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Biopsies were taken from 4 patients who presented to their dermatologist with violaceous papules and plaques of the dorsal toes (COVID Toes) associated with varying degrees of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 exposure and COVID-19 testing. Major histopathologic findings were lymphocytic eccrine inflammation and a spectrum of vasculopathic findings to include superficial and deep angiocentric-perivascular lymphocytic inflammation, lymphocytes in vessel walls (lymphocytic vasculitis), endothelial swelling, red blood cell extravasation, and focal deposits of fibrin in both vessel lumina, and vessel walls. Interface changes were observed to include vacuolopathy and apoptotic keratinocytes at the basement membrane. Immunostains showed a dominant T-cell lineage (positive for T-cell receptor beta, CD2, CD3, CD5, and CD7). B-cells were rare and clusters of CD123-positive dermal plasmacytoid dendritic cells were observed surrounding eccrine clusters and some perivascular zones. The consistent perieccrine and vasculopathic features represent important pathologic findings in the diagnosis of COVID toes and are suggestive of pathogenetic mechanisms. Clinicopathologic correlation, the epidemiological backdrop, and the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic favor a viral causation and should alert the physician to initiate a workup and the appropriate use of COVID-19 testing.

The varying cutaneous and pathological manifestations of coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) may have prognostic implications. Acral ischemic findings present with a hypercoagulable state in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Pathologically confirmed varicella-like exanthem and perniosis COVID-19 cases have correlated with paucisymptomatic and asymptomatic patients in previous reports. We present the second case of biopsy-proven COVID-19 infection-induced chilblains (pernio) in a paucisymptomatic patient with a brisk perieccrine lymphocytic response. Based on an antecedent pathological study, we know coronavirus particles have been seen in the eccrine gland associated with a brisk peri-inflammatory response. The prominent perieccrine inflammation is helpful in the diagnosis of COVID-19 infections. Currently, nonischemic pathological findings correlate with a good prognosis based on the paucisymptomatic or asymptomatic nature of their disease courses. Patients presenting with suspected COVID-19 infection-induced chilblains who are paucisymptomatic or asymptomatic should be isolated and immediately tested with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing (as there is a delay in diagnosis based on the poor sensitivity of the current rapid test). We continue to stress the importance of early diagnosis and quarantining to prevent spread to the older and immunocompromised patients.