Psoriasiform drug eruption associated with metformin hydrochloride: a case report

An 18 year-old-woman presented with a 1-week history of a psoriasiform eruption on her limbs and trunk that began 1 week after starting metformin hydrochloride. She had taken no other medications. She had no personal or family history of psoriasis. The lesions disappeared within 5 weeks after discontinuation of the drug. In the 4 months following the cessation of metformin hydrochloride, no relapse was observed, but rechallenge with oral metformin again produced the eruption. Metformin hydrochloride should be added to the list of drugs that can cause a psoriasiform eruption.     

A case of acute cutaneous graft-versus-host disease mimicking psoriasis vulgaris

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a frequent complication occurring after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and is divided into acute and chronic type. Cutaneous involvement is the most frequent manifestation of acute GVHD, with maculopapular exanthema and perifollicular papular lesions. We describe the first case to develop acute cutaneous GVHD mimicking psoriasis vulgaris shortly after allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. The patient's rash resembled psoriasis vulgaris and showed histologic features of both psoriasis and acute GVHD. Despite various immunosuppressant therapies, the skin lesion was drug-resistant. Therefore, we administered psoralen-UVA (PUVA) therapy and achieved the desired therapeutic effect. As far as we know, this is the first case of psoriasiform skin eruption as a manifestation of acute GVHD.     

Psoriasiform and pustular eruption induced by infliximab

Although antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF)-alpha therapy provides beneficial effects on various chronic inflammatory skin diseases including psoriasis, cutaneous side-effects have also been reported. We describe four patients who showed psoriasiform eruption following anti-TNF-alpha therapy (infliximab) for Crohn's disease. In all patients, Crohn's disease had responded well to infliximab. Three patients developed plaque-type psoriasiform eruption on the trunk and four extremities, while one patient showed pustular eruption on the palms and soles accompanied with plaque-type psoriasis. In all these patients, skin lesions subsided with topical application of corticosteroid ointment or psoralen plus ultraviolet A treatment.     

Lichenoid graft vs. host disease following liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Graft vs. host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) but is rarely seen after solid organ transplantation. METHODS: We report a case of lichenoid GVDH arising in a 60-year-old man 10 weeks after orthotopic liver transplantation. RESULTS: Skin biopsies revealed changes suggestive of lichenoid GVHD, but histological features differed from those described in post bone marrow (stem cell) transplant GVHD, in that a dense lymphoid infiltrate was present. The brisk infiltrate contained eosinophils that initially led to concern for a lichenoid drug eruption. The patient developed multiorgan GVHD after reduction in immunosuppression. The diagnosis of chronic GVHD was confirmed by the demonstration of chimerism in the patient's peripheral blood. The generalized cutaneous eruption and systemic manifestations responded to salvage therapy including intravenous immunoglobulin infusion, increased immunosuppression with high-dose steroids, mycophenolate mofetil, and systemic and topical tacrolimus. CONCLUSIONS: In interpreting skin biopsies, it is important to recognize that brisk inflammation may be seen in GVHD in the setting of solid organ transplantation, in contrast to the more sparse inflammation typical of GVHD following BMT. The clinical and histologic differential diagnosis included the eruption of lymphocyte recovery, drug reaction, and viral exanthem. We provide a conceptual framework for evaluating generalized cutaneous changes that may occur post transplantation.     

Psoralen plus ultraviolet-A-bath photochemotherapy as an adjunct treatment modality in cutaneous chronic graft versus host disease

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a severe complication following allogeneic stem cell (PBSCT) and bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Immunosuppressive therapy consists of prednisone, cyclosporine-A, azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Treatment of patients refractory to immunosuppression represents a major problem. METHODS: We report six patients suffering from severe chronic GVHD of the skin who did not respond to immunosuppressive therapy or relapsed after reduction of glucocorticosteroids. Patients were treated with psoralen plus ultraviolet (PUVA)-bath photochemotherapy three times weekly following a standardized treatment protocol under continued treatment with prednisone and/or MMF. One patient was additionally pretreated with ultraviolet-A1 (UV-Al). RESULTS: After a median of 14, 5 treatment sessions, skin lesions improved. Out of six patients, three showed a complete remission. In all patients, systemic immunosuppressive therapy could be reduced. In sclerodermic lesions, skin thickness returned to the levels of normal skin after 25 treatments confirmed by 20 MHz ultrasound evaluation. In a follow-up ranging from 2 to 21 months (median 10, 3 months), skin conditions remained stable. CONCLUSION: Psoralen plus ultraviolet-A-bath represents an effective adjunct treatment option for extensive chronic and sclerodermic cutaneous GVHD offered by dermatologists. This is of high interest in patients suffering from cutaneous GVHD resistant to conventional immunosuppressive therapy and should be included to the menu of topical treatment options for chronic cutaneous GVHD.     

Graft Versus Host Disease with Mixed Chimerism

We report a patient with graft versus host disease (GVHD) with mixed chimerism (MC). The patient had chronic myelogenous leukemia and received bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from his elder sister. Eighty days after BMT, erythematous lesions appeared on his chest. Histological examination from the skin lesion revealed lymphocytic infiltration into the upper dermis. Eosinophilic necrotic keratinocytes were scattered through the epidermis. Liquefaction degeneration was also recognized. Sicca syndrome appeared from 110 days after BMT. Detection of host origin Y-chromosome-specific DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in bone marrow and peripheral blood showed that all bone marrow samples obtained 6 months from BMT were positive for Y-specific DNA, while peripheral blood became positive in the 60th month after BMT. The host origin normal karyotype (46,XY) in the bone marrow samples was identified for the first time in the 60th month after BMT. These results indicate that host-origin hematopoietic cells survived after BMT.     

Facial Erythema and Pigmentation as an Initial Manifestation of Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease

Two bone marrow transplant recipients developed chronic graft-versus-host disease, presenting with a mild erythematous, pigmented eruption only on the face three and ten months after transplantation. Histologically, the lesions showed liquefaction degeneration of basal keratinocytes and incontinence of melanin in the upper dermis with a mild infiltrate of T-lymphocytes. These findings suggest that such a facial eruption occasionally may represent an initial manifestation of chronic GVHD.     

Annular psoriasiform eruption with lymphocytic infiltration of the epidermis: a variant of acute psoriasis?

Disseminated annular psoriasiform lesions developed over a period of 2 months in a 48-year-old man with no preceding psoriatic history of drug intake, being accompanied by general dullness and arthralgia. Etretinate was effective for both skin eruption and arthralgia; only the latter recurred on its cessation 5 months later. However, histologic features examined by serial sections totally lacked those of pustular psoriasis; there were no neutrophils in the epidermis where massive T lymphocyte infiltration existed instead, in a fashion similar to that of early psoriatic lesions. We differentiated this peculiar annular psoriasiform eruption from the annular erythematous lesions noted in pityriasis rosea, erythema annulare centrifugum, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, annular erythema associated with Sj?gren's syndrome and erythema chronicum migrans. It is our speculation that this dermatosis represents a variant of acute psoriasis, rather than annular pustular psoriasis. The histopathologic and immunohistologic findings suggest ongoing cellular immune responses in these lesions where some unknown inhibitory mechanisms might be operative against further production of neutrophil chemotactic factors that usually takes place in psoriatic lesions.     

Clinical significance of skin biopsies in the diagnosis and management of graft-vs-host disease in early postallogeneic bone marrow transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of skin biopsies in the management of suspected graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) within 30 days of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). DESIGN: Retrospective study based on review of a BMT database. SETTING: Leukemia/BMT ward of a tertiary care, university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred and eighty-seven consecutive patients who received allogeneic BMT between January 1, 1994, and June 30, 1997, at Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Skin biopsy frequency for patients with rashes suggestive of acute GVHD; (2) clinical significance of skin biopsy in the management of patients with suspected acute GVHD after BMT; (3) relationship between severity of clinical GVHD and the likelihood to receive GVHD therapy; and (4) relationship between biopsy status or biopsy result and outcome of BMT (acute and chronic GVHD, transplant-related mortality, and overall and event-free survival). RESULTS: During the early post-BMT period (<30 days after BMT), 88 patients had rashes suggestive of acute GVHD; of these, 51 (58%) underwent skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Skin biopsies were performed more often for higher clinical stages of cutaneous GVHD. There was no significant difference between the patients with positive biopsy findings and those with negative findings, either in the clinical severity of acute GVHD or in likelihood to receive treatment for GVHD. Most (85%) of the patients who underwent biopsies and received GVHD therapy had treatment initiated before skin biopsies were performed or before the results were available. The higher the clinical grade of overall acute GVHD, the more likely it was that the patients were treated for GVHD (P<.001). The outcome of BMT was not influenced by the skin biopsy status or biopsy result. CONCLUSIONS: The biopsy findings correlated poorly with the clinical severity of skin rash suggestive of acute GVHD soon after BMT. The decision to treat suspected acute GVHD depended not on skin biopsy findings but rather on clinical severity of acute GVHD. In this regard, skin biopsy has a limited role in the management of patients early after allogeneic BMT.     

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus in sclerodermatous chronic graft-versus-host disease

In May 1994, a 40-year-old woman with chronic myeloid leukemia received an allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) from her human leukocyte antigen (HLA) identical sister, after a conditioning regimen with cyclophosphamide and busulfan. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine (CsA) and methotrexate. Facial and palmoplantar erythema and moderate cholestasis developed on day 14 after the BMT. A diagnosis of acute GVHD was made and she was successfully treated with low doses of corticosteroids. On day 150 after the BMT, despite the prophylactic treatment of GVHD with CsA (150 mg/12 h), she developed several burning white plaque-like striae over the buccal mucosa and numerous itching violaceous lichenoid papules on the fingertips. Biopsy specimens obtained from both the skin of the fingertips and the oral mucosa ( Fig. 1 ) revealed patchy to diffuse subepithelial lymphocytic inflammation and necrosis of individual squamous cells, consistent with a diagnosis of chronic lichenoid GVHD. Despite therapy with CsA, topical and systemic corticosteroids (prednisone 60 mg/24 h), the oral lichenoid lesions persisted. On day 750 after the BMT, 2 months after withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy, she developed several erythematous, pruriginous, and slight indurated lesions over the neck. These lesions coalesced into plaques, adopting a white atrophic-like appearance with follicular plugs similar to lichen sclerosus et atrophicus ( Fig. 2 ). Histopathologic examination showed hyperkeratosis with follicular plugging, atrophy of the stratum Malpighii with hydropic degeneration of the basal cells, homogenization of the collagen, incontinence of the pigment, and a discrete lymphoplasmocytic inflammatory infiltrate in the upper dermis ( Fig. 3 ). Systemic corticosteroid therapy was re-introduced. On day 850 after the BMT, physical examination revealed patchy hyperpigmentation affecting the back and limbs, and diffuse thickening and hardening of the skin of the legs, forearms, and dorsa of the hands, resulting in

Figure 1 Open in figure viewer PowerPoint Diffuse subepithelial lymphocytic inflammation and satellite cell necrosis of squamous cells in oral mucosa (hematoxylin and eosin, ×25)     

Cutaneous reactions to propranolol (author's transl)]

A 17-year-old male patient with eczematous and psoriasiform eruption that developed during long-term therapy with Propanolol (Avlocardyl) has been studied. This eruption disappeared after removal of the drug; oral challenge was soon followed by a vesiculous and bullous eruption of face and extremities; five months later, sun exposure was followed by a severe eczematous eruption in these areas; nails changes were then observed. Most of side-effects of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs have been reported with Practolol: lichenoid, exanthematous, eczematous, psoriasiform rashes; exfoliative dermatitis; oculo-muco-cutaneous reactions; fibrosing polyseritis and drug induced systemic lupus erythematosus manifestations. Adverse effects of other beta-adrenergic blocking agents are less frequent. The pathogenetic mechanism responsible for these adverse reactions is still obscur: these changes might be caused by blockade of the epidermal cells (and T-lymphocytes) beta-receptors, more than by a direct immunologic, allergic or toxic mechanism.     

Diaper Dermatitis with Psoriasiform ID Eruption

ABSTRACT: Diaper dermatitis with psoriasiform ID eruption has a distinct clinical presentation. Its etiology and relationship to psoriasis remain uncertain. Previous reports have shaven histologic features of subacute to chronic dermatitis. Two cases are presented in which a biopsy of secondary lesions showed features characteristic of psoriasis. It is possible that such cases represent those patients with A psoriatic diathesis.     

Effectiveness of dupilumab in pediatric patients with a nummular phenotype of atopic dermatitis

The nummular phenotype of atopic dermatitis is clinically characterized by pruritic, coin-shaped plaques that are frequently recalcitrant to treatment. In this study, a retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in children with nummular lesions of dermatitis. Twelve out of 14 patients demonstrated significant clinical improvement at a median time of 2.5 months (interquartile range, 1–4) after dupilumab initiation. A single case of paradoxical psoriasiform eruption was the only side effect reported in our cohort.     

Complicated lichenoid drug eruption

We report a case of severe lichenoid drug eruption with multiple possible causative agents. A hepatitis C-positive male presented with a short history of painful erosions of the vermilion, lichenoid lesions on the buccal mucosa and glans penis, and erosions and lichenification of the scrotum. In addition, he had a pruritic polymorphic eruption over the scalp, trunk and limbs, comprising psoriasiform and eczematous lesions. He had received combination therapy of pegylated interferon-alpha-2a and ribavirin, along with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for interferon-induced leucopenia, and propranolol for portal hypertension. The former three agents were ceased 3 weeks prior to presentation, but he remained on propranolol at the initial dermatology consultation. The polymorphous clinical picture was consistent with lichenoid drug eruption, which was confirmed on histology. The papulosquamous eruption responded quickly to 2 weeks of oral prednisone 25 mg daily, which was tapered to 1 mg over 3 months and then ceased. The mucosal lesions were slow to improve and required the addition of tacrolimus 0.03% solution t.d.s. for complete resolution.     

Psoriasiform napkin dermatitis-a follow-up study.

One hundred and twenty-three children who had napkin dermatitis, with or without a secondary sensitization eruption, in infancy were reviewed 5-13 years later. Of the seventy-one who had a predominantly psoriasiform secondary eruption, twelve (17%) had psoriasis at review-three (4%) had atopic eczema. None of the forty treated for a predominantly seborrhoeic secondary eruption had psoriasis at review-15 (37%) had atopic eczema. The psoriasiform group had the highest incidence of psoriasis and the lowest incidence of atopy among first degree relatives. The converse incidence was found in the seborrhoeic group. It is suggested that infants who develop psoriasiform napkin dermatitis have a psoriatic diathesis.     

Psoriasiform napkin dermatitis—a follow-up study

One hundred and twenty-three children who had napkin dermatitis, with or without a secondary sensitization eruption, in infancy were reviewed 5–13 years later. Of the seventy-one who had a predominantly psoriasiform secondary eruption, twelve (17%) had psoriasis at review—three (4%) had atopic eczema. None of the forty treated for a predominantly seborrhoeic secondary eruption had psoriasis at review—15 (37%) had atopic eczema. The psoriasiform group had the highest incidence of psoriasis and the lowest incidence of atopy among first degree relatives. The converse incidence was found in the seborrhoeic group. It is suggested that infants who develop psoriasiform napkin dermatitis have a psoriatic diathesis.     

Eczema-like cutaneous graft versus host disease treated by UV-B therapy in a 2-year-old child

INTRODUCTION: Chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) has rarely been reported in children. Optimal treatment should minimize infectious complications and preserve the child's growth. We report a case of cutaneous GVHD in a two year-old boy, who presented an eczema-like eruption and responded well to broad band UV-B therapy. CASE REPORT: A two year-old boy with acute myeloblastic leukemia had a heterologous bone marrow transplantation with a graft issued from an unrelated female donor. Three month later, he developed eczema-like lesions of the trunk, arms and legs associated with diffuse alopecia, despite oral corticosteroids and cyclosporine treatment. Histologic findings were consistent with GVHD. Topical corticosteroids and broad band UV-B therapy were initiated, while oral corticosteroids and cyclosporine doses were tappered off. GVHD lesions cleared, allowing withdrawal of oral corticosteroids and cyclosporine 3 and 12 months respectively after initiation of UV-B therapy. No relapse occurred 24 months after systemic treatment discontinuation and 12 months after broad band UV-B therapy was stopped. CONCLUSION: This observation suggests that broad band UV-B therapy is an effective treatment for eczema-like, cutaneous GVHD.     

Disseminated hyperkeratotic and granulomatous nodules in a child with fatal Epstein-Barr-virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare and potentially fatal syndrome associated with a variety of genetic, malignant, autoimmune, or infectious conditions. The importance of cutaneous presentations of this syndrome has only recently been brought forward. We report the first case of Epstein-Barr-virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis presenting with papulonodular and granulomatous skin lesions. A girl of African origin developed several umbilicated papules on her extremities and face at the age of 18 months. She was born in Germany, had never visited Africa, and was otherwise healthy. Over the next 5 months the lesions progressed in size and number and became hyperkeratotic. Histopathologic analysis of early lesions revealed a superficial lympho- and plasmacellular dermatitis with some features of panniculitis. Later biopsy specimens from nodular lesions showed the formation of tuberculoid granulomas in the deep dermis. At the age of 23 months she became severely ill, rapidly developing high fever, hepatosplenomegaly, icterus, pancytopenia, and ascites. On the basis of bone marrow and lymph node biopsies, the diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was established. However, this phenomenon could not be detected in any of the skin specimens. An active Epstein-Barr virus infection was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction in blood, lymphoid tissue, and skin. Despite chemotherapy with etoposide and cortisone, the girl expired 14 days after clinical onset of her systemic disease.