Unravelling Beau's lines as a potential indicator of severe immune response in COVID-19 and reinfection

Autor: Aris P. Agouridis, Evangelia E. Ntzani, Georgia Anastasiou, Fotios Barkas, Evangelos C. Rizos
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2284-2594
DOI: 10.12890/2024_004281
Popis: Background: Beau's lines are transverse grooves in the nail plate that result from transient interruption of the growth of the proximal nail matrix. These rare nail disorders can be triggered mostly by infections or systemic diseases. Case Description: We describe a 65-year-old man who presented with nail changes on all fingernails. The patient, a non-smoker with no medication history, had severe immune responses during two hospitalisations, 9 and 4 months ago, for COVID-19. Both hospitalisations were accompanied by markedly elevated interleukin-6 levels, and treatment with tocilizumab on top of dexamethasone was required. The present examination revealed Beau's lines which were associated with both prior COVID-19 infections. Conclusions: Although nail changes look harmless, seeking Beau's lines during the physical examination might indicate past severe COVID-19 infection and a higher probability for reinfection and rehospitalisation.
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