Recurrent Wells' syndrome associated with allergic asthma exacerbation.
Wells syndrome is an inflammatory eosinophilic dermatosis of unknown pathogenesis characterized by clinical polymorphism, a suggestive but nonspecific histopathologic traits, usually with a recurrent course and inconstant response to therapy. It seems to be an unspecific hypersensitivity reaction in response to various exogenous and endogenous stimuli, such as insect bites, infections, drug eruption or underlying internal disorders. We present a patient with allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis in whom a skin eruption developed in the sequence of allergic asthma exacerbation, which was clinically and histologically consistent with the diagnosis of eosinophilic cellulitis. The authors discuss the probability of a common pathogenesis and the role of IL-5. To our best knowledge this is the first pediatric case where this association is reported.
Dermatology and Venereology, Hospital São João, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, Porto, Portugal. mjmc@live.com.pt
Maria João
MJ
Cruz
Alberto
A
Mota
Teresa
T
Baudrier
Susana
S
Guimarães
Filomena
F
Azevedo
D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000150:complications*; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male