title: Polymorphous light eruption: clinic aspects and pathogenesis.
abstract: Polymorphous light eruption is an immunologically mediated photodermatosis with high prevalence, particularly among young women in temperate climates, characterized by pruritic skin lesions of variable morphology, occurring in spring or early summer on sun-exposed body sites. A resistance to ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced immunosuppression and a subsequent delayed-type hypersensitivity response to a photoantigen have been suggested as key factors in the disease. Molecular and immunologic disturbances associated with disease pathogenesis include a failure of skin infiltration by neutrophils and other regulatory immune cells on UVR exposure linked to a disturbed cytokine microenvironment. Standard management is based on prevention.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit for Photodermatology, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 8, Graz A-8036, Austria.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gruber-Wackernagel
authors.affiliation: Cellular Photoimmunology Group, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Sydney Medical School, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The University of Sydney, 676, Blackburn Building D06, Darlington, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Scott N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.affiliation: Research Unit for Photodermatology, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 8, Graz A-8036, Austria. Electronic address: peter.wolf@medunigraz.at.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wolf
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: Chemotaxis; Cytokines; Immune suppression; Photoantigen; Photoprotection; Polymorphic; Polymorphous light eruption; Skin cancer