Two new species of Pezizales (Ascomycota) with violet-colored apothecia and inamyloid asci, growing on decaying wood and on soil, are described from Mexico. The first taxon, Marcelleina evangelinae sp. nov., has reticulate and globose ascospores measuring 9-11 μm diam. It grows in mixed forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The second taxon, Smardaea perezsilvae sp. nov., has equilateral to fusoid ascospores measuring 20-26 × 10-12 µm, crested with few pustules. It grows in the mixed forests of the Transversal Neovolcanic Axis. The histochemical data for both species indicate that their pigments contain phenolic groups. Descriptions, histochemistry, illustrations, phylogeny, and keys to both species are presented.

Acne vulgaris pathogenesis involves complex interactions between sebum hypersecretion, follicular hyperkeratinisation, microbial colonisation and inflammatory cascades. While the bacterial microbiome has been extensively studied, the role of the skin mycobiome, particularly lipophilic Malassezia species, remains less clearly defined in acne-prone sites. To evaluate evidence for skin mycobiome involvement in acne pathogenesis, a structured narrative review was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE and PMC, synthesising findings from 14 cross-sectional studies involving 1650 participants from diverse geographic and ancestry backgrounds. Across sequencing and culture-based studies, Malassezia was the dominant fungal genus on healthy as well as acne-prone skin; species-level data most often identified M. restricta and M. globosa, with occasional reports of M. furfur. Although significant variations were observed in fungal abundance, discrepancies exist between studies due to differences in study design, sampling methods (surface swabs vs. comedone or pustule contents vs. pore strips), culture media (lipid-supplemented vs. standard), molecular target (ITS1 rDNA vs. other loci) and population demographics. Multiple sequencing studies did not detect significant fungal alpha/beta-diversity differences between acne and non-acne skin while confirming Malassezia species dominance. One study highlighted the potential underdiagnosis of Malassezia folliculitis in acne patients, suggesting that misdiagnosis may occur due to overlapping clinical presentations. Future studies should predefine primary outcomes, adjust for multiplicity, report sampling depth (surface vs. follicular), specify fungal rDNA region sequenced, use specific lipid-supplemented media for Malassezia isolation when culturing, co-profile bacteria and fungi, and add systematic clinical assessment of Malassezia folliculitis.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by heterogeneous features, including erythema, telangiectasias, papules, pustules, ocular symptoms, and phymatous changes, which can impact quality of life. Its complex pathophysiology involves dysregulated innate immune, neurovascular, and inflammatory pathways, leading to an expanding range of therapeutic options.

We describe Gastrotheca mittaliitisp. nov. from the subalpine paramo of Amazonas department in the Andes of northern Peru, in the Huancabamba region, based on phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from three mitochondrial and two nuclear genes, genetic distances, and diagnostic morphological characters. Our phylogenetic analysis recovered the new species with high support both as part of the Gastrotheca marsupiata species group and as the sister species of G. trachyplevra. The new species can be distinguished from the rest of its congeners by the combination of the following characters: (i) moderately small size in males (SVL = 27.6-32.5 mm, n = 4); (ii) distinctly thick and elevated supratympanic fold extending from the top edge of the tympanum to the flank covered with prominent and closely packed or fused pustules; (iii) two prominent paravertebral longitudinal pustular ridges; (iv) narrow discs on fingers and toes with truncate terminal margins; (v) dorsum covered with prominent and closely packed rounded pustules; (vi) canthus rostralis thin and straight in dorsal view; and (vii) distal subarticular tubercle rounded. In addition, we report the first record of G. turnerorum in Peru and describe new morphological variation of the Peruvian populations. Our results highlight the Huancabamba region as the hotspot of Gastrotheca species richness, a result that we discuss from a biogeographic and conservation perspective.

Dissecting cellulitis is a chronic primary scarring alopecia characterized by pustules, nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts that progress to permanent hair loss. Its prevalence is low, and reports in pediatric populations are scarce.

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a severe, relapsing skin disorder characterized by widespread erythema and sterile pustules. Classical systemic therapies often yield suboptimal results. Xeligekimab is a novel, fully human anti-interleukin-17A (anti-IL-17A) monoclonal antibody recently approved in China for plaque psoriasis. Its efficacy in GPP has not been previously reported. This report presents two cases of refractory GPP successfully treated with xeligekimab. Both patients- a 25-year-old male and a 70-year-old male had long-standing GPP that was unresponsive to conventional systemic therapies including acitretin and methotrexate. After receiving a single 200 mg dose of xeligekimab, both patients exhibited rapid and significant clinical improvement within 3 to 4 days. Remarkably, one patient remained in remission at the 3-month follow-up after only one injection. This is the first report to suggest that xeligekimab is a potent and promising therapeutic option for inducing rapid and sustained remission in patients with GPP.

Background-Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare and severe inflammatory skin disorder-and evidence regarding relative impact of treatments thereof is currently scant. Objective-We aimed to systematically review and narratively synthesize comparative interventional therapies for GPP and secondarily explore their relative effectiveness through exploratory network meta-analyses (NMAs). Methods-Comprehensive searches were performed in PubMed and EMBASE to identify comparative interventional studies that investigated the impact of biologics in GPP. Bayesian NMAs were conducted only for exploratory analyses. Results-Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria and data from 4 of the 11 were used for NMAs. Methodological heterogeneity was evident; the various biologics demonstrated effectiveness in treating GPP. Inhibitors of interleukin (IL)-36 (e.g., spesolimab) resulted in rapid pustular clearance within one week and sustained reductions in flare occurrence. Inhibitors targeting IL-17, IL-23, TNF, and IL-12/23 also demonstrated high response rates, durable disease control, and improvements in quality of life among diverse patient populations. Results from our exploratory NMAs revealed patterns of relative effectiveness with IL-17 and IL-36 inhibitors that are consistent with the existing literature. However, methodological limitations across the four studies deterred us from making conclusive inferences. Conclusions-Biologic therapies provide significant clinical benefit in patients with GPP. Our narrative syntheses highlight the need for future quantitative syntheses.

For the first time, a race survey of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) population was conducted on Triticum durum in the Altai region of Western Siberia, Russia. A total of 34 single-pustule isolates with different virulence phenotypes were identified on durum wheat (Triticum durum) in 2025 and compared with Pgt from bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). The UPGMA-based clustering separated Pgt isolates into two distinct groups, suggesting the host-driven differentiation that was further proven using population genetics tools. The pathogen isolates from durum showed a wider range of virulence complexity, higher variability, and greater average singularity. Virulence frequencies of Pgt on T. durum and T. aestivum differed markedly for Sr6, Sr7b, Sr9e, Sr17+13, and several other genes, while Sr24 and Sr31 remained effective independently of the pathogen origin. Two races, PKCSF and NFMSF, were detected on both the hosts, indicating a shared pathogen gene pool between bread and durum wheat. Even assuming host-specific divergence of Pgt in the Altai region, there is a need for the deployment of the same resistance genes into both T. aestivum and T. durum cultivars to prevent an outbreak of stem rust in the event of favorable conditions for inoculum exchange between crops.