Puzenat E, Chirouze C, Khayat N, Aubin F, Estavoyer J-M, Humbert P, Hoen B
Service de dermatologie I, CHU Saint-Jacques, 25030 Besançon, France.
Rev Med Interne. 2004 Apr;25(4):315-8. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2004.01.007.
Ecthyma gangrenosum is a cutaneous manifestation of Pseudomonas infections. This condition may be associated with bacteraemia but can also occur in the absence of bacteraemia.
The authors report the case of a 66-year-old woman presented with necrotic ulcerations on the face associated with fever, arthralgia, myalgia, fatigue and neutropenia. Blood cultures and skin cultures were positive for Pseudomonas stutzeri. Her condition improved under appropriate antibiotic therapy. However, the patient further developed clinical and biological symptoms of systemic vasculitis and mixed cryoglubulinemia. Complete healing was finally obtained after a course of corticosteroids.
Ecthyma gangrenosum should be suspected in people who have typical clinical presentation. This disease could sometimes be associated with systemic vasculitis.
