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Original Article - Year2022 - Volume37 - Issue 4

http://www.dx.doi.org/10.5935/2177-1235.2022RBCP.671-pt

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic disease, rare but with a poor outcome. The Capitulum of Wound treatment of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP) promoted a discussion with the Brazilian societies of Dermatology and Rheumatology to extract the best procedures in diagnostic and treatment.
Methods: Broad review of published articles related to the subject and compilation of guidelines of diagnostic and treatment by two advisors of each involved society, plastic surgery, dermatology and rheumatology.
Results: The PG is not an exclusion disease anymore, with well defined criteria for its diagnostic and literature based treatment, refined by the authors, including the use of biological therapies.
Conclusion: The PG remains challenging, but systematizing the investigation and the use of new drugs has opened a new horizon of treatments, interfering in the pathophysiology in a positive manner with fewer side effects than immunosuppressive therapy alone.

Keywords: Pyoderma gangrenosum; Pyoderma; Skin diseases; Autoimmunity; Neutrophils; Societies, medical.

RESUMO

Introdução: O pioderma gangrenoso (PG) é uma doença neutrofílica, rara, porém de consequências danosas. O Capítulo de Feridas da Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica (SBCP) foi instado a compilar as melhores práticas, tanto diagnósticas como terapêuticas, junto às Sociedades Brasileiras de Dermatologia e Reumatologia para um melhor esclarecimento dos seus membros.
Métodos: Ampla revisão de artigos publicados na literatura médica e compilação das novas diretrizes de diagnóstico e tratamento por dois membros indicados por cada uma das Sociedades Brasileiras de Cirurgia Plástica, Dermatologia e Reumatologia.
Resultados: O PG deixou de ser uma doença de exclusão, tendo os critérios diagnósticos bem definidos e a orientação terapêutica delineada pelos autores, incluindo o uso de terapia biológica.
Conclusão: O PG permanece desafiador, mas sistematizar a investigação e o uso dos novos medicamentos, bem como o manejo das feridas, abre novas perspectivas, interferindo na fisiopatologia de modo positivo, com maior precocidade e menos efeitos colaterais do que a terapia imunossupressora de forma isolada.

Palavras-chave: Pioderma gangrenoso; Pioderma; Dermatopatias; Autoimunidade; Neutrófilos; Sociedades médicas.


INTRODUCTION

Pyoderma gangrenosum and the spectrum of neutrophilic dermatoses

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) belongs to a group of conditions characterized by polymorphous skin manifestations that include pustules, blisters, abscesses, papules, nodules, plaques and ulcers, whose histopathological substrate shows intense inflammatory infiltrate with a predominance of neutrophils, being, therefore, called dermatoses neutrophils1. Due to the possible occurrence of extracutaneous manifestations and neutrophilic infiltration in different organs and systems, they would be more adequately defined as neutrophilic diseases2.

In addition to PG, neutrophilic diseases include acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet’s syndrome), diurnal raised erythema, neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis, subcorneal pustular dermatosis, IgA pemphigus, amicrobial pustulosis of the folds, and Behçet’s disease, among others1,3. These diseases manifest in isolation, but it is not surprising that some of these conditions eventually occur concomitantly or sequentially, considering that they share the same inflammatory infiltrate and are usually associated with the same systemic diseases4.

There is also a possible association with several systemic conditions, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, hematological diseases, rheumatological diseases, upper airway and gastrointestinal tract infections, and drug reactions. Neutrophilic diseases share clinical and anatomopathological peculiarities with the so-called autoinflammatory diseases, characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation in affected organs in the absence of infection, allergy or autoimmunity1,3.

Pathergy

The phenomenon of pathergy refers to a condition of exaggerated tissue reactivity that occurs in response to minimal trauma and leads to the appearance of new lesions or the worsening of previous lesions. It is most commonly seen in pyoderma gangrenosum and occasionally in Sweet’s syndrome. Generally, pathergy is provoked by biopsies, injections, venipunctures, vascular access, surgical debridement and various surgeries, but minor trauma caused by abrasions, insect bites, and removal of skin adhesives can also trigger pathergy reactions5.

This phenomenon is also observed and used in diagnosing Behçet’s disease through skin injury caused by a needle, the so-called pathergy test6.

Although the precise mechanism of this phenomenon is not known, it is assumed that the abnormal inflammatory response triggered by tissue injury is due to the exaggerated release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by keratinocytes and other cells present in the epidermis and dermis, resulting in the intense perivascular inflammatory infiltrate of polymorphonuclear cells, observed on histopathological examination7.

Epidemiology

PG is rare, with an estimated prevalence of 58 cases/1 million adults in the US population, and an incidence of 6.3 cases/1 million individuals/year, according to a British study8,9.

The disease is even rarer in children, affecting mainly individuals around 50 years of age, with a slight predominance of females, with an average age of 44.6 years (±19.7) of onset of the disease10,11.

Mortality is also higher in PG patients, with a risk three times higher compared to age-matched controls9. However, studies are lacking in understanding why this increased mortality and how much it could be attributed to associated comorbidities, immunosuppression, infections and iatrogenic events12.

A survey carried out in Germany with specialists in wound care, which included 31,619 patients with chronic leg ulcers, showed that PG accounted for 3% of all cases13.

Clinical condition

The classic and predominant form of PG begins with an erythematous papule or pustule that evolves into a painful ulceration that progresses rapidly, with typical characteristics of detached violaceous edges and surrounding erythema. The ulcer can reach large dimensions and go deep into the subcutaneous tissue, less frequently reaching the fascia and exposing muscles and tendons. The ulcer bed may be exudative, purulent, necrotic, or show exuberant granulation tissue. Ulcers usually appear in areas of trauma, more frequently on the lower limbs, are solitary or multiple, may converge, and tend to resolve with atrophic scars type “cigarette paper” or cribriform type.

The classic form of PG may be associated with inflammatory bowel disease, hematological malignancies, inflammatory arthropathies and monoclonal gammopathies. The syndromic types of PG related to autoinflammatory diseases also manifest with the ulcerative form of the disease14-16. In addition to the classic presentation of PG, we have other forms that are necessary to know (Chart 1 and Figures 1 and 2)1.

Chart 1 - Clinical variants of Pyoderma Gangrenosum1.
Variant Clinical presentation Common locations Associated systemic
Ulcerative Inflammatory pustules or nodules that rapidly progress to necrotic ulcers with violaceous undermining edges with surrounding erythema Trauma sites Inflammatory bowel disease
Hematologic maligna
Rheumatoid arthritis
Seronegative arthritis
Monoclonal gammopathy
Anterior face of lower limbs
Bullous Painful blister that can progress to erosion and/or a rapidly evolving ulcer Face ex. Acute myeloid leukemia, inflammatory bowel disease
Upper and lower limbs
Pustular Pustules with erythematous edges and Symmetrical Lower members Inflammatory bowel disease
Trunk
Vegetative Less painful variant Trunk None
Slow growth
No purulent
Single superficial ulcer, non-subminated and less violaceous borders
Respond quickly to therapy
Peristomal Papules that evolve into ulcers with subminated borders Immediately adjacent to the stoma Enteric malignancy
Difficult to distinguish from other peristomal erosive lesions Connective tissue disease Monoclonal gammopathy
Postoperative Erythema at the surgical site followed by dehiscence ulcer OR ulcerations that coalesce Surgical site Commonly associated with chest and abdomen surgery
Disproportionately increased pain

PAPA - pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, acne; PAPASH - pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, acne and hidradenitis suppurativa; PASH - pyoderma gangrenosum, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa; PG - Pyoderma gangrenosum; SAPHO - synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis; PASS - pyoderma gangrenosum, acne conglobata, suppurative hidradenitis e axial spondyloarthritis; PsAPASH - pyoderma gangrenosum, acne, suppurative hidradenitis e psoriatic arthritis.

Chart 1 - Clinical variants of Pyoderma Gangrenosum1.

Figure 1 - Clinical variants: ulcerative (a), bullous (b), pustular (c), vegetative (d), peristomal (e) and postoperative (f).

Figure 2 - Peripheral erythema with violaceous edges (a), multiple ulcers (b), cribriform scar (c) and pathergy (d).

PG can evolve with an abrupt onset and rapid progression of the lesions, when it usually presents with intense pain and general manifestations of fever, adynamia, myalgia and arthralgia, or follow an indolent course, with gradual progression of the lesions, usually without presenting general manifestations. Lymphangitis and lymphadenitis are usually not present17.

Rarely, some patients may have extracutaneous neutrophilic infiltration, either asymptomatic or accompanied by clinical manifestations, depending on the organ affected. It may occur in patients with hematological, intestinal, or rheumatic comorbidities and those without associated systemic disease. Extracutaneous manifestations are more common in the lungs and eyes, less common in the kidneys, spleen and bones, and rarer in muscles, mucous membranes (buccal, tongue, pharynx, larynx and genitalia)4, the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system and in the gastrointestinal tract18.

Clinical associations

Systemic diseases are frequently observed in patients with PG, but the frequency is quite variable in the different series published in the literature (33-78%)9,11,19-21. In a systematic review of the literature and a multicenter study that evaluated a large number of patients with PG, the main systemic diseases associated with PG were inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory arthropathies, solid tumors, and malignant and non-malignant hematological diseases (Chart 2)21,22. In a large study that evaluated PG in 56,097 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, the frequency of PG was 0.5%, and this manifestation was more frequently associated with Crohn’s disease compared to ulcerative colitis23. PG may occur concomitantly with the diagnosis of the systemic disease, or it may occur independently of the activity of the associated disease24.

Chart 2 - Systemic diseases associated with pyoderma gangrenosum21,22.
Groups Frequency Illnesses
Inflammatory bowel disease 41.0% Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Inflammatory arthropathies 20.5% Enteropathy
Arthropathy
Psoriatic arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Hematologic neoplasms 5.9% Arthritis unspecified
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Acute myeloid leukemia
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Non-malignant hematologic diseases 4.8% Large granular cell
lymphocytic leukemia
Myelofibrosis
Myelodysplastic syndrome monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined origin
Polycythemia vera
Solid organ neoplasms 6.5% --
Chart 2 - Systemic diseases associated with pyoderma gangrenosum21,22.

PG can also occur as a manifestation of different autoinflammatory syndromes, also referred to as syndromes related to neutrophilic dermatitis. These monogenic autoinflammatory syndromes present PG as part of their clinical manifestations. Also, variants in classically autoinflammatory genes are observed in patients with neutrophilic dermatitis, which draws attention to this clinical manifestation as part of the spectrum of polygenic autoinflammatory conditions16. Chart 3 describes the main autoinflammatory syndromes associated with PG manifestations, clinical manifestations, and related genes. In most syndromes, there is a mutation in the PSTPIP1 gene that encodes the CD2-binding protein, which leads to less inhibition of the inflammasome, with greater production of IL-1 and IL-18 and neutrophilic activation25. The association with PG is seen in two other syndromes: the PASS syndrome (pyoderma gangrenosum, acne conglobata, hidradenitis suppurativa and axial spondyloarthritis) and the PsAPASH syndrome (pyoderma gangrenosum, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriatic arthritis), but there are no known genetic variants in association26.

Chart 3 - Autoinflammatory syndromes that evolve with pyoderma gangrenosum20,26.
Autoinflammatory syndromes Main clinical manifestations Genes
PAPA syndrome PG, acne and sterile pyogenic arthritis PSTPIP1
PASH syndrome PG, acne and hidradenitis suppurativa MEFV, NOD2, NLRP3, PSMB8, NCSTN
PAPASH syndrome Pyogenic arthritis, PG, acne hidradenitis suppurativa PSTPIP1, IL1RN, MEFV
SAPHO syndrome Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis PSTPIP2, LPIN2, NOD2
PASS syndrome Espondiloartrite axial, PG, acne conglobata e hidradenite supurativa --
PsAPASH syndrome Psoriatic arthritis, PG, hidradenitis suppurativa and acne --
Chart 3 - Autoinflammatory syndromes that evolve with pyoderma gangrenosum20,26.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of PG is challenging and considered a diagnosis of exclusion since there are no specific clinical aspects and laboratory markers of the disease. Therefore, all differential diagnoses, in principle, should be systematically ruled out. The spectrum of conditions that deserve to be distinguished from PG is wide, which reinforces the complexity of its diagnosis and justifies the high frequency of diagnostic delays and errors, generally exposing patients to risks related to treatments14,25,27.

Chart 4 lists the main differential diagnoses of PG, especially the classic form. The bullous form must be differentiated, particularly from autoimmune bullous dermatoses, erythema multiforme and dyshidrosiform dermatitis, while the pustular form deserves distinction, essentially, from bacterial pyoderma, pustular psoriasis, subcorneal pustular dermatosis and pustular eruptions caused by drugs.

Chart 4 - Main differential diagnoses of the classic ulcerated form of pyoderma gangrenosum.
Infections
Viral (chronic herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus)
Bacterial (ecthyma, gangrenous ecthyma, tuberculosis, atypical mycobacteriosis, necrotizing fasciitis)
Parasitic (amebiasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis)
Fungal (sporotrichosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, aspergillosis)
Vasculitis and vasculopathies
Behcet’s disease
Cutaneous and systemic vasculitis (leukocytoclastic vasculitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, polyarteritis nodosa)
Livedoid vasculopathy
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
Collagen diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis)
Occlusive vascular disease and venous disease
Venous ulcer
Hypertensive ulcer
Sickle cell disease ulcer
Peripheral arterial obstructive disease
Trophic ulcers(neuropathic)
Neoplasms
Cutaneous leucemia
Cutaneouslymphomas
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinomas
Miscellaneous
Factitious dermatitis
Injuries from injecting illicit drugs
Halogenoderma
Loxoscelism
Calciphylaxis
Chart 4 - Main differential diagnoses of the classic ulcerated form of pyoderma gangrenosum.

Historically considered a diagnosis of exclusion, it would imply that all possible causes of cutaneous ulcers should be ruled out before confirming the diagnosis of PG, an impracticable and costly strategy today16. In order to resolve this impasse, proposals for the validation of diagnostic instruments have emerged to refine diagnostic accuracy. In 2004, Su et al.28 were the first to propose diagnostic criteria guide for PG, which maintains the requirement of excluding other causes of skin ulceration.

A more complete diagnostic instrument, proposed by an international panel of specialists, resulted from a consensus using the Delphi method and is shown in Chart 5. This instrument also scores the criteria classified into four categories (histology, history, clinical examination and therapeutic response), and it guaranteed a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 90%. It could serve as a diagnostic guide for clinicians to reduce diagnostic errors and improve the selection of patients for clinical trials29.

Chart 5 - Diagnostic tool for the classic ulcerated form of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG)*.
Major criterion
Ulcer edge biopsy showing neutrophilic infiltrate
Minor criteria
Histology
Infection exclusion (special stains and tissue cultures)
History
Pathergy (occurrence of ulcers at sites of trauma)
Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease or inflammatory arthritis History of a papule, pustule, or vesicle rapidly progressing to ulceration
Physical examination (or photographic record)
Peripheral erythema, detached edge, hypersensitivity at the site of ulceration, Multiple ulcers (at least one in the anterior region of the leg)
Cribriform or “wrinkled-paper” scar after ulcer resolution
Treatment
Reduction in ulcer size after one month of immunosuppressive treatment

Diagnosis of PG = major criteria + 4 minor criteria

* Proposed by consensus with the Delphi method (Maverakis et al.29).

Chart 5 - Diagnostic tool for the classic ulcerated form of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG)*.

Laboratory evaluation

The first step in the face of a suspected case of PG is to perform a deep incisional biopsy of the edge of the ulcer, including the adipose tissue. If this is not possible, a 4mm punch should be used for the biopsy. The sample taken must be divided into two fragments, one intended to execute cultures for bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi and the other fixed in formalin for histological processing. In addition to hematoxylin-eosin, special stains for bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi and protozoa, such as Gram, Fite, PAS and Giemsa, or corresponding ones, should be performed30.

Histopathological findings are not diagnostic; however, in addition to helping to exclude differential diagnoses of PG, they are usually very suggestive, showing edema, and intense neutrophil infiltration, with the formation of microabscesses, hemorrhage and necrosis in the dermis, which can extend to the hypodermis, usually without the presence of vasculitis and leukocytoclasia. Specific stains for microorganisms are PG15 negative.

Although there is no standardized guideline for laboratory evaluation of suspected cases of PG, a series of preliminary tests can be recommended to rule out potential differential diagnoses and investigate the presence of possible associated conditions. Blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, liver function, kidney function, electrophoresis of serum proteins, cryoglobulins, VDRL, autoantibodies (antinuclear, antineutrophil cytoplasmic, antiphospholipid), rheumatoid factor, routine urine and chest X-ray16.

Depending on any clinical manifestations associated with the suspected PG picture, the laboratory investigation should be extended with the request of specific tests, which may include vascular Doppler ultrasound, colonoscopy, radiographic images of affected joints, blood smear, myelogram, immunoelectrophoresis, coagulation tests, abdominal ultrasound and chest tomography, among others. Screening for malignant neoplasms is recommended according to the patient’s age, considering that PG can be a paraneoplastic manifestation12,30.

Treatment

The treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum should be based on the characteristics of the lesion (location, number, size), extracutaneous manifestations, diseases associated with pyoderma, the presence of comorbidities25, and the severity of the condition31. It ranges from local care, analgesia, topical medications, systemic treatment, and immunosuppressive agents to immunobiological agents25,31,32 (Figure 3).

Figure 3 - Schematization of the treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum.

Topical treatment is indicated in cases of small lesions or localized pyoderma25,32 and can be performed with high-potency topical corticosteroids, intralesional injection in the active edges of the lesion, or tacrolimus25,31,32. Other options for topical use include sodium cromoglycate, nicotine, dapsone, and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)25,31.

Systemic treatment should be reserved for the most severe cases and is performed with corticosteroids, at a dose of 0.5 to 1.0mg/kg/day of prednisolone or equivalent, as a first-line drug25,31. Intravenous pulse therapy with methylprednisolone (1g/day, 2 to 3 days)25 may be prescribed as a measure of rapid response, in association with immunosuppressants31, such as methotrexate (2.5-25mg/week)25, cyclophosphamide (0.5 -1.0g/day)25, azathioprine (50-100mg/2xs day)25, mycophenolate mofetil (1.0-1.5g/2xs day)25 or IV immunoglobulins (2.0-3.0g/kg)25.

Cyclosporine (2.5-5.0mg/kg/day)25 can be used alone or as a corticosteroid-sparing agent, especially in cases where there is a need for prolonged treatment31. Topical or systemic antibiotics and antineutrophil agents such as dapsone (100mg/day) and colchicine (0.5-1.0mg/day) may be beneficial. Antineutrophil agents have anti-inflammatory and prophylactic effects against Pneumocystis jiroveci infection32.

Several immunobiological agents have been proposed to treat PG, with anti-TNF alpha agents being the most studied32. Ben Abdallah et al.33, in a semi-systematic review of 222 articles, including 356 patients, demonstrated significant efficacy of these agents in adult individuals, with no statistically significant difference between infliximab, adalimumab or etanercept. The recommended doses are infliximab, 5mg/kg, EV25; adalimumab, 40mg every other week, SC25; etanercept, 50mg/week, SC34.

Other biologic therapy options include ustekinumab (anti-IL 12/IL23)25,35, secukinumab (anti-IL 17)35, canakinumab (anti-IL 1beta)25,35, anakinra (IL-1 receptor antagonist)25,35, tocilizumab (anti-IL-6 receptor)25,35, tofacitinib and ruxolitinib (ruxolitinib?) (JAK inhibitors)35, and apremilast (phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor)35.

Regarding the wound, surgical debridement is contraindicated as soon as the diagnostic hypothesis is formulated. Differentiation in the approach is crucial, as postoperative patients are almost always managed with a surgical site infection; with antibiotics and aggressive wound manipulation, inadequate therapy leads to worsening PG cases. Care must be centered on using chemical-biological dressings (calcium alginate, hydrogel, among others) with minimal manipulation, giving preference to long-lasting and non-adherent dressings. Routine skin care, such as hygiene, hydration and related to the prevention of pressure ulcers, should be redoubled.

Negative pressure therapy may be used, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be indicated for those who are intolerant or unresponsive to corticosteroid therapy. In patients with chronic wounds, a dermal matrix can and should be considered an alternative to promote wound closure.

CONCLUSION

Pyoderma gangrenosum remains a challenge both in its diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostic criteria are important tools to systematize the investigation in a logical and evidence-based manner. On the other hand, the use of biological drugs opened a new horizon of treatment, managing to interfere with the pathophysiology with better results and fewer side effects than immunosuppressive therapy alone.

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1. Hospital Agamenon Magalhaes, Departamento de Cirurgia Plástica, Recife, PE, Brazil
2. Universidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP-EPM, Disciplina de Reumatologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
3. Universidade Federal de Goiás Faculdade de Medicina Serviço de Reumatologia, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
4. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Dermatologia, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
5. Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Departamento de Dermatologia, Jundiaí, SP, Brazil

COLLABORATIONS

LFDFV Analysis and/or interpretation of data, Final approval of the manuscript, Conceptualization, Conception and design of the study, Project Management, Methodology, Writing - Review and Editing, Supervision.

CLAA Analysis and/or interpretation of data, Research.

AWS Research, Methodology.

JR Analysis and/or interpretation of data, Conception and design of the study, Research.

ESV Conception and design of the study, Investigation.

JRPP Conception and design of the study, Investigation.

Corresponding author: Luiz Felipe Duarte Fernandes-Vieira Av. Boa Viagem, 296/1004, Pina, Recife, PE, Brazil, Zip Code: 51011-000, E-mail: luizfelipedfv@gmail.com

Article received: November 30, 2021.
Article accepted: April 7, 2022.

Conflicts of interest: none.

 

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