Acute pityriasis rubra pilaris triggered by COVID‐19

• Published in: JEADV clinical practice 2024-03, Vol.3 (1), p.280-282
• Main Authors: Soto‐García, Diego, Oro‐Ayude, Marcos, Álvarez, Carlos, Martínez‐Fernandez, Sandra, Couselo‐Rodríguez, Carmen, Flórez, Ángeles
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case reports; Conflicts of interest; COVID-19; Erythema; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Infections; Kawasaki disease; keratoderma; Patients; pityriasis rubra pilaris; SARS‐CoV‐2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Skin diseases; Viruses
• ISSN: 2768-6566; 2768-6566
• DOI: 10.1002/jvc2.302

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) can be triggered by viruses, such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein‐Barr virus, varicella zoster, human immunodeficiency virus and, more exceptionally, SARS‐CoV‐2. We report an additional case of PRP following COVID‐19 infection. Given the existing literature and the close temporal association, we suggest a possible causal relationship. We speculate that an altered immune response with a genetic predisposition for PRP may have played a role in our patient. We highlight the development of PRP as part of the spectrum of COVID‐19 skin‐related conditions. Pityriasis rubra pilaris pathogenesis is not fully understood. Some viruses such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein‐Barr virus, varicella zoster, HIV and, more exceptionally, SARS‐CoV‐2, have been reported as infectious triggers in genetically predisposed individuals. We report an adult case of PRP following COVID‐19 infection. Given the existing literature and close temporal association with COVID‐19 infection, we suggest a possible causal relationship in our present case. We would like to highlight the possibility of PRP widening the spectrum of COVID‐19 skin manifestations.