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Necrolytic acral erythema: an expanding spectrum
Analisa V Halpern1, Steven R Peikin, Pascal Ferzli
1Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Cooper University Hospital-University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, USA. analisa_halpern@yahoo.com
Cutis
|February 20, 2010
Summary
Necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) is a skin condition uniquely linked to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Early skin lesion recognition can lead to earlier HCV diagnosis, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease in the US.
- Cutaneous manifestations are common in HCV infection, including vasculitis and lichen planus.
- Necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) is a distinct skin condition associated with HCV.
Observation:
- NAE typically presents as chronic, acral, erythematous, and psoriasiform lesions.
- Acute NAE presentations are rare and may have atypical features.
- NAE can precede a formal diagnosis of HCV infection.
Findings:
- NAE is a unique cutaneous marker for HCV infection.
- Dermatologists can suspect HCV based on NAE skin findings.
- Early NAE detection may facilitate earlier HCV diagnosis.
Implications:
- Recognizing NAE can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of HCV.
- This highlights the importance of dermatological evaluation in suspected HCV cases.
- Dermatologists play a key role in identifying patients with undiagnosed HCV infection.
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