Cutaneous lesions as initial signs of interferon alpha-induced sarcoidosis: report of three new cases and review of the literature.
Sarcoid reactions are well-recognized adverse events during interferon (IFN) therapy. They are frequently underdiagnosed because misinterpreted as IFN-induced side effects. Sarcoid cutaneous lesions may therefore represent useful hints to an early diagnosis, but their incidence is unknown. We report three new cases of mono-localized, purely cutaneous IFNalpha-induced sarcoidosis. In addition, an extensive review of the literature, with special attention to skin involvement, was performed through a PubMed search. The analysis of the retrieved articles showed that cutaneous lesions are frequent signs of IFN-induced sarcoidosis. Skin involvement is documented in 56% of the reports and it appears among the presenting and diagnostic signs of a sarcoid reaction in 51%. Special attention to dermatologic signs is imperative in the course of IFN therapy because even minimal skin involvement may offer a clue to an early diagnosis of IFN-induced sarcoidosis.
Fantini
Fabrizio
F
Clinica Dermatologica, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. fantini.fabrizio@unimore.it
Padalino
Claudia
C
Gualdi
Giulio
G
Monari
Paola
P
Giannetti
Alberto
A
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha