Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia and cytomegalovirus infection

BACKGROUND: Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia has been reported in some cases as an Herpeviridae complication. We report a case of eccrine squamous syringometaplasia associated with a severe cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompromised patient, and we discuss about potential viral or drug triggering factors. METHODS: A 22 years-old man was hospitalized in an intensive care unit for rejection of a renal graft associated with a disseminated cytomegalovirus infection. A papular and papulopustular eruption appeared on the trunk and the limbs. RESULTS: Histological examination of a skin sample showed eccrine squamous syringometaplasia, with evidence of cytomegalovirus genomic sequences using PCR. Two weeks later, the patient developed toxic epidermal necrolysis, with fatal issue. CONCLUSIONS: Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia is a rare condition, without specific clinical features. Numerous local affections have been reported to induce eccrine syringometaplasia (ulcer, scar, pyoderma gangrenosum, drug injection.), drugs (cytotoxic agents, non steroidal anti inflammatory therapies) and in cases of infection due to cytomegalovirus or herpes simplex virus. The potential implication of cytomegalovirus or foscarnet as triggering factors in our case is discussed. This observation and other similar reported cases lead to the conclusion that eccrine squamous syringometaplasia may be an underestimated complication of cytomegalovirus infections in immunocompromised patients.