Pyoderma Gangrenosum and High Titer Serum Aanti-CCP2 Antibodies

Abstract

Pyoderma gangrenosum is an uncommon ulcerative cutaneous neutrophilic dermatosis. In about 50 percent of cases, it is associated with systemic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythromatosus, hematological diseases and various malignancies. There is no specific laboratory finding or histological features pathognomonic of pyoderma gangrenosum and it is often a diagnosis of exclusion. Here, we report an elderly female without history of any systemic disorders, presenting to us with extensive, bilaterally symmetrical, deep leg ulcers along with multiple superficial ulcers involving the right groin which was diagnosed as pyoderma gangrenosum. The only positive rheumatologic marker was serum anti-cyclic cittrulinated peptide2 antibody, which was found to be strongly positive. Dramatic response to systemic corticosteroid followed by successful split skin grafting was observed in our patient.

Keywords: Anti cyclic cittrulinated peptide2, pyoderma gangrenosum, symmetric leg ulcer.