The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dermatological Conditions: A Novel, Comprehensive Review.

Background: The earliest cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since the declaration as a pandemic on 11 March 2020, further dermatological conditions continue to be documented. We herein present a novel literature review of dermatological manifestations associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To date, this literature review is the first broad-spectrum examination that analyzes a range of dermatological manifestations related to the COVID-19 pandemic: infection, vaccinations, personal protective equipment (PPE), and psychosocial factors. Methods: A detailed literature search was conducted using key terms for cutaneous manifestations associated with the scope of this review. The search retrieved 2199 articles. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a significant range of dermatologic sequela. Etiologies of lesions continue to be investigated. Proposed mechanisms include inflammatory response to spike protein, vitamin D deficiency, ACE2 receptor activation, androgen levels, and increased psychological stress. One prominent mechanism describes viral spike protein invasion into the dermis by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors in keratinocytes, with a secondary immunological response. Conclusions: Dermatologists play an integral role in the proper diagnosis and treatment of COVID-related lesions. Early treatment regimens and timely prophylaxis have been shown to safely reduce infection-related dermatological sequelae. Additional investigations and data collection can reduce disease burden and improve overall prognosis.

Aggressive Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas Following Treatment for Graft-versus-Host Disease: A Case Report and Review of Risk Factors.

A 19-year-old female with a history of pre-B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) presented with two aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (C-SCC) in the right hand. The patient was diagnosed with pre-B cell ALL at four years of age. She underwent chemotherapy with initial remission. However, recurrence of the pre-B cell ALL required an unrelated allogeneic cord hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT). Post-transplant, the patient developed Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD), which was treated with immunosuppressant therapy for six years until resolution. Fourteen years following the transplant, the patient developed a morbilliform drug eruption secondary to clindamycin. She consequently received prednisone treatment. During the treatment period, the patient developed a new ulcerated and tender nodule on the dorsal aspect of her right hand. Further histopathological biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of C-SCC, which required excision. Ten months following the excision, the patient developed an additional C-SCC nodule on the same right hand, separated by 2.6 cm from the prior C-SCC. She was referred for a ray resection procedure. This case illustrates a patient with multiple risk factors that may have contributed to the continued development of C-SCC. Such risk factors include: a prolonged course of immunosuppressant medications and voriconazole treatment. Additional research is needed to investigate the etiologies and risks of C-SCC development in patients who require a transplant and long-duration immunosuppressive therapy.

Clinical Characteristics of Connective Tissue Nevi in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex With Special Emphasis on Shagreen Patches.

Importance: Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) frequently develop collagenous connective tissue nevi. The prototypical lesion is a large shagreen patch located on the lower back, but some patients only manifest small collagenomas or have lesions elsewhere on the body. The ability to recognize these variable presentations can be important for the diagnosis of TSC. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of connective tissue nevi on the trunk and extremities of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective analysis of patient medical records and skin photography was performed; 104 adult patients with TSC were enrolled in an observational cohort study that was enriched for those with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis, and was therefore composed mostly of women (99 women, 5 men). All patients included were examined at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, from 1998 to 2013. Connective tissue nevi were categorized per anatomic location and size. Lesions less than 1 cm in diameter were termed collagenomas. Shagreen patches were characterized as small (1 to <4 cm), medium (4 to <8 cm), and large (≥8 cm). Main Outcome and Measures: Frequency, anatomic location, size, and histological appearance of connective tissue nevi in patients with TSC. Results: Overall, 58 of 104 patients (median [range] age, 42 [19-70] years) with TSC (56%) had at least 1 connective tissue nevus on the trunk or thighs; of these, 28 of 58 patients (48%) had a solitary lesion, and 30 of 58 patients (52%) had 2 or more lesions. Overall, 120 lesions from 55 patients were classified by size; 46 lesions (38%) were collagenomas; 39 lesions (32%) were small shagreen patches; 21 lesions (18%), medium shagreen patches; and 14 lesions (12%), large shagreen patches. The distribution of lesions was 9% (n = 11), upper back; 29% (n = 35), middle back; 51% (n = 61), lower back; and 11% (n = 13), other locations. All 26 shagreen patches that were analyzed histopathologically had coarse collagen fibers and 24 of 26 stained with Miller elastic stain had decreased elastic fibers. On immunoblot analysis, fibroblasts grown from shagreen patches expressed higher levels of phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 than paired fibroblasts from normal-appearing skin. Conclusions and Relevance: Tuberous sclerosis complex-related connective tissue nevi are not limited to the lower back, and occasionally present on the central or upper back, buttocks, or thighs. Elastic fibers are typically decreased. Recognition of these variable presentations can be important for TSC diagnosis.

Treatment of Psoriasis in the Deployed Setting.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disorder that can be triggered by environmental changes, illness, smoking, or medications. This case describes a 25-year-old, active-duty Marine Corps Sergeant with a severe perideployment psoriatic flare, and illustrates treatment limitations, restricted access to specialized care, and the importance of mitigating triggers in the deployed setting.