Pityriasis Rosea after COVID-19 Infection. 2022

Marta Prtajin, and Suzana Ljubojević Hadžavdić

Dear Editor, Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common, self-limited erythematous papulosquamous dermatosis that mainly affects young adults. It is believed to represent a delayed reaction to viral infections and is usually associated with endogenous systemic reactivation of human herpesvirus (HHV) 6 and / or 7 (1). A 46-year-old man presented to our Department with a two-week history of skin rash associated with mild pruritus. He described the appearance of an erythematous centrally scaled lesion at the right part of his abdomen, followed by the spreading of red oval mildly scaling lesions on the trunk, neck, and proximal parts of the upper extremities, which showed in the physical examination (Figure 1, a and b). He was otherwise healthy and taking no medications. Six weeks prior to the appearance of the initial skin lesion, the patient had coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection with mild clinical presentation (fever up to 38 °C lasting for four days and mild headache) and with symptoms of post COVID-19 syndrome (excessive tiredness). He denied oropharyngeal lesions. Potassium hydroxide, syphilis, and laboratory tests were within normal limits. Within two weeks of topical betamethasone dipropionate treatment, the lesions disappeared completely. In addition to reactivation of HHV-6 or HHV-7, PR can be triggered by some drugs (like angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide, sartans plus hydrochlorothiazide, allopurinol, nimesulide, and acetyl salicylic acid (2) and vaccines (such as smallpox, poliomyelitis, influenza, human papillomavirus, diphtheria, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, pneumococcus, and yellow fever vaccines) (3). There is a growing number of published cases that link PR to COVID-19 infection, with PR appearing either in the acute phase of COVID-19 or, as in our patient, in the post COVID-19 period (4-9). Unlike in our patient, oropharyngeal lesions were observed in approximately 16% of patients with typical PR (10). It has been suggested that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces reactivation of other viruses, such as HHV-6, HHV-7, varicella zoster virus, and Epstein-Barr virus (5). PR has also been reported to follow COVID-19 vaccination (11). As our patient did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine, we cannot evaluate the latter based on the present case. We speculate that PR could be a delayed skin manifestation of COVID-19 infection, triggered either by SARS-CoV-2 immediately or indirectly by the reactivation of other viruses such as HHV-6 or HHV-7. However, the etiopathogenetic mechanisms remain largely unknown and further studies are needed in order to clarify the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 and PR.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D004854 Herpesvirus 4, Human The type species of LYMPHOCRYPTOVIRUS, subfamily GAMMAHERPESVIRINAE, infecting B-cells in humans. It is thought to be the causative agent of INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS and is strongly associated with oral hairy leukoplakia (LEUKOPLAKIA, HAIRY;), BURKITT LYMPHOMA; and other malignancies. Burkitt Herpesvirus,Burkitt Lymphoma Virus,E-B Virus,EBV,Epstein-Barr Virus,Human Herpesvirus 4,Infectious Mononucleosis Virus,Burkitt's Lymphoma Virus,HHV-4,Herpesvirus 4 (gamma), Human,Burkitts Lymphoma Virus,E B Virus,E-B Viruses,Epstein Barr Virus,Herpesvirus, Burkitt,Infectious Mononucleosis Viruses,Lymphoma Virus, Burkitt,Mononucleosis Virus, Infectious,Mononucleosis Viruses, Infectious
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006852 Hydrochlorothiazide A thiazide diuretic often considered the prototypical member of this class. It reduces the reabsorption of electrolytes from the renal tubules. This results in increased excretion of water and electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, chloride, and magnesium. It is used in the treatment of several disorders including edema, hypertension, diabetes insipidus, and hypoparathyroidism. Dichlothiazide,Dihydrochlorothiazide,Esidrex,Esidrix,HCTZ,HydroDIURIL,Hypothiazide,Oretic,Sectrazide
D000086382 COVID-19 A viral disorder generally characterized by high FEVER; COUGH; DYSPNEA; CHILLS; PERSISTENT TREMOR; MUSCLE PAIN; HEADACHE; SORE THROAT; a new loss of taste and/or smell (see AGEUSIA and ANOSMIA) and other symptoms of a VIRAL PNEUMONIA. In severe cases, a myriad of coagulopathy associated symptoms often correlating with COVID-19 severity is seen (e.g., BLOOD COAGULATION; THROMBOSIS; ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME; SEIZURES; HEART ATTACK; STROKE; multiple CEREBRAL INFARCTIONS; KIDNEY FAILURE; catastrophic ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME and/or DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION). In younger patients, rare inflammatory syndromes are sometimes associated with COVID-19 (e.g., atypical KAWASAKI SYNDROME; TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME; pediatric multisystem inflammatory disease; and CYTOKINE STORM SYNDROME). A coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, in the genus BETACORONAVIRUS is the causative agent. 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease,2019 Novel Coronavirus Infection,2019-nCoV Disease,2019-nCoV Infection,COVID-19 Pandemic,COVID-19 Pandemics,COVID-19 Virus Disease,COVID-19 Virus Infection,Coronavirus Disease 2019,Coronavirus Disease-19,SARS Coronavirus 2 Infection,SARS-CoV-2 Infection,Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection,COVID19,2019 nCoV Disease,2019 nCoV Infection,2019-nCoV Diseases,2019-nCoV Infections,COVID 19,COVID 19 Pandemic,COVID 19 Virus Disease,COVID 19 Virus Infection,COVID-19 Virus Diseases,COVID-19 Virus Infections,Coronavirus Disease 19,Disease 2019, Coronavirus,Disease, 2019-nCoV,Disease, COVID-19 Virus,Infection, 2019-nCoV,Infection, COVID-19 Virus,Infection, SARS-CoV-2,Pandemic, COVID-19,SARS CoV 2 Infection,SARS-CoV-2 Infections,Virus Disease, COVID-19,Virus Infection, COVID-19
D000086402 SARS-CoV-2 A species of BETACORONAVIRUS causing atypical respiratory disease (COVID-19) in humans. The organism was first identified in 2019 in Wuhan, China. The natural host is the Chinese intermediate horseshoe bat, RHINOLOPHUS affinis. 2019 Novel Coronavirus,COVID-19 Virus,COVID19 Virus,Coronavirus Disease 2019 Virus,SARS Coronavirus 2,SARS-CoV-2 Virus,Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2,Wuhan Coronavirus,Wuhan Seafood Market Pneumonia Virus,2019-nCoV,2019 Novel Coronaviruses,COVID 19 Virus,COVID-19 Viruses,COVID19 Viruses,Coronavirus 2, SARS,Coronavirus, 2019 Novel,Coronavirus, Wuhan,Novel Coronavirus, 2019,SARS CoV 2 Virus,SARS-CoV-2 Viruses,Virus, COVID-19,Virus, COVID19,Virus, SARS-CoV-2,Viruses, COVID19
D000086663 COVID-19 Vaccines Vaccines or candidate vaccines containing SARS-CoV-2 component antigens, genetic materials, or inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus, and designed to prevent COVID-19. 2019 Novel Coronavirus Vaccine,2019 Novel Coronavirus Vaccines,2019-nCoV Vaccine,2019-nCoV Vaccines,COVID 19 Vaccine,COVID-19 Vaccine,COVID-19 Virus Vaccine,COVID-19 Virus Vaccines,COVID19 Vaccine,COVID19 Vaccines,COVID19 Virus Vaccine,COVID19 Virus Vaccines,Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine,Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccines,Coronavirus Disease 2019 Virus Vaccine,Coronavirus Disease 2019 Virus Vaccines,Coronavirus Disease-19 Vaccine,Coronavirus Disease-19 Vaccines,SARS Coronavirus 2 Vaccines,SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine,SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines,SARS2 Vaccine,SARS2 Vaccines,2019 nCoV Vaccine,2019 nCoV Vaccines,COVID 19 Vaccines,COVID 19 Virus Vaccine,COVID 19 Virus Vaccines,Coronavirus Disease 19 Vaccine,Coronavirus Disease 19 Vaccines,SARS CoV 2 Vaccine,SARS CoV 2 Vaccines,Vaccine, 2019-nCoV,Vaccine, COVID 19,Vaccine, COVID-19,Vaccine, COVID-19 Virus,Vaccine, COVID19,Vaccine, COVID19 Virus,Vaccine, Coronavirus Disease-19,Vaccine, SARS-CoV-2,Vaccine, SARS2,Vaccines, 2019-nCoV,Vaccines, COVID-19,Vaccines, COVID-19 Virus,Vaccines, COVID19,Vaccines, COVID19 Virus,Vaccines, Coronavirus Disease-19,Vaccines, SARS-CoV-2,Vaccines, SARS2,Virus Vaccine, COVID-19,Virus Vaccine, COVID19,Virus Vaccines, COVID-19,Virus Vaccines, COVID19
D000094024 Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome Post acute stage of COVID-19 virus infection. Persistent symptoms may include FATIGUE; DYSPNEA; and MEMORY LOSS. Long COVID,Long Haul COVID-19,Long-Haul COVID,PASC Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19,Post Acute COVID-19 Syndrome,Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19,Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection,Post-COVID Conditions,COVID, Long-Haul,COVID-19 Post-Acute Sequelae,COVID-19 Syndrome, Post-Acute,COVID-19, Long Haul,Long Haul COVID,Long Haul COVID 19,Long Haul COVID-19s,Long-Haul COVIDs,PASC Post Acute Sequelae of COVID 19,Post Acute COVID 19 Syndrome,Post Acute Sequelae of COVID 19,Post Acute Sequelae of SARS CoV 2 Infection,Post COVID Conditions,Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndromes,Post-COVID Condition
D015654 Herpesvirus 6, Human Members of the ROSEOLOVIRUS genus of the Betaherpesvirales subfamily isolated from patients with AIDS and other LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDERS. It infects and replicates in fresh and established lines of hematopoietic cells and cells of neural origin. It also appears to alter the activity of NK CELLS. HHV-6; (HBLV) antibodies are elevated in patients with AIDS; SJOGREN'S SYNDROME; SARCOIDOSIS; CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, and certain malignancies. HHV-6A is the most common cause of EXANTHEMA SUBITUM and has been implicated in encephalitis. When HHV-6 integrates into the host genome it is referred to as ciHVH-6. When such VIRUS INTEGRATION occurs into the germline it is referred to as iciHHV-6. HBLV,Herpesvirus 6A, Human,Herpesvirus 6B, Human,Human B-Lymphotropic Virus,Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6,Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6A,Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6B,HHV-6,HHV-6A,HHV-6B,HHV6,HHV6A,HHV6B,Human Herpesvirus 6,Human betaherpesvirus 6,Human betaherpesvirus 6A,Human betaherpesvirus 6B,Inherited Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6,Inherited Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6A,Inherited Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6B,ciHHV-6,ciHHV-6A,ciHHV-6B,ciHHV6,ciHHV6A,ciHHV6B,iciHHV-6,iciHHV-6A,iciHHV-6B,iciHHV6,iciHHV6A,iciHHV6B,B-Lymphotropic Virus, Human,B-Lymphotropic Viruses, Human,Human B Lymphotropic Virus,Human B-Lymphotropic Viruses,Human Herpesvirus 6A,Human Herpesvirus 6B,Human betaherpesvirus 6s

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