J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021 May 20. doi: 10.1111/jdv.17381. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Descriptions of cutaneous findings associated with COVID-19 have not been consistently accompanied by histopathology or confirmatory testing for SARS-CoV-2.
OBJECTIVE: To describe and classify the cutaneous findings with supporting histopathology of confirmed COVID-19 inpatients.
METHODS: We included consecutive inpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 for whom a dermatology consult was requested. A skin biopsy was performed in all cases. Skin findings were classified as being compatible with a cutaneous manifestation of COVID-19 or as representing a distinct clinical entity.
RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were studied in whom thirty-one dermatologic diagnoses were made. Twenty-two of the dermatoses were compatible with a cutaneous manifestation of COVID-19; nine entities were not associated with infection by SARS-CoV-2. The most common COVID-19-associated pattern was an exanthematous presentation. In four patients, a new pattern was observed, characterized by discrete papules with varied histopathological findings including a case of neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis. No cases of pernio-like lesions were identified. Skin findings not associated with COVID-19 represented 29% of diagnoses and included Malassezia folliculitis, tinea, miliaria, and contact dermatitis.
LIMITATIONS: There is no gold-standard test to distinguish between viral exanthems and drug reactions.
CONCLUSION: A histopathological study is critical before attributing skin findings to a manifestation of COVID-19.
PMID:34013600 | DOI:10.1111/jdv.17381