The value of histopathological diagnosis in rupoid psoriasis accompanied by fever. A case report and a review of the literature

Psoriasis is a common dermatosis, however the rupoid type is considered as an exceptional form of this disease. Rupoid scabs are very rare in dermatological daily practice, usually being seen as secondary to syphilis in immunosuppressed patients. Rupoid psoriasis is characterized by thick and multilayered crusts that are resistant to local therapy and present a sudden onset. Severe arthropathy is a common manifestation. We did not found in literature any association of rupoid psoriasis with intermittent fever.

We present the case of a patient who exhibited a rush of rupoid boards with severe arthralgia accompanied by intermittent fever. The suspicion of malignant syphilis was raised considering the clinical signs and symptoms and the specific social context of STDs. This suspicion was unconfirmed by TPHA negative reaction and histopathological appearance that showed changes typical of psoriasis. Clinical manifestations were successfully controlled with methotrexate.