title: Therapeutic efficacy of topical calcineurin inhibitors in plasma cell balanitis: case series and review of the literature.
abstract: Plasma cell balanitis of Zoon (PCBZ) and plasma cell vulvitis (PCV) are characterized as idiopathic, benign, chronic irritant mucositis. The clinical symptoms and signs usually persist or reappear after treatment withdrawal. Therefore, many therapies have been tried and are available. Recently, several reports of PCBZ and PCV treated with calcineurin inhibitors, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, have been reported in the literature. We present 9 cases of PCBZ treated with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment (Protopic, Toyama, Japan) that showed good therapeutic results within 4 weeks of treatment, and we review the literature of PCBZ and PCV and their response to these topical immunomodulators. Based on the current literature and on the anecdotal experience, we believe that topical calcineurin inhibitors may serve as a therapeutic option in recalcitrant plasma cell balanitis and vulvitis.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Dermatology Department, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kyriakou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patsatsi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Patsialas
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sotiriadis
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001446:Balanitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010950:Plasma Cells; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus