• IMA sites
  • IMAJ services
  • IMA journals
  • Follow us
  • Alternate Text Alternate Text
עמוד בית
Fri, 05.12.25

Search results


September 2025
Shiri Keret MD, Aniela Souval MD, Alaa Sawaed MD, Noa Nemesh MD, Gleb Slobodin MD

A 70-year-old female with a 10-year history of dermatomyositis involving the skin, muscles, and gastrointestinal system was diagnosed based on proximal muscle weakness, typical dermatomyositis-specific rashes, elevated creatine kinase, and muscle biopsy findings consistent with dermatomyositis. Myositis-specific autoantibodies were negative.

The patient initially received treatment with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) but experienced gastrointestinal intolerance to both methotrexate and azathioprine. Subsequently, she was managed with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) for 4 years; however, due to a relapse of muscle involvement, rituximab was initiated and has been administered for the past 3 years.

Over the last year, the patient achieved remission in muscle involvement but experienced worsening dermatomyositis-specific skin manifestations, including heliotrope rash, Gottron signs, and holster sign [Figure 1A], accompanied by severe pruritus that significantly impaired her quality of life. The Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index (CDASI) activity score reached 17. Her skin condition remained refractory despite treatment with topical steroids and calcineurin inhibitors.

June 2025
Amos Gilhar MD

Over the past decade, the introduction of humanized mouse models, especially the transplantation of full-thickness human skin with autologous immune cells onto severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, has transformed pre-clinical dermatology. These composite grafts vascularize and reinnervate within days, retain normal human architecture, evade graft-versus-host disease, and faithfully recapitulate complex cutaneous conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, vitiligo, pemphigus, and even intrinsic skin aging. Because the grafts respond to murine neuro-endocrine stress pathways yet remain immunologically human, investigators can track how psychological stress, cytokine networks, or targeted drugs shape disease onset, flare, and resolution in a living mini-patient. Unlike conventional murine models, which often capture only a single disease facet and vary by strain, humanized xenografts predict clinical efficacy, metabolism, and toxicity with far greater fidelity, enabling the discovery of pivotal mechanisms (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor A-driven rejuvenation of aged skin [VEGF-A], voltage-gated potassium channel [Kv1.3], blockade in psoriasis, and alopecia areata) and accelerating the rational design of therapies from Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors to neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonists. Although access to donor tissue and the need for pathogen-free facilities remain practical hurdles, these models now represent the gold standard for bridging bench and bedside in cutaneous research and for de-risking novel dermatologic and anti-aging interventions before they enter human trials.

June 2024
Sharon Vanetik MD, Yochai Schonmann MD MSc, Arnon D. Cohen MD MPH PhD, Yuliya Valdman-Grinshpoun MD, Eran Shavit MD

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease associated with a heavy burden of morbidity and cost.

Objectives: To provide standardized estimates of trends in HS incidence and prevalence among patients in Israel between 2016 and 2019.

Methods: We conducted a population-based analysis of routinely collected electronic health records data from Clalit Health Services, the largest nationwide public health service provider in Israel. Age- and sex-adjusted rates were reported by using the standard European population as a reference.

Results: The study included 3488 HS incident cases. The mean ± SD age of onset was 30.3 years and was similar in males and females. HS was more common among Jews with low and medium socioeconomic status. The annual HS incidence rate increased throughout the study period. HS prevalence increased from 0.12% in 2016 to 0.17% in 2019.

Conclusions: HS prevalence and incidence rates steadily rose among the Israeli population between 2016 and 2019. Awareness of these findings can help provide an optimal allocation of healthcare resources by policymakers and health service providers and prevent delays in diagnosis.

July 2003
Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or medical advice on any matter.
The IMA is not responsible for and expressly disclaims liability for damages of any kind arising from the use of or reliance on information contained within the site.
© All rights to information on this site are reserved and are the property of the Israeli Medical Association. Privacy policy

2 Twin Towers, 35 Jabotinsky, POB 4292, Ramat Gan 5251108 Israel