Cutaneous, skin histopathological manifestations and relationship to COVID-19 infection patients

Dermatol Ther. 2020 Nov;33(6):e14157. doi: 10.1111/dth.14157. Epub 2020 Sep 7.

Abstract

COVID-19 diseases have been a nationwide pandemic condition. However, cutaneous, skin histopathological manifestations of COVID-19 infection are not well described. Our study aims are to present heterogeneous cutaneous, histopathological manifestations in COVID-19 patients, to investigate the possible relationship between cutaneous manifestations and histopathological features in COVID-19 infection. We performed a systemic review in PubMed database and Chinese medical journal search engines which were wangfang.data (http://www.wanfangdata.com.cn/), Science China (http://www.cnki.net/) until June 17th, 2020. Search terms "COVID-19," "SARS-Coronavirus-2" and "Coronavirus" were used in combination with "cutaneous," "rash," "skin," "dermatology." Seventy-five papers were included with confirmed COVID-19 infection. The most frequent cutaneous manifestation of COVID-19 present was erythema, nearly 38.4%. Trunk was the most affected location, presenting in 51.4% patients. Rash occurred before onset of other symptoms was in 5.3% patients. Seventy-seven patients were received treatments. Rash was dismissed in 49% patients, improved in 21.2% patients ranged from 0 to 17 days. The histopathological examination present in 39 patients. Skin is one of target organs affected by COVID-19 infection. Cutaneous manifestations should be paid more attention. It can help doctors diagnose COVID-19 infection in prodromal stage, understand progression, and determine prognosis of COVID-19 infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; cutaneous manifestations; histopathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 Testing*
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Skin Diseases, Viral / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases, Viral / etiology*
  • Skin Diseases, Viral / pathology