Search

Pityriasis rosea is an acute, self-limited exanthem that typically occurs in adolescence and young adulthood, classically featuring ovoid erythematous and scaly lesions on the trunk and proximal extremities. While its cause is not definitively known, the classic form of pityriasis rosea may result from the reactivation of latent human herpesvirus (HHV) infections (HHV-6 and HHV-7). Interestingly, drug eruptions that clinically and/or histopathologically resemble pityriasis rosea have also been reported. These pityriasis rosea-like drug eruptions tend to occur at an older age and have a shorter duration than the classic type. As there are different management paradigms, the distinction between classic pityriasis rosea and the mimicking drug eruption is important to recognize. Herein, we report a case of a pityriasis rosea-like drug eruption that occurred in association with imatinib mesylate treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia. We also review the clinicopathologic features of reported cases of pityriasis rosea-like drug eruption, including those due to imatinib. While the clinical morphology of the cutaneous drug-related eruption mimics the lesions seen in classic pityriasis rosea, the presence of unique histopathologic findings, including necrotic keratinocytes, interface dermatitis, and eosinophils, may aid in distinction., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease driven by upregulation of cytokines in the Th17 pathway, including interleukin-36 (IL-36). Previous studies have highlighted the utility of IL-36 immunostaining for psoriasis compared to spongiotic dermatitis and other psoriasiform dermatoses; however, no study has examined the role of IL-36 staining in distinguishing psoriasis from pityriasis rosea (PR) and pityriasis lichenoides (PL), known histologic mimickers of psoriasis., Methods: We compared the immunostaining pattern of IL-36 for 21 PR cases, 22 PL cases, and 10 psoriasis cases. We graded the immunostaining as 0, negative; 1, focal weak; 2, diffuse weak; 3, focal, strong; or 4, diffuse strong. We further categorized stains as negative (0-2 score) or positive (3-4 score) and utilized Fisher's exact test to compare the immunostaining pattern of these entities., Results: All psoriasis specimens were positive for IL-36, whereas all PR specimens were negative (p = 0.00000002). Twenty PL specimens were negative (p = 0.000001). Nine of 10 pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta cases were negative (p = 0.00012), and 11 of 12 cases of pityriasis lichenoides chronica were negative (p = 0.00003)., Conclusions: Our findings highlight the potential role of IL-36 immunostaining in distinguishing psoriasis from other psoriasiform dermatoses, including PR and PL., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Plaque psoriasis is relatively straightforward to identify. When diagnostic concerns arise in atypical cases, a biopsy is needed. It is widely accepted that the Munro microabscess and the spongiform pustule of Kogoj are diagnostic pathological features. However, the diagnostic dilemma is likely to arise in cases without these specific pathological changes and typical clinical features. This study aimed to investigate clinical and pathological clues in distinguishing atypical plaque psoriasis from its mimics., Methods: We evaluated the clinicopathological features of 20 cases of atypical plaque psoriasis and 40 cases of psoriasis mimics as controls including pityriasis rosea (n = 10), pityriasis lichenoides chronica (n = 8), and subacute dermatitis (n = 22)., Results: A retrospective analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with atypical plaque psoriasis and controls was performed. Pathologically, there were significant differences between the two groups in the types of parakeratosis (P = 0.046), epidermal capture of extravasated erythrocytes (P = 0.011), focal basal liquefied degeneration (P = 0.017), types of inflammatory cells (P = 0.000), and depth of inflammation (P = 0.000). Clinically, we found the presence of scales and crusts was significantly different between the two groups., Conclusion: This study offers insight into the clinicopathological features of atypical plaque psoriasis. These differential diagnostic features, compared with its mimics, are proposed to assist the clinician in the diagnosis and treatment of atypical plaque psoriasis., (© 2024 the International Society of Dermatology.)

Purpose: The study aimed to describe the dermoscopic features of pityriasis rosea among patients attending the skin clinic at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital., Patients and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive study conducted for a 6-month period in the skin clinic of MRRH in Southwestern Uganda. Data were collected from consecutively recruited patients using structured questionnaires. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of pityriasis rosea were examined using a dermoscope and subsequently sent for KOH and TPHA tests to rule out fungal skin infection and secondary syphilis, respectively, and then received routine care at the skin clinic., Results: There were 54 patients with pityriasis rosea seen. Dermoscopy was done on a total of 162 lesions of which 19 were herald patches, 51 were truncal lesions, 52 on the extremities while 40 were on the face and neck regions. Common dermoscopic features consisted of a violaceous background noted in 145 (89.51%), white scales in 161 (99.38%), diffuse scale distribution in 57 (35.19%), perifollicular scale type in 61 (37.65%), and brown-dotted pigmentary changes in 66 (40.74%). Other unique findings noted in a few lesions were cloudy structures, petechial spots, erosions, and punched out pits., Conclusion: Most prevalent dermoscopic features included: a violaceous background, white scales, diffuse scale distribution, perifollicular scale type, brown-dotted pigmentary changes with no visible blood vessels nor follicular changes. Other unique less frequently seen findings were cloudy structures, petechial spots, erosions, and punched out pits., (© 2024 the International Society of Dermatology.)

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.

Background: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a papulosquamous eruption with generally unknown origin but suspected to be related to viral etiologies. The clinicopathological spectrum of several disorders with viral etiologies has been altered after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The author group could experience coherent histological alterations in PR after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate how the clinicopathological findings of PR were changed after the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: Patients (n = 11) diagnosed with PR based on the clinical manifestations and skin biopsies between February 2018 and October 2019 and 11 patients in February 2020 and October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed by investigating the medical records., Results: The patients with PR during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated statistically significant histopathological alterations from classic brisk and dense infiltration pattern to dormant and sparse infiltration and psoriasiform-dominant patterns ( P = 0.019). PR was associated with more frequent pruritus during the pandemic period ( P = 0.027)., Conclusion: In conclusion, PR demonstrated a significant histopathological alteration with more frequent pruritus during the COVID-19 pandemic. The comparative results about clinicopathological findings of PR will provide a useful reference for dermatologists in the diagnostic process of PR in the COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (© 2022 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.)

Background: Pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD) can clinically mimic many diseases. Histopathology provides a definitive diagnosis. The aim of the study is to reveal the features of patients with PPD and to determine the disease frequency in the differential diagnosis, especially mycosis fungoides (MF)., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of patients with PPD admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to May 2019. We studied the histopathological features of 127 patients, and performed pattern analysis on cases with a confirmed histopathologic diagnosis of PPD. Among the cases presenting with clinical features of PPD, but displaying different histopathological diagnoses, we focused on MF and tried to clarify the features of PPD-like MF., Results: Overall, 389 patients were admitted to our hospital with PPD symptoms. Of them, 262 patients were diagnosed clinically and a histopathological examination was performed in 127 patients. Of 127, 87 were diagnosed with PPD, and in the remaining 40, non-specific features (9.4%), vasculitis (6.2%), pityriasis rosea (4.7%), MF (3.9%), suspected-MF (1.5%), and other dermatoses (%5.5) were detected. The biopsy findings of two patients showed PPD, but during follow-up, the diagnosis of MF was established., Conclusions: MF should be included in the differential diagnosis of PPD cases presenting with longstanding and widespread involvement., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The initial recognized symptoms were respiratory, sometimes culminating in severe respiratory distress requiring ventilation, and causing death in a percentage of those infected. As time has passed, other symptoms have been recognized. The initial reports of cutaneous manifestations were from Italian dermatologists, probably because Italy was the first European country to be heavily affected by the pandemic. The overall clinical presentation, course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children differ from those in adults as do the cutaneous manifestations of childhood. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 in children after thorough and critical review of articles published in the literature and from the personal experience of a large panel of paediatric dermatologists in Europe. In Part 1, we discuss one of the first and most widespread cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19, chilblain-like lesions, and in Part 2 we expanded to other manifestations, including erythema multiforme, urticaria and Kawasaki disease-like inflammatory multisystemic syndrome. In this part of the review, we discuss the histological findings of COVID-19 manifestations, and the testing and management of infected children for both COVID-19 and any other pre-existing conditions., (© 2020 British Association of Dermatologists.)

Any infectious illness presenting with an eruption in a pregnant patient may be associated with an increased risk of fetal loss. The viruses that can infect the placenta during maternal infection and can be transmitted to the fetus and cause congenital disease include the rubella virus, the measles virus, the varicella zoster virus, parvovirus B19, human cytomegalovirus, arboviruses, and hepatitis E virus type 1. In addition, some bacteria responsible for exanthematous diseases, like Treponema pallidum, can be transmitted during pregnancy from the mother to the fetus and cause fetal loss. All these infectious agents can cause typical and/or atypical exanthems whose etiologic diagnosis is sometimes difficult but important to determine, especially in pregnant women because of the potential risk to the fetus. In the last 20 years, we have extensively studied pityriasis rosea from the clinical and laboratory perspectives, demonstrating the pathogenic role of human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 and -7. We synthesize the available evidence that PR may be associated with active HHV-6/7 infection and therefore with complications during pregnancy and fetal loss. We have also summarized the emerging infectious illnesses of dermatologic interest that may represent life-threatening health conditions for the fetus: measles, rubella, arbovirus infection, and syphilis., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: None

Background: Syphilis is often misdiagnosed clinically, and biopsies might be required., Objective: To determine histopathologic features that distinguish secondary syphilis from pityriasis lichenoides (PL), pityriasis rosea (PR), and early mycosis fungoides (MF)., Methods: Histopathologic features of 100 cases of syphilis, 110 cases of PL, 72 cases of PR, and 101 cases of MF were compared., Results: Elongated rete ridges and interstitial inflammation favor syphilis over PL (likelihood ratios 3.44 and 2.72, respectively), but no feature reliably distinguishes between them. Secondary syphilis and PR can be distinguished by neutrophils in the stratum corneum, plasma cells, interface dermatitis with lymphocytes and vacuoles, and lymphocytes with ample cytoplasm. Plasma cells and lymphocytes with ample cytoplasm are rare in early MF and can be used as distinguishing features., Conclusions: Histopathologic features characteristic of syphilis can be seen in PL, PR, and early MF. Distinguishing syphilis from PL can be difficult histologically, and a high index of suspicion is required. Although elongation of rete and interstitial inflammation favor syphilis, plasma cells (historically considered a significant feature of syphilis) are often encountered in PL. Vacuolar interface dermatitis with a lymphocyte in every vacuole is considered characteristic of PL, but this feature appears to be more common in syphilis., (Copyright © 2019 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Facial densities of Demodex mites have been observed to be greater in patients with demodicosis and papulopustular rosacea than in healthy control patients. In patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR), this density has been observed to be similar to or greater than that of healthy controls. Erythema and telangiectasia, characteristics of ETR, are often observed among patients with pityriasis folliculorum, a discreet demodicosis, suggesting a possible link between these conditions., Objectives: To compare the facial Demodex densities of patients with clinical ETR and patients with healthy skin, demodicosis, rosacea with papulopustules, and other facial dermatoses., Methods: In this retrospective study, we recorded Demodex densities measured using two consecutive standardized skin surface biopsies (SSSB1 and SSSB2) in 23 patients with ETR, 20 healthy control patients, 590 patients with demodicosis, 254 with rosacea with papulopustules and 180 with other facial dermatoses., Results: Patients with ETR had higher Demodex densities (D cm -2 ) than did the healthy controls (mean ± SEM; SSSB1: 15·7 ± 6·3 vs. 1·8 ± 1·1 D cm -2 , P = 0·042; SSSB2: 38·0 ± 13·7 vs. 5·1 ± 2·1 D cm -2 , P = 0·026) and patients with other dermatoses (SSSB1: 0·4 ± 0·1 D cm -2 , P = 0·004; SSSB2: 1·3 ± 0·3 D cm -2 , P = 0·004), but lower densities than patients with demodicosis (SSSB1: 82·7 ± 4·2 D cm -2 , P = 0·008; SSSB2: 172·2 ± 7·7 D cm -2 , P = 0·001) or rosacea with papulopustules (SSSB1: 86·6 ± 7·3 D cm -2 , P = 0·027; SSSB2: 197·0 ± 12·1 D cm -2 , P = 0·002)., Conclusions: ETR may be associated with nonvisible Demodex proliferation, possibly corresponding to a subclinical stage of demodicosis. Dermatologists should be aware of this potential association and look for subclinical demodicosis in patients with ETR, so that topical acaricidal treatment can be offered if Demodex density is high., (© 2019 British Association of Dermatologists.)

Pityriasis rosea is a common acute exanthema of unknown aetiology, which causes severe anxiety. In this study, the demographic data of pityriasis rosea patients, who presented to our clinic between 2013 and 2017, were prospectively recorded. The patients with a confirmed pityriasis rosea diagnosis were followed up for 4 years in order to investigate the recurrence rate. Of the clinically suspected patients, having a typical history of pityriasis rosea manifestations, a herald patch, and/or secondary coloured squamous lesions, 400 were confirmed by biopsy to have pityriasis rosea. The 4-year follow-up was completed in 212 patients, of whom 136 (64.2%) were female and 76 (35.8%) were male. The recurrence rate was determined as 25.9% at the end of the 4-year follow-up period.

Background: Pityriasis rosea is a common papulosquamous disorder. However, its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear., Objective: We investigate the types of inflammatory cells infiltrating the lesional skin of pityriasis rosea and demonstrate whether T-cell-mediated immunity is involved in the pathogenesis of this condition or not., Methods: The biopsies were taken from the lesional skin of 35 cases of patients diagnosed with pityriasis rosea. The specimens were prepared in paraffin sections, then submitted to routine immunohistochemistry procedures using monoclonal antibodies directed against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20 and CD45RO and horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat anti-human antibodies. The positive sections were determined by the ratio and staining intensity of positive inflammatory cells., Results: The mean score of positive CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD45RO staining was respectively 3.74±3.88, 5.67±4.40, 2.94±3.42 and 7.68±4.33 in these pityriasis rosea patients (P<0.001). The percentage of positive staining was 54.29% (19/35), 69.7% (23/33), 40% (14/35) and 79.41% (27/34) (P<0.05). However, the staining of CD20 was negative in all samples. The mean score of CD3 staining in patients with time for remission ≤60 days (4.90±4.21) was higher than that in patients with time for remission >60 days (2.00±2.5) (P<0.05), whereas no statistical difference in the mean score of CD4, CD8 and CD45RO staining was observed. study liMitations: The sample size and the selected monoclonal antibody are limited, so the results reflect only part of the cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of pityriasis rosea., Conclusion: Our findings support a predominantly T-cell mediated immunity in the development of pityriasis rosea.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-course low-dose oral prednisolone in symptomatic pityriasis rosea (PR) of onset <5 days and compare it with placebo., Material and Methods: Placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study design with the treatment group receiving tapering doses of oral prednisolone over 2 weeks and the control group receiving a placebo. Outcome measures evaluated were subsidence of patient-perceived pruritus, improvement in rash quantified by a specific score, adverse effects and relapse at 12 weeks., Results: The improvement in the pruritus score as well as objective rash score were much better in the prednisolone-treated group. No adverse effects reported in either group. The relapse rate at 12 weeks was much higher in the prednisolone treated group., Conclusions: Oral corticosteroids, even if used in low-dose and for a short tapering course should not be the first line of therapy for PR. The only justified indication may be extensive and highly symptomatic lesions of PR.

Pityriasis rosea (PR) usually presents as acute exanthema with oval erythematous-squamous lesions localized on the trunk, arms, and legs with spontaneous remission. We present an unusual case of PR with frequent relapses during a period of 7 years. An 11-year-old white female patient presented with many pruritic erythematous oval lesions on her trunk. A second episode followed 2 years later with several pruritic erythematous lesions on her lower limbs. During the following 5 years, the patient had several relapses per year, with 1 to 3 lesions on changing localizations. PR was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical presentation and detection of human herpesvirus 7 DNA. Spontaneous remission occurred without treatment in each episode. Relapsing PR is a rare form of PR characterized by a lower number of lesions and smaller sized lesions compared with the classic form of PR. Pediatricians should consider the diagnosis of relapsing PR even if only a single or few erythematous lesions are present., Competing Interests: POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2018 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)

Background: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an exanthematous disease associated with the endogenous systemic reactivation of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) and human herpesvirus-7 (HHV-7). Oropharyngeal lesions may be associated with the exanthema, but anecdotal evidence suggests that few dermatologists are aware of their occurrence., Objective: Classifying oropharyngeal lesions in PR, establishing their prevalence, and assessing their possible association with different PR forms., Methods: The records of all PR cases diagnosed in the Dermatology Clinic of Genoa University between 2003 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed to examine sex and age of the patients, PR type, presence of enanthema, systemic symptoms, specific anti-HHV-6 and or HHV-7 serology, and HHV-6 and/or HHV-7 DNA loads., Results: The oropharyngeal mucosa was carefully examined in 527 patients with PR. Painless oropharyngeal lesions were observed in 149 patients with PR (28%) and classified as erythematomacular, macular and papular, erythematovesicular, and petechial lesions. The petechial and macular and papular patterns were those most frequently observed. There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of HHV-6 and HHV-7 viremia in the plasma of patients with enanthema and those without., Limitations: Because this was a retrospective study, biopsies on mucosal lesions were not performed., Conclusion: Our findings showed that enanthemas are frequently associated with forms of PR different from the classic form., (Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common, acute, self-limiting inflammatory skin disease. It can easily be recognized with its typical clinical presentation. However, unusual clinic presentations can cause difficulty in diagnosis. Up to now, not many atypical forms are reported., Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics of patients with atypical pityriasis rosea., Methods: A total of 27 cases, diagnosed as atypical PR by clinical and/or histopathological examination and applied to the outpatient clinic of dermatology department between the years 2007 and 2015 were analyzed retrospectively., Results: The ages of patients ranged from 2 to 59 years. Of these patients, 15 (55.6%) were male and 12 (44.4%) were female. The male-to-female ratio was 5-4. Five patients had papular, four patients had purpuric, three patients had vesicular, two patients had follicular, one patient had erythema multiforme-like and one patient had eczematous drug-induced atypical form of pityriasis rosea. There were 12 cases of localized, two cases of segmental pityriasis rosea. Four of the localized forms also had atypical morphology. Histopathological evaluation was required for diagnosis in 12 (44.4%) patients., Conclusions: PR can appear in many different uncommon forms. Localization and skin rush can be misleading and diagnosis can be compelling.

Pityriasis rosea is one of the commonly encountered papulo squamous disease in dermatology outpatient department. Its clinical presentations are varied, and it also has many atypical forms. We report a case of a male patient with classical Pityriasis rosea lesions limited to the patches of Hansen's disease. This is probably being reported for the first time in literature.

Background: Cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is classically described as morbilliform when acute and lichen planus-like or sclerotic when chronic. In addition to these well-known clinical forms, there are many other presentations of GVHD that are important to recognize. As the number of patients undergoing stem cell transplantation increases and the survival after transplantation improves, the prevalence of GVHD is expected to rise, and its various presentations will be increasingly encountered in clinical practice., Objective: We sought to report unusual manifestations of skin GVHD and provide a summary of typical and atypical presentations of GVHD reported in the literature., Methods: Patients with stem cell transplantation who developed unusual eruptions after transplantation had biopsy specimens taken to evaluate for histopathologic evidence of GVHD., Results: Six patients presented with unusual cases of biopsy-proven GVHD, including follicular hyperkeratosis, thick-appearing white tongue, inverse pityriasis rosea-like, and eczema craquelé-like GVHD., Limitations: This study is limited by case number., Conclusions: Because of the high rate of cutaneous involvement with GVHD, the accessibility of the skin for diagnosis, and the morbidity associated with severe or long-standing skin involvement, it is important for dermatologists to recognize and accurately diagnose cutaneous GVHD in all its protean manifestations., (Copyright © 2014 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an exanthematous disease related to human herpesvirus- (HHV-) 6/7 reactivation. The network of mediators involved in recruiting the infiltrating inflammatory cells has never been studied. Object. To investigate the levels of serum cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines in PR and healthy controls in order to elucidate the PR pathogenesis., Materials and Methods: Interleukin- (IL-) 1, IL-6, IL-17, interferon- (IFN-) γ, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and chemokines, CXCL8 (IL-8) and CXCL10 (IP-10), were measured simultaneously by a multiplex assay in early acute PR patients' sera and healthy controls. Subsequently, sera from PR patients were analysed at 3 different times (0, 15, and 30 days)., Results and Discussion: Serum levels of IL-17, IFN-γ, VEGF, and IP-10 resulted to be upregulated in PR patients compared to controls. IL-17 has a key role in host defense against pathogens stimulating the release of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines. IFN-γ has a direct antiviral activity promoting NK cells and virus specific T cells cytotoxicity. VEGF stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. IP-10 can induce chemotaxis, apoptosis, cell growth, and angiogenesis., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that these inflammatory mediators may modulate PR pathogenesis in synergistic manner.

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common, self-limiting exanthematous disease associated with a systemic reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and/or HHV-7. It usually occurs in the second or third decade of life whereas it is uncommon in patients younger than 10 years. We studied the clinical features and virological parameters of 31 children with PR, comparing them with those in adults. Our findings indicate that PR presents different characteristics between children and adults, mainly consisting of time lapse between herald patch and generalized eruption, duration of the exanthem, oropharyngeal involvement and persistence of HHV-6 and HHV-7 plasma viremia. Overall, these results suggest that, following HHV-6 and/or HHV-7 systemic active infection, the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in PR may at least partly be different in children and adults., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

We established and validated diagnostic criteria for pityriasis rosea and Gianotti-Crosti syndrome. In this paper, we compare and contrast both diagnostic criteria to formulate a protocol in establishing diagnostic criteria for other dermatological diseases. The diagnostic criteria are similar in employing clear dividing lines and conjunctions ('and/or') to assure high reliability. Both sets of criteria should be applicable for all ethnic groups. Spontaneous remission is not included, so diagnosis is not delayed while waiting for disease remission. Laboratory investigations are not enlisted, so that the criteria can be used in medical care systems in different parts of the world. The diagnostic criteria are different in that pathognomonic clinical manifestations exist for pityriasis rosea, such as the herald patch and the orientation of lesions along the lines of skin cleavages. These features, however, score low for sensitivity. These specific manifestations are not seen in Gianotti-Crosti syndrome. Such differences led to different categorisation of clinical features. Atypical variants are more common for pityriasis rosea. The diagnostic criteria for pityriasis rosea therefore do not include a list of differential diagnoses, while diagnostic criteria for Gianotti-Crosti syndrome do. Using this comparison, we constructed a protocol to establish diagnostic criteria for other skin diseases. We advocate the need to justify the establishment of diagnostic criteria, that multiple diagnostic criteria for the same disease should be avoided, that diagnostic criteria should be compatible with the disease classification if applicable, and that the scope should be well-delineated with regard to clinical variants. We outline the need for validation studies to assess the criteria-related validity, test-retest intra-clinician reliability, and inter-clinician reliability. We emphasise that the establishment of diagnostic criteria should not be a generic process. We also highlight limitations of diagnostic criteria, and emphasise that no diagnostic criteria can replace the bedside experience of clinicians.

Importance: Recognition of different clinical presentations of viral and virally triggered ("paraviral") exanthems is necessary for patients to be appropriately diagnosed and counseled., Observations: Nine children presented with eruptions of hypopigmented macules following coryzal symptoms. Other diagnostic considerations, such as pityriasis alba, pityriasis versicolor, and progressive macular hypomelanosis, were excluded. This novel clinical presentation, eruptive hypomelanosis, may represent a paraviral exanthem with a prodromal coryzal phase, sudden eruption of fairly monomorphic lesions, and predictable time course with spontaneous resolution., Conclusions and Relevance: Eruptive hypomelanosis is a novel viral exanthem. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the etiology of this condition and its relationship to other exanthemas and eruptions such as pityriasis rosea.

We report a case of atypical pityriasis rosea in a 24-year-old Malay man. He presented with an 11-month history of three recurrent and persistent episodes of pityriasis rosea associated with oral ulcers. The first episode lasted for one month and recurred within 14 days. The second episode lasted for three months and recurred within nine days. The third episode lasted for seven months. Although all three episodes were not preceded by any prodromal symptoms, a herald patch was noted on three different sites (the left iliac fossa, abdomen and chest) on each successive episode. Recurrent pityriasis rosea and its association with oral ulcers, although quite uncommon, have been reported in the literature. However, reports of multiple recurrences, with prolonged duration of each episode and very short remissions in between, have not been made. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such unique presentation.

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a relatively common, benign skin disease of unknown etiology. In rare cases, medications can induce a morphologically similar eruption. We present a case of a PR-like drug eruption caused by the atypical antipsychotic asenapine. The clinical presentation consisted of a rapidly progressive, disseminated, and severely pruritic dermatitis comprised of ovoid, scaly, pink-violaceous plaques. The initial histopathologic specimen was consistent with PR, but upon re-sampling a week later, the findings favored a drug eruption. PR-like drug eruptions, though rare, can occur in response to a wide variety of medications. Because the findings may be only subtly different than those of typical PR, careful clinical and histopathological correlation must be sought. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a PR-like drug eruption to asenapine.

Pityriasis rosea is an acute self-limiting papulosquamous skin disorder of unknown etiology. Although pityriasis rosea is a common dermatologic disorder, information regarding the epidemiology of the disease in India is limited because of inadequate studies. The incidence and presentation of pityriasis rosea varies from one geographical region to another. The objective was to study the various clinical patterns of the disease and epidemiologic factors influencing its occurrence. A cross-sectional study on the clinicoepidemiologic pattern of pityriasis rosea was conducted. A detailed history of illness regarding onset, evolution, duration, symptoms, systemic features, recurrence, history of contact, and associated factors such as socioeconomic status, history of drug intake, and use of new clothing, along with epidemiologic data, was recorded in the performa. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 47 (mean 20.32) years. Incidence of pityriasis rosea was highest among patients aged 11 to 20 years followed by those 21 to 30 years. There was a male preponderance. Seasonal variation was not evident. History of using new garments or old garments, unwashed for an extended period was elicited in 23% of cases. The average interval of onset of lesions and presentation to physician was 14.45 days. Pruritus was a common symptom (70%). Of 73 patients, 67 had herald patch. The clinical features of most of the cases were in accordance with the classical pattern of pityriasis rosea.

Background: Nortriptyline and other tricyclic antidepressants are widely used in the treatment of depression. They are also used in chronic pain syndromes such as vulvodynia. We report a case of pityriasis rosea (PR)-like eruption in a young woman who was treated with oral nortriptyline for vulvodynia., Case Report: The patient presented with photosensitivity and erythematous, well-defined, oval papules and patches, with fine collarettes of scale on the dorsal hands, upper arms, and trunk. She showed a complete resolution of her rash with discontinuation of nortriptyline, thereby supporting the diagnosis of a drug-induced reaction., Comment: Pityriasis rosea-like drug eruptions have been associated with numerous medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, antirheumatic drugs, lithium, and, more recently, biologics such as imatinib, adalimumab, and etanercept. A literature review did not reveal an association between PR-like drug eruptions and tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline. We report a case of PR-like drug reaction to nortriptyline for clinical interest.

We report the case of a 16-year-old Indian girl who presented with multiple small papular lesions and larger erythema multiforme-like plaques in a Christmas tree pattern over her body for 3 weeks. Histopathologic examination was performed, and she was diagnosed with pityriasis rosea presenting with two atypical morphological variants-generalized papular and erythema multiforme-like. A brief review of literature of these two rare types is also presented., (© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

A 32-year-old man was referred for acute onset of pruritic scaly eruptions in the axillae of 8 days' duration, which was unresponsive to topical clotrimazole. The lesions consisted of multiple, coalescent oval plaques of 1 cm to 6 cm in longest diameter (Figure 1 and Figure 2) with central clearing and typical collarette scales at the periphery (Figure 3). Other skin areas and mucosal surfaces were unaffected. His general and systemic examinations were normal. Family and past histories were unremarkable except for a "ring worm-like patch" on his lower aspect of the abdomen 4 months ago, which rapidly regressed. On further inquiry, he gave a history of an episode of fever, coryza, and headache 3 weeks earlier to his eruption on the abdomen, which resolved with conservative remedies and one paracetamol tablet. He remained asymptomatic until axillary lesions appeared. We made a provisional diagnosis of pityriasis rosea (PR). Investigations including scrapings for potassium hydroxide examination, complete blood cell counts, urinalysis, blood sugar, VDRL test, and human immunodeficiency virus antibodies were all normal or non-reactive. As cutaneous biopsy revealed parakeratosis, epidermal spongiosis, dermal inflammatory cells, and extravasated red blood cells (Figure 4). The eruptions cleared within 8 days, following treatment with mometasone furoate cream and oral desloratidine 5 mg/d, leaving post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. There was no recurrence for the next 6 months of observation. He was later lost to follow-up.

Background: Dermoscopy is useful in evaluating skin tumours, but its applicability extends also to the field of inflammatory skin disorders. Plaque psoriasis (PP), dermatitis, lichen planus (LP) and pityriasis rosea (PR) are common inflammatory skin diseases, but little is currently known about their dermoscopic features., Objectives: To determine and compare the dermoscopic patterns associated with PP, dermatitis, LP and PR and to assess the validity of certain dermoscopic criteria in the diagnosis of PP., Methods: Patients with PP, dermatitis, LP and PR were prospectively enrolled. The single most recently developed lesion was examined dermoscopically and histopathologically. Variables included vascular morphology, vascular arrangement, background colour, scale colour, scale distribution and presence of Wickham striae. Univariate and adjusted odds ratios were calculated. Discriminant functions were used to plot receiver-operator characteristic curves., Results: Eighty-three patients with PP and 86 patients with either dermatitis, LP or PR were included in the study. Dotted vessels in a regular arrangement over a light red background and white scales were highly predictive for the diagnosis of PP, whereas dermatitis more commonly showed yellow scales and dotted vessels in a patchy arrangement. PR was characterized by yellowish background, dotted vessels and peripheral scales; whitish lines (Wickham striae) were seen exclusively in LP., Conclusions: PP, LP, PR and dermatitis show specific dermoscopic patterns that may aid their clinical diagnosis. Certain combinations of dermoscopic features can reliably predict the diagnosis of PP., (© 2012 The Authors. BJD © 2012 British Association of Dermatologists.)

A 16-year-old young man presented with intensely itchy erythematous dermatitis on the body for 1 week and vesicular lesions on the palms and soles for 4 to 5 days. Lesions on the palms and soles were accompanied by severe burning and itching. The patient gave a history of sore throat and fever, 1 week prior to the onset of lesions. A general physical examination was normal, and cutaneous examination revealed multiple, well-defined erythematous scaly plaques with collaret scaling on the trunk and extremities (Figure 1). Vesicular lesions were seen on the palms and soles (Figure 2). The differential diagnoses we considered were pityriasis rosea and secondary syphilis. The possibility of dermatophytid, vesicular pityriasis rosea, and pompholyx was limited to the palms and sole lesions. Complete blood cell count was within normal limits. Results from antistreptolysin O titer, potassium hydroxide mount, and venereal disease research laboratory were negative. Skin biopsies were taken from the back and left palm. The biopsy specimen from the back revealed focal spongiosis, lymphocyte exocytosis, vacuolar changes in the basal layer, and perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis (Figure 3). The biopsy obtained from the vesicular lesion on the left palm revealed an intraepidermal vesicle with no evidence of acantolytic process (Figure 4). A diagnosis of pityriasis rosea was made and the patient was started on clarithromycin 500 mg once a day for 7 days, along with antihistamines and emollients. The lesions faded dramatically in a very short period, and there was significant involution of almost all of the lesions after 7 days of clarithromycin. During the 6 months of follow-up, no recurrence was observed.

A 34-year-old nonpregnant woman noted a mildly pruritic skin lesion on her right breast for 1 week following an episode of coryza, malaise, and low-grade fever of 3 days' duration. The latter symptoms subsided without any treatment. Ketoconazole cream prescribed by her family physician did not resolve the breast eruption after 1 week, so was stopped. A week later, multiple skin lesions erupted suddenly on her right chest wall starting near the herald patch in midaxillary line and spread distally until the midback. She then consulted the authors. She denied a history of abrasion or trauma to the affected areas. Travel, contact, sexual, and drug histories were unremarkable. She categorically denied past or family history of eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and drug eruptions. On examination, the initial lesion was an annular and well-demarcated erythematous plaque on her right breast in the upper outer quadrant. Multiple small oval scaly plaques were noted, extending distally along the ribs to the midline on her back, not crossing the midline, predominantly over the distribution of right T4 dermatome (Figure 1). Peripheral collarette scaling was noted (Figure 2). A few scattered small lesions were also noted in the vicinity of this dermatome. Three isolated small plaques were also present on the trunk, one in the supramammary area and the other two on the abdomen and back, respectively. Palmoplantar and mucosal surfaces were uninvolved. The rest of the skin and systemic examination revealed no abnormalities. Complete blood cell counts, fasting glucose, and urinalysis were normal. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) results were nonreactive and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies were negative. Repeat testing ofVDRL in serial dilutions and HIV antibodies after 3 months were also nonreactive and negative, respectively. Scrapings from the initial large lesion and subsequent smaller eruptions did not show any evidence of fungal infection on potassium hydroxide smear examination. The patient declined skin biopsy; however, we thought that the most diagnostic label for this condition was pityriasis rosea. Hence, we treated her with triamcinolone acetonide ointment 0.025% to be applied twice daily and desloratadine tablet 5 mg daily for 10 days. The patient demonstrated complete resolution, leaving postinflammatory hypopigmentation. There was no recurrence until 1 year after complete remission.

Pityriasis rosea is a common skin disease with a self-limiting course. Multiple etiologies including viruses, bacteria, and fungi have been investigated in an attempt to confirm a casual association. Pityriasis rosea has not been associated with influenza virus, but has been associated with herpes simplex virus types 6 and 7. We encountered a case of a proven pandemic H1N1 infection associated with a clincopathological diagnosis of pityriasis rosea. We conclude that influenza A (H1N1) virus could either be a primary cause of pityriasis rosea or a trigger for reactivation of other viral causes., (© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common cutaneous papulosquamous disorder affecting young adults. Previous studies have suggested possibilities of a viral aetiology and the involvement of cell-mediated immunity, but these remain unproven to date., Aim: To elucidate the possible pathomechanisms in PR by characterizing the inflammatory cellular infiltrate in herald patches and fully developed PR eruptions., Methods: In total, 12 biopsy specimens from 6 patients diagnosed with PR were examined. For each patient, biopsies were taken from both a herald patch and a secondary patch. Specimens were processed for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining with a large panel of monoclonal antibodies., Results: Histopathologically, all specimens showed epidermal changes such as parakeratosis, orthokeratosis, epidermal hyperplasia and spongiosis. Less common results included epidermal exocytosis and focal parakeratosis. In all biopsies, the dermal infiltrate of lymphocytes stained positively for monoclonal antibodies specific for T cells. The ratio of the CD4+ (helper) vs. CD8+ (cytotoxic) T cells in the dermal infiltrate was increased in most specimens. Increased staining for Langerhans cells was seen within the dermis of lesional skin. There were no marked differences found in histopathology and immunohistochemistry between the herald patch and secondary lesions. Overall, there was a lack of natural killer cell and B-cell activities in PR lesions., Conclusions: Our results support a predominantly T-cell mediated immunity in the development of PR.

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an acute, self-limiting papulosquamous disorder of unknown etiology. Published studies of childhood PR are scarce and most are reviews. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical features of childhood PR.