Pitfall of modern genetics: recurrent erysipelas masquerading as autoinflammatory disease.

ABSTRACT

A patient presented with recurrent episodes of fever and skin rash for eight years. DNA analysis of the NLRP3 gene revealed a mutation associated with autoinflammatory disease. After an initial positive response to the biological anakinra, the patient deteriorated. Reassessment revealed recurrent erysipelas. In conclusion, sometimes erysipelas-like skin rash is real erysipelas, and DNA results are not always the final answer.