttocks, and legs. The flexural areas, such as the antecubital fossa, are spared. An association may be present between ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic diseases because one third to one half of patients show features of atopic disease and a similar proportion have relatives with atopic disease. A reported 11.5% association is noted between atopic dermatitis and primary hereditary ichthyosis. Ichthyosis vulgaris typically produces no significant ocular findings; however, scaling may be present on the eyelid skin, which could lead to punctate epithelial keratitis and recurrent corneal erosion. Linkage analysis has identified an ichthyosis vulgaris locus on band 1q22.
Two loss-of-function mutations in the coding of the filaggrin gene have been identified in both ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis. Keratohyalin synthesis is affected because of the filaggrin mutation. Filaggrin is an epidermal protein that normally functions as a barrier molecule against environmental allergens, water loss, and infection.
In epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, the skin is moist, red, and tender at birth. Bullae formation may occur, which may become infected and give rise to a foul skin odor. Thick, generalized, verrucous scaling occurs within a few days. Localized scaling may be seen, especially in the flexural creases. A mutation in the keratin genes (ie, KRT1, KRT10) is the cause of this autosomal dominant disorder.
Lamellar ichthyosis is a rare, autosomal recessive, genetically heterogeneous skin disease caused by mutations involving multiple genetic loci. Type 1 maps to band 14q11.2 and is caused by mutations in the gene for keratinocyte transglutaminase 1, an enzyme responsible for the assembly of the keratinized envelope. Type 2, which is clinically indistinguishable from type 1, maps to band 2q33-q35. In classic lamellar ichthyosis, children with the disease are referred to as collodion babies and are covered at birth by a thickened membrane that subsequently is shed. The scaling of the skin involves the whole body with no sparing of the flexural creases. Approximately one third of children affected with this disorder develop bilateral ectropion of the cicatricial type that appears to result from excessive dryness of the skin and subsequent contracture. Secondary corneal ulceration may occur secondary to long-term exposure.
In X-linked ichthyosis, generalized scaling is present at or shortly after birth. This scaling is most prominent over the extremities, neck, trunk, and buttocks. The flexural creases, palms, and soles are spared. Irregular stromal corneal opacities that are located anterior to the Descemet membrane are found in 16-50% of male patients, and this finding may be used to distinguish this form of ichthyosis from all other forms. Approximately 25% of female carriers have minor corneal opacities. The corneal opacities are not known to affect visual acuity. An example of findings in X-linked ichthyosis is shown in the image below. Previous studies have shown a deficiency of steroid sulfatase (STS) in skin fibroblasts and a marked elevation of plasma cholesterol sulfate in patients with X-linked ichthyosis. In most cases, STS deficiency is caused by a partial or complete deletion of the STS gene mapped on band Xp22.3. Deletions of the STS gene have systemic effects, such as corneal opacities, cryptorchidism, and failed progression during labor. Deletions to flank regions of the STS gene have been linked with mental retardation. These deletions involve portions of the VCXA and VCXB1 genes.
Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE) is a milder form of the disease that is autosomal recessive in inheritance. CIE has been found to be caused by mutations in the genes coding for transglutaminase 1, 12R-lipoxygenase, and/or lipoxygenase 3. The lipoxygenase genes play a role in the epidermal permeability layer. As with lamellar ichthyosis, neonates with CIE are referred to as collodion babies, but, as children and adults, they show generalized red skin with thin, white scaling. Other manifestations include persistent ectropion and scarring alopecia.
Multiple congenital ectodermal dysplastic syndromes are associated with scaling and other system defects. The keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness (KID) syndrome is a congenital disorder of ectoderm that affects not only the epidermis but also other ectodermal tissues, such as the corneal epithelium and the inner ear.[2] KID syndrome may present with the Hutchinson triad (the combination of notched, widely spaced peg teeth, interstitial keratitis, and deafness). KID syndrome has been linked to mutations in the connexin 26 gene (GJB2) on band 13q11-q12.
The colobomas of the eye, heart defects, ichthyosiform dermatosis, mental retardation, and ear defects (CHIME) syndrome comprise a rare neuroectodermal disorder.
Netherton syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition that consists of an ichthyosiform dermatosis with variable erythroderma, hair shaft defects, and atopic features. Netherton syndrome has been linked to a mutation on band 5q32, specifically encoding for LEKTI (lymphoepithelial Kazal-type—related inhibitor), a serine protease inhibitor.
Sjögren-Larsson syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition that comprises ichthyosis, spastic diplegia, pigmentary retinopathy, and mental retardation.
Congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defects (CHILD) syndrome is a rare X-linked dominant malformation syndrome characterized by unilaterally distributed ichthyosiform nevi, often sharply delimited at the midline, and ipsilateral limb defects. This syndrome is caused by a loss-of-function mutation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) steroid dehydrogenase-like (NSDHL) protein at band Xq28.
Darier-White disease or keratosis follicularis is an autosomal dominant disorder in which there is a loss of adhesion between epidermal keratinocytes and abnormal keratinization. It is caused by mutations in genes coding for the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(+2)-ATPase (ATP2A2). Exposure to UVB light can exacerbate the skin lesions found in Darier-White disease.
Acquired ichthyosis usually occurs in adults and manifests as small, white, fishlike scales that frequently are concentrated on the extremities but may be seen in a generalized distribution. This form of ichthyosis may be associated with internal neoplasia (eg, Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia), systemic illness (eg, sarcoidosis, HIV infection, hypothyroidism, chronic hepatitis, malabsorption), bone marrow transplantation, or the intake of certain medications that interfere with sterol synthesis in epidermal cells (eg, nicotinic acid).
Newborns with type 2 Gaucher disease (glucosyl cerebroside lipidosis) may present with ichthyotic skin at birth prior to neurologic manifestations, which could be mistaken for a congenital form of ichthyosis.
Treatment
Treatments for ichthyosis often take the form of topical application of creams and emollient oils, in an attempt to hydrate the skin. Retinoids are also used for some conditions. Exposure to sunlight may improve or worsen the condition.
There can be ocular manifestations of ichthyosis, such as corneal and ocular surface diseases. Vascularizing keratitis, which is more commonly found in congenital keratitis-ichythosis-deafness (KID), may worsen with isotretinoin therapy.
