Histopathology and immunophenotyping of late onset cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 in elderly patients: Three case reports.

COVID-19 Case report Cutaneous manifestation Rash SARS-CoV-2 T-helper infiltrates

Journal

World journal of clinical cases
ISSN: 2307-8960
Titre abrégé: World J Clin Cases
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101618806

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
16 Jul 2021
Historique:
received: 21 03 2021
revised: 12 05 2021
accepted: 27 05 2021
entrez: 26 7 2021
pubmed: 27 7 2021
medline: 27 7 2021
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

Several cutaneous manifestations such as urticarial rash, erythematous patches and chilblain-like lesions have been described in young adults with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and are present in up to 20% patients, but few reports exist describing histopathological and immunophenotypic characteristics of dermatological lesions in older patients. Our aim was to characterize skin lesions in elderly patients during late stages of COVID-19 from clinical, histological and immunophenotypic perspectives. Three patients, admitted for COVID-19, and who developed cutaneous manifestations underwent skin biopsies. Immunophenotypic analysis for CD20, CD3, CD4 and CD8 was performed on skin biopsies to assess immune cell infiltrates. CD1a was used as a marker of Langerhans cells, and CD31 as a marker of endothelial cells. In the three study patients, cutaneous manifestations were evident in the late-stage of COVID-19 (mean time from the first positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) swab to rash onset was 35 d). Skin biopsies showed a similar pattern of T lymphocyte infiltration in all patients. Indeed, a chronic dermatitis with perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate was observed with predominance of CD3+ T-cell (CD3+). Our study confirms previous reports. Histological and immunophenotypic patterns in our patients confirm results described in the two previous reported experiences. This pattern is similar to what is found in some lympho-proliferative disorders. Therefore, since these findings are non-specific, SARS-CoV-2 infection should be suspected.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Several cutaneous manifestations such as urticarial rash, erythematous patches and chilblain-like lesions have been described in young adults with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and are present in up to 20% patients, but few reports exist describing histopathological and immunophenotypic characteristics of dermatological lesions in older patients. Our aim was to characterize skin lesions in elderly patients during late stages of COVID-19 from clinical, histological and immunophenotypic perspectives.
CASE SUMMARY METHODS
Three patients, admitted for COVID-19, and who developed cutaneous manifestations underwent skin biopsies. Immunophenotypic analysis for CD20, CD3, CD4 and CD8 was performed on skin biopsies to assess immune cell infiltrates. CD1a was used as a marker of Langerhans cells, and CD31 as a marker of endothelial cells. In the three study patients, cutaneous manifestations were evident in the late-stage of COVID-19 (mean time from the first positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) swab to rash onset was 35 d). Skin biopsies showed a similar pattern of T lymphocyte infiltration in all patients. Indeed, a chronic dermatitis with perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate was observed with predominance of CD3+ T-cell (CD3+).
CONCLUSION CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms previous reports. Histological and immunophenotypic patterns in our patients confirm results described in the two previous reported experiences. This pattern is similar to what is found in some lympho-proliferative disorders. Therefore, since these findings are non-specific, SARS-CoV-2 infection should be suspected.

Identifiants

pubmed: 34307634
doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i20.5744
pmc: PMC8281404
doi:

Types de publication

Case Reports

Langues

eng

Pagination

5744-5751

Informations de copyright

©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Conflict-of-interest statement: None declared for all the authors. Dr. Mazzitelli M was supported as PhD student by European Commission (FESR FSE 2014-2020) and by Calabria Region (Italy). European Commission and Calabria Region cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of information contained therein.

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Auteurs

Maria Mazzitelli (M)

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Infectious and Tropical Disease Unit, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro 88100, Italy. m.mazzitelli88@gmail.com.

Stefano Dastoli (S)

Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia Università of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy.

Chiara Mignogna (C)

Interdipartimental Service Center, Pathology Unit, Pugliese Ciaccio Hospital, Catanzaro 88100, Italy.

Luigi Bennardo (L)

Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro 88100, Italy.

Elena Lio (E)

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Infectious and Tropical Disease Unit, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro 88100, Italy.

Maria Chiara Pelle (MC)

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia Università of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy.

Enrico Maria Trecarichi (EM)

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Infectious and Tropical Disease Unit, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro 88100, Italy.

Branca Isabel Pereira (BI)

HIV/GUM Directorate, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation Trust, London SW109NH, United Kingdom.

Steven Paul Nisticò (SP)

Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia Università of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy.

Carlo Torti (C)

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Infectious and Tropical Disease Unit, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro 88100, Italy.

Classifications MeSH