Patient with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis: Doctor Cites Gene Mutation Combined with COVID-19 Infection
Chung Shan Medical University Hospital reported a rare case where a 24-year-old patient with a history of psoriatic arthritis developed severe Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP) after contracting COVID-19. Genetic testing revealed a rare IL36RN gene mutation, which combined with the viral infection to trigger the acute onset of GPP.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 13:41
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Chung Shan Medical University Hospital stated today that a patient who had suffered from psoriatic arthritis since childhood and was under stable treatment suddenly developed severe generalized pustular psoriasis. It was ultimately confirmed to be triggered by the interaction between a gene mutation and a COVID-19 infection.
Huo An-ping, Director of the Department of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, explained via a press release that a patient whose juvenile psoriatic arthritis had been long-term stable through biologic treatment experienced severe generalized pustular psoriasis after being infected with COVID-19. Fortunately, with active treatment from the medical team, the condition was quickly brought under control, and the patient was successfully discharged.
Huo stated that this patient had been diagnosed with juvenile psoriatic arthritis since the age of 6 and had maintained a stable condition for a long time after receiving biologic treatment. However, after contracting COVID-19 at age 24, symptoms such as high fever, extensive systemic pustules, and severe skin inflammation appeared, and the condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring hospitalization.
After further examination, the medical team suspected a genetic link and immediately arranged for genetic screening. Huo said it was finally confirmed that the patient carried a rare homozygous mutation of the IL36RN gene, which induced the acute onset of generalized pustular psoriasis after the COVID-19 infection.
Huo pointed out that IL36RN gene mutations are usually associated with generalized pustular psoriasis, but past case reports rarely showed concurrent psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. A case like this, with a history of juvenile psoriatic arthritis, a homozygous IL36RN gene mutation, and the induction of GPP by a COVID-19 infection, has no related reports in existing medical literature and can be regarded as a rare case.
Huo reminded that psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic diseases requiring long-term regular follow-up and treatment to effectively control the condition and improve quality of life. Due to the high complexity of such diseases, combining them with genetic variations may increase the risk of other complications; therefore, it is recommended to leave diagnosis and treatment to a professional medical team.
Huo An-ping, Director of the Department of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, explained via a press release that a patient whose juvenile psoriatic arthritis had been long-term stable through biologic treatment experienced severe generalized pustular psoriasis after being infected with COVID-19. Fortunately, with active treatment from the medical team, the condition was quickly brought under control, and the patient was successfully discharged.
Huo stated that this patient had been diagnosed with juvenile psoriatic arthritis since the age of 6 and had maintained a stable condition for a long time after receiving biologic treatment. However, after contracting COVID-19 at age 24, symptoms such as high fever, extensive systemic pustules, and severe skin inflammation appeared, and the condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring hospitalization.
After further examination, the medical team suspected a genetic link and immediately arranged for genetic screening. Huo said it was finally confirmed that the patient carried a rare homozygous mutation of the IL36RN gene, which induced the acute onset of generalized pustular psoriasis after the COVID-19 infection.
Huo pointed out that IL36RN gene mutations are usually associated with generalized pustular psoriasis, but past case reports rarely showed concurrent psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. A case like this, with a history of juvenile psoriatic arthritis, a homozygous IL36RN gene mutation, and the induction of GPP by a COVID-19 infection, has no related reports in existing medical literature and can be regarded as a rare case.
Huo reminded that psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic diseases requiring long-term regular follow-up and treatment to effectively control the condition and improve quality of life. Due to the high complexity of such diseases, combining them with genetic variations may increase the risk of other complications; therefore, it is recommended to leave diagnosis and treatment to a professional medical team.