A myeloid program associated with COVID-19 severity is decreased by therapeutic blockade of IL-6 signaling

Altered myeloid inflammation and lymphopenia are hallmarks of severe infections, including with SARS-CoV-2. Here, we identified a gene program, defined by correlation with EN-RAGE (S100A12) gene expression, which was up-regulated in airway and blood myeloid cells from COVID-19 patients. The EN-RAGE program was expressed in 7 cohorts and observed in patients with both COVID-19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from other causes. This program was associated with greater clinical severity and predicted future mechanical ventilation and death. EN-RAGE+ myeloid cells express features consistent with suppressor cell functionality, with low HLA-DR and high PD-L1 surface expression and higher expression of T cell-suppressive genes. Sustained EN-RAGE signature expression in airway and blood myeloid cells correlated with clinical severity and increasing expression of T cell exhaustion markers, such as PD-1. IL-6 treatment of monocytes in vitro upregulated many of the severity-associated genes in the EN-RAGE gene program, along with potential mediators of T cell suppression, such as IL-10. Blockade of IL-6 signaling by tocilizumab in a placebo-controlled clinical trial led to a rapid normalization of ENRAGE and T cell gene expression. This identifies IL-6 as a key driver of myeloid dysregulation associated with worse clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients and provides insights into shared pathophysiological mechanisms in non-COVID-19 ARDS.

Epidermal nevus syndromes: clinical findings in 35 patients.

Of the patients with epidermal nevi, 10-18% may have disorders of the eye, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems. A predisposition to malignant neoplasms in ectodermal and mesodermal structures may also be found. There are six different epidermal nevus syndromes described so far: Proteus, congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defect syndrome, phakomatosis pigmentokeratotica, sebaceous nevus, Becker nevus, and nevus comedonicus. Thirty-five patients with epidermal nevus syndrome seen at the National Institute of Pediatrics in Mexico City during a 31-year period are described. This syndrome represented 7.9% of 443 patients with epidermal nevi; its relative frequency was 1 case per 11,928 pediatric patients and 1 case per 1080 dermatologic patients. Nine epidermal nevus syndrome patients (26%) had Proteus syndrome. Sebaceous nevus syndrome was found in six patients (17%), while the nevus comedonicus syndrome was found in three (8%). Two patients were diagnosed with phakomatosis pigmentokeratotica and one patient with congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defect syndrome. This is the first report of phakomatosis pigmentokeratotica and congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defect syndrome in Mexican patients. One patient had an inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus with systemic involvement. Thirteen patients (37%) had keratinocytic nevi with systemic involvement. We propose the keratinocytic nevus syndrome to be defined as the association of a keratinocytic nevus with neuronal migration and/or musculoskeletal disorders in addition to a higher risk for mesodermal neoplasms.

Bart syndrome: the congenital localized absence of skin may follow the lines of Blaschko. Report of six cases.

Three cutaneous manifestations are characteristic of Bart syndrome: congenital localized absence of skin (CLAS), mucocutaneous blistering, and nail abnormalities. Six cases of Bart syndrome are herein reported. Localized absence of skin is present at birth, particularly on the anterior aspects of the lower extremities and dorsa of the feet. Physical trauma in utero has been proposed as a mechanism to explain the denuded areas on the limbs. The recurrent, highly similar pattern of the congenital defect in regard to location and clinical appearance in our patients and in most of the reported cases strongly suggests that trauma is too simplistic an explanation. Because of the observed bilateral and symmetric distribution of denuded areas in an S-shaped broad band, their sharply demarcated borders, the involvement of the toe webs, and the frequent similar involvement of the soles, we suggest that congenital localized absence of skin in Bart syndrome may follow the lines of Blaschko.

Elejalde syndrome--a melanolysosomal neurocutaneous syndrome: clinical and morphological findings in 7 patients.

BACKGROUND: Silvery hair and severe dysfunction of the central nervous system (neuroectodermal melanolysosomal disease or Elejalde syndrome) characterize this rare autosomal recessive disease. Main clinical features include silver-leaden hair, bronze skin after sun exposure, and neurologic involvement (seizures, severe hypotonia, and mental retardation). Large granules of melanin unevenly distributed in the hair shaft are observed. Abnormal melanocytes and melanosomes and abnormal inclusion bodies in fibroblasts may be present. Differential diagnosis with Chédiak-Higashi syndrome and Griscelli syndrome must be done. OBSERVATIONS: We studied pediatric patients with silvery hair and profound neurologic dysfunction. Immune impairment was absent. Age of onset of neurologic signs ranged from 1 month to 11 years; the signs included severe muscular hypotonia, ocular alterations, and seizures. Mental retardation since the first months of life was noted in 4 cases. Psychomotor development was normal in 3 cases, but suddenly the patients presented with a regressive neurologic process. Four patients died between 6 months and 3 years after the onset of neurologic dysfunction. One patient showed characteristic ultrastructural findings of Elejalde syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Elejalde syndrome is different from Chédiak-Higashi and Griscelli syndrome and is characterized by silvery hair and frequent occurrence of fatal neurologic alterations. Psychomotor impairment may have 2 forms of presentation: congenital or infantile. Although Elejalde syndrome and Griscelli syndrome are similar, the possibility that they are 2 different diseases, although probably allelic related, is suggested.

Giant congenital melanocytic nevi, neurocutaneous melanosis and neurological alterations.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings suggestive of neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) have been reported in asymptomatic patients with giant congenital melanocytic nevi (GCMN). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of NCM and the clinical neurologic status of patients with GCMN involving the head an neck. METHODS: Thirteen patients with GCMN involving the head and neck were clinically examined by pediatric specialists in dermatology, ophthalmology and neurology. Electroencephalograms, noncontrasted and contrasted computerized tomography (CT) scans and MRI were performed. RESULTS: Eleven of 13 patients with GCMN of the head and neck previously considered asymptomatic were found to present mild but evident neurologic alterations. No signs of NCM were found in the CT scans or in the MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GCMN of the head and neck may have associated neurologic alterations not related to the presence of neurocutaneous melanosis.

Keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness (KID syndrome): review of the literature and proposal of a new terminology.

The so-called KID (keratitis, ichthyosis, deafness) syndrome is a congenital disorder of ectoderm that affects not only the epidermis, but also other ectodermal tissues such as the corneal epithelium and the inner ear. Sixty-one patients who fulfill the criteria for this syndrome were identified in a review of the literature through December 1993. All had cutaneous and auditory abnormalities, and 95% also had ophthalmologic defects. The most frequent clinical features were neurosensory deafness 90%, erythrokeratoderma 89%, vascularizing keratitis 79%, alopecia 79%, and reticulated hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles 41%. All of these findings constitute the major criteria for the diagnosis. The KID acronym does not accurately define this entity since the disorder is not an ichthyosis, because scaling is not the main cutaneous feature and not all patients have keratitis early in the course. We suggest that this syndrome should be included under the general heading of congenital ectodermal defects as a keratodermatous ectodermal dysplasia (KED).

Malignant cutaneous tumors in children. Twenty years of experience at a large pediatric hospital.

The frequency of different malignant cutaneous tumors (MCTs), primary and metastatic, in children is not known. We reviewed all MCTs, primary and metastatic, seen during a 20-year period in a large general pediatric hospital. Fifty-three MCTs, 36 primary and 17 metastatic, were diagnosed in 36,207 pediatric dermatology patients. The incidence was 1.4 per 1000 patients. The relative frequency of occurrence of the different tumors was as follows: rhabdomyosarcoma, 25%; lymphomas, 19%; basal cell carcinoma, 13%; leukemia, 13%; neuroblastoma, 10%; malignant melanoma, 6%; squamous cell carcinoma, 6%; unclassified sarcomas, 4%; epithelioid schwannoma, 2%; ependymoma, 2%. The mean follow-up was 3 years; 48% died, 27% were lost to follow-up, and 25% are under control. We conclude that primary and metastatic MCTs in children are rare. Their types differ from MCTs in an older age population. MCTs in children are associated with a high mortality rate, often related to late recognition.

Trichoepitheliomatous infiltration of the skin simulating leprosy.

A 13-year-old girl had a six-year history of infiltrated erythematous plaques on the face, alopecia of the eyebrows, diffuse alopecia of the scalp, and absence of body hair. Histologically, the lesions on the face and body corresponded to trichoepitheliomas. The lesions on the face clinically simulated lepromatous leprosy. This case probably represents an entity not previously described.

Scabies of the scalp mimicking seborrheic dermatitis in immunocompromised patients.

Two children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing chemotherapy had a special form of scabies characterized by fine scaling of the scalp simulating seborrheic dermatitis. Pruritus was mild or absent. Immunocompromised children and adults should receive whole-body and scalp antiscabietic treatment.

Dermoid cyst connected with the lacrimal canaliculum.

An infant had a 3 x 1.5-cm congenital, slow-growing, lobulated tumor below the right inferior eyelid. The mass transilluminated, and needle aspiration yielded tears. Dacryocystography showed a large cystic area connected with the lower lacrimal canaliculum. Histologically, the tumor proved to be a dermoid cyst. This association has not been reported previously. Surgical excision and suture of the pedicule resulted in permanent cure.