An atypical case of pityriasis rosea gigantea after influenza vaccination

Pityriasis following COVID-19 vaccinations: a systematic review

In the wake of a global COVID-19 pandemic, where innovations in vaccination technology and the speed of development and distribution have been unprecedented, a wide variety of post-vaccination cutaneous reactions have surfaced. However, there has not been a systematic review that investigates pityriasis eruptions and the associated variants following COVID-19 inoculations. A PubMed search using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was performed to find case reports from the earliest record through November 2022. Data including types of vaccination and pityriasis were extracted and a quality review was performed; 47 reports with 94 patients were found: 64.9% had pityriasis rosea (PR), 3.2% PR-like eruptions, 16.0% pityriasis rubra pilaris, 7.4% pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, 3.2% pityriasis lichenoides chronica, and 5.3% had reactions described as atypical. The top three COVID-19 vaccinations reported were Pfizer-BioNTech (47.9%), Oxford-AstraZeneca (11.7%), and Moderna (8.5%). Pityriasis reactivity was reported most frequently after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination, with pityriasis rosea being the most common variant. A large difference was additionally found between the ratio of post-vaccination pityriasis reactions following Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations (5.63), and the ratio of Pfizer's usage in the United States as of December 28, 2022 relative to that of Moderna (1.59). Further studies with adequate follow-up periods and diagnostic testing will thus need to be performed to elucidate the root of this discrepancy and better characterize the association between different pityriasis reactions and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Pityriasis Rosea-like eruptions following COVID-19 mRNA-1273 vaccination: A case report and literature review

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a self-limited disease with exanthematous papulosquamous rashes mostly associated with reactivation of human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 or HHV-7. PR-like eruptions, which occur along with peripheral eosinophilia, interface dermatitis, and eosinophils on histopathology, may result from medications or vaccinations. Previously, PR-like eruptions had been noted following vaccination for influenza or other vaccines. During this pandemic, acute COVID-19 infection has been related to PR or PR-like eruptions in several cases. Various COVID-19 vaccines associated with PR-like eruptions were rarely reported. Herein, we report a case of cutaneous PR-like eruptions following COVID-19 mRNA-1273 vaccination.

Epstein-Barr virus reactivation after COVID-19 vaccination in a young immunocompetent man: a case report

We present the case of a 24-year-old Caucasian man, who developed a scaly erythematous skin rash after the second dose of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination with Comirnaty (BNT162b2, BioNTech/Pfizer; Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) and proved positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccines have been associated with an up-regulated T helper type 1-cell response, possibly favoring an immune system imbalance. Also, EBV reactivation has been postulated after COVID-19 vaccination, but only in the immunosuppressed. Noteworthy we report the first case of EBV viral reactivation associated with cutaneous manifestations in an immunocompetent patient after the COVID-19 vaccine.

Cutaneous reactions to COVID-19 vaccine at the dermatology primary care

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccines can cause adverse reactions, mainly from vaccine‐induced immune responses. Some of these may also involve the skin and worry unaware patients. A better understanding of such adverse reactions may reduce concerns and help promote the vaccination of large population groups.

Methods

All the reports of patients admitted to our Dermatology Primary Care, from March 2021 to June 2021, were retrospectively examined to collect descriptive data on skin reactions arising after COVID‐19 vaccination.

Results

Out of 200 vaccinated patients admitted to the Dermatology Primary Care, 21 (10.5%) referred cutaneous reactions with onset after vaccination. Only one patient required hospitalization for generalized bullous erythema multiforme, which occurred 48 h after the second vaccine dose. The other patients' cutaneous reactions to vaccination were of mild/moderate degree. Three patients presented exacerbation of their cutaneous diseases.

Conclusions

Cutaneous reactions observed in our sample were mostly mild or moderate. Awareness must be raised to recognize and treat eventual severe reactions. Future studies are needed to assess the incidence of cutaneous reactions following COVID‐19 vaccination.

Pityriasis rosea-like cutaneous eruption as a possible dermatological manifestation after Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine: Case report and brief literature review

Pityriasis rosea (PR) has been manifested in patients suffering from COVID‐19 as well as after vaccine protocols against SARS‐CoV‐2. It has a possible association with the HHV‐6B virus (roseola infantum) and can be controlled by antivirals such as acyclovir as well as by the amino acid l‐Lysine that showed a positive result in reducing the number of lesions and healing time. The aim of this study was to report a case of PR after a second dose of Oxford‐AstraZeneca, the adopted therapy and a brief literature review. A 53‐year‐old woman, phototype II, presented an erythematous lesion in the posterior right thigh 15 days after the second dose of Oxford‐AstraZeneca vaccine. Eight days after the initial injury, new injuries appeared in the calf, buttocks and thighs. The diagnosis was PR with a 5‐week eruption cycle. The treatment consisted of the use of l‐Lysine, 3 grams loading dose and 500 mg for 30 days and moisturizing/healing lotion, starting 14 days after the herald patch. After the 5th week of the disease cycle, there were no new eruptions and the repair cycle continued for up to 8 weeks leaving some residual skin spots. It is concluded that the patient may be a carrier a latent virus, HHV‐6, and the vaccine administration with immune system stimulation, would have activated the possible virus causing PR. l‐Lysine helped to control the manifestation by limiting the number of lesions and their location, which were restricted to the legs, thighs and buttocks.

Pityriasis rosea after administration of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an acute papulosquamous cutaneous disorder that classically presents with a herald patch rapidly followed by a widespread rash along skin cleavage lines. Although the exact pathogenesis of PR is unknown, current evidence suggests that an inflammatory reaction due to a viral trigger may lead to the cutaneous manifestations. COVID-19 has been reported as one such viral trigger for PR. Previously, PR has been reported in temporal association with various viral inoculations. This article presents a case of PR in a 66-year-old black male 1 week after administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Pityriasis Rosea: An Updated Review

BACKGROUND

Pityriasis rosea is a common acute, self-limited papulosquamous dermatosis that primarily affects children and young adults. The condition and its clinical variants may pose a diagnostic challenge, especially in the absence of the herald patch.

OBJECTIVE

This article aimed to familiarize pediatricians with clinical manifestations, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of pityriasis rosea.

METHODS

A search was conducted in March 2020 in Pubmed Clinical Queries using the key term " pityriasis rosea". The search strategy included all clinical trials (including open trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and randomized controlled trials), observational studies, and reviews (including narrative reviews and meta-analyses) published within the past 10 years. Only papers published in the English literature were included in this review. The information retrieved from the above search was used in the compilation of the present article.

RESULTS

Pityriasis rosea occurs mainly in individuals between 10 and 35 years of age with a peak during adolescence. Human herpesvirus (HHV)-7 and HHV-6 have been implicated as the causative agents in some patients with pityriasis rosea. A mild prodrome consisting of headaches, fever, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes and arthralgia is present in about 5% of patients. The most common presenting sign, found in approximately 80% of patients, is a "herald" or "mother" patch which is larger and more noticeable than the lesions of the later eruption. A generalized, bilateral, symmetrical eruption develops in approximately 4 to 14 days and continues to erupt in crops over the next 12 to 21 days. Typical lesions are 0.5 to 1 cm, oval or elliptical, dull pink or salmon-colored macules with a delicate collarette of scales at the periphery. The long axes tend to be oriented along the skin lines of cleavage (Langer lines). Lesions on the back may have a characteristic "Christmas tree", whereas lesions on the upper chest may have a V-shaped pattern. There are many conditions that may mimic pityriasis rosea. Pityriasis rosea in the absence of the herald patch and its variants may pose a diagnostic challenge. The typical course is 6 to 8 weeks. In the vast majority of cases, reassurance and symptomatic treatment should suffice. Active intervention may be considered for individuals with severe or recurrent pityriasis rosea and pregnant women with the disease. Treatment options include acyclovir, macrolides (in particular, erythromycin), and ultraviolet phototherapy. If active intervention is needed, there is evidence supporting the use of oral acyclovir to shorten the duration of illness.

CONCLUSION

Pityriasis rosea is a common, acute, self-limiting exanthematous skin disease that primarily affects children and young adults. The condition is characterized by a "herald patch" after which oval erythematous squamous lesions appear along Langer's lines of cleavage on the trunk and proximal extremities, giving it a "Christmas tree" appearance. The disease presenting in its classical form can easily be diagnosed. Clinical variants of the disease may pose a diagnostic challenge for the general pediatrician. Knowledge of the disease is essential to allow prompt diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary investigations.

Clinical variants of pityriasis rosea

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common erythemato-squamous dermatosis which almost always, is easily diagnosed. Mostly the disease presents in its classical form. However, clinical dermatology is all about variations and PR is not an exception. Variants of the disease in some cases may be troublesome to diagnose and confuse clinicians. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the condition becomes necessary to avoid unnecessary investigations. We hereby review and illustrate atypical presentations of the disease, including diverse forms of location and morphology of the lesions, the course of the eruption, and its differential diagnoses.

A Herald Patch Almost Encircling the Trunk-Extreme Pityriasis Rosea Gigantea in a Young Child

An 18-month-old girl presented with pityriasis rosea gigantea. The herald patch encircled almost the entire trunk. The distribution of lesions on the trunk and proximal aspects of the limbs, the collarette scaling, the orientation of some lesions along the skin crease lines, and biopsy findings substantiated the diagnosis.

Pityriasis Rosea: An Update on Etiopathogenesis and Management of Difficult Aspects

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a benign papulosquamous disorder seen commonly in clinical practice. Despite its prevalence and benign nature, there are still times when this common disorder presents in an uncommon way or course posing diagnostic or management problems for the treating physician. The etiopathogenesis of PR has always been a dilemma, and extensive research is going on to elicit the exact cause. This review focuses mainly on the difficult aspects of this benign common disorder such as etiopathogenesis, atypical manifestations, recurrent cases, differential diagnosis, therapy and pregnancy considerations. Although we could not find a black and white solution to all these problems, we have tried to compile the related literature to draw out some conclusions.