Degos‐like lesions as a cutaneous manifestation of cytomegalovirus infection: A rare and serious complication in a patient with drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus causes a myriad of clinical features, potentially affecting any organ system, significantly increasing morbidity and even mortality. Vascular endothelial cell infection by cytomegalovirus has been implicated in the development of vasculopathy, possibly accounting for the clinical association between cytomegalovirus and vascular thrombosis. In contrast with visceral organ involvement, the cutaneous manifestations of cytomegalovirus are variable and rarely described. Malignant atrophic papulosis, commonly known as Degos disease, is an unusual small vessel arteriopathy with a pathognomonic clinical appearance of atrophic porcelain‐white central papules surrounded by telangiectatic erythema. As with the arterial occlusive process, Degos disease may be idiopathic or secondary to autoimmune disorders or viral infection. All in all, cytomegalovirus‐related Degos‐like presentation has never been described. This report describes a case in which disseminated cytomegalovirus disease developed 4 weeks after the onset of drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome with prominent Degos‐like skin lesions. Our case highlights a rare example of Degos‐like lesions occurring due to cytomegalovirus disease and emphasizes the importance of early recognition of the characteristic cutaneous eruption as a diagnostic clue leading to the prompt management of this life‐threatening infection.