COVID-19

A novel SARS -CoV2 virus (COVID 19) that led to an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, China is now known to involve multiple organ systems presenting with acute respiratory distress syndrome, gastrointestinal disease, cardiac disease, skin lesions, renal involvement, hepatic damage, and multi organ failure. Even though the mortality and morbidity of this disease is higher in the older age group, clusters of children having severe illness requiring critical care have also been identified. Severe disease in children infected with COVID 19 is characterized by a multisystem inflammatory condition and a clinical presentation similar to Kawasaki disease. COVID 19 and its multi organ involvement is due to the underlying hyperinflammatory syndrome leading to a surge in cytokine levels causing injury to several cell types including cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells. The binding of SARS CoV2 to the ACE 2 receptor expressed in the endothelial cells, pneumocytes and myocardial cells is responsible for the clinical manifestations occurring in skin, heart and other organs. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021.

Systemic Medications of Dermatological Importance in COVID-19

Early December 2019 witnessed an international outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID 19) designated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2). Since then, a number of therapeutic molecules have been explored to have potential efficacy against the SARS-Cov-2 per se or its sequelae. There are no Food and Drug Administration specific therapies approved so far;however, numerous drugs based on varying levels of evidence, in vitro studies and compassionate drug trials are being established as therapeutic agents, especially drugs approved for previous emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) and Middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-Cov). Numerous active clinical trials for COVID-19 with more than 150 drugs and products are under study. Needless to say, many dermatological drugs are being employed to mitigate this pandemic threat. We aim to review drugs with potential against SARS-Cov-2 widely used in dermatology practice. Additionally, rampant and overzealous use of these drugs as well as introduction of new molecules might lead to emergence of adverse effects associated with these agents. Dermatologists must be on lookout for any cutaneous adverse effects of these drugs.Copyright © 2020.

Fever with Rash in COVID-19: Viral Exanthema or Secondary Lesions?

Abstract COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China and has developed into a pandemic since late 2019. The virus possesses powerful pathogenicity as well as transmissibility. Many open questions remain, including the description of potential involvement of other organs than the respiratory tract. Most patients have mild influenza-like symptoms. A minority, especially patients with chronic lung disease, develops lethal disease including severe pneumonia, pulmonary edema, rapidly developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple organ failure and septic shock.