Skin manifestations associated with COVID-19

Abstract This article will address the main aspects of skin manifestations associated with COVID-19, based on a review of the literature published to date. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 1,500 articles have been published on the subject. Regarding the pathophysiology, it is believed that the same mechanisms responsible for the disease in the main target organs also act in the skin, although they are not yet fully elucidated. The actual frequency of dermatological manifestations remains uncertain - it can range from 0.2% to 45%, being close to 6% in systematic reviews. Pioneering studies of large case series conducted in European countries and the USA provide the first information on the main skin manifestations associated with COVID-19 and propose classifications regarding their clinical presentation, pathophysiology, as well as their frequencies. Although there is yet no consensus, maculopapular eruptions are considered the most frequent presentations, followed by erythema pernio-like (EPL) lesions. Manifestations such as urticaria, vesicular conditions and livedo/purpura/necrosis are rare. The time of onset, severity, need for specific treatment and prognosis vary according to the clinical presentation pattern. The increasing histopathological description of skin conditions can contribute to the diagnosis, as well as to the understanding of the pathophysiology. Also, in the dermatological field, the relationship between COVID-19 and androgens has been increasingly studied. Despite all the generated knowledge, the actual biological meaning of skin manifestations remains uncertain. Therefore, the exclusion of the main differential diagnoses is essential for the correlation between skin manifestation and COVID-19.

Clinical aspects and therapeutic approach of drug-induced adverse skin reactions in a quaternary hospital: a retrospective study with 219 cases

Abstract Background Adverse drug reactions are frequent, with cutaneous manifestations being the most common. In the hospital environment, the incidence of cutaneous drug reactions varies from 2% to 3%. Objective To analyze the profile of cutaneous drug reactions, relating clinical forms, suspected medications, histopathological alterations, systemic repercussions, treatment and course. Methods Clinical, retrospective and observational study of patients seen by the Dermatology Interconsultation team from January 2013 to December 2016. Results The frequency of cutaneous drug reactions among the evaluated patients was 13.6%, with 219 cases diagnosed. In 65.7%, the reaction was considered mild, of which the most common was exanthema, while in 34.2%, the reaction was considered severe, with DRESS being the main form of reaction(18.2%). Antibiotics (36.5%) and anticonvulsants (10%) were the most involved drugs. In addition to drug discontinuation, systemic corticosteroids were prescribed in 47% of cases and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in 4.5%. Of the mild forms, in 62%, expectant management and/or exclusive use of symptomatic treatment was used. Study limitations Retrospective study, with limitations inherent to this type of investigation; lack of some information in medical records; long evaluation period, with a possible change in external validity. Conclusion The most frequently identified clinical form was exanthema, and antibiotics and anticonvulsants were the most frequently involved drug classes. About one-third of the patients had severe cutaneous drug reactions, with DRESS being the main one. Cutaneous drug reactions are frequent in clinical practice, and the dermatologist should be called in as soon as possible to assist in the diagnosis and management of these cases.

Pemphigus vulgaris

Abstract: Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic autoimmune bullous dermatosis that results from the production of autoantibodies against desmogleins 1 and 3. It is the most frequent and most severe form of pemphigus, occurring universally, usually between 40 and 60 years of age. It usually begins with blisters and erosions on the oral mucosa, followed by lesions on other mucous membranes and flaccid blisters on the skin, which can be disseminated. There is a clinical variant, pemphigus vegetans, which is characterized by the presence of vegetating lesions in the large folds of the skin. Clinical suspicion can be confirmed by cytological examination, histopathological examination, and direct and indirect immunofluorescence tests. The treatment is performed with systemic corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs may be associated, among them azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil. More severe cases may benefit from corticosteroids in the form of intravenous pulse therapy, and recent studies have shown a beneficial effect of rituximab, an anti-CD20 immunobiological drug. It is a chronic disease with mortality around 10%, and septicemia is the main cause of death. Patients need long-term and multidisciplinary follow-up.

Disseminated fusariosis with cutaneous involvement in hematologic malignancies: report of six cases with high mortality rate

Abstract: Fusariosis is due to inhalation or direct contact with conidia. Clinical presentation depends on host's immunity and can be localized, focally invasive or disseminated. Given the severity of this infection and the possibility for the dermatologist to make an early diagnosis, we report six cases of patients with hematologic malignancies, who developed febrile neutropenia an skin lesions suggestive of cutaneous fusariosis. All patients had skin cultures showing growth of Fusarium solani complex, and they received amphotericin B and voriconazole. As this infection can quickly lead to death, dermatologists play a crucial role in diagnosing this disease.

Disseminated cryptococcosis with skin lesions: report of a case series

Abstract Cryptococcosis is a common fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, caused by genus Cryptococcus, presenting with meningitis, pneumonia, and skin lesions. Cutaneous presentation can be varied, but specifically in solid organ transplant recipients (iatrogenically immunocompromised), cryptococcosis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of cellulitis-like lesions, since the delay in diagnosis leads to worse prognosis and fatal outcome. We report four cases of cryptococcosis with cutaneous manifestation not only for its rarity, but also to emphasize the important role of the dermatologist in the diagnosis of this disease.

Dois irmãos com ictiose ligada ao cromossomo X

Contexto: A ictiose ligada ao X é uma genodermatose rara, limitada ao sexo masculino, com herança recessiva ligada ao cromossomo X. Provocada pela deficiência da enzima esteroide-sulfatase (arilsulfatase C), gera distúrbio da queratinização que persiste do nascimento à vida adulta. Caracteriza-se pela presença de escamas escuras, firmemente aderidas e generalizadas, embora as regiões centro-facial e palmo-plantares sejam poupadas. Relato de caso: Dois irmãos do sexo masculino, de 16 e 14 anos, que apresentavam xerose cutânea intensa e difusa, presença de escamas ictiósicas hipercrômicas e poligonais, de distribuição generalizada, poupando região centro-facial. Ambos em investigação de síndrome genética devido a retardo do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, baixa estatura, dismorfismos faciais, alterações esqueléticas e corneanas. Discussão: O diagnóstico é confirmado por testes genéticos e bioquímicos; e o tratamento, realizado com agentes tópicos, visando hidratação, lubrificação e queratólise. Conclusões: A atuação de outros especialistas e o aconselhamento genético são de suma importância.

Assistência pré-natal e ao parto de mães de crianças usuárias do serviço de vacinação de unidade de saúde da cidade de São Paulo / Prenatal and delivery care for mothers of children using health unit vaccination services in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Objetivo: verificar a associação entre características sócio-demográficas e tipos serviço de súde utilizados e assiatência pr´-natal e ao parto. Métodos: estudo transversal de 350 mães de crianças menores de um ano usuárias do serviço de vacinação de uma unidade básica de saúde de São Paulo e moradores do distrito da Vila Mariana. Trata-se de amostra aleatória obtida entre setembro de 2002 e junho de 2003. A comparação de variáveis categórigas foi feita por qui-quadrado ou teste Exato de Fisher e análise multivariada com modelo de regressão logística, considerando-se dois desfechos: a)assistência pré-natal inadequada (início após o 1ºtrimestre de gestação e número de consultas inferior a sete); b)parto cesárea. Resultados: todas as mães realizaram assistência pré-natal (inadequada em 13,1 por cento) dos casos). Pertencer a famílias com maior faixa de renda per capita constituiu fator de proteção para assistência inadequada (>=5 salários mínimos: OR=0,002; ICp5 por cento=0,01-0,10). Todos os partos foram hospitalares...