Erythema nodosum after azacitidine in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: Nodular skin lesions in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) raise clinical suspicion for leukemia cutis versus fungal infections. Here, we report a rare case of treatment-related erythema nodosum (EN) in a patient with AML. CASE REPORT: Approximately 5 weeks after the initiation of sorafenib and one week after azacitidine initiation, a 32-year-old man with primary refractory AML presented with several painful red nodules on the lower extremities. Histological examination established a diagnosis of EN. MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME: Treatment with topical and oral steroids led to complete resolution of the nodules. However, once the dose of steroids was reduced, the lesions rapidly recurred. Higher dose steroids were reinitiated, again with a resolution of the nodules, confirming steroid responsiveness of the underlying process. DISCUSSION: Given the onset of lesions one week after the initiation of azacitidine and 5 weeks after the initiation of sorafenib, azacitidine was considered the more likely culprit. Only 2 cases of EN-like eruption after azacitidine and 1 case after sorafenib have been reported. Although fungal infections and leukemia cutis are the top differentials considered for skin nodules in a patient with AML, EN should be considered as an alternative diagnosis. Correct diagnosis is critical because it will guide treatment.

Atypical Presentation of Erythema Nodosum Following Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

Background: Erythema nodosum (EN) is a common form of panniculitis that could be triggered by numerous conditions including infectious and non-infectious conditions. So far, few cases of EN caused by COVID-19 vaccine had been reported. Case Report: We report a case of atypical presentation of EN mimicking cellulitis in a patient who received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. A 38-year-old healthy woman who developed painful swelling on the left leg one week after receiving the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Skin biopsy was revealed septal panniculitis. Due to the temporal association and the absence of other identifiable causes, Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine-related EN would be the most likely explanation. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccines could be associated with rare side effects that should be reported for a better understanding of related outcomes of COVID-19 vaccination. This case was reported to keep in mind that EN can have atypical presentation as a rare side effect of COVID-19 vaccines.

Ofloxacin-Containing Multidrug Therapy in Ambulatory Leprosy Patients: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Standard dapsone and clofazimine-containing multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy is limited by drug tolerability, which poses treatment adherence barriers. Although ofloxacin-based regimens are promising alternatives, current efficacy and safety data are limited, particularly outside of endemic areas. We evaluated treatment outcomes in patients with leprosy receiving ofloxacin-containing MDT (OMDT) at our center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients treated for leprosy at our center over an 8-year period (2011-2019). Primary outcomes evaluated were clinical cure rate, occurrence of leprosy reactions, antibiotic-related adverse events, and treatment adherence. Analyses were descriptive; however, data were stratified by age, sex, spectrum of disease, region of origin, and treatment regimen, and odds ratios were reported to assess associations with adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Over the enrolment period, 26 patients were treated with OMDT (n = 19 multibacillary, n = 7 paucibacillary), and none were treated with clofazimine-based standard MDT. At the time of analysis, 23 patients (88%) had completed their course of treatment, and all were clinically cured, while 3 (12%) were still on treatment. Eighteen patients (69%) experienced either ENL (n = 7, 27%), type 1 reactions (n = 7, 27%), or both (n = 4, 15%). No patients stopped ofloxacin due to adverse drug effects, and there were no cases of allergic hypersensitivity, tendinopathy or rupture, or C. difficile colitis. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a high cure rate and tolerability of OMDT in this small case series over an 8-year period, suggesting its viability as an alternative to standard clofazimine-containing MDT.

Erythema nodosum induced by oral isotretinoin in a patient with condylomata acuminata.

Erythema nodosum (EN) is a form of septal panniculitis, which is believed to represent a delayed hypersensitivity reaction activated by infectious agents, drugs, granulomatous and autoimmune diseases, pregnancy, and malignancies. There are only four reported cases of EN during oral isotretinoin therapy to our knowledge, all of them occurring in patients with severe acne. Since acne itself can trigger EN, the question as to whether there is indeed a causative relationship between isotretinoin and EN in the reported cases remains to be elucidated. We present herein a 20-year-old woman with multiple vulvar condylomata acuminata who developed EN two weeks after onset of oral isotretinoin therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of EN occurring during isotretinoin treatment in a patient without acne and strongly indicates that the pathogenesis of EN can be directly related to the biological actions of isotretinoin. Erythema nodosum should be regarded as a rare side effect of oral isotretinoin therapy, regardless of the underlying disease. Physicians should be aware of this rare side effect.

Eritema nodoso asociado al uso de anillo vaginal anticonceptivo / Erythema nodosum associated with the use of contraceptive vaginal ring

El eritema nodoso (EN) es la forma de paniculitis más común. Este trastorno representa una reacción de hipersensibilidad frente a diferentes antígenos, así como múltiples enfermedades sistémicas y fármacos, aunque en la mayoría de casos se desconoce la causa. Nuevos fármacos se añaden a la lista de involucrados en la etiopatogenia del eritema nodoso conforme van pasando los años, siendo uno de ellos los anticonceptivos hormonales orales combinados. El objetivo de este trabajo es proponer una relación entre los estrógenos de cualquier método anticonceptivo como puede ser el anillo vaginal combinado y la aparición del eritema nodoso.

Erythema nodosum (EN) is the most common form of panniculitis. This disorder represents a hypersensitivity reaction in front of different antigens, as well as multiple systemic diseases and drugs, although in most cases the cause is unknown. New drugs are added to the list of those involved in the etiopathogenesis of erythema nodosum as the years go by, one of them being combined oral hormonal contraceptives. The objective of this study is to propose a relationship between estrogens from any contraceptive method such as the combined vaginal ring and the appearance of erythema nodosum.

Erythema nodosum arising during everolimus therapy for tuberous sclerosis complex.

Indications for everolimus and other drugs within the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor class have recently expanded to include tuberous sclerosis complex. Everolimus is generally well tolerated, but it is important for physicians to identify and manage associated cutaneous adverse effects. We report the first case of a child developing erythema nodosum while undergoing everolimus therapy.

Erythema nodosum-like panniculitis mimicking disease recurrence: A novel toxicity from immune checkpoint blockade therapy-Report of 2 patients.

Immunotherapies targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligand (PD-L1) have showed substantial therapeutic benefit in patients with clinically advanced solid malignancies. However, autoimmune toxicities are common and often significant adverse events with these agents. While rash and pruritus remain the most common cutaneous complications in treated patients, novel dermatologic toxicities related to immune checkpoint blockade continue to emerge as the number of patients exposed to immunotherapy increases. Here, we describe 2 patients treated with combination immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab who developed painful subcutaneous nodules. Although the findings were clinically concerning for disease recurrence, histopathologic examination of biopsies from the lesions revealed a subcutaneous mixed septal and lobular erythema nodosum-like panniculitis. Notably, neither patient received immunosuppressive therapy for these lesions, which subsequently remained stable, and both patients' cancer remained controlled. These cases show that the dermatologic toxicity profile of immune checkpoint blockade is diverse and continues to expand, and illustrates that recognition of such toxicities is critical to optimal patient management.

Grotesque Face Secondary to Immunotherapy: Cure Circumvallating to Curse.

A 45-year-old woman presented with multiple, slightly painful, reddish, nodular facial lesions that had developed at the site of Mycobacterium w vaccine injections given for her facial warts 4 weeks prior. She had not received a sensitization dose of Mycobacterium w vaccine, and all of the inflamed lesions were injected at the same time. On examination, approximately 20 erythematous, succulent nodules of variable size were noted over the cheeks and forehead (Figure 1). Some of these lesions had purulent discharge due to secondary infection. After a course of oral amoxicillin, a punch biopsy was performed from one of the nodules and submitted for histopathologic examination.

Reacción lepromatosa tipo I, a propósito de un caso / Type I lepra reaction: a case report

La lepra es una infección crónica, granulomatosa, producida por Mycobacterium leprae, que afecta piel y nervios periféricos. Se describen dos tipos de reacciones leprosas: tipo I y tipo II, las que corresponden a cuadros agudos que exacerban la enfermedad. Estas leproreacciones pueden ocurrir antes, durante o después del tratamiento. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino que acude a consultar con lesiones cutáneas y resultado de biopsia de piel con diagnóstico de lepra. Se inicia tratamiento multidroga OMS-MB1. Posteriormente presenta una leproreacción tipo I, por lo que se le realiza tratamiento con prednisona.

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection of the skin and peripheral nervous system produced by Mycobacterium leprae. Two types of acute leprosy reactions have been described: type I and type II. These reactions can occur before, during or after treatment. We present the case of an adult male patient presenting with skin lesions and skin biopsy diagnostic for leprosy. A multidrug WHO-MB 1 treatment was initiated, after which he presents with type I lepra reaction requiring corticosteroids.

Erythema Nodosum-like Septal Panniculitis Secondary to Lenalidomide Therapy in a Patient With Janus Kinase 2-Positive Myelofibrosis.

Erythema nodosum (EN) is a panniculitis frequently encountered secondary to medical therapy. We present a case of a 66-year-old gentleman with JAK2-positive myelofibrosis who developed transient EN-like lesions on his trunk and upper and lower extremities approximately three weeks after starting lenalidomide therapy. The subcutaneous nodules improved with intralesional triamcinolone and topical clobetasol without discontinuation of lenalidomide.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(8):1024-1025.

[BRAF Inhibitor-Induced Erythema Nodosum-Like Lesions].

BRAF inhibitors have been licensed for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic BRAF-mutated melanomas. In Japan, the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib has been available since December 2014. Several adverse events induced by BRAF inhibitors have been reported, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrosis, squamous cell carcinoma, secondary melanoma, and hand-foot syndrome. Recently, inflammatory skin lesions clinically resembling erythema nodosum have been reported as side effects that may lead to treatment discontinuation. In this report, we described the first Japanese case of erythema nodosum-like lesions induced by vemurafenib and discussed the countermeasures to this adverse reaction. Dose reduction or interruption of BRAF inhibitors should be considered on a case-by-case basis because the condition may resolve spontaneously or under symptomatic treatment. We postulate that erythema nodosum-like lesions can be controlled by careful follow-up and supportive care.

Erythema nodosum as a result of estrogen patch therapy for prostate cancer: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Erythema nodosum is often associated with a distressing symptomatology, including painful subcutaneous nodules, polyarthropathy, and significant fatigue. Whilst it is a well-documented side-effect of estrogen therapy in females, we describe what we believe to be the first report in the literature of erythema nodosum as a result of estrogen therapy in a male. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old Afro-Caribbean man with locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate agreed to participate in a randomized controlled trial comparing estrogen patches with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs to achieve androgen deprivation, and was allocated to the group receiving estrogen patches. One month later he presented with tender lesions on his shins and painful swelling of his ankles, wrists, and left shoulder. This was followed by progressive severe fatigue that required hospital admission, where he was diagnosed with erythema nodosum by a rheumatologist. Two months after discontinuing the estrogen patches the erythema nodosum, and associated symptoms, had fully resolved, and to date he remains well with no further recurrence. CONCLUSION: Trial results may establish transdermal estrogen as an alternative to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs in the management of prostate cancer, and has already been established as a therapy for male to female transsexuals. It is essential to record the toxicity profile of transdermal estrogen in men to ensure accurate safety information. This case report highlights a previously undocumented toxicity of estrogen therapy in men, of which oncologists, urologists, and endocrinologists need to be aware. Rheumatologists and dermatologists should add estrogen therapy to their differential diagnosis of men presenting with erythema nodosum.

Leukaemia cutis after starting bendamustine: cause or coincidence?

A 55-year-old man with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia presented with diffuse skin lesions that began 1 week after starting a new chemotherapy regimen with bendamustine and rituximab. The lesions appeared as erythematous papules that were neither itchy nor tender, and did not blanch with pressure. Initially, they began on his scalp and flanks and, over the next few days, spread diffusely throughout his body, becoming darker in colour. Skin biopsy showed atypical clonal B-cell proliferation in a perivascular, periadnexal and dermal band-like distribution, which was further characterised by immunohistochemical evaluation. These findings were suggestive of leukaemia cutis and consistent with the patient's chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which was previously confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. The bendamustine was stopped and the patient's chemotherapy regimen was switched to fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab. Shortly thereafter, the leukaemia cutis regressed significantly.

Drug-induced panniculitides.

A substantial number of all panniculitides fails to recognize a specific etiology, and that is true also for a relatively frequent type of panniculitis, such as erythema nodosum (EN). Between the recognized causative factors of panniculitides, infectious, physical agents, autoimmune mechanisms and neoplastic disorders are well known. On the contrary, the role of drugs as inducers of panniculitides is marginally considered, and their report limited to anecdotal observations, often without due histopathological support. Since the clinical and histopathological features of drug-induced panniculitides are indistinguishable from those caused by other agents, the causative relationship may be demonstrated by the history of previous drug intake and by clinical improvement after drug discontinuation. We reviewed the currently reported descriptions of drug-induced panniculitis, including a few exemplificative original observations. EN results as the most frequently reported drug-induced panniculitis. Among the causative drugs of EN a variety of medications, with disparate, or even opposite, mechanisms of action are reported, thus limiting the understanding of the pathogenesis. Common causative drugs include oral contraceptives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiobiotics and leukotriene-modifying agents. Unfortunately, in several cases, the diagnosis of drug-induced EN is done on clinical findings alone. In those cases, the lack of histopathological support does not allow to define a precise clinicopathological correlation on etiologic grounds. Drug-induced lobular and mixed panniculitides, including eosinophilic panniculitis, are even more rarely described. Reported causative agents are glatiramer acetate, interferon beta and heparin (at sites of injections), and systemic steroids, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and BRAF with subcutaneous fat involvement at distance. In view of the recent introduction of new classes of drugs, attention should be paid to disclose their possible etiologic role in inducing among other side effects, also panniculitides.