Incidentally Diagnosed Covid-19 in Admitted Patients With Dermatologic Diseases at a Tertiary Hospital: A Case Series Publisher



Nasimi M ; Seyedhoseini Z ; Tabatabaie MSH ; Khorasanizadeh F
Source: Iranian Journal of Dermatology Published:2025

Abstract

A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is responsible for the recent global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Currently, there is limited data on COVID-19 and its impact on the prevalence, management, and outcomes of dermatologic diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical findings and outcomes of patients admitted for dermatologic diseases who exhibited COVID-19 symptoms during hospitalization. We identified 13 cases of PCR-positive COVID-19 among 1,017 patients admitted to Razi Hospital, a tertiary dermatologic center, from February 2020 to 2021, representing an incidence of 1.27%. Of these, eight were male. The reasons for admission included acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) (3/13), pemphigus vulgaris (3/13), bullous pemphigoid (1/13), eczematous dermatitis (1/13), leishmaniasis (1/13), neurotic excoriation (1/13), fixed drug eruption (1/13), zinc deficiency (1/13), and wound infection (1/13). Six patients (46.2%) were asymptomatic for COVID-19 and did not receive any specific treatment. COVID-19-related skin manifestations were observed in two patients (15.4%), both presenting with erythematous pustular lesions attributed to drug injections. Additionally, one of these cases exhibited urticarial rashes, a recognized skin manifestation of COVID-19. No deaths or ICU admissions occurred, and all patients were discharged after a mean hospital stay of 7.30 ± 1.79 days. The prognosis of COVID-19 in patients with dermatological conditions was generally favorable in this series. Nevertheless, patients should be monitored regularly and carefully for any changes in clinical status or COVID-19 symptoms, and clinicians should tailor the treatment approaches on a case-by-case basis while ensuring protection against COVID-19. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.