1. Bilateral Chilblain-like Lesions of the Toes Characterized by Microvascular Remodeling in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Author
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Antonio Travaglino, Paola Nappa, Maria Alessio, Andrea Catzola, Alessandra Punziano, Francesca Della Casa, Massimo Mascolo, Gabriella Fabbrocini, Alfredo Guarino, Eugenia Bruzzese, Stefania Staibano, Luca Pierri, Maria Vastarella, Valentina Discepolo, Grace Smith, Discepolo, V, Catzola, A, Pierri, L, Mascolo, M, Della Casa, F, Vastarella, M, Smith, G, Travaglino, A, Punziano, A, Nappa, P, Staibano, S, Bruzzese, E, Fabbrocini, G, Guarino, A, and Alessio, M.
- Subjects
Male ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Vascular Remodeling ,Thrombophilia ,Pediatrics ,Perivascular Lymphocytic Infiltrate ,Serology ,Interquartile range ,medicine ,Humans ,Lymphocytes ,Prospective Studies ,skin and connective tissue diseases ,Chilblains ,Prospective cohort study ,Pandemics ,Original Investigation ,Skin ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,SARS-CoV-2 ,business.industry ,Research ,fungi ,COVID-19 ,General Medicine ,Toes ,medicine.disease ,Hospitals ,body regions ,Online Only ,Italy ,Skin biopsy ,Female ,business ,Vasculitis - Abstract
Key Points Question Are chilblain-like lesions of the toes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or is the association merely temporal? Findings This case series of 17 adolescents found that chilblain-like lesions of the toes emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic in otherwise healthy adolescents without signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection or other inflammatory, autoimmune, or thrombophilic phenomena. Meaning These results suggest that chilblain-like lesions are not associated with systemic or localized SARS-CoV-2 infection., Importance Chilblain-like lesions have been one of the most frequently described cutaneous manifestations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their etiopathogenesis, including the role of SARS-CoV-2, remains elusive. Objective To examine the association of chilblain-like lesions with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective case series enrolled 17 adolescents who presented with chilblain-like lesions from April 1 to June 30, 2020, at a tertiary referral academic hospital in Italy. Main Outcomes and Measures Macroscopic (clinical and dermoscopic) and microscopic (histopathologic) analysis contributed to a thorough understanding of the lesions. Nasopharyngeal swab, serologic testing, and in situ hybridization of the skin biopsy specimens were performed to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Laboratory tests explored signs of systemic inflammation or thrombophilia. Structural changes in peripheral microcirculation were investigated by capillaroscopy. Results Of the 17 adolescents (9 [52.9%] male; median [interquartile range] age, 13.2 [12.5-14.3] years) enrolled during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, 16 (94.1%) had bilaterally localized distal erythematous or cyanotic lesions. A triad of red dots (16 [100%]), white rosettes (11 [68.8%]), and white streaks (10 [62.5%]) characterized the dermoscopic picture. Histologic analysis revealed a remodeling of the dermal blood vessels with a lobular arrangement, wall thickening, and a mild perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. SARS-CoV-2 infection was excluded by molecular and serologic testing. In situ hybridization did not highlight the viral genome in the lesions. Conclusions and Relevance This study delineated the clinical, histologic, and laboratory features of chilblain-like lesions that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its findings do not support their association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The lesions occurred in otherwise healthy adolescents, had a long but benign course to self-resolution, and were characterized by a microvascular remodeling with perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate but no other signs of vasculitis. These results suggest that chilblain-like lesions do not imply a concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection. Ongoing studies will help clarify the etiopathogenic mechanisms., This case series examines the association of chilblain-like lesions with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Published
- 2021