Transient acantholytic dermatosis in immunocompromised febrile patients with cancer

A focal acantholytic dermatosis resembling transient acantholytic dermatosis (TAD) clinically and histologically occurred in four immunocompromised and persistently febrile patients with various malignant neoplasms. No pathologic organism was isolated in cultures from blood or from the actual skin lesions. The rash resolved over several days, coinciding with defervescence. As do authors of other reports of TAD, we believe that the etiology of TAD is related to heat, persistent fever, and/or sweating.