Pitted keratolysis

Hiram Larangeira de Almeida Jr, Rodrigo Nunes Siqueira, Renan da Silva Meireles, Greice Rampon, Luis Antonio Suita de Castro, Ricardo Marques E Silva, Hiram Larangeira de Almeida Jr, Rodrigo Nunes Siqueira, Renan da Silva Meireles, Greice Rampon, Luis Antonio Suita de Castro, Ricardo Marques E Silva

Abstract

Pitted keratolysis is a skin disorder that affects the stratum corneum of the plantar surface and is caused by Gram-positive bacteria. A 30-year-old male presented with small punched-out lesions on the plantar surface. A superficial shaving was carried out for scanning electron microscopy. Hypokeratosis was noted on the plantar skin and in the acrosyringium, where the normal elimination of corneocytes was not seen. At higher magnification (x 3,500) bacteria were easily found on the surface and the described transversal bacterial septation was observed.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Punched-out lesions on the plantar surface of the left halux (B); larger erosions in the metatarsal region (A and C)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Scanning electron microscopy - A. decreased horny layer (x 100) with absence of the regular elimination of corneocytes B. normal plantar skin with corneocytes (x 100). C. hypokeratosis in the acrosyringium (x 1,200) D. normal skin with the presence of corneocytes arranged in a circular manner in the acrosyringium (x 450)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Scanning electron microscopy - coccoid bacteria found on the plantar surface (x 3.500) with detail of the transversal septation (inset x 10,000)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Scanning electron microscopy- tunnel openings with bacteria in the stratum corneum (x 4,500)

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Source: PubMed

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