Scleroderma, eosinophilia, and diffuse fasciitis

Abstract

Skin induration without internal organ involvement, blood and tissue eosinophilla, and fascilitis are features of diffuse fascilitis. However, cellular infiltrates (lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils) may also be present in the dermis, fat, and muscle. Blood eosinophilia (mild and transient) and skin eosinophilia were observed in about 20% of patients with systemic and localized scleroderma.

Eosinophilic Fasciitis: An Ultrastructural and Immunohistochemical Study of the Intermediate Filament Protein Skeletin in Regenerating Muscle Fibres

“…This ultrastructural study has revealed evidence of muscle involvement in eosinophilic fasciitis comparable with previous reports of light microscopic studies (Rodnan et al, 1975;Schumacher, 1976;Gray & Poppo, 1977;Stubbs & Hughes, 1977;Schebert & Ayyar, 1978;Fleischmajer et al, 1978;Bjelle et al, 1980;Barnes et al, 1979;Nassanova et al, 1979;Serratrice et al, 1980). Many small fibres at the periphery of muscle fascicles showed ultrastructural signs of degeneration and atrophy.…”

Serum levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and 2 in patients with eosinophilic fasciitis

“…Our findings are consistent with previous reports. It is becoming increasingly recognized that SSc shares many features with EF, 26,27 including eosinophilia, 28 hypergammaglobulinaemia, positive antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor, 29 and an association with haematological disease 6,30 . In our study, however, serum TIMP‐2 levels were not elevated in EF patients, whereas both TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 levels were reported to be elevated in SSc patients 21,22 , 24 .…”

Eosinophilie Fasciitis: A Problem in Differential Diagnosis

“…One wonders how many patients with morphea have fascial involvement similar to eosinophilic fasciitis. The hyalinized interlobular connective tissue exhibits almost identically the changes found by Fleischmajer et al in subcutaneous areas of systemic scleroderma and generalized morphea.…”