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CASE REPORTS |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 41
| Issue : 1 | Page : 100-101 |
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Pityriasis rubra pilaris type 6: A case report in an AIDS patient
Abhilasha Williams1, Anisha George1, Emy Abi Thomas1, Jency Maria Koshy2
1 Department of Dermatology, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
2 Department of Medicine, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| Date of Submission | 30-Oct-2015 |
| Date of Acceptance | 22-Dec-2019 |
| Date of Web Publication | 18-Jun-2020 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Abhilasha Williams
Department of Dermatology, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana - 141 008, Punjab
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijstd.IJSTD_120_15
 Abstract | | |
A 24-year-old woman, known to be human immunodeficiency virus positive for 6 years, presented with an itchy rash on the body. She had dull erythematous to hyperpigmented scaly plaques over the body, with extensor predominance. Inflammatory papules and nodules were noted on the face. Follicular hyperkeratotic papules were seen on the shins, giving a “nutmeg grater” feel. All her nails were dystrophic. Histopathology was consistent with the clinical diagnosis of pityriasis rubra pilaris. CD4 counts had dropped to 192 cells/μl, so she was started on antiretroviral therapy along with acitretin to which she responded well within 2 months.
Keywords: Acitretin, human immunodeficiency virus, pityriasis rubra pilaris
How to cite this article:
Williams A, George A, Thomas EA, Koshy JM. Pityriasis rubra pilaris type 6: A case report in an AIDS patient. Indian J Sex Transm Dis 2020;41:100-1 |
How to cite this URL:
Williams A, George A, Thomas EA, Koshy JM. Pityriasis rubra pilaris type 6: A case report in an AIDS patient. Indian J Sex Transm Dis [serial online] 2020 [cited 2021 Jan 22];41:100-1. Available from: https://www.ijstd.org/text.asp?2020/41/1/100/287001 |
| Introduction | |  |
Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a papulosquamous disorder which was originally classified by Griffith into types 1-5.[1] With the rise of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic, PRP associated with it was categorized as PRP type 6.[2] It has an atypical presentation; the most characteristic features are acne conglobata and filiform pattern of keratosis on the trunk and face.[3],[4] It is more severe, resistant to treatment,[5] relapses and has a poor prognosis.[3]
| Case Report | | |
A 24-year-old woman, known to be HIV positive for 6 years, presented with an itchy rash on the body for the same duration. The lesions began on the face and spread in a cephalocaudal manner to involve the limbs and the trunk. Three months before the presentation, she developed pimples on the face along with an exacerbation of the existing skin lesions.
Cutaneous examination revealed inflammatory papules and few nodules on the face on a background of closed and open comedones [Figure 1]a. Many dull erythematous to hyperpigmented scaly plaques were noted over the extremities, trunk, and buttocks, with extensor predominance [Figure 1]b, [Figure 1]c, [Figure 1]d. Follicular hyperkeratotic papules were seen on the shins giving a “nutmeg grater” feel [Figure 1]b. Auspitz's sign was negative. Yellow waxy palmoplantar keratoderma was present [Figure 2]a and [Figure 2]b. Scalp showed diffuse scaly plaques. All her nails were dystrophic, with nail plate thickening and subungual hyperkeratosis but no pits [Figure 2]c. Mucosae were normal. | Figure 1: Extensor predominance of hyperkeratotic dull erythematous grouped papules noted over the a) extensor forearm, b) cubital fossa, c) buttocks d) back
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On investigation, routine tests were normal. CD4 count was 192 cells/ml. Skin biopsy revealed alternating hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis with irregular moderate acanthosis and papillomatosis. Hair follicles were dilated and filled with keratotic material. The upper and mid-dermis showed a mild perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate [Figure 3]a and [Figure 3]b. | Figure 3: Haematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification 10×, alternating hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis
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She was started on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the form of zidovudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine along with capsule acitretin 25 mg daily. Few weeks later, acne on the face worsened with the appearance of multiple new nodules and cysts. However, ART and acitretin were continued, and complete resolution of the skin lesions was seen after 2 months.
| Discussion | | |
PRP type 6 was first reported to be associated with HIV infection by Miralles et al. as is well-documented in the literature.[2] However, the description of PRP type 6 and its therapeutic response is mainly based on case reports.
Unlike the skin lesions seen in classical PRP, our patient presented with extensive skin lesions and acne conglobata during the course of her illness. She did not have the other peculiar findings of PRP type 6, namely filiform keratosis. The skin biopsy supplemented the clinical diagnosis of PRP.[6] Our patient developed PRP at the time of diagnosis of HIV. Even though PRP type 6 is said to be recalcitrant to conventional treatment, with the advent of ART, resolution of symptoms and complete regression of the skin lesions has been reported.[7] Our patient's response to ART along with acitretin was excellent with clearing of all the skin lesions within 2 months of starting treatment. No drug interaction between ART and acitretin was noted.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
| 1. | Griffiths WA. Pityriasis rubra pilaris. Clin Exp Dermatol 1980;5:105-12.  |
| 2. | Miralles ES, Núñez M, De Las Heras ME, Pérez B, Moreno R, Ledo A. Pityriasis rubra pilaris and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Br J Dermatol 1995;133:990-3. |
| 3. | Martin AG, Weaver CC, Cockerell CJ, Berger TG. Pityriasis rubra pilaris in the setting of HIV infection: Clinical behaviour and association with explosive cystic acne. Br J Dermatol 1992;126:617-20. |
| 4. | Resnick SD, Murrell DF, Woosley JT. Pityriasis rubra pilaris, acne conglobata, and elongated follicular spines: An HIV-associated follicular syndrome? J Am Acad Dermatol 1993;29:283. |
| 5. | Bonomo RA, Korman N, Nagashima-Whalen L, Briggs J, Graham R, Salata RA. Pityriasis rubra pilaris: An unusual cutaneous complication of AIDS. Am J Med Sci 1997;314:118-21. |
| 6. | Walsh NM, Prokopetz R, Tron VA, Sawyer DM, Watters AK, Murray S, et al. Histopathology in erythroderma: Review of a series of cases by multiple observers. J Cutan Pathol 1994;21:419-23. |
| 7. | Klein A, Landthaler M, Karrer S. Pityriasis rubra pilaris: A review of diagnosis and treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol 2010;11:157-70. |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]
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