Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
09:07
Murine Model of Epicutaneously-Induced Immunomodulation
Published on: June 24, 2025
Immunopathogenesis and Cytokine Pathways in Reactive Infectious Mucocutaneous Eruption (RIME) in Pediatric
Filippos Filippatos1, Konstantinos Kakleas2, Athanasios Michos2
1First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, Athens, 11527, Greece. filippat@med.uoa.gr.
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (RIME) is a pediatric syndrome triggered by infections, causing severe mucositis. Exaggerated host immune responses, not just the pathogen, drive this mucosa-predominant inflammatory condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (RIME) is a pediatric syndrome characterized by severe mucositis following infection, with limited skin involvement.
- While Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common trigger, other respiratory pathogens like influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can also cause RIME.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current evidence on the immunopathogenesis of pediatric RIME.
- To explore the intersection of pathogen factors with host immune pathways in driving mucosal injury.
- To review diagnostic challenges, differential diagnoses, and implications for treatment.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of pediatric RIME/MIRM literature.
- Inclusion of adult or comparator-disease evidence where direct pediatric data were limited.
- Synthesis of immunopathogenesis, proteomic data, and genetic susceptibility.
Main Results:
- RIME involves epithelial sensing, inflammasome activation, cytokine amplification, neutrophil recruitment, and T-cell polarization.
- Proteomic data reveal acute-phase and complement activation, neutrophil-epithelial injury, and interferon responses.
- Genetic susceptibility may influence disease severity and recurrence.
Conclusions:
- RIME is a pathogen-triggered, mucosa-predominant inflammatory syndrome.
- Exaggerated host immune responses are key determinants of the clinical phenotype.
- Understanding immunopathogenesis aids in risk stratification and treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
01:20Infection
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...