Acute Vascular Reactive Inflammatory Acral Skin Lesions and SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly affects the respiratory system, but there have been many reports of skin involvement. Several cutaneous manifestations associated with COVID-19 have been identified, including acral lesions (pernio-like), which we intend to better characterize in this study. Methods: Demographic, clinical and major histopathologic characteristics of acral skin lesions occurring during the acute infection stage of COVID-19 disease were evaluated in this survey conducted in the Dermatology Division of Santa Casa Hospital Complex, Federal University of Health Sciences, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Results: In the present study, we evaluated eight female patients with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by PCR with acral skin lesions including pernio-like. The mean age was 43.6 and with no other acute disease, who had a good outcome with need for hospitalization only in 2 cases. Pernio-like lesions were observed under hot weather conditions in patients who denied any previous history of similar cutaneous manifestations. Some acral lesions resembled those of lupus erythematosus and of herpes simplex paronychia, but laboratory tests were negative for those conditions. Unusual nail involvement was present, characterized by half-moon shaped erythematous bands at the distal margin of the lunula. Conclusion: Recognition of these skin lesions is important in that they could be potential markers, aiding in the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 disease.