Familial cases of poikiloderma of Civatte: genetic implications in its pathogenesis?

Poikiloderma of Civatte (PC) is a rather common, benign skin condition of o bscure etiopathogenesis: cumulative exposure to UV radiation, hormonal chan ges associated with the menopause, and photo-allergic mechanisms have been implicated. We present seven cases of PC among the members of two unrelated Greek families, who have not shared common extrinsic influences, Literatur e review revealed no other reported familial cases. Familial tendencies, as well as the not unusual occurrence of PC in individuals with minimal sun e xposure, and who are not using perfumes or cosmetics, provide support for t he hypothesis that a genetic predisposition to the disease may exist; this predisposition is possibly transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait.