Introduction: Progressive macular hypomelanosis is a common skin hypopigmentation found in all ethnicities, yet it is seldom diagnosed. It affects young adults, especially women, and is often mistaken with pityriasis alba and pityriasis versicolor. It is character- ized by symmetric, well-defined, non-desquamative nummular hypopigmented macules in body areas with a greater concentration of sebaceous glands (trunk, thorax, abdomen and lumbar regions). Its etiology is poorly understood, and there is no effective treatment. A red fluorescence has recently been discovered in the lesion, suggesting the presence of porphyrin, produced by Propionibacterium acnes.
Objective: To compare the efficacy of 100 mg/day minocycline vs. placebo in the treat- ment of progressive macular hypomelanosis.
Methods: Patients over 18 (n = 20), who had suffered from the condition for more than 3 months (without treatment in the previous 3 months), who did not have an allergy to tetracycline, were randomized to receive minocycline or placebo. Wood''''''''s Lamp examina- tions and clinical evaluations (with descriptions and classifications using a color scale), and standardized picture records were conducted at baseline and 30 and 90 days after treatment.
Results: Eighteen patients completed the study. The group treated with minocycline pre- sented a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) compared to the control group.,br> Conclusion: 100 mg/day minocycline for 30 days was effective in treating progressive macular hypomelanosis, meaning that Propionibacterium acnes probably has a role in the condition''''''''s pathogeny.

Keywords: MINOCYCLINE, HYPOPIGMENTATION, PLACEBO EFFECT, TREATMENT

Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud is a disease of uncertain etiology, the main differential diagnosis being pityriasis versicolor. The authors describe two cases of the disease - one in a man and one in a woman - both with good therapeutic response without recurrence after use of minocycline.

Keywords: HYPERPIGMENTATION; CERATOSIS; MINOCYCLINE.

INTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is a chronic acquired skin disease, which evolves with depigmentation. The control of disease activity is a therapeutic challenge. Systemic corticosteroids, in daily use or in pulse doses, are the most used treatment for the disease.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of minocycline on the control over vitiligo activity compared with the corticosteroid therapy.
METHODS: Randomized clinical trial with 16 active vitiligo vulgaris patients, divided into two groups: MINO group: minocycline 100mg/day, orally, for three months; and CORT group: prednisolone 0.3mg/kg/day, orally, for two months, and 0.15 mg/kg/day in the third month. The patients were evaluated before and after the treatment by photographic records and evaluation of the scores obtained by the VIDA score (vitiligo disease activity score).
RESULTS: According to the photographic records, there was control of vitiligo activity in 100% of patients in the MINO group compared with 60% in the CORT group. In the comparison using the VIDA score, we noticed a statistically significant diference for both groups; however, we found that the reduction was greater in the MINO group, evidencing more effectiveness of minocycline in controlling the vitiligo activity.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the efficacy of minocycline in the control of active vitiligo compared with a systemic corticosteroid regimen. Additional studies should be performed to confirm its efficacy.

Keywords: Vitiligo; Minocycline; Prednisolone