Busulfan (Bu) is widely used in conditioning regimens before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, with variable metabolism due to interindividual differences of pharmacokinetics (PK). The purpose of this study was to correlate pharmacokinetics and clinical outcomes. Lower-AUC, in range-AUC and higher-AUC were defined as ±25% of the targeted Bu-AUC. In 2019, we changed Bu dosing from 4×/day (Bu-4) to 1×/day (Bu-1) for ease of application. AUC-target range was reached in 46% of patients; 40% were in low-AUC and 14% in high-AUC. Among all toxicities, viral and fungal infections were significantly more frequent in high-AUC compared with low-AUC (20% vs. 8%; p = 0.01 and 37% vs. 17%; p = 0.03). Bu-1 showed lower PK values (66% vs. 36% of Bu-4 in low-AUC; p < 0.01) and higher incidence of mucositis ( p = 0.02). Long-term outcomes at 2 years showed a higher non-relapse mortality (NRM) ( p < 0.01) and higher relative risk of death in the high-AUC group compared to the other groups. Cumulative incidence of relapse and acute/chronic GvHD were not significantly different. The optimal cut-off in Bu-AUC associated with low NRM was 969 µmol/l*min (ROC AUC 0.67, sensitivity 0.86 and specificity 0.47) for Bu-4. In conclusion, low-AUC BU-PK seems of benefit regarding NRM and survival.

We read with interest the case report by Radwi et al. of a 69 year-old man with acquired hemophilia A (AHA) following vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech SARS CoV-2 mRNA vaccine (1). The publication prompted us to perform a survey within the Working Party Haemostasis of the Swiss Society of Hematology to detect similar cases in Switzerland. The survey led to the identification of three cases of AHA in Switzerland between December 23rd 2020 and April 30th 2021.

We report the occurrence of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in a 77-year-old man a few days after receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine tozinameran (Comirnaty®). The patient was treated with systemic corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins and eltrombopag. He elected to proceed with the second dose of tozinameran 14 weeks after the first and his platelet count remained stable under a tapered eltrombopag dose. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which a second tozinameran dose has been administered to a patient who developed presumed secondary ITP after the first vaccination. We also report global pharmacovigilance data for the occurrence of ITP after vaccination with tozinameran.

Background/Aims: Because of high vaccination rates, population immunity against measles increased in the western world. Nevertheless, outbreaks are still observed. The aim of this article is to document and describe the natural course of dermatological manifestations and compare it with the literature. Methods: After detecting a measles index case, the dermatological onset of the disease in the non-vaccinated siblings was prospectively monitored and documented with a digital camera. Results: Our findings show that dermatological symptoms are only limited consistently from one case to another and described heterogeneously in the literature as well. Conclusion: Dermatological manifestations do not seem conclusive in our clinical data set as well as in the literature. Especially the exact onset of the Koplik spots should be further explored in detail. In future, a larger population should be observed and clinical diagnostics for measles defined.

s can be submitted for: • Oral presentation only • Poster presentation only • Oral or poster presentation Secretariat: Xianyong Yin (Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China) Tel.: 86-551-5138576 (F) Email: xianyongyin@gmail.com More Information available at www.cmacsd.org/wcg2012. Philippine Dermatological Society Linkages, conventions and the regional conference of dermatology 2012 The Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS), in cooperation with the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS), held its 35th PDS Annual Convention last May 19 and 20, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila in Quezon City, Philippines. The theme, ‘Dermatology Focus: Woman and Child’, was very relevant for the Philippine setting, women being the majority of dermatology patients in the clinics. The collaboration was a success with 931 attendees, mostly members of the PDS, and a delegation of 90 participants coming from India. A total of 20 lectures were given by the nine WDS representatives consisting of Profs. Wilma Bergfeld, Jean Bolognia, Suzanne Connolly, Marcia Ramose-Silva, Dedee Murrell, Suzanne Olbricht, George Reizner, and Drs. Christine Poblete-Lopez and Wendy Roberts; and accomplished Philippine lecturers, Drs. Evangeline Handog, Arnelfa Paliza, Emily Soriano and Agnes Thaebtharm. The convention was an enriching one, with a wide range of topics presented, from the controversy of in-offi ce dispensing, childhood dermatoses, updates on acne, drugs in pregnancy, polycystic ovarian syndrome in dermatology, toxic erythema of chemotherapy, and skin malignancies in women, to the ever popular cosmetics subjects like topical skin rejuvenation and hand rejuvenation in the elderly. This joint activity of the PDS and the WDS was truly memorable, highlighting the value of international cooperation and academic exchange. In the same light, the Philippine Dermatological Society will host the 20th Regional Conference of Dermatology (Asian-Australasian) on February 20–23, 2012 with the theme ‘Emerging Concepts and Paradigm Shifts in Dermatology’. This biennial conference is a meeting among dermatologists in the AsiaPacifi c region, and counterparts from all over the world. It promises to be a lively forum for academic and clinical interchange of ideas and viewpoints on various topics in Medical Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology, Lasers and Light, and Procedural Dermatology. Speakers from the US, Europe and Asia will be featured. For more information, please visit the Regional Conference of Dermatology website at: www.rcd2012.com ILDS Certifi cate of Appreciation Professor Tran Hau Khang Report on Vietnam from Professor Hee Chul Eun Certifi cate of Appreciation to Professor Tran Hau Khang Professor Tran Hau Khang is the Director of the National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology in Hanoi, Vietnam and also Chairman of Vietnamese Society of Dermatology. He is not only a leading dermatologist in Vietnam and also has contributed much to the regional development of dermatology. On December 16th, 2011 a Certifi cate of Appreciation of the ILDS was awarded to him at the Dermatological Scientifi c Meeting held in National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology in Hanoi (see related photograph). It was a great pleasure to participate the ceremony and to perform this important mission on behalf of ILDS. Nearly 230 people were attended at the meeting and it was the fi rst occasion that a Vietnamese dermatologist received this important award. Therefore, everyone congratulated Professor Khang sincerely at the ceremony. During this occasion, I had a chance to communicate with several Vietnamese dermatologists and would like to briefl y introduce about Vietnam as well as Vietnamese Society of Dermatology including the National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology where Professor Khang works. Professor Tran Hau Khang on the left with Professor Hee Chul Eun General information about Vietnam Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia, with a total area of approximately 331’210 km. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea – to the east. The land is mostly hilly and densely forested, with fi eld covering no more than 20%. Geographically, it is composed of 3 regions: North, Centre and South. While Ha noi is the capital city and it is also the administrative center. Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon) in the South is an economic center. The population is approximately 85.8 million in 2010, of which the Viet or Kinh ethnic groups occupy over 85% of the whole population Historically, Vietnam has been an agricultural society with predominantly rice cultivation. However, thanks to the economic reform since 1986, private ownership has been encouraged by the government in industries and commercial sectors in addition to agricultural fi eld. And several new industrial zones have been opened recently. The GDP in 1990s was achieved around 8% in annual average and it had been fl ourishing continuously at an annual rate of growth around 7% between 2000 and 2005, and 6.8% in 2010, which suggests that Vietnam is a nation with one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Medical training There are 11 medical faculties or universities in all over Vietnam and about 4’000 new doctors are coming out per year. To be a dermatologist, doctors have to study at least one year for training in dermatology after 6 years under graduate medical education. The Vietnamese Society of Dermatology The Vietnamese Society of Dermatology was founded on the 6th September 1961 under the umbrella of Vietnam General Medical Association. Since 2009, the society has become formally a member of the ILDS with more than 600 members from 63 provinces throughout Vietnam. Important Activities in Dermatology There are several annual dermatological related activities as follows. • Organizing the dermatological meetings every three months • Annual scientifi c conference in dermatology • Skin forum every two months • Training course in dermatology for practitioners • The Vietnamese Journal of Dermatology is published every 3 months and the active editor-in-chief is Professor Tran Hau Khang The National Hospital of Dermatology and Venerology From 1982 to 2009, The National Institute of Dermatology and Venereology has contributed much for the development of Dermatology in Vietnam and it was based on the Dermatological Department of Bach Mai Hospital. From 2009, the National Institute of Dermatology and Venereology renamed as the National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology (NHDV) Major Missions of the NHDV The major missions of the NHDV are as follows. • The NHDV is a dermatological referral center with 100 beds and approximately 1’000 dermatology out-patients visiting per day from Hanoi or even more remote areas of Vietnam. Out of a total of 210 medical staff 65 are dermatologists. Half of the dermatologists were trained abroad in countries such as Thailand, Japan, France and the USA. • Research activities involving dermatology and venereology • Training staff specialized in dermatology and venereology • Health education on dermatology and venereology • Technical guidance concerning the elimination of leprosy and sexually transmitted infections as well as the care of skin diseases in Vietnam. Although it was a very short stay in Hanoi, I can sense that Vietnam is changing rapidly in a certain direction. It seems to be true that many Asian nations enthusiastically follow a similar track such as South Korea has pursued for the past 50 years: from a traditional agricultural society through a rapid industrialization and fi nally to a high-tech society. What ever the end result may be, it will be very exciting and also challenging not only to Vietnamese dermatologists but also to all the Vietnamese. Hee Chul Eun, Professor Department of Dermatology Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Board Member of the International League of Dermatological Societies Rosemarie Moser (2010) and Angelika Stary (2011) having been presented with their ILDS Certifi cates of Appreciation in Linz, Austria, November, 2011. The Certifi cates were presented by Klaus Wolff on behalf of the ILDS. l. to r. Josef Auböck, President of the Austrian Society of Dermatology, Angelika Stary, Rosemarie Moser and Klaus Wolff . Dr Rosemarie Moser Professor Angelika Stary