title: Pityriasis rubra pilaris exacerbation with topical use of imiquimod.
abstract: The role of immune response modifiers is increasing in the treatment of dermatologic diseases. Imiquimod, a toll-like receptor agonist, results in up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines for improved immune surveillance. Although topical use is generally well-tolerated, imiquimod can potentially result in systemic effects and exacerbate generalized inflammatory papulosquamous diseases of the skin. We report the case of a 67-year-old man who was treated with imiquimod for actinic keratosis and developed fever and a progressive erythematous papulosquamous eruption that was histologically consistent with pityriasis rubra pilaris.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. fcyang@partners.org
authors.forename: F Clarissa
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jessup
authors.forename: Madhu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahiya
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D010916:Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod