Recurrent hemolysis-associated pseudoerysipelas of the lower legs in a patient with congenital spherocytosis.

Abstract

A 29-year-old patient presented with recurrent erythematous eruptions on both lower legs of 15 years' duration. Family history, along with clinical and laboratory examinations, revealed congenital hereditary spherocytosis and excluded other reasons for the erythematous eruptions of the lower legs. During two subsequent episodes, we detected increased hemolysis that disappeared concomittantly on spontanous resolution of the lesions. To our knowledge, this case is the first report showing a recurrent erythematous eruption on the lower legs in a patient with congenital hereditary spherocytosis. These eruptions might be caused by intermittent hemolysis-induced inflammation as a result of the increased osmotic fragility of the erythrocytes and may evolve to chronic leg ulcers later in life.